Our kaimahi are the beating heart of Kia Puāwai.
Our people bring years of experience – their dedicated service enables us to succeed.
Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Mahurehure | Board Chair
Serving the disability sector is Tania’s calling. Her career, leadership and governance experience spans decades. Tania’s current position is IHC’s director of advocacy. Her previous role was as CE of Te Roopu Taurima, Aotearoa’s largest kaupapa Māori disability support service. She holds governance roles in Ngāti Kahu and is on the Board of NZDSN where she is the convenor of their Māori Advisory Group, Tui Tuia.
Board member
Mike is a registered social worker, with extensive experience across the public and community sector as a practitioner, manager, academic, policymaker, and senior leader - both in the UK and here in Aotearoa. Mike moved to Aotearoa in 1996. Now semi-retired, Mike was, until recently, the chief executive of Barnardos.
Board member
Kaine works as a consultant focused on international trade regulation, local government and the arts. He has been an expert advisor on urban development to Stanford University’s Global Projects Centre, and a member of the UNDP’s Parliamentary Democracy Expert Advisory Panel. Kaine is a member of a number of arts boards and is recognised for his extensive knowledge and experience working in, with, and around government and the wider public sector.
Ngaati Mahuta, Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupōuri & Ngāi Tahu | Board Member
Jasmine works in the hauora Māori public health sector, specialising in data and digital technologies. She currently serves as the Director of Interface within Hauora Māori Services, a division of Health New Zealand, Te Whatu Ora. With over 15 years of experience in digital leadership roles across New Zealand and Australia, Jasmine brings a wealth of expertise in harnessing digital innovation to improve health outcomes. She holds governance roles within the education sector and is currently planning post-graduate research in the area of mātauranga Māori.
Ngāti Whātua, Tainui | Board member
Julia was appointed as a commissioner on the Royal Commission of Inquiry in 2020 and chaired the Inquiry’s Māori survivor hearing held at her marae in Ōrakei. Julia is a director on Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua Commercial Ltd and is a member of the Institute of Directors AK Committee. Julia is a Simpson Grierson alumni and has previously worked as general counsel for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Prior to law, Julia worked in commercial banking both in Aotearoa and abroad.
Board Member | Finance, Audit and Risk Committee Chair
Matt has worked as an audit partner with BDO and has over 18 years' experience in professional services. His expertise is in the public benefit entity sector, where he has audited a number of large, high profile New Zealand charities and led BDO's not-for-profit sector group. He has also served on the boards of Canteen Aotearoa (including chairing the Finance and Risk Committee) and Allergy New Zealand. Matt now leads the Audit Oversight Team in New Zealand for Chartered Accountants Australia & NZ, where he is responsible for ensuring NZ auditors meet their professional and ethical obligations. He also provides some consulting services to charitable entities.
We have a highly skilled and passionate team of kaimahi and caregivers who come from a range of backgrounds, cultures, and disciplines.
BA Hons Politics/Philosophy - Middlesex University, PGDip Counselling - Unitec
A strong senior leader dedicated to helping our communities and the people in them, Neil has a background in counselling and 15 years' experience in the social services sector. His previous role was Chief Executive at not-for-profit Man Alive | Tāne Ora, which offers support services for men. Neil is also currently the Board chair at WAVES Trust. A father of two, Neil lives in beautiful Whangaparāoa, where he enjoys getting out on the ocean sailing, surfing and kiteboarding.
Ngāti Patupō, Ngaati Mahuta, Ngaati Hikairo, Ngaati Te Wehi, Ngāti Mahanga
An experienced te reo Māori teacher, trainer and facilitator – with a particular focus on working with young offenders and mentoring young Māori – Pita is integral to our bicultural journey. As the national Kaumātua of Kia Puāwai, he hosts many noho marae throughout the year across different programmes and services, with staff groups around the motu.
Ngātiwai, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngai Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Pāoa | MBA - University of Otago, Bachelor of Applied Social Work - MIT
Grounded in He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Dee-Ann brings over 20 years of experience in the sector across New Zealand and Australia, as a seasoned leader of high-performing teams and a driver of evidence-based leadership and decision-making. She is deeply committed to achieving outcomes for Māori, upholding mana motuhake, strengthening cultural identity, and addressing intergenerational trauma to support the oranga of whānau and mokopuna. A proud girl mum of three daughters and nanny to her three mokopuna, Dee-Ann draws inspiration from her whānau, hapū and iwi to create transformative, intergenerational change.
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work (Hons), Canterbury University
Jaimee has over two decades of experience in senior positions within the government social sector. Her background at the Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki in statutory social work and leadership roles has honed her abilities in working with tamariki and their whānau, team management, strategic planning, governance, relationship cultivation, and driving ongoing improvements. Jaimee enjoys nurturing a constructive and empowering work environment. Originally from the South Island, she has three children who are her pride and joy.
Bachelor’s Degree (Economics), Chartered Accountant
Russell has extensive commercial and leadership experience in operations and finance. Before joining Kia Puāwai, Russell was the chief financial officer and chief operating officer for a large non-profit in New Zealand. Russell’s passion is to make people’s mahi easier by collaborating with teams to improve processes and the outcomes for the people they serve. Away from Kia Puāwai, Russell has two teenage daughters who keep him busy, and he can usually be found seeking out new and amazing beaches to explore.
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Commerce (Hons) in Business Administration
Jeremy brings a wealth of experience in human resources and organisational development, having worked across Aotearoa, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East. Before joining Kia Puāwai, he spent eight years with Te Whatu Ora, most recently as Group Manager – Kaimahi Experience, where he focused on leadership development, kaimahi wellbeing, and creating positive workplace experiences. Jeremy is married with three teenage boys and enjoys baking and cooking in his spare time.
Matua Tigilau Ness is a Niue New Zealand activist, political activist and reggae artist who performs as Unity Pacific. He is a first-generation Pacific Island New Zealander, and we are blessed to have him sit on our kaunisela on behalf of the Niue community in Aotearoa as our elect Chairperson. He is a co-founder of the Polynesian Panthers and representative of the Polynesian Panther Party NZ. Tigilau is the father of hip-hop musician Che Fu (Che Ness) and the father of Ephraim Ness, who is a Teaching-Family Model practitioner. He also is a lead Niue parenting programme facilitator for his Niue community in Auckland.
Rev Suamalie provides both Tuvaluan and Tokelauan community representation on our Pasifika Matua Council. He hails from Nukulaelae, Tuvalu, and is descended from Tokelau, Tongarewa, Kiribati, Tonga and Samoa. He wears a multitude of hats as a servant leader for his respective communities, including being an ordained Minister of the Christian Church of Tuvalu. He has extensive experience working in the NGO, health and wellbeing sectors. Rev Suamalie sits across many agency and community boards and advisory groups and has been awarded the Grand of the Dignity of Ordinary Member of the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire.
Le Afioga o Alaelua Malesala Malesala provides Samoan community representation on our Kaunisela. Alaelua lives in Kawhia and holds strong marital affiliations to Tainui iwi. He is a proud father of three children. A Samoan cultural knowledge holder, Alaelua is a former member of the Auckland District Health Board Pasifika Matua Council and a Pasifika advisor for the Pasifika Education Centre. He is a Samoan language interpreter and translator for resources and is currently the co-director for his Māori and Pasifika Support Services.
Rev Inoke Masima provides matua representation for the Tongan community on our Pasifika Matua Kaunisela. He is Tongan born and was a minister for the Wesleyn Church of Tonga for 20 years and the founder of Lifeline in Tonga, the first social service of its kind. He was a long-standing leader for the Tongan pro-democracy movement in Tonga. Upon his migration to Aotearoa, he founded the Tonga Wesleyn Church of NZ and is a former chair of the Tongan pro-democracy action group and a former board member for the Tongan Health Society. At present he is a counsellor and lead parenting programme facilitator for Fonua Ola.
Matua Frances Lagi is of Fijian descent and married to Rev Atunaisa D Lagi. They have three adult children and five grandchildren. Her background is in business management, and 20 years ago she moved into pastoral counselling. In 2013 she graduated with a Bachelor in Counselling, and she is currently employed with Raukura Hauora O Tainui, in the Whanau Ora service.
Rev Atu Lagi is of Fijian and Rotuman heritage and provides matua support for the Fijian and Rotuman communities on our kaunisela. He has an extensive background in radio and media and was a previous board member for Tamaki Health Pacific and board member for the Open-Air Campaigners Pacific Missions. He is presently the assistant national superintendent – pastoral care for the Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand. He is also currently the chaplain for the NZ Pacific Media Network.
Le susuga o Faimanifo Tofi is committed to bridging cultural and linguistic gaps. She has volunteered in various capacities helping the Samoan community in Auckland, including as an interpreter and translator. Faimanifo is the Board Secretary for the Youth for Christ Board, contributing to the organisation's mission of supporting youth and fostering spiritual growth. As one of our Samoan Pasifika Matua Council members, Faimanifo ensures that our services are accessible and understood by the Samoan aiga we work with.
Ane Fifita Faleafa joins us as one of our Tongan Pasifika Matua Council members. Ane has over 10 years’ experience working across community, health and social service sectors. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a Diploma of Theology, Ane brings a grounded, people‑centred approach shaped by her work with Pacific health and community providers. She is passionate about delivering holistic, culturally responsive support and advocating for equitable outcomes that strengthen Pacific individuals, families and communities.
Hailing from the Cook Islands, Urama brings extensive experience in education, faith‑based leadership, and Pasifika advocacy to Kia Puāwai as a member of the Pasifika Matua Council. Matua Urama has served as a teacher, youth leader, and church leader, and for more than 15 years has supported Cook Islands and Pasifika whānau across Aotearoa as a volunteer, advisor, interpreter, and advocate. Currently the Secretary for the Matāhorua Tukao organisation in Aotearoa, Urama is widely respected as a trusted voice for families navigating housing, health, education, and social services.
Asita Molotii is a Tuvalu community leader and development practitioner with experience across Tuvalu and Aotearoa. She champions inclusive, people‑centred approaches grounded in culture, equity and community wellbeing. As President of the Tuvalu Alliance for Sustainable & Inclusive Development (TASI Network), Asita brings values‑led leadership guided by faith, unity and collective care for Pacific futures. A former women’s rights advocate in Tuvalu, she is committed to equity, fairness and ensuring diverse community needs and voices are recognised.
Pasifika Principal Advisor
Tuala started with Kia Puāwai in 2018 and her role focuses on building the Pacific cultural capability and capacity across our organisation. She is a specialist in workforce cultural competency development and implementation. Tuala brings more than 20 years of experience working in the mental health, addiction and social service sectors across several organisations. Born in Samoa, Tuala was raised in Vaimoso and hails from the villages of Le'auva'a and Salimu Fagaloa. Synthia was conferred the paramount chiefly title Tuala of the Sā Tuala Fale'ulū aiga from Le'auva'a, honouring the wishes of her siblings, extended family and the memory of her late mother.
