Global Pasifika Success Podcast

Hosted by Andrew Fa'avale

Business Entrepreneurship Education Society Culture

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-AU

About the show

Hear stories from successful Pasifika people across the globe (the good, bad and ugly) so that our listeners can listen, learn and be inspired to live their best lives too. Pasifika people have much to contribute to the world – if you’re needing some inspiration to get to that next level in life, TUNE IN.

Listen to episodes

34 recent

June 9, 202650 min

E34. Abigail Tere-Apisah - Pacific Tennis Pioneer/Ex-Pro | Entrepreneur | Mum!

Send us Fan MailAbigail Tere-Apisah is one of Papua New Guinea’s most accomplished tennis players. Born and raised in Port Moresby, she earned tennis scholarships that took her from the ITF Academy in Fiji to the Margaret Court Tennis Academy in Australia, and later to Georgia State University in the United States, where she competed as the team’s No. 1 player and graduated with a degree in Exercise Science.A former professional athlete, Abigail achieved a career-high WTA ranking of 276, won one professional singles and six double titles and became the first female in the Pacific region to earn ITF level 2 coaching certification. Today, she is a mother of two and founder and Head Coach of the Tere-Apisah Academy, where she is developing the next generation of athletes in Papua New Guinea.These days, Abigail is juggling her family commitments, tennis academy AND flipping houses which shows that the habits you build early, continue throughout life. Tune in!Instagram: Abigail Tere-Apisah (@abigailapisah1)

June 29, 202450 min

E33. Jason Venu - Founder & MD at CoverSure NZ

Send us Fan MailJason Venu is the Founder and MD of Coversure Insurance. South Auckland-raised and of Samoan descent, Jason jumped out of employee-mode and into entrepreneur-mode following an insurance career spanning over 10 years. Coversure is now an award-winning and global operation, all sparked from Jason's insatiable curiosity, courage to reach out for help, and a deep desire to ensure people "live life, covered". Jason spends a large chunk of his time in the Philippines, where amidst his business dealings, he also runs charitable programs such as sponsoring sports teams and feeding the homeless!As always, he has an incredible team led by his family, wife Pam and a group of superstar mentors. Tune in.CoverSure LinkedIn: Coversure NZ: Overview | LinkedInJason Venu LinkedIn: Jason Venu | LinkedIn

April 18, 2024Episode 3152 min

E32. Willie Leota - Mortgage Broker; Financial Educator; Podcast

Send us Fan MailWillie Leota is a Christchurch-based mortgage broker who is passionate about helping people achieve home ownership and wealth creation. Willie's pathway to his dream career has seen him work at various financial institutions in and amongst pursuing a rugby career in NZ and abroad. Interestingly, Willie and his wife also sold all of their belongings and headed to Samoa to volunteer with Samoa Victim Support Group and other ministries. LinkedIn: Willie Leota | LinkedInInstagram: instagram.com/willie_leota | www.instagram.com/pasifikahomebuyersThanks Willie!!

March 12, 2024Episode 3151 min

E31. Fiso John Fiso (ONZM) - Director, Fiso Investment Group

Send us Fan MailFiso John Fiso (ONZM) is the Director of Fiso Investment Group based in Wellington NZ – a private Pacific fund that focuses on property development, health, education, hospitality, wellness and imports/exports. The son of migrant parents from Samoa, John was raised in Wellington and attended the almighty Rongotai College before moving to Dunedin to study phys-ed and economics at Otago University. After teaching for a few years, John spotted a barrier to Pasifika education that he believed he could overcome so he ventured into setting up the NZ Institute of Sport – a private training education that provided pathways for tertiary studies. After almost 20 years, John sold this entity for $19.3M in 2015 and is now involved in all sorts of business ventures across the globe.Testament to the mark he’s made in our Pasifika and Maori communities, as well as the broader population, John was awarded Wellingtonian of the Year in 2017 and Officer of the NZ Order of Merit in 2016 for services to Education Sport and the Pacific Community.Credit to REBECCA AMA and MANAWISE Group's own Systems Guru PALA FONOTI for the introduction and making it happen. Fa'afetai tele lava.

December 21, 2023Episode 301 hr 13 min

E30. Lana Lavenia Carter: Principal Lawyer & Founder of Lavenia Law

Send us Fan MailLana Carter is the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Lavenia Law - a law firm that is focused on wills and legacy planning. Lana was born and raised in Porirua Wellington and is of Samoan and Maori heritage. She now resides in Brisbane with her husband and two kids. Following the death of her mother at just 44 years of age and her experience at her mother's funeral, Lana has focused her professional life on ensuring people's wishes and legacy are clearly articulated, protected, executed and legally-binding! Lana is insightful and knowledgeable about her area of law, but also deeply empathetic and simple in how she explains her work. Outside of mahi, Lana likes to hang with her family, serves on a health board and lifts heavy things (the Porirua Powerlifter!) Tune in!www.lavenialaw.com.auhttps://www.instagram.com/lavenialaw www.facebook.com/lavenialaw.com.au

December 8, 2023Episode 291 hr 34 min

E29. Tovia Va'aelua: Good Tech Leader; Culture Builder; Pasifika Futurist; Tech Founder

Send us Fan Mail Tovia Va'aelua is husband to Linda and a father of four. He is a technology expert with over 20 years of experience across the globe. Falling into tech after graduating from university with an education degree, Tovia climbed the ranks in NZ across companies such as Datacom and Microsoft before relocating to the Philippines to take up a leadership position at Microsoft. Having achieved his professional and family goals there, he returned to NZ and pivoted within tech and is now the VP of Sales for Tech for Good within Crayon. Tovia now assists for-purpose organizations to embed technology to enable their success.Tovia's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tovia-va-aelua-b603964Website: www.crayon.comPasifikaInIT: http://www.pasifikainit.org/Humble, excellent, and a family man of faith. Tune In!

November 21, 2023Episode 2858 min

E28. Kale Panoho: Global Entrepreneur & Marketer; Forbes Council Member; Inc. 5000 Top 30 Founder

Send us Fan MailKale is of Maori heritage and was born in Brisbane Australia. From his own account, he had a pretty rough upbringing in Australia and it sounds like his saving grace was his mother’s decision to relocate to Clyde in Central Otago NZ to get away start afresh. Kale seemed to have thrived in Clyde at school and through uni and then went onto become a PT.Kale’s had crazy success since with a really popular story being that he started a gym with his cousins with $200 to raising $220K in just 14 days before the gym had even opened. With numbers like this, it’s no surprise that Kale was headhunted by global giants Tik Tok and Microsoft to help with their brands, and he now owns 3 businesses: K&J Growth, Rugby Bricks and Hakune. These businesses have offices as far afield as LA, Amsterdam and of course Dunedin.Follow Kale for easy-to-follow tips on success, entrepreneurship, marketing and more at these links:Kale Panoho (LinkedIn): Kale Panoho | LinkedInK&J Growth: Growth Hacking & Digital Marketing Agency Los Angeles - K&J Growth (kjgrowth.com)RugbyBricks: Rugby Bricks - Kicking Tees, Tips, Training, PodcastsHakune: Start, Build and Grow Your Business with Hakune

October 16, 2023Episode 271 hr 9 min

E27. Keven Mealamu (MNZM): All Blacks Legend; Entrepreneur; Community Leader

Send us Fan MailKeven is a former All Black captain and the third All Black centurion in history - a record that speaks to his physical, mental and spiritual fortitude. One of the toughest to play the game, Keven's humility and character reflects a loving family upbringing and environment. Post-playing Keven went into business opening his own Fit60 gym in South Auckland with another business alongside wife Latai in the making.Those who know him would all say that Keven personifies the All Blacks mantra that great people make great All Blacks: testament to a desire to be the best and deliver his best at all times! A father of two, Keven provides insights into how he has achieved sustained success on and off the field. Compelling listening from a great of the game of rugby, and even better bloke! Fa'afetai tele lava Keven and aiga!FIT60 | Auckland | Facebook

October 2, 20231 hr 14 min

E26. Rama Chand: Director of Rugby Development (Georgia Rugby Union)

Send us Fan MailRama was born in Fiji, raised in New Zealand and is currently the Director of Rugby Development at Georgia Rugby Union.Rama has lived across the globe mostly via rugby across Europe, Australia, Middle East, NZ and now Georgia. He was previously employed by the Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia before being headhunted by Georgia Rugby.A coaches coach, Rama has great insights into fostering human potential, high-performing teams and successful systems and groups.Listen in!! Vinaka Rama and congrats t you and Beck on all of your success.

September 17, 2023Episode 2548 min

E25. Deacon Manu: Former Fijian Captain; Educator & Consultant

Send us Fan MailFormer Flying Fijian captain Deacon Manu joins us on Ep 25. A man who has played rugby at the highest level, Deacon is proof that diverse interests and pursuits provides a robust platform for success in all areas of life. Having played nearly 70 caps for the mighty Waikato Chiefs, Deacon left NZ for Wales where he played a whopping 154 times for the Llanelli Scarlets. It was from here he was selected to represent and captain the Fijian national team at the 2011 Rugby World Cup! An avid lifetime learner, Deacon is currently studying a research masters as a pathway to a PhD exploring Pasifika wellbeing in rugby.Deacon is also a founding member of the Pacific Rugby Players - a collective mandated to protect and safeguard the interests of Pacific rugby players across the globe. An integral part of his all-round success, Deacon attributes to his family and his faith in God.Vinaka vaka levu Deacon - congrats on all your success and God bless you in your future endeavours.Deacon Manu (LinkedIn): linkedin.com/in/deaconmanuPacific Rugby Players: Pacific Rugby Players – Pacific Island Rugby Players United