about Us
Our Vision:
Education has the power to change lives.
We believe education has the power to change the trajectory of a child, a family, and an entire community.
Why we Exist:
Empowering the people around every child.
We exist to empower the people around every child, because when families, teachers, schools, and communities grow stronger together, children thrive.
What we believe:
The most powerful tool to change a child’s life is education.
We exist to empower the people around every child, because when families, teachers, schools, and communities grow stronger together, children thrive.
Our Impact
25,000
Young People reached
20,000
Children have used our Lālanga ToolBox
500+
Teachers enabled
School Partnerships
50+
500+
Families Reached
100+
Workshops & Events delivered
About Lālanga
Lālanga is the Tongan word for weaving, a practice that represents connection, collaboration, knowledge, and community. In Tongan culture, treasured koloa such as fine mats and ngatu (tapa cloth) are created through many hands working together, each bringing their own skills, experience, time, and care.
At Lālanga, this reflects how we view success for every child. Every child succeeds when teachers, families, schools, and communities come together to weave knowledge, identity, wellbeing, shared resources and opportunity into their lives.
About our founder
Lesieli Oliver is the founder of Lālanga, mum of four and proud Tongan. Lesieli is an educator, speaker, advocate, entrepeneur and community leader, passionate about strengthening outcomes for children and families across Aotearoa. Driven by a vision for Māori and Pasifika kids to succeed, she founded Lālanga in 2020 to create culturally grounded, future-focused learning experiences that drive and improve education, wellbeing, student attendance, learning engagement, identity, and community.
What began as a mentoring program for Māori and Pasifika learners has since grown into programmes, curriculum design, teacher training, research, advocacy, and family learning experiences that have impacted thousands of young people across New Zealand.
Lesieli was born in Tonga to two parents who left school by the age of twelve. She knows from lived experience the barriers as a result of poverty, and the transformative power of education in a person’s life. Lesieli believes that lasting change happens when schools, families, and communities work together - weaving their knowledge, culture, and strengths to help every child thrive. Her vision for young people, and having access to the resources and education they need to succeed, is the force that drives her daily!
Education: Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) | Masters in Technological Futures (How can we use digital technological to improve outcomes for Maori and Pasifika children?) | Masters in Engineering - University of Auckland (Currently completing)
40 Under 40 award winner (2024) - University of Auckland
Finalist, East Tamaki Business Awards (2024)
First Pacific female, elected as Auckland University Student’s Association (AUSA) President (2006)
Entrepeneur | Speaker | Educator | Product designer | Local Board member (Franklin, Pukekohe) | Researcher | E-Learning specialist | Project Management | Technology
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About our Co-founder
Co-founder of Lālanga, Dan Oliver is an educator, technology leader, entrepeneur, Academic, Researcher and AI and Cyber Security specialist. He is passionate about preparing teachers, families, and young people for the future. Dan leads Lālanga’s professional development programmes, and STEM learning, supporting the upskilling of educators and families in technology, digital learning, and artificial intelligence.
With over 20 years of experience in technology and engineering, Dan combines practical industry expertise with a deep commitment to education and community impact.
Dan is passionate about ensuring Māori and Pasifika communities are empowered to thrive in a rapidly changing digital world. Through Lālanga, he helps schools and families understand how emerging technologies can be used safely, creatively, and meaningfully to create stronger futures for the next generation.
Technology Leader | Educator | AI Specialist | Speaker | Engineer | Digital Innovation Advocate
Education: Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Science) | Masters in Business Administration (MBA) | Masters in Technological Futures | Masters in Artificial Intelligence - University of Auckland
Dan is Microsoft certified in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies, helping schools and communities confidently navigate the future of technology.
Our Journey
Launch of Lālanga
MOE Covid innovation fund enabled the launch of our first mentoring program in Tamaki College, reaching 60 year 12&13 students.
Expanded our reach
We launched Lālanga futures, our first STEM program at Tangaroa College.
Mentoring program growth, reaching 2500 high school students.
Opportunities analysis
Founders started a Master’s degree to understand education problems.
Master’s research uncovered new innovaiton - Lālanga ToolBox.
Pilot of Lālanga Toolbox launched at Manurewa South Primary School, reachings 400 kids.
Lalanga ToolBox
Over 20,000 kids reached with the Lālanga ToolBox.
LālangaFamily ToolBox launched
PLD for teachers events in STEM & AI Launched.
Explore How Lālanga Supports You
For Schools
For Families
For Organisations