Lemalu Henry

Talofa lava,

Malo le soifua maua ma le lagi e mamā I o outou pa’ia ma mamalu maualuga.

My name is Eneli Lemalu (aka) Henry born and raised in Dunedin. My father comes from the village of Matāutu, Lefaga and my mother comes from the village of Sa’anapu, in Samoa

I chose to study Social Work to help break the barriers our Pasifika people face every day. My parents came to New Zealand in 1978 with very little English, where they both got jobs in factories. I have three older siblings where one of them is a social worker in Christchurch, one in Brisbane working as a support worker, and the oldest of us is also in support work in Dunedin. My father’s wish was for all his kids to be out of factory work and into professional roles. We achieved our father’s wish, and I am proud to carry our family name Lemalu, suafa Matai Ali’i (high chief).

I was that kid who disliked school and I left high school at the end of 5th form in 2001 with no qualifications. I went straight into the freezing works as a 16-year-old. For the next 20 years I went back and forth between factory work and warehousing. I met my beautiful wife and together we have two awesome kids. My daughter 14 and my son going on 20 who I would move mountains for. During the last four years of my journey at Ara, both my mother and father have passed away. My family is my why. I also met so many people along the way, including some who are no longer with us while others continue to battle addiction and poor mental health. I still ask myself if I was equipped with the tools I have gained through Ara, would it have made a difference. I wanted to help, but I did not yet have the skills or tools to support them much or help them talk about what they were going through.

This journey brought me to Ara in 2021. I completed my level 3 and 4 pathway to social work certificates and enrolled in the Bachelor of Social work degree in 2023. At Ara, I’ve gained practical tools and learned how to talk with people professionally, applying social work theory in everyday practice. I work part-time at the City Mission and also on a casual basis with Aviva’s Seuga programme, where I co-facilitate weekly sessions with Pasifika men about family violence.

At Aviva, we use culturally responsive models to educate men about family violence, and they respond well. Most are Samoan, and they often feel safe in the space because they are not judged for their actions or thoughts. I am now beginning to realise the legacy my parents left me in the teachings of our culture and language. Often, when we ask Pasifika clients attending the Seuga programme whether they understood that what they did was wrong. Many do not fully understand why they are in trouble when the

police question them. Being able to speak with them in the same language and understand their culture makes those conversations easier.

I also work at the City Mission in the emergency men’s shelter, where I support men from all walks of life. My role is to support them while they are there. I cannot give advice, but I can encourage them to make positive changes in their lives. It makes my heart cry to see older Pasifika men come into the shelter. I see a lot of addiction, mainly alcohol and synthetic drugs. When I speak with them, I often learn that their children have asked them to leave home because of their addiction. I can speak Samoan with them one-on-one, offer verbal support, and refer them to other Pasifika services.

I don’t think I would’ve finished my first year if I hadn’t had so much support from the Pasifika team and Student Support at Ara. They were amazing in 2023 when my mum died, and again in 2025 when my father passed away one week before my first placement. They helped liaise with my tutors, arranged petrol vouchers when my father was diagnosed with lung cancer in Dunedin, and supported me when I had to stay in Dunedin and keep studying. My tutors offered support and extensions when I needed them, and my peers kept checking in and helping me through. I am so grateful for that.

As I prepare for my final placement to finish my studies later this year, I am looking forward to a time of reflection on what I have achieved and explore opportunities I never thought would be possible. I am excited at the possibilities to work as a Pasifika Social Worker in the future to encourage positive change in Pasifika communities.

Fa’afetai lava

Ia manuia tele le vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa

“Ia fa’atuatua I le Atua, ona e maua ai lea o lou manuia.” – Trust in God, and you will obtain your blessings/success.