Mele is of Tongan descent. Her mother is from Niutoua, Kolonga, Tongatapu and her father is from Neiafu, Vaimalo Vava’u.  Mele has grown up and currently resides in the Southside of Auckland, the ‘hood, the 275, Mangere.

What led you to working at The Cause Collective
I have been part of the Do Good Feel Good (DGFG) youth movement since 2016.  I was an 18-year-old who just wanted to be part of something that helps uplift my community. I didn’t know who TCC was and I didn’t really know much about who was back boning the DGFG movement until about 2018/19. The Cause Collective has always been an inviting, warm, welcoming space. In late 2019 I was employed as a Youth Mobiliser. I am super grateful and thankful to be in a space where I am able to be surrounded by our great community leaders and to be able to serve our people alongside them.

Who inspires you and why?
My big brother, he is very driven and has always kept me on my feet growing up.

What is your current role?
A Youth Mobiliser as part of the Do Good Feel Good team – a youth-focused initiative under The Cause Collective.

What is your vision for health and wellbeing in South Auckland?
To see our people flourish.

What is one funny/quirky/interesting thing that no-one knows about you?
I love ice-cream! I was known as the ice-cream freak in my household because I would eat ice-cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner when I was a kid 🙃😂