Pasifika directors’ lunch & governance talanoa

Networking

Limited spaces available

Speaker(s): Mele Wendt
Date: 12:00pm — 1:30pm, 4 March 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 lunchtime talanoa with Pasifika directors and those interested in strengthening their governance journey. This session offers a space to connect, share stories and reflect on the realities of governance while staying grounded in our values of tautua (service), vā (relationships) and collective leadership.

Focused on building a strong Pacific governance community in Wellington, the facilitated talanoa will explore:

What support do Pacific governors need?
What opportunities or challenges are we facing?
How can we uplift each other’s governance journeys?

This is intended to become a regular gathering to build capability, confidence and collective impact.

Bring your lunch, thoughts, stories and curiosity, and help shape the kaupapa for the year ahead.

Mele Wendt

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.