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. He 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. Presently, he is the counsellor Tongan and a 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.

Matua Henry is of Samoan and Tokelau heritage. He has extensive experience in the youth and disability sectors and working with Pasifika communities in recruitment, employment coaching and placement. Before joining Kia Puāwai as an employment coach at Youth Service West, Henry worked as an employment specialist at Quality Education Services, Youthline and WINZ. His previous leadership roles include being on the board for Tula’i Fa’atasi Inc, acting chairperson for the Arahura Trust, and a board member for the Auckland Refugee Community Coalition.

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.