Pasifika directors’ governance talanoa

Networking

Speaker(s): Mele Wendt
Date: 5:00pm — 6:30pm, 15 July 2026
Venue: Institute of Directors
Location: Level 6, 215 Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011
Price members: $0.00 incl GST
Price non-members: $0.00 incl GST

Overview

Join host Mele Wendt MNZM MInstD for a relaxed after 5 talanoa with Pacific directors and those interested in strengthening their governance journey. This session continues our growing community of Pacific governors committed to building capability, confidence and collective impact. 

In Session 4, we turn our focus to the real challenges Pacific directors face in governance — and, importantly, the solutions.

Our facilitated talanoa will create a trusted space for participants to share the issues they are navigating in boardrooms and governance settings - whether these relate to influence, culture, confidence, expectations, or navigating systems that don’t always reflect who we are.

Together, we will explore:

What challenges are Pacific directors currently facing in governance roles? Where do we experience tension, constraint, or uncertainty?

What practical strategies, approaches or mindsets have helped others navigate these challenges?

How can we support each other to move forward with confidence and impact?

This is a highly interactive session, grounded in lived experience and collective wisdom. The strength of this talanoa will come from what we each bring - our stories, our questions, and our willingness to support one another.

Mele Wendt

MNZM, MInstD

Mele Wendt MNZM, has 28 years of governance and 17 years of management experience.  In her early career, she was a high school teacher, and later, was the founding Pacific islands liaison officer and manager of the student recruitment office at Victoria University of Wellington, before becoming the executive director of Fulbright New Zealand – a role she held for ten years. 

In 2019, Mele was awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for her services to governance, the Pacific community, and women. In 2022, she was the recipient of the Not-For-Profit Governance Leader Award at the Women in Governance Awards, and is also a White Ribbon Ambassador and a member of various professional and community groups.

Mele currently chairs Wellington Community Fund and the Tu Ora Compass Health Pacific Health Committee, and serves on the boards of Tu Ora Compass Health, ANZ Bank (Samoa) Ltd, Tāwhiri: Festivals and Experiences, Tokelau International Trust Fund, The Helen Clark Foundation, and P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. Inc. She is also a member of the Institute of Directors’ Pacific Advisory Group. Mele provides consultancy in governance training, Pacific peoples’ development, organisational capacity building, scholarships management, and mentoring.

Mele’s heritage is a mix of Samoan (Malie, Vaiala, Lefaga) and Palagi (NZ, Britain). She is married to Eteuati Ete - they have four grown-up children and five grandchildren, and Wellington has been her home for nearly 40 years.

Additional information

Should you have any dietary, mobility, cultural or other requirements, you can let us know on the registration form.

By registering for this event you are confirming that you agree to adhere to our event terms and conditions.

Branch event cancellation policy

Regrettably, registration fees cannot be refunded when cancellations are received within two working days prior to any branch event. See our standard terms and conditions for more information.