Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme 2026 mentees

Congratulations to our 2026 mentees

 

Ash Buchanan
Being accepted into the Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme is a deeply meaningful milestone for me. It represents an opportunity to strengthen my governance capability while staying grounded in the values of service, community, and collective uplift. I’m grateful for the chance to learn from an experienced director, broaden my strategic perspective, and contribute to greater Pasifika representation at governance tables across Aotearoa. This programme affirms my commitment to serving with integrity, humility, and purpose.

 

'Ema Latu
I am honoured to join the Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme and resonate deeply with the programme’s aim to bridge traditional Pasifika leadership and Western governance practices. I am committed to both cultural values and governance excellence, and driven to increase Pacific presence and visibility in the governance landscape of Aotearoa.

As a Pasifika woman in governance, leadership through service underpins my personal and professional ethos, and aligns with the Tongan saying “Tufa kau tufa,” translated as “Distribute and I will distribute,” that opportunity circulates and is mutually beneficial and enriching. 

I am grateful for this opportunity to develop my capability and serve with integrity, purpose and cultural pride.

 

Fatima  Leung-Wai
I am very grateful and honoured to have been selected for the 2026 Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme. This milestone is pivotal as I take the next step in my professional journey, transitioning executive expertise from the infrastructure sector into a governance pathway. I am passionate in advocacy, strategy, governance and servant leadership, I want to immerse myself in this mentorship to develop and grow personally and professionally. I look forward to enhancing and nurturing my leadership skills especially Tautua (service) and Alofa (love & compassion), allowing me to effectively be a voice for the voiceless and create positive and purposeful change in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.

 

Galumalemana Junior Sasagi Malo le soifua maua ma le lagi ia mama. I am deeply honoured by this mentoring opportunity.

Tautua isn’t new to me - I’ve lived it since childhood, serving my family and listening at village fono’s. But my formal governance journey began in January 2025 when I joined my child’s school board.

When asked why I wanted to join, I was honest: to grow through service/tautua, and because real change requires a seat at the table. After years on the frontline, I know that true influence and accountability happen at board level.

These first 12 months I’ve been listening, learning, and often feeling like an imposter. Now I’m ready to contribute meaningfully. A mentor will help me ensure our Samoan and Pasefika lens isn’t just present - it shapes the decisions we make.

 

Geni Ah Tong
Being part of the Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme means stepping into a space where Pasifika excellence, culture, and leadership are celebrated. It’s an opportunity to grow my governance capability through talanoa, guidance, and real-world governance experience. The programme will help to strengthen my voice, deepen my strategic thinking, and build confidence as a Pasifika leader. Most importantly, it’s about lifting our people and preparing the next generation of Pasifika leaders to influence systems and create meaningful change.

 

Ioana Marsters
Being accepted into the Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme is deeply meaningful to me. As a Pacific person, I naturally thrive in collective spaces where family and community are at the heart of everything we do. These values shape how I lead and serve.

IoD highlights that Pacific communities face a lack of visibility in governance roles, and I am one of those eager for guidance from leaders who share my cultural lens. This programme offers that chance—to learn, grow, and be mentored by those who value service and representation.

I look forward to gaining insights that will help me contribute to governance spaces with confidence and authenticity, while paving the way for more Pacific voices at the table.

 

Julie Sandbrook
Being accepted into the Institute of Directors’ Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme is a real privilege. It represents an opportunity to learn from experienced leaders who understand the unique challenges and strengths of Pasifika governance. I am excited to deepen my skills, grow my strategic impact, and give back to my community by supporting capability and resilience in the organisations I serve. This programme is an important step in my journey as a values-driven leader, and I am grateful for the chance to connect, learn, and contribute alongside others who share this commitment.

 

Junior Ipiniu Taua Being accepted into IoD’s Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme in 2026 is an incredible opportunity to strengthen my governance capability and cultural responsiveness. As an ANZASW board member, this programme is crucial for ensuring that I lead with inclusivity, amplify Pasifika voices, and contribute to more effective, equitable decision-making at the board level.

 

Kimberley Polata-Ahotolu I am excited and honoured to be selected for the Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme 2026.

Given that I have started my governance journey, this programme will enable me to build new skills and strengthen my knowledge in this area.  With my background as a public servant and extensive experience in leadership roles in the public service. I see this as an opportunity to broaden my perspective and enhance my capabilities to serve with integrity and impact.

As a proud Pasifika woman, governance roles provide a powerful way to contribute to communities, uphold accountability and create meaningful impact.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be mentored by governance experts and look forward to learning alongside other Pasifika individuals, while helping to strengthen Pasifika representation in governance roles across Aotearoa.

 

Lilomaiava Ravi Singh Aujla Being selected for the 2026 IoD Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme is truly an honour and a responsibility I will carry with deep pride. My leadership journey has always been grounded in service — from my Pasifika family roots and now within the banking industry. This opportunity represents a chance to strengthen my governance capability so I can help create spaces where Pasifika voices, values, and excellence are not just included, but uplifted. I am really excited to grow, to be challenged, and to prepare myself for the tables I want to open for others.

 

Liz Moli
I am grateful and humbled to be selected for the Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme. This opportunity, with its strong focus on governance and leadership, will help to deepen my understanding and contribute meaningfully to the communities we serve. I look forward to learning, growing, and applying these insights in the various spaces I influence and lead. Fa'afetai mo le avanoa.

 

Lynette Reed
I am honoured to be accepted into the IoD Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme for 2026. This is an incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and be challenged alongside other Pasifika leaders, guided by those who have navigated the governance journey before us. I am grateful for the chance to bring my culture, faith, family, and community into this space, and to continue building a future where Pasifika voices are valued and heard at the decision-making table.

 

Matalaoa Barlow    Being selected for the IoD Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme is a meaningful step in my governance journey. It represents an investment in our Pacific leadership models and next generation of leaders as system-shapers for the future.

This programme offers a platform to refine my governance lens, stretch my thinking, and learn alongside others who carry the responsibility of being kaitiaki for our services, institutions, and the communities we represent. I’m excited for what the journey will bring.

 

Lilo Dr Oka Sanerivi It's an honor to be selected for the Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme. There's a Samoan phrase 'E afua mai mauga fa'amanuiaga a le nu'u', meaning that blessings flow like the freshwater river from the mountains down towards the villages. This is a metaphor of the importance of sound leadership and good governance for the flourishing of our villages, families and communities. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to learn from outstanding Pacific leaders and governors and to share these learnings for the benefit of our Pacific communities and wider society in Aotearoa.

 

Paea Longopoa
Being accepted into the Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme means being recognised for the potential, perspective, and cultural depth I bring. It represents an opportunity to strengthen my confidence, quiet the self-doubt, and step more fully into who I am as a Pasifika leader.

It means my cultural knowledge, my lived experiences, and even the ways I am different are seen as strengths that enrich the spaces I'm part of. This acceptance reassures me that I belong in rooms where decisions are made, and that I am ready to grow into greater governance and leadership roles.

Ultimately, being accepted into this programme affirms that my journey, my voice, and my aspirations matter - and that I am supported to develop into the leader I know I can become.

 

Theresa Feagaiga Being accepted into this programme is a privilege and a significant milestone in my governance journey. It represents an opportunity to strengthen Pasifika voices in leadership and contribute to decisions that positively impact our communities. I look forward to learning from experienced mentors, building meaningful relationships, and developing the skills that will enable me to serve with integrity and impact.

 

Tiffany Nelson-Sauni Being accepted into the Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme 2026 is both an honour and a responsibility. For me, it represents a chance to strengthen my governance journey while staying grounded in Pasifika values of service, reciprocity, and collective wellbeing. I look forward to learning from experienced leaders, sharing my own cultural insights, and contributing to a cohort that champions equity and inclusion for our communities across Aotearoa.

 

Taimalelagi Tim Swann Many of the Samoan stories and lessons I learned at feet of my mother have provided me with powerful guidance as I have navigated corporate New Zealand. I am curious to explore how pacific wisdom can be utilised at the board table and am excited to connect with a community of Pacific governance professionals that I can share that journey with. I am both delighted and humbled to be included in the 2026 Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme and keen to add to the body of evidence that highlights the benefit of having a pacific voice at every decision-making table.

 

Rohan Ellis
Participating in the 2025 Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme will significantly strengthen my effectiveness as a director and governance leader. Through tailored mentorship, I will deepen my capability in strategic direction and risk governance, ensuring I can confidently guide organisations through complex challenges with clarity and foresight. The programme will also enhance my board capability and leadership skills, equipping me with stronger tools to support high-performing boards, foster effective collaboration, and to serve with confidence and integrity. Finally, I will sharpen my understanding of performance accountability and transparency enabling me to drive disciplined oversight, robust reporting, and a strengthened culture of trust within the organisations I serve. Overall, this programme will elevate my governance practice and directly support my commitment to strengthening professional governance in the Cook Islands. Kia Manuia.