ABOUT US.

Wesley Faleolo has a wealth of knowledge and experience, learning his trade in the telecommunications sector, specialising in business sales and IT. Outside work, he was a founding member of the Pacific Island Problem Gamblers Group before pursuing a career as a social entrepreneur.

Wesley has always been passionate about seeing others fulfil their potential - providing opportunities in both educating youth and employing those who needed a fresh start.

He has owned and operated construction and event companies as well as community organisations.

It wasn’t until Wesley went through a period of hardship that saw him sell up his assets and close a business. Being resilient in a mentally challenging time and overcoming his fears from the lessons of life, made him believe he could help others with similar distresses from what he applied to over his fears.

Drawing from his experience and seeking the wisdom from elders doctors teachers in the Maori and Pasifika Community, Wesley headed the Fight the Good Fight programme to help equip those struggling, so to build resilience and face the mental challenges life has.

The Fight the Good Fight programme is currently delivered at secondary schools and community and work groups.

Of Maori and Rarotongan descent, Steve ‘Kimi’ Kimiangatau is the oldest of 8 children and was the first of his generation to receive a Bachelor’s Degree from Auckland University (BSc). Steve is an Area Manager with Event Cinemas.

If people were to ask Steve what things in life mean the most to him, he would say, “First and foremost - I love God, my family, my wife and 3 boys. I also love hanging out and I love playing any sport. And I like having fun!”

“My heart breaks when I think about people that are doing life really tough. It’s not meant to be that way. Through our Love Somebody initiatives, we want to mobilise our village or community to engage and lift, support and love one another.”

Sharlene proudly hails from Te Hikutu, Ngā Puhi and a māmā of 4 tamariki. As a qualified secondary educator with over 20 years’ experience in varied settings with senior roles in management, advisory and relationship engagement. Recently completing her Postgraduate Diploma in Business Enterprise has enabled Sharlene to provide a linkage of operations through to funding, planning and people.

Sharlene spent time in the Cooks Islands from 2018-2021 as the student wellbeing and guidance advisor for the Ministry of Education. Which “opened my eyes to the importance and need for services for young people” and develop a growing passion to support organisation Lovesomebody to provide meaningful programmes for our rangatahi in Aotearoa.

Mani owns a Financial advisory company based in Auckland. As a business owner and a father of two, he knows the pressure people face with the added responsibility of those depending on them for provision.

When his personal and financial position was put to immense test in the late 2000s, he found himself calling on his own emotional intelligence to get through that challenging period. Perspective and gratitude got him through and he knows others can benefit from his story.

“We formed Love Somebody because we didn’t want to be bystanders in our own town. We didn’t want to just watch what unfolds and be accepting of it. You hear people say, it is what it is, but it doesn’t have to be that way.”

We need to change the way people think. We need people who are in the position to help, to re-evaluate and create the time to help out someone in need who maybe can't return the favour.

We need more people to Love Somebody... Love themselves first and then Love Someone else…

Simon has held a variety of senior roles in some of New Zealand’s largest and most innovative organisations. A self-starter who enjoys the intricacies of managing people and taking on new challenges.

Simon has a genuine passion for people and enjoys opportunities to relate to people of diverse cultures and backgrounds. Simon loves travelling and creating memories with his family.

“Suicide is preventable, it’s not weak to speak, reach out, love yourself... Love Somebody.”