Le Mana Pasifika: Mane Ake

Delivered by the Centre for Multicultural Youth, Le Mana Pasifika: Mane Ake is an 8-week in-school program that supports Māori and Pasifika students to strengthen cultural identity, wellbeing, and connection through guided group learning and reflection.

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Program provider: Centre for Multicultural Youth

Le Mana Pasifika: Mane Ake is a structured program for Māori and Pasifika secondary school students.

It is designed specifically to engage students who face barriers to participation, engagement, and connection at school.

The program runs during school hours for 8 weeks. Each session runs for 2 hours.

Activities are delivered through a fixed sequence and include:

  • Group-based learning and facilitated discussion
  • Cultural identity and belonging activities
  • Social and emotional learning exercises
  • Leadership and strengths-based activities
  • Guided reflection and goal setting
  • Relationship building and peer connection activities

The program uses Māori and Pasifika wellbeing frameworks, such as Te Whare Tapa Whā and Fonofale.

Key engagement strategies include:

  • recognising students’ identity, culture and lived experience as strengths
  • building trust through consistent, supportive relationships with students
  • using discussion, movement and practical activities in small groups to support safe participation

Intended outcomes

  • Improved school engagement and attendance (1)
  • Increased sense of belonging and inclusion (4)
  • Stronger peer relationships and teamwork (5)
  • Improved communication and social skills (8)
  • Improved emotional regulation and self-control (10)
  • Improved leadership skills (15)
  • Increased cultural connection, pride and identity (18)

Program details

Target audienceMāori and Pasifika secondary students
Delivery windowDuring school hours
Program durationEight weeks (120-minute session per week)
Group sizeDetermined by each school’s minimum enrolment requirements
Geographic availabilityAvailable across Victoria (including regional areas). Confirm availability with the provider before booking.
Delivery settingSchool based (in person)
Program availability2026–2029 (Terms 1–4)
Provider notes and assumptions

Schools will:

  • Identify and refer students appropriate for group-based early intervention with wellbeing and engagement teams.
  • Support student release from class.
  • Provide a suitable on-site space that supports group discussion and active learning.
  • Nominate a key contact to support scheduling, coordination, and communication.
  • Ensure student participation is voluntary, with appropriate consent processes supported by schools.
  • Allow adaptation of program content to cohort needs while maintaining the core structure and outcomes of Mana Ake.
  • Pause or reschedule sessions in consultation with schools if attendance, wellbeing, or safety considerations require adjustment.
Suitable for specialist schools and settingsYes
Program categoryCultural engagement
Procurement categoryCultural engagement – Term program - Wellbeing sessions with Pasifika audience
Program contact

Shannon Bell

E: Sbell@cmy.net.au

M: 0438 768 568

Link to external websiteCMY Home - Centre for Multicultural Youth
Provider has Betrayal of Trust InsuranceYes
Supervision and duty of careSchool to confirm supervision requirements and duty of care arrangements with provider when booking.

Core program costs

ActivityTotal cost (ex GST)Total cost (inc GST)Comments
Program delivery including staffing$4,008.68$4,409.552 staff x 8 week program over a term
Program materials $800.00$880.00
Program expenses - (catering, meeting expenses and travel)$1200$1,320.00
Project management/coordination$1,406.00$1,546.60
External speakers$400.00$440.00
Administration /overheads$2,148.90$2,363.79
TOTAL:$9,963.58$10,959.34

Additional costs or optional extras

N/A

Education

Updated

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