Networking
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CPD
A talanoa-style panel exploring how Pasifika governors move beyond 'the Pacific voice’ to influence all of governance.
Pasifika directors are increasingly sought in governance across Aotearoa New Zealand, not only to represent community perspectives, but to contribute breadth of insight, lived experience and cultural intelligence that strengthens board decision-making.
Too often, Pasifika governors are positioned - or feel positioned - as “the Pacific voice” at the table. While representation matters, it can unintentionally limit the full value they bring. Effective governance requires more than representation; it requires diverse thinking, robust challenge and meaningful influence.
This talanoa-style panel explores how Pasifika governors move beyond representation to influence decisions, shape strategy and contribute across all areas of governance. Drawing on lived experience, panellists will share how they have built credibility and influence, navigated expectations, and how boards can better enable all directors to contribute fully - strengthening governance outcomes for all.
CFInstD
Caren is a proud, Canterbury born, Hawke’s Bay raised, Cook Islander who started her career as a chartered accountant and auditor with the Office of the Auditor-General. She chose a career in governance, combined with facilitation and leadership work, so she can contribute to decision-making in areas for which she has passion. Her current governance roles include Chair of NGO Pacific Homecare, Pro-Chancellor of Massey University, Deputy Chair, Pacific Co-operation Broadcasting Ltd (Pasifika TV) and Director, NZ Rugby. She also delivers a governance training programme for Pacific communities with colleague Mele Wendt.
In 2018, she was conferred with an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to governance and the Pacific community. Caren is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a member of the IoD’s Chapter Zero NZ Steering Committee and Pacific Advisory Group.
MInstD
Tuimaifoa is a Samoan private client lawyer at Tuitala Law who assists families with buying their first home, estate planning, asset protection and estate administration. With a busy family and professional life, she is still in the early stages of her governance journey and finds the IoD events, initiatives and resources very helpful. As a child of migration, her love for governance stemmed from her passion to serve others as an act of remembrance, responsibility and hope for those whose courage inspired us and those who will inherit the paths we shape.
Kauri Tearaura (they/them) is an emerging governor and DEI leader working at the intersection of strategy, culture and systems change. In their role at the Department of Internal Affairs, they lead enterprise-wide DEI strategy, shaping how inclusion is embedded into organisational decision-making, leadership practice, and accountability frameworks.
Kauri brings almost a decade of community governance experience at organisations, such as Moana Vā Navigators of Pacific Pride, Youth Arts New Zealand, and RainbowYOUTH. They have dedicated their career to strategising how marginalised leaders move beyond being positioned as 'the voice of the people' to exercising real, self-determined influence.
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.
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.
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.
Jill Dawson
Wellington Branch Manager
+64 27 278 8814
+64 4 470 2673
jill.dawson@iod.org.nz
The Wellington branch acknowledges the generous support of
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The East Coast region also thank
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The Manawatu region also thank
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Members — $35.00
Non-members — $40.00
