Leilani Tamu is an afakasi Samoan woman, born and raised in Auckland and currently Manager of Pacific Policy at MBIE (NZ). With a broad range of experiences across her hobbies, career and travels, the thread that weaves through all of these is that of tautua/service.
A former diplomat, published poet, Fullbright creative alumna, columnist and social commentator and much more, Leilani is the eldest daughter of a Palagi dad and Samoan mother. She herself is a proud wife to Shane and a mother of two.
Thanks Leilani for an honest and uplifting talanoa, and for all the trailblazing work you've done and that which is yet to come. Fa'afetai lava.
Links:
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leilani_Tamu
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leilanitamu?lang=en
Spinoff Article: https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/22-08-2020/my-childhood-was-branded-by-shame-ill-no-longer-let-it-define-me/