Kiwi Vegan Profiles
Introducing you to inspiring Māori vegans.
Alpha Maiava
Founder and Managing Director at Alfazaya Initiative & The Growth AcadeME
Talofa Lava! My name is Alpha. I was born and raised in Samoa until I left to attend Nelson College in NZ.
I’m a multi-passionate entrepreneur with over 20-years experience facilitating potential business exchanges between investors, buyers, and franchises. The sum of my previous work and life experiences in Samoa, NZ, South Korea, Japan and Dubai has led me back home to NZ and establishing my companies Alfazaya Initiative and The Growth AcadeME. More importantly, it put me on a life-changing journey to a plant-based diet and healthy living, to heal my diabetes type 2 and nourish my family.
In January 2021, I weighed 160 kilos, doing physio twice a week and taking the maximum dose of insulin. As a typical islander, I thought the pills would solve all my problems. So then, I started to slowly change the way I ate, not only me but my family also. And that’s when I discovered the Tongan chef, Ana Ma’ilei Savio, of Gia’s Grab & Go, who makes plant-based, allergy-free food.
The first thing we ordered was vegan sapasui (chop suey) and our daughter ate it and loved it, and our son too so that was our motivation to order more.
Ana encouraged me to take the NZ Vegan Society’s, Vegan Pasifika 21 Day Challenge, a month before it launched. By the time I started the Challenge, I was already well versed in plant-based food as I was cooking vege dishes for my own family’s health challenge that we were doing. So after 3 months, I went to measure my blood glucose levels and it was 77 (mmmol/mol) – from 150 to 77. The nurses said, “This is the best your blood has ever been, what did you do?”
No meat. No dairy. Exercise. Self-care.
When we eat well, everything changes. Winning!
Alfazaya Initiative
Ana Ma’ilei Savio
“We are responsible as chefs to offer food for whatever purpose enriches our Families and Community’s Health and Well-being now and in the future.”
ANA SEINI MA’ILEI SAVIO
Chef consultant/ allergen friendly/ Vegan chef
Founder/owner of Gia’s Grab & Go
15 YEARS, COUNTRIES OF EXPERIENCE:
Treviso, (Italy), London (Uk), Sydney (Australia) Auckland (New Zealand)
COOKERY BACKGROUND:
Cafes, Michelin Restaurants, Cooperate Lunch Catering, Bistros, Brasserries, Hotels
QUALIFICATIONS:
Certificate in Advanced Professional Cookery, Level 3 Uk Food Safety Certificate, Allergy Awareness Certificate UK, HACCP certificate, COSSH certificate, Diversity Certificate, Manual Handling Certificate, 7 Habits of most effective managers workshop certificate.
HOBBIES/INTERESTS:
Family, Travel, eco-conscious lifestyle, allergen-friendly food, cultural practices, business, health & well-being, languages
LANGUAGES SPOKEN:
Tongan, Italian and English
Vegan Chef
Dr Apollo Taito
Apollo is a NZ born Samoan, whose family hail from the villages of Vaie’e (Mum) and Sale’imoa (Dad). The eldest of four siblings. Apollo is married to a beautiful vegan Queen from Copenhagen, Demark, and blessed with a beautiful Vegan Wildling daughter.
Apollo’s area of work is in Mental health and Addictions, with a particular interest in Pasifika governance within Aotearoa NZ, and building resilience in our young people. Apollo also serves as a Warrant Officer in the NZ Army Reserves, in addition he serves on two other governance Boards. He holds a Master’s in Health Management and a Doctorate in Health Science.
Apollo has been vegan since 2010 and acknowledges that he has been very lucky and blessed with the opportunities in his life, opportunities that many people do not have. Therefore, Apollo wants to ‘pay back and pay forward’ those blessings into our communities, especially as a member of a Vegan Board.
National Manager Pasifika Work Safe NZ
Augustine Kopa
My name is Augustine Kopa, born and raised in NZ and lived in Rarotonga Cook Islands for 12 years only to come back and raise my young family here for more financial opportunities.
I am a qualified swim and day trading coach with experience in the hospitality and hotel industry. I have 4 gorgeous children 22, 9, 6 and 5 years old whom I love dearly.
I’m also the Vegan Pasifika Co-ordinator and the Vegan Pasifika cookalong host
I started the Pasifika Vegan 21 Day challenge due to being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in February 2020 and did not want to be medicine dependent. I had to do this challenge because what I was doing was not working and my body, mind and spirit knew if I did not change now, the future I wanted for my children would be determined by the attitude of my decisions and for any mother, our children are worth living for.
Other than my health goals of dramatically reducing my blood sugar level; my children give me the drive to give my all. I feel great, nourished and energized just by changing my conversation and relationship that I have with food.
Meitaki Atupaka
Vegan Pasifika Co-ordinator
Anita Prasad
Accountant in an IT Company Official People Choice Ambassador for Miss United Nations Tourism 2012 Winner for title Miss Best Personality, crown in Kingston Jamaica, representing New Zealand.
Being a health conscious person and a vegan I feel happier, healthier and more energized: I lost weight and I gained a young looking complexion too. I like the fact that being on a vegan diet can decrease my risk of many chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease and I increase my life expectancy.
My love for animals is another reason I choose to be vegan. I hate to think of the pain that animals bear just to satisfy meals for people. I believe animals are our equals and deserve to live freely on this universe. I was also inspired by the vegan diets that famous celebrities have taken on.
People Choice Ambassador
Barbara Glowinski
Kia Ora!
I am Barbara Glowinski and one of my best friend’s is Vegan. I respect her Vegan viewpoint and life choices. Cooking and baking is my passion and I enjoy creating vegan meals and baked goods for my good friend who loves and appreciates it very much! As she always attests, veganism is for one’s health, for the planet and for the animals.
Aroha.
Pasifika Vegan Contributor
Cam Tova
Kia ora, I’m Cam.
I’m part of the team that helped to create the 21 Day NZ Vegan Challenge and am currently a mentor as part of the team. This challenge was created for those wanting to try the vegan lifestyle for 21 days with support from experienced mentors and registered dieticians.
I was the biggest meat eater for 26 years of my life. Growing up with a Fijian dad and Chinese mother, they both enjoyed meat as part of their traditional dishes. Thankfully I have been able to veganise most of those dishes including my Chinese grandmother’s dishes!
On a random rainy day in October of 2016 I was scrolling through Netflix and decided to watch a documentary called Cowspiracy. It shocked me to learn of the huge negative impact that animal agriculture has on our environment. As someone, passionate about protecting our environment I decided to transition towards a plant based diet.
I did my research to make sure it could meet all our nutrient requirements and learnt it could. So I weaned myself off of animal products and at the start of 2017 went fully plant based.
Sadly the last connection I made was to the animals. I always considered myself an animal lover. But I never considered the animals that were on my plate before. I went vegan after watching a documentary called Earthlings in June 2017 that showed the standard practices of animal agriculture. I did a lot of research and could not find one reason for why we needed to consume animals.
I wish someone had told me from birth about what happens to animals before they get to our plates. So in my spare time I advocate for animals on the streets of Auckland at Make The Connection events to help raise awareness as I believe people have the right to know the processes behind animal agriculture. I also help out at sanctuaries when I can as a lot of these sanctuaries don’t get any sponsorship and many of them run off of donations and volunteers.
In my spare time I also love to run and show that we can thrive on a whole foods plant based diet. I will be running my 2nd marathon in Oct 2021 and will represent Team Vegan loud and proud!
I will continue to speak up for the animals for as long as is required. The quote “If you are silent in times of injustice, you choose the side of the oppressor” is how I view the current unspoken of suffering of animals. Many people know now but are not willing to speak about it or engage in it for fear of how they will look or be perceived. For me, what the animals going through is much worse that what any human in NZ will ever have to go through and so I choose to speak for them as they have no voice.
Vegan Society Volunteer
Cam Tova
Tino kai: Vegan boil up with doughboys!
When did you go vegan, and why?
In 2019, initially for health. After losing my father to bowel cancer, I wanted to nourish my body after an incredibly difficult time. I had also been raised to be a fierce protector of the environment – so, for Papatūānuku, too.
What benefits have you experienced since going vegan?
Definitely a feeling of tau when I eat, because no animals have had to die to give me my kai! More energy than ever, and I can just run for ages! And kai is fun and enjoyable for me again. I love creating meals and cooking for other people.
What advice do you have for new vegans?
Every meal you could possibly want can be made vegan! Don’t be hard on yourself, some people take a while to get there. (I took 4 years!) Ask your vegan friends for a hand – we love providing tautoko to those wanting to try vegan.
(Ngati Whatua, Ngāti Raukawa)
Linda Siai Seve
Fakalofa lahi atu
Ko e higoa haaku ko LINDA SEVE. Hau au he maaga ko Avatele.
I am a single mum of 3 sons. Born in Sydney Australia and raised in Auckland New Zealand from the age of 4. I currently live on the Gold Coast in Australia. My 3 sons and I moved here in 2017.
I work from home full time, running multiple businesses. I am a qualified personal trainer. I do mobile PTs, online personal coaching, I sell the best vegan carrot cakes on the planet and I run two other online marketing businesses.
My plant based journey started in 2016 and I have never looked back. I love the lifestyle 100% and now I help others to transition to a plant based diet via two free private group pages on facebook, “Plant based Polynesians” and “Infinite health”. I also share anything to do with health on my FB page “Coach Linda” and everything wealth related on “Linda Seve”.
I have seen hundreds of family’s health change for the better by transitioning to a plant based diet and it brings me so much joy!
I pray that more and more people experience the many benefits of making the simple switch.
Kia monuina
Coach Linda
PT & Blogger
Maaka McKinney
Maaka McKinney has served in the New Zealand Army for over 20 years and has deployed to a variety of countries and continents within his service. He has been a vegan since the beginning of 2018. Now a career firefighter and a Territorial Force soldier, Maaka finds all of his food source, nourishment and energy from plant based living. “I became a Vegan to promote healthier living options for Maori and Pasifika whanau. Our health rates in Aotearoa are sadly appalling. Healthier options through education about veganism will support healthier living and life longevity for our people.” In 2018 he was New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Volunteer of the Year, the Northlander Sergeant carries four pagers – he’s on call 24/7 to Coastguard Tutukaka, the Rural Fire Service, St John Ambulance, and his local fire brigade. He also raises awareness and funding for NZDF personnel and first responders who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
soldier
Manny Sats
I have only been vegan for a year and a half… before that I thought veganism was just a diet. Now I am starting to realise it’s a way of thinking about the environment, showing compassion to others and also now discovering that there are different groups of vegans too. I have seen all the benefits of a vegan lifestyle (mind and body) and look forward to bringing more people into the Vegan way of life.
Vegan Society Volunteer
Mike McRoberts
Since early 2020 news anchor Mike McRoberts has been living a vegan lifestyle.
Mike took up endurance sports in his mid-40s — marathons and Ironman Triathlons kept him active and healthy, until a serious knee injury threatened to derail his athletic avocation. It was veganism to the rescue, for no amount of treatment options helped his ailment.
He was competing in the Dancing with the Stars TV show at the time and had to do so in one-legged fashion. It wasn’t until he travelled to Japan to cover the 2019 Rugby World Cup that things started to change.
“About two weeks into that trip, I realised that I didn’t have any pain in my leg,” he recalls. Filtering through the possible reasons for the improvement, Mike deduced that the low dairy content in Japanese cuisine might be the answer — back home he was essentially on a pescatarian diet [vegetarian with the addition of seafood] but consumed a lot of dairy.
A quick bit of research led to him deciding to give veganism a try. “The results were almost immediate. I still had a bit of knee pain, but I was back to being active, running every day.”
A boon not only for his physical fitness, but his mental health too, as the busy journalist relies on exercise to help him unwind after hectic days in the newsroom. After ditching the dairy, Aotearoa’s top news anchor was back in fighting form.
“It’s been quite a journey, I’ve loved it. I really enjoy cooking and for me it has been like starting all over again, learning what to cook. It has been very good for me.”
Bouncing back
Since going vegan, it’s not just the injured knee that has improved. He now finds his body recovers much more quickly from whatever stresses he puts it through and this year Mike, along with his partner Heidi, has embarked on a training schedule he previously thought impossible; running every day.
“I just found my recovery was so much quicker, and when you’re in your 50s that means everything.”
He has also found the change to veganism has improved his mental alertness, which is a big benefit when under the demands of a particularly frantic news cycle.
While the initial impetus for trying veganism was health-related, the underlying social and environmental issues around food choice are not lost on the newsman. Having visited some of the most conflicted regions of the world, Mike is well aware of life’s harsh realities. He values the way in which veganism feeds into improving both the environment and the plight of animals.
“I’ve always had concerns around animal welfare and exploitation, and while that wasn’t the push that got me into it, it is certainly something that I have thought about deeply since going vegan. And I just can’t even imagine going back to not being plant-based.”
His strategy is to aim for the stomach; feed people good vegan food and the converts are sure to follow. To hear Mike talk about the meals he enjoys preparing, it’s clear he derives immense satisfaction from cooking and feeding others, and that’s the kind of affection that can’t help but be contagious.
He has picked up loads of new culinary skills now that he’s preparing vegan food. Lentils, grains, and pulses now feature prominently as key ingredients of comfort food, and he’s more cognizant of not creating waste. No more discarding broccoli stems, for example; they get frozen to later be grated into a stew.
“It’s not a diet, it’s not something I’m sacrificing anything for; it’s the way of life I have chosen. To me, it’s the way of the future, I’m sure it’s something more and more people will find their way to.”
Reporter and News Presenter
Plant Based Maori
Tino kai: Huarākau! Watermelon, passionfruit, but also anything spicy – Kaitaia Fire!
When did you go vegan, and why?
I was raised next to the ngahere where I spent a lot of time with kararehe and my awa. I went vegetarian at 13, then ten years later when I felt I was in a good place, I took the next step to live more aligned with my values and appreciation of the natural world.
What are your hopes for Aotearoa?
A vegan world with tikanga Māori as a foundation. Our struggle for tino rangatiratanga, environmental justice, animal justice and equitable systems are inextricably linked, and once achieved they will support each other moving into the future.
What advice do you have for new vegans?
Being different can be testing. Hold onto your ‘why’. Kia ū! You may fall over, but don’t give up. Never stop listening to your heart. Kaua e hē, kia mau ki te ara tika
(Ngāpuhi nui tonu, Ngati Porou, Te Ātiawa)
Plant Based Maori
Tino kai: Crispy tofu. I never liked tofu as a kid – but now I can’t get enough of it!
When did you go vegan, and why?
I went vegan in my mid-20s, after being vegetarian for a couple of years. Initially, it was for the animals, but I soon realised that veganism is great for te taiao, and for our hauora as well.
What’s your favourite thing about being vegan?
When I went vegan, I met a lot of great people who care about protecting Papatūānuku, and all of our whanaunga – human and non-human.
What advice do you have for new vegans?
Don’t do it alone. Ask a friend if they’ll give it a try, too, hei hoa haere. Remember, sustainable change takes time: take your first step, then take the next one.
Kāi Tahu
Plant Based Maori
Raniera Rewiri (Te Whakatohea, Tuhoe) – also known as the Plant-Based Maori – is the founder of Tupuanuku, a vegan market stall and catering company based in Whakatane. ‘The only reason it was Plant-Based Maori is because the Maori Vegan was taken up!’ Raniera Rewiri, who calls himself the Plant-Based Maori, certainly isn’t the only Maori vegan out there.
Raniera went vegan on 1 May, 2017 – but it was only supposed to be for a month. His curiosity was sparked by his best mate, Te Haunui Tuna, who was vegan for the animals. It was his integrity that won Raniera over: ‘He never forced anything on me, let alone anybody.’
So in November 2016, he decided to transition to veganism. He started doing his research – and that was when he began to uncover the truth. ‘It was pretty overwhelming!’ What really convinced him, though, was the environment – and this was something he was able to connect to his world as a Maori. ‘The strongest connection I could find was the negative impacts it’s having on the environment,’ he says. ‘As Maori, we really depend on our environment. If you were to ask anyone who is Maori where we’re from, we all know where we’re from, we all know our mountains, our maunga, we all know our rivers, our awa, our marae where we come from – but one thing we’re not understanding is our riverways are extremely sick.’ His own awa, Waiotahe, is polluted. It is from that river that his ancestors ate. ‘It’s contaminated. Once, we called that the pataka kai, which is our food basket.’
Website: https://www.tupuanuku.com
Founder of Tupuanuku
Rebecca Faavaoga
Hi my name is Rebecca Faavaoga and I am New Zealand Born, half Tongan and half Scottish. I am married to a beautiful Samoan man and the love of our lives, our 4 year old plant based baby since birth.
I say plant-based because all we eat is plants and veges. No dairy/eggs/gluten or meat. Our Baby Judah is the reason we changed everything about our lives from our diet, to our washing powder, any skin/hair products, and becoming as natural as possible.
The reason for all these changes was because he is allergic to Dairy/wheat/eggs/any nuts. As a newborn, he had severe eczema that he would rip his skin apart till he bled in which he would become infected having many visits to the doctors and Emergency for allergic reactions.
Nothing the doctors gave helped. This broke my heart seeing my baby suffer when he didn’t need to as his condition was due to my poor choices. The first 2 years of his life I breastfed him exclusively having no food at all in which I had to change my diet and continued to breastfeed him to 3 years of age with food. Yes it was a great sacrifice to make and not easy at all with not many options out there for our diet but what mother wouldn’t do this for their child.
I was introduced to a Naturopath/Nutritionist, Barbara O’Neil, where I became aware of what we ate and how it affects our bodies with the science behind it. What she taught I applied and saw immediate results. My husband soon changed his diet as he began to be educated on seeing the positive changes through us.
He was convinced how a plant-based diet excelled us both in our physical activities as we also do ultra marathons. He continues that journey today with the 100km Tarawera ultra marathon coming up and even running in jandals – island styles!! He is breaking the stereotype that Pacific islanders cannot live on veges alone together with endurance events.
The biggest benefit of a plant-based diet for me was finally receiving a breakthrough in my mental health as I have battled depression and suicide attempts from the age of 10 years old. We could not deny the powerful changes food has made as we continue to complete fitness events that are not normally done on a plant based diet and felt amazing recovering super fast!
Plant-Based PI Mum
Rosie Pukeiti
Kia orana! Ko ROSIE PUKEITI toku ingoa.
I am a New Zealand born Cook Islander working in the early childhood sector as a Head Teacher for infants. I became vegan in April, 2017 initially for health reasons. However, as I researched more on the vegan movement, I became more aware of the other two key benefits of veganism, which are of course for the animals and the environment. The ethics of being vegan, of not wanting to contribute to a cruel industry is now my main reason for continuing my vegan journey. I have a twelve year old son who shares in my belief and conviction of the vegan lifestyle.
Vegan home cook
Simesi Vea Sikei
Tena Koutou, my name is SEMISI SIKEI, I am 29 years of age and living in Wellington.
I’m of Maori & Tongan Decent. My mother is Maori from a small place called Otorohanga from the Ngati Maniapoto Tribe. My father is Tongan and also from a small place called Hofoa & Masilamea.
I was born & raised up in Central Auckland. Went to Mount Albert Grammar School. I have a huge passion for performing whether it be dance, acting or musical. I have accomplished a lot of things in my 29 years but there is many more things for me to accomplish.
Becoming a vegan didnt ever cross my mind until one day, I had a good think about my health and what I wanted to change within my family.
I decided in late 2019 that in 2020, I would change the things that I eat.
Fast forward to Feb 2020, I started my journey on becoming a vegan. Being a pacific Islander and living at home was really hard to not eat what islanders love to eat. But I pulled through all the birthday feast and big church functions.
My family weren’t on board of me becoming a vegan, they called me names and said I was being silly just because I wanted to change the way I ate.
The reasons why I chose to go vegan are:
– Healthier life
– More Energy
– Better for the climate
– Felt sorry for the animals
And many many more.
I have recently started up an Instagram where I capture all the vegan meals I eat & where you can find them & just all things Vegan
You can catch me at: Poly.Vegan
Even if you have any questions don’t be shy to flick me a message
Ma te wa.
Influencer
Sonam Hoani
I used to think about the ethics of veganism, before going vegan, but I wasn’t quite sure how to make the shift. In the end, it was when I met my vegan partner that I was able to effortlessly adopt a vegan whole food plant based diet.
I’ve been vegan since 2017 and I have experienced tremendous health benefits. I even quit my asthma medications. I’ve never wanted any animals to suffer, so I’m proud to be a vegan advocate.
Actor
Tame Iti
Tame Iti is a chameleon. He’s also a teetotaller, vegan, cyclist and doting koro — and a former radio DJ with a thing for house music.
He is also part of a neighbourhood watch group at home to “sort out the riff raff”, is into his art and cooking and plans to compete in the Iron Maori later this year.
“My strategy has changed and my attitude. I am a little older and wiser. I am a kaumatua now. It’s a big role, a huge responsibility, but I think the iwi still trusts my ability and they are keen for me to be part of the process and I am keen for whatever role that I will always be there.”
Writer, activist, chameleon
Tonya Marriott
Kia Orana! My name is Tonya Marriott and I live in Christchurch.
I am a Vegan mother of 3 and we hail from the Cooks in Aitutaki, Tonga and New Zealand.
I love cooking delicious Vegan meals for my family as they grow and thrive. Mauri Ora.
Vegan home cook
Tee Touvai Poloniati
I’m Touvai Fiefia He Matavai Moui Poloniati, a 30 year old chef from South Auckland.
I’ve been cooking all my life, starting with learning traditional Tongan food at home, and going on to study culinary from age 15 and onwards. I’ve been travelling the world and working in Hong Kong, Australia, Canada & New Zealand to expand my knowledge and perfect my craft.
I love cooking Vegan food as I feel it’s important to eat in a way that’s environmentally conscious and believe plant-based food is the future of global cuisine. I also really enjoy the challenge of creating dishes that are just as tasty and comforting as non-vegan food, but with cheap, humble & generally healthier ingredients.
chef
TJ Perenara
All Black TJ Perenara is vegan, and an ambassador for Kiwi plant-based protein brand Plan*t. TJ Perenara says lessons he learned as an overweight youngster helped improve his relationship with food, and ultimately eased his transition to a plant-based diet.
He is now passionate about sustainability and playing his part to help the planet.
And getting enough protein certainly doesn’t appear to be a problem for Perenara. The 30-year-old, who made his debut for the All Blacks in 2014, has enjoyed an illustrious career as a high-performance athlete without touching chicken breast or lean mince since 2016.
