Ravanetta is a member of Hosanna Lighthouse Baptist Church and is nominated by Hosanna Lighthouse Baptist Church.

My heart has always been for our Samoan Baptist churches to excel in the things of the Lord and I believe that my knowledge of our culture and my ability to work with people of all ages and backgrounds will allow for our Samoan Baptist churches to break traditional barriers and stereotypes and bring a breakthrough that I know God has for our Pasifika people.

Ravanetta is organised, thorough and has great attention to every detail. She plays a significant role in our Leadership and Finance teams using her administration skills and finesse. Ravanetta is very fair and culturally competent with respect when bringing our young people, parents and elders together for our quarterly church meetings. She has the ability to read the room and welcomes all voices to contribute to the discussions. Ravanetta is tenacious and loves her Samoan culture. She has the ability to speak, write and read fluently in her Samoan language. – which is the third most spoken language in Aotearoa. Ravanetta is a finisher and completes tasks with excellence. Our church was planted in July 2022, but we have journeyed with Ravanetta since she was 8years old. She loves God and loves prayer!

Ravanetta has been bestowed with a Matai (Samoan Chief) title – “Maiava”. She carries this responsibility and represents the Samoan and Pasifika people with dignity and with enjoyment. In 2017, Ravanetta graduated with a Double major in Criminology and Psychology with Auckland University of Technology. Ravanetta is currently serving as the Court Victim advisor with Auckland district courts. Ravanetta works hard to give back to her South Auckland community through volunteering her time for youth group events and serving her elderly community. Ravanetta brings a voice that empowers all people of age, colour, status and limitations. Ravanetta represents the Gen-Z generation, and she will use opportunities to help educate young people about spaces that they should be occupying together with adults and elders because everyone brings something to the table. Ravanetta is very loyal and reliable to her commitments with a touch of competitiveness to add to the mixture. She brings fun, humour and energy. Whatever team Ravanetta is in, she ensures everyone participates, is safe and has a lot of fun.

Ravanetta fits what is needed for the Assembly Council because she is a Christian Samoan female, qualified and young! Ravanetta holds a Samoan chiefly title, which means she will cheerlead for all Pasifika voices, comments, inputs and practices. Ravanetta speaks both English and Samoan languages fluently. Ravanetta is a passionate person and brings with her a wealth of knowledge in New Zealand’s justice system. Ravanetta is a proud Baptist! Ravanetta shares the view of growing healthy churches especially the Samoan churches under the Baptist movement that need more attention.

Hosanna Lighthouse is proud to nominate Maiava Ravanetta Sititi for Assembly Council. We believe she will be a huge asset to the Council because she brings a voice that the Baptist movement need to include in moving forward in Aotearoa. Her friendly personality and respect for elders never goes unnoticed within our church family and wider Pasifika South Auckland communities. We guarantee, Ravanetta will not disappoint the Assembly council and the wider Baptist whanau of churches.

Get to know Ravanetta:

Talofa lava, I am a young passionate Pasifika female with a heart to serve and a heart to learn. I have been immersed in my Samoan culture and the church my whole life and am always looking for new ways to represent and be the voice of my people.

I currently hold a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Psychology and Criminology. My choice in study was rooted in my drive to help those who are often shunned by society, yet also our most vulnerable. I have worked at the Ministry of Justice for 5 years, based at the Auckland District Court – criminal jurisdiction. I am currently one of the few Pasifika Victim Advisors at the Auckland District Court, supporting victims going through the court procedure. In an environment that holds a lot of pain and chaos, I bring a calm nature and a voice of reason and understanding.

Problem solving and strategic thinking are a few of the core attributes that are needed in my role to ensure common goals and legal requirements are met. Communicating with stakeholders such as Judicial Officers, Police, Crown Prosecution Service and Probations to ensure that our victims’ rights and views are being heard and followed, are examples in my current role of being able to have robust and sometimes challenging conversations which in turn serve towards a common goal.

I also serve as a leader at our church Hosanna Lighthouse Baptist. Being a predominantly Samoan church, I bring a wealth of understanding of culture, but also a balance of ‘old school’ and ‘new school’, finding ways to cater to both. I also play the role of looking after the legal documentation of the church as well as serving in the finance team.

At the age of 20 I was honored to be bestowed the high chief title of Maiava from my immediate and extended family because of my service to my family and my village from such a young age, which I still carry out to this day. This includes being involved in our family council and serving my elders in whatever shape or form is required.

In the future I hope to pursue a Master of Criminology and Criminal justice with the goal to bridge the gap between our Pasifika people and the justice system.