'We found a home in each other and realised the huge need for many more brown people living in Ōtautahi to have something like this.'

'We are counsellors, we are social workers, we are a lot of things to a lot of different people at different times'

'As Pacific Island people, hospitality is in our blood... And when you do something for so long, you get good at it.'

'I want to teach our stories. A lot of the students are shocked that I’m a brown, male English teacher.'

'All of our mother tongues are beautiful. It’s the language of our parents. It’s the language of our hearts.'

'I’d love to see it sold in all the shops like a regular, kiwi beverage. You know, you can just pop out and get some ‘otai.'

'With some of my regular clients, I often wonder if they even talk to their partners when I hear some of the things they say to me. It’s like counselling.'

The Pacific profiles series shines a light on Pacific people in Aotearoa doing interesting and important work in their communities, as nominated by members of the public.

'I do everything for my tupuna. I want to do my namesake, Mauatua proud.'

The Pacific profiles series shines a light on Pacific people in Aotearoa doing interesting and important work in their communities, as nominated by members of the public.