New Ōtāhuhu fale gives Pacific elders a place to call their own home

A long-time dream for South Auckland’s Pacific elders has become reality.

The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board has granted 360 Tautua a five-year lease for its new fale at 9 Princes Street, Ōtāhuhu.

360 Tautua runs programmes for aged and mātua communities across Auckland and has extended outreach to Christchurch, offering daily activities, outings and health support.

Ōtāhuhu's new fale is a space of faith, culture and connection for mātua like 79-year-old Sāmoan elder Epirosa Mariner Fepulea’i.

“It is so great to have our own space, our own house. Every time we meet, we know it’s our house, it’s our family,” Fepulea’i says.

“Whatever we need, or if any agencies are coming to meet us, we have a place to come together.

Sāmoan elder Epirosa Mariner Fepulea’i, 79, says the new fale feels like home for the group’s Pacific mātua community. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama

Beaming with pride at the blessing of the new fale, she says being part of the group lifts her spirits.

“I got 11 great-grandchildren, and I love it because we share here with the ladies, we talk stories, especially the legends of Samoa,” she says. “It really raises our spirits as Polynesian women, especially Sāmoan older ladies.”

Sharing her musical talents, Fepulea’i plays the guitar, drums, ukulele, sings and often leads devotionals for the group and prayers.

“Life is too short. Come and enjoy yourselves. Bring your talents, share them with our sisters. We’re all sisters in Christ,” she says.

Pasifika elders celebrate their new fale in Ōtāhuhu. Photo/PMN News/Mary Afemata

For Fepulea’i and many other mātua, the new fale is more than a building. It is a home and a place of belonging.

The blessing of the new fale at the Thomas Clements building in Ōtāhuhu marked a milestone for 360 Tautua Trust, which has supported Pacific elders since 2019.

The celebration was filled with colour, hymns, prayers, laughter and food.

Romana Fetu, founder, says the day was filled with “joy and tears” as the community finally celebrated a dream come true.

Founder Ramona Fetu with her mother and husband as they celebrate their new home base for 360 Tautua. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama

“They now have somewhere they can call home,” Fetu says. “We’ve always wanted a safe space where they can come, talanoa, laugh and just enjoy themselves.”

Fetu says securing the council-owned site was “challenging but guided by faith.”

“Like many organisations, it’s tough to find a hub we can actually call our own. But we’re really grateful for the support of the Ōtāhuhu and Māngere local boards, who have been supportive from day one,” she says. “This fale was purposely built for the elderly, and it’s timely that we’ve been able to make it our home.”

Kaiao Walter Inoke-Togiamua, chair of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, says the lease was approved because of the trust’s strong community focus.

Pacific elders fill the new 360 Tautua fale with song and laughter as one of the mātua performs a traditional dance during the celebration. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama

“The Thomas Clements building is a council facility, and we granted the lease based on what 360 Tautua were going to bring, especially for our seniors,” Inoke-Togiamua says.

“When the elderly come together, it brings a nice vibe, nice energy, and this will be a good base for them.”

He says the initiative reflects the board’s commitment to supporting an ageing Pacific population.

“We have a huge Pasifika senior population in our area. Rather than waiting for the end-of-year celebrations, now they can gather every week, every month. Good things take time, and we’re pleased to support a wonderful group serving our seniors,” he says.

Apulu Reece Autagavaia, local board member of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board, attended the opening and says the project shows why Pacific representation in local government matters.

Romana Fetu says having a home in Ōtāhuhu has been a long time coming and a dream realised. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama

“This is exactly why we need people like us at decision-making tables, to ensure our people have access to these spaces,” Apulu says. “Too often we can’t find affordable community facilities, so a long-term lease like this lets the trust spend money on their elderly rather than rent.”

He says these spaces are also important for Auckland’s ageing Pacific population.

“Too often, much of the funding can be argued can be focused towards young people, and that's relevant too," he says.

"But our elderly also need to be looked after, and that's a Pacific value. That's a value that our Pacific communities want to ensure that we honour. And so this is very much part of the age-friendly plans that we have in Auckland. And I know that today shows why these spaces are needed.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.