ECG Featured by Frontline Pacific Global News: Relationships First, Impact That Lasts
Repost from Frontline Pacific feature Date: 26 September 2026
We’re pleased to share a recent feature from Frontline Pacific highlighting the work and journey of Elika Consulting Group (ECG), and the approach that continues to shape how we work across Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.
The article, published on 26 September 2026, explores ECG’s growth as a Pacific consultancy and the leadership of Leaupepe Legaoi Ta’ala Ralph Elika, Chief Executive Officer, and Feagaimaalii Sara-Jane Elika, Executive Director.
At the heart of the story is something that has been fundamental to ECG from the beginning: relationships first.
Building relationships before business
ECG works across strategy, engagement and evaluation, partnering with government, corporate and community organisations to deliver work that is culturally grounded, evidence-based and focused on meaningful outcomes.
As Frontline Pacific highlighted, ECG’s approach is grounded in the belief that strong relationships are not simply part of a project – they are often the foundation that makes meaningful work possible.
This is particularly important when working across Pacific communities, where trust, cultural understanding and genuine engagement cannot be treated as an afterthought.
As Leaupepe shared:
“Having a talented and multi-disciplinary team allows us to move quickly and adjust to changing global trends and clients needs. This is one of our strengths and ensures we stay ahead of the game.”
It is a simple statement, but one that reflects how ECG approaches its partnerships and projects.
Pacific expertise backed by diverse experience
The feature also highlights the different experiences Leaupepe and Sara-Jane bring to ECG.
Leaupepe’s background spans law, foreign affairs, business strategy, evaluation and governance, while Sara-Jane brings experience across law, media, creative industries, education, governance and stakeholder engagement.
Together, these experiences have helped ECG develop a consultancy model that combines commercial and strategic thinking with strong cultural capability and community understanding.
Today, ECG’s work spans strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, cultural competency, governance and facilitation, research, independent reviews, evaluation, and Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL).
From strategy to storytelling
The feature also recognises that ECG’s work extends beyond traditional consulting.
Media, communications and storytelling are an important part of how we help organisations connect strategy with people.
From video production and communications strategy to digital engagement and culturally grounded storytelling, ECG brings together different capabilities to help organisations communicate effectively and connect meaningfully with their audiences.
For ECG, these areas are connected. Good strategy needs meaningful engagement, and meaningful engagement needs communication that people can understand, connect with and act on.
Growing without losing who we are
As ECG continues to grow, maintaining our Pacific identity and values remains important.
Operating in a competitive consulting environment, we remain committed to an approach grounded in relationships, cultural understanding, lived experience and delivering quality outcomes.
We want to continue demonstrating that Pacific-led organisations can operate confidently across government, corporate, community and international environments while remaining grounded in the cultures, relationships and communities that shape us.
As Feagaimaalii Sara-Jane Elika shared:
“Innovation and identity is what you need in business. Know who you are, work hard and if it’s your purpose and passion you’ll find your strength.”
Looking ahead
We’re grateful to Frontline Pacific for sharing ECG’s story and providing an opportunity to reflect on the journey so far.
For us, the next chapter remains focused on the same principles: building trusted relationships, delivering quality work, strengthening capability and creating sustainable impact across Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.
Strategy | Engagement | Evaluation
Learn more about ECG and our work at www.ecg.nz.
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