Va'a Collective® was founded on a simple belief: everyone deserves the confidence, capability and opportunity to navigate a rapidly changing digital world.
As artificial intelligence and digital tools continue to reshape our world, many communities, organisations and leaders are being asked to navigate unfamiliar waters. Too often, the people who could benefit most from these opportunities are the last to receive the support, knowledge and confidence needed to participate fully.
Va'a Collective® was created to change that.
About Va'a Collective®
Our Navigation Framework
Our framework draws on the va’a journey to connect people, purpose and practical action.
• The va’a: our community
• The crew: our people
• The paddle: agency, confidence and capability
• The navigator: collective wisdom
• The stars: our guiding values
• The ocean: the digital world
• The islands: opportunities, tools and destinations
• The reefs: risks, barriers and harm
• The journey: systems change
Our guiding values are Fa’aaloalo (Respect), Tautua (Service), Va Fealoa’i (Relationships), Fa’atuatuaga (Trust) and Tutusa (Equity).
The Story Behind Va'a Collective®
The Story Behind Va’a Collective®
A paddle gifted to my father became a symbol of service, leadership and helping others find their way.
Inspired by my parents’ journey from Samoa to Aotearoa and their commitment to supporting others, Va’a Collective® helps people navigate change with confidence, capability and care.
Today, we work alongside communities, leaders and organisations to build practical AI skills, strengthen leadership and navigate digital opportunities safely, while staying connected to culture, values and purpose.
At the heart of our work is the belief that technology should strengthen people, not replace them.
Read the story behind my father’s paddle
Lautalie Schmidt-Geen
Lautalie Schmidt-Geen is the Founder and Director of Va'a Collective® and creator of the Va’a Collective® Navigation Framework, a culturally grounded approach that helps communities navigate the digital ocean with confidence, capability and care.
A first-generation New Zealander of Samoan, German and Chinese heritage, Lautalie traces her Samoan heritage to the villages of Safotu, Avao and Faleapuna.
She brings more than 30 years of experience spanning technology, community training, paediatrics, health, community development, governance, leadership and the not-for-profit sector. Her career has included work in the computer industry, community education and training, digital health, and community development, providing a unique foundation for her work in Va’a Collective® Navigation Framework and systems change.
Her work is grounded in Pacific values of Fa'aaloalo (Respect), Tautua (Service), Va Fealoa'i (Relationships), Fa'atuatuaga (Trust) and Tutusa (Equity), combined with a passion for helping communities access the opportunities created by emerging technologies.
Lautalie has worked with health providers, community organisations, libraries, leadership groups and regional networks across Aotearoa and the Pacific, supporting people to build confidence, capability and resilience in an increasingly digital world.
She is particularly passionate about ensuring that Pacific, Māori, ethnic and underserved communities are not left behind as technology continues to evolve.
Through Va'a Collective®, Lautalie helps organisations and communities turn complex technology into practical tools that strengthen capability, support informed decision-making and create better outcomes for the people they serve.
As the creator of Va’a Collective® Navigation Framework, Lautalie combines cultural wisdom, lived experience and emerging technology to help communities and organisations pick up their paddle, navigate the digital ocean, and create stronger futures through confidence, capability and care.
Strategic Collaborations
Va’a Collective works alongside trusted partners across Aotearoa to deliver specialist expertise where required.
Atarau brings expertise in Indigenous education, youth development, and community-led enterprise. With whakapapa to Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Rauru and Ngāti Raukawa, his work centres on rangatahi development, social enterprise design, and embedding Te Reo me ōna tikanga within leadership and learning spaces.
When appropriate, Va’a Collective and Mahi AI collaborate on initiatives that require combined strengths in AI capability, Indigenous education, and community development.