Speakers ⇽ PMA CONFERENCE 2024 | Pasifika Medical Association Membership on Glue Up

Speakers will be updated regularly

Dr Apisalome Talemaitoga FRNZCGP

Conference Convenor

Born in Savusavu, on Fiji’s Vanua Levu, he was the eldest child. Dr Api Talemaitoga studied medicine at the University of Otago obtaining a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). Dr Talemaitoga has in his time, contributed to the National Health Committee’s advice on the management of long term conditions, worked in the Pacific both as a personal physician to Fijian leaders and, more recently across the Melanesian and Polynesian region, facilitating access to specialist services in New Zealand. Dr Talemaitoga also served on the Board of the Canterbury District Health Board, the Board of the RNZCGP from 2014-17 and was Chief Advisor, Pacific Health at the Ministry of Health 2008-13. In 2017 Api was awarded a Distinguished Fellowship for outstanding and sustained services to the College and medical profession. Apart from clinical practice, Api Chairs the Pasifika GP Network and the Pacific Chapter of the RNZCGP and recently became a member of New Zealand's COVID-19 Surveillance and Testing Strategy Group.

Hon Dr Shane Reti FRNZCGP, QSM

Minister of Health and Minister of Pacific Peoples

Keynote Address

Hon Dr Shane Reti is the Minister of Health and Minister for Pacific Peoples. He is the MP for Whangarei. Dr Reti’s career began in family medicine and dermatology in Whangarei where he practiced for 16 years. He served three terms on the Board of the Northland DHB. He was awarded a QSM for Public Service in the 2006 New Year Honours List. In 2007 Dr Reti was named the NZ Harkness Fellow to Harvard, where he was promoted to Assistant Professor. In 2014 Dr Reti became the first Māori MP to win the Whangarei seat which he held from 2014 to 2020 and won again in 2023. Dr Reti is the first New Zealand graduate Māori Minister of Health.

Dr Saia Piukala MBBS, PGDipSurg, MMed (Surgery)

Regional Director for the Western Pacific of World Health Organisation

Keynote Address

Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala is the first Pacific islander to become Regional Director. He is a politician, public health leader and surgeon with nearly 30 years of experience working in Tonga and across the Pacific. He is a champion of multisectoral collaboration to tackle NCDs and health threats posed by climate change. He has led initiatives to achieve universal health coverage and address emerging infectious diseases. He has been a strong advocate for youth health, tobacco control, safe surgery, and disaster preparedness and response. Prior to his election as Regional Director, Dr Piukala was a Member of Parliament (since 2014) and the Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Tonga (2014−2019; 2021−2024). He led the country’s response to the undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022, as well as COVID-19 preparedness and response, resulting in high vaccination coverage and one of the lowest case fatality rates in the world (less than 0.1%). He served as Vice-Chair of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific from October 2022 to October 2023. He also chaired the Pacific Health Ministers Meeting hosted by Tonga in September 2023. From 2019 to 2022 he served as a member of the WHO Executive Board. He was a Commissioner for WHO’s Independent High-Level Commission on NCDs from 2018 to 2020. He was Medical Superintendent of Vaiola Hospital, Tonga’s main referral hospital, in 2014, and worked as a Senior Medical Officer and General Surgeon in Tonga and other Pacific islands including Fiji, Nauru, Niue and Tuvalu from 2003 to 2014.

Lord Tangi 'o Vaonukonuka FRACS

Patron at Pasifika Medical Association Group

Welcome Address from the Patron

Lord Tangi of Vaonukonuka, is a Tongan politician and former Cabinet Minister. He has previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health. Tangi is from Vavaʻu. He trained as a medical doctor at the Fiji School of Medicine, then entered the civil service as a medical officer. After completing surgical training overseas he became the second Tongan national admitted to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He worked as Chief Surgeon in Vaiola Hospital, Nuku'alofa, before moving to Australia. He returned to Tonga after being appointed as Minister of Health in 1999. As a Minister, he sat in the Tongan Parliament, but was not an elected representative. In 2003 he was elected to the WHO Executive Board. He is the Patron for the Pasifika Medical Association.

Dr Kiki Maoate FRACS, ONZM

President at Pasifika Medical Association Group

Paediatric Surgeon and Urologist, Dr Tearikivao (Kiki) Maoate is a well-respected leader in the Cook Islands community and Pacific health sector in New Zealand and the region. He was invested as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for his dedication and commitment to Pacific health. He was invested as a Commander Royal Crown of Tonga by His Majesty Tupou VI in 2015. Dr Maoate is a Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and was previously the Pacific Island Program. He is the Associate Dean Pacific Health, University of Otago based in Christchurch. Dr Maoate was instrumental in the establishment of Pacific Trust Canterbury and provides strategic leadership in the development of the Pacific Health, Social sector. He is the President of the Pasifika Medical Association and a member and strong supporter of the Pacific Islands Surgeons Association. He has served on numerous boards and committees including the University of Canterbury Council and the New Zealand and Pacific Health Research Councils, Pacific Peoples Ministerial Advisory Committee. Dr Maoate is an advisor to Te Marae Ora the Cook Islands Ministry of Health and is active in the Pacific region as Clinical Director for the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with 6 countries in the Pacific region.

Debbie Sorensen C.C.T, CMInstD, MNZIOD

Chief Executive Officer at Pasifika Medical Association Group

Debbie Sorensen is the CEO of the Pasifika Medical Association Group of charitable companies and Pasifika Futures the Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency for Pacific families in New Zealand. Debbie has been instrumental in the development of Pacific health services in New Zealand over the past 30 years including as the first Chief Advisor Pacific Health to the Minister of Health. She has led the development of the Pasifika Medical Association group over the past 15 years transforming it into the largest Non-Governmental Pacific organisation in the region. Debbie is an experienced Company Director holding current governance roles as Vice Chair Moana Pasifika Rugby and a Trustee of the Milford Foundation. She is a member of the governing council Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwi Center of Pacific and Global Health University of Auckland and is a Honorary Lecturer. She is a member of the Health Advisory Committee for the Privy Council to His Majesty King Tupou VI and is a Strategic Advisor to Te Marae Ora Cook Islands. Debbie is the Chair of the Pacific Expert Advisory Committee to Hon Minister Reti and has previously served for 11 years as a trustee of the Fred Hollows Foundation, was a founding Chair of Make a Wish Pacific and is a Chartered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. Debbie was invested in 2015 as a Commander of the Royal Crown of Tonga by His Majesty Tupou V for her work in the health sector in Tonga.

Dr Lucas de Toca PSM

Australian Ambassador at Global Health

Dr Lucas de Toca is Australia’s Ambassador for Global Health. He leads the Global Health Division and heads the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He is also a medical doctor, public health expert, Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of New South Wales and Honorary Professor in the College of Health and Medicine at the Australian National University. His experience in the health sector includes leading Australia’s National COVID-19 Vaccine Program, serving as Chief Health Officer at Miwatj Health in East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, as a member of the Northern Territory Clinical Senate, and a board member for the Northern Territory Aids and Hepatitis Council. Ambassador de Toca represents Australia on the board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Dr Ronald Mutasa PhD

Practice Manager for the Health, Nutrition and Population Global Practice for the East, Asia and Pacific Region at World Bank

Ronald Mutasa joined the World Bank in 2008 from the private sector in the US and has served in various technical roles and regions. His most recent assignment was as Lead Health Specialist and Practice Leader for Human Development in the East Asia and Pacific Region. Ronald has more than two decades of global health experience, including several years leading World Bank flagship lending programs in health systems strengthening and reform in South Asia, East Asia, and Africa. Ronald has led several World Bank research initiatives on infectious disease prevention and control, vaccine security, primary healthcare reform, nutrition, and human capital development. He has published in peer-reviewed journals on Quality of Care and Demand- and Supply-side Incentives for Health. He is also a frequent peer reviewer within and outside of the Bank. Ronald enjoys cycling and playing basketball with his kids in his spare time. A doctor with a specialization in public health, Ronald holds a Ph.D. in Public Health from George Washington University, as well as advanced degrees in Development Economics and Health Policy.

Dr Tara Kessaram FNZCPHM

Health Unit Manager at Ministry of Foregian Affairs and Trade

Tara is a public health physician with a Master in Public Health from the University of Otago and a Master in Business Administration from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. She is passionate about global health equity and has spent much of her career working with the World Health Organization in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions. She returned to New Zealand in 2021 to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as Lead Adviser Health, and is now Unit Manager of the Health team. Tara was born and raised in Bermuda.

Dr Kirsten Finucane FRACS, CNZM

Paediatric & Adult Congenital Cardiac Surgeon-In-Chief at Starship Hospital

Dr Kirsten is a congenital cardiac surgeon trained in New Zealand and the UK and leading the Greenlane and then the Starship congenital cardiac surgical unit from 1996 until her recent retirement in March 2024. During this career there has been a focus on providing cardiac surgery to those in less well developed countries. From 2014 Kirsten and a surgical team worked together to travel to Fiji for a yearly visit to operate on children with simple cardiac defects. In 2023 the team operated in the Suva Sanjeevani hospital, built with charitable funds, and are now planning ongoing visits with the support of the Pacific Medical Association Group and staff from Starship Hospital, to do children from all over the south Pacific.

Dr Farah Fatupaito MBBS, MSc Tropical Paediatrics

Head of Paediatrics at Ministry of Health, Samoa

Dr Farah Fatupaito is the current Head and Consultant Specialist of the Paediatrics Department for Samoa’s National Hospital in Apia. She is a graduate of the University of Papua New Guinea and has post graduate degrees from the Fiji School of Medicine, and the United Kingdom where she earned a Masters of Tropical Paediatrics from the Liverpool Tropical School of Medicine in 2018. Her work experience covers almost 30 years of General Paediatrics and Neonatal care, with special interest in Cardiology. She is also a Clinical Supervisor at the Faculty of Medicine in Samoa. Dr. Fatupaito had worked in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands. She has had the privilege of working with many visiting Specialists from New Zealand, and the USA, and is the lead person for Cardiology Clinics since 2006 working with Drs Nigel Wilson and Dr.Clare O’Donnell. She now spearheads the Rheumatic Fever Prevention Program for Samoa. Dr. Fatupaito had the privilege of escorting the first group of children with congenital heart disease for surgeries to Sai Prema Hospital, Fiji in July this year through the Uto Bulabula-Healthy Heart initiative.

Dr Maryanne Kora'ai MBBS, MMeds (Paeds)

Paediatrician at Maasina Heart Pacifika

Dr. Maryanne Kora’ai is a Paediatrician with special interest in Paediatric cardiology. She is a freelancer under Maasina Heart Pacifika for over an year. She has 10 years’ experience as the Paediatric cardiology lead with Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Fiji. She had Paediatric cardiology attachment at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital in India. She has experience working with various international visiting cardiac surgical teams. She was part of the recently PMA sponsored Uto Bulabuala: Healthy Heart initiative. She is an active member of Fiji’s RHD steering group and RHD Technical Advisory Committee. She is a board member for Heart Heroes Fiji, a CSO for PLWRHD. She has published and co-published studies on CHD and RHD in Fiji. She has provided consultancy services under Maasina Heart Pacifika in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia and Vanuatu. She believes in building local capacity and advocates for early detection of heart diseases in children. She is married with 5 children.

Professor Tom Gentles FRACP FCSANZ

Paediatric Cardiologist at Starship Children's Hospital

Tom Gentles trained in Paediatrics in Auckland, and in Cardiology at Green Lane Hospital. He completed a Paediatric Cardiology fellowship at Children's Hospital, Boston, and Harvard Medical School. Tom was awarded a Senior Fellowship from the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand in 1994, and now works as a Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist at Green Lane Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Service at Starship Children's Hospital, and part-time at The Heart Group. His subspecialty interests include echocardiography, fetal cardiology and rheumatic heart disease.

Dr Annette Garae MBBS, MMeds (Paeds)

Paediatrician at Vila Central Hospital, Vanuatu

Annette Garae is a dedicated general paediatrician and the current president of the Vanuatu Medical Doctors Association. With over 10 years of experience in paediatric care, Annette has worked in both Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. She is passionate about advocating for the health of children throughout the Pacific. Beyond her medical career, she enjoys cooking, playing netball, and spending quality time with her loved ones. With a rich heritage from both Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, Annette is committed to improving child health in her communities. She believes everyone, everywhere should always be advocators for child health.

Dr Jimaima Kailawadoko MBBS, MClinEpi

Country Manager at Cure Kids Fiji

Jimaima Kailawadoko is the Country Manager for Cure Kids Fiji since 2020 that supports Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services(MHMS) in both the Fiji Rheumatic Heart Disease and Oxygen programmes. Completed a medical degree (MBBS) from the Fiji School of Medicine under the University of the South Pacific, in 2007 and Master’s Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Sydney in 2020. Was with Fiji’s MHMS from 2008 to 2017. In 2017, was with WHO Suva as the National Surveillance Officer for Influenza. Prior to current role, was with the Digital Health COVID-19 unit in MHMS. Interests in digital health and surveillance, linked data and strengthening local research capability.

Dr Siobhan Cross FRACP FRCPA

Lead at National Children's Cancer Network Pacific working group

Siobhan Cross is a paediatric haematologist who trained in New Zealand, England and Australia before taking up a consultant post in Christchurch in 2010. She works in both non-malignant and malignant haematology and oncology. She has published and presented on Paediatric oncology treatment and guideline development, familial cancer syndromes, cancer registries, enrolment barriers in clinical trials and haemophilia. She is on the board of ANZCHOG and past chair of the ANZCHOG leukaemia/lymphoma group and New Zealand Haemophilia treaters group. She is the current lead of the New Zealand National Children’s Cancer Network Pacific working group.

Dr Michael Burling FRANZCOG

Gynaecological Oncologist at St George Public and Private Hospital

Dr Michael Burling is a Gynaecologist at the St George Public and Private hospital and Liverpool Public Hospital . He is a qualified Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). He is part of the ANZGOG uterine tumour working group and is heavily involved with ANZGOG over the last 5years. He is the current chair of the Pacific Alliance for Gynaecological Oncology (PAGO) Group. He is involved with the EPICC/C4 Projects to help islands in the Western Pacific to achieve WHO goals of eliminating cervical cancer in the region.

Dr Ai Ling Tan FRANZCOG

Gynaecological Oncologist at Ascot Central Women's Gynaecology Clinic

Dr. Ai Ling Tan is a highly skilled gynaecological oncologist who has received extensive training in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. She completed formal subspecialty training in Gynaecological Oncology in Australia, earning her Certificate in Gynaecological Oncology (CGO). Ai Ling was a founding trustee of the New Zealand Gynaecological Foundation and is an active member of Global Women. She is deeply committed to raising awareness and promoting the prevention of gynaecological cancers, focusing on education and communication with both the public and medical professionals to drive meaningful change. Passionate about global health, Ai Ling actively collaborates with specialists in developing regions. She is a mentor for the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) Gynaecological Oncology Training Program in the Pacific, where she played a pivotal role in training the first local gynaecological oncologist in Fiji. Her leadership has been instrumental in enhancing surgical expertise and advancing cervical cancer care and prevention in the region. Ai Ling is also dedicated to improving access to essential services such as HPV vaccination, diagnostic testing, and timely treatment for cervical cancer. Her long-term vision is to establish a Women’s Cancer Centre in the Pacific, staffed by local specialists and supported by international volunteers. In addition to her clinical work, Ai Ling serves on the board of the Asia-Oceania Research Organisation in Genital Infections and Neoplasia (AOGIN) and is a member of the Gynaecological Oncology Committee within the Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOFOG)

Dr Jimmy Obed MBBS, MP

Psychiatrist at Vila Central Hospital in Port Vila

Mental Health Commission Panel Q&A

Dr Jimmy Obed is the only qualified Mental Health Doctor in Vanuatu, working at Vila Central Hospital in Port Vila since 2014. He is the Head of Mental Health Department and currently Chair of the Vanuatu National Mental Committee. As Team Lead for Vanuatu Mental Health, he has done work for mental health and psychosocial support during natural disasters and emergencies, including COVID-19 mental health response.

Aigafealofani Fonoti Dr Fa’amuamua Arasi MBBS, PGDipAN, MMed (Anaesthesia)

Acting Head of Anaesthesia at Ministry of Health, Samoa

Aigafealofani Fonoti Dr Fa’amuamua Arasi was born and bred in Samoa. She completed her medical degree from the Fiji School of medicine in 2012 and has worked for the ministry of health of Samoa since 2013. Dr Arasi has graduated with her postgraduate diploma (PDipAN) in 2016 and master of medicine in anaesthesia in 2022 from the Fiji National Unversity (FNU).bDr Arasi is currently the Acting Head of Department for Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Department in Samoa and has been practicing anaesthesia for >10years providing safe surgeries for the 200,000 plus population. She is an advocator for continuous education for local and overseas student doctors and young doctors undertaking anaesthesia or intensive care as their field of interest. She is also an honourary lecturer for Anaesthesia under the FNU and has published work on assessment of KAP on oxygen therapy at the CWMH Fiji. Outside of work, Dr Arasi was bestowed two chief titles one Aigafealofani (Sale’imoa village) and Fonoti (Fogasavai’i, her late father’s village) and continues to serve her extended family. She loves to talanoa with her mother, spending time with her family, socializing with colleagues, playing sports and fellowshipping at church whenever possible. Her goal in life is to love and forgive unconditionally and acknowledges Jesus Christ, parents, family and village of people (friends, mentors or otherwise) for all her blessings.

Dr Flora Lutui MBBS

Paediatrician at Ministry of Health Tonga

Paediatrician in Vaiola Hospital, Tonga, with special interest in paediatric infectious diseases.

Shaneel Lal LLB

Queer Rights Activist

Keynote Speaker: I Taba Gone - Youth/Adolescents

Shaneel Lal, of Indian and Fijian descent, is a queer rights activist based in New Zealand. Lal successfully led the movement to ban gay and gender conversion therapy in New Zealand. Lal authored the bestselling book One of Them sharing their story of surviving conversion therapy in a conservative village in Fiji. Lal is involved in the movement to protect religious minorities, queer people and women from hate speech that incites violence and is working on changing blood donation policies to allow more gay men to be eligible to safely donate blood. Outside this, Lal has been advocating for an end to commercial greyhound racing. Lal has written for multiple New Zealand news media platforms including The New Zealand Herald, The Guardian and Stuff NZ with a focus on investigating and providing commentary on issues affecting indigenous peoples, young people and queer people. Lal strongly believes that journalism is necessary for a healthy democracy, and holds power to enact justice. Lal is a recent graduate of the University of Auckland Law School and is studying for a Master of Laws on treaty jurisprudence and indigenous rights. Lal has an interest in reforming youth justice systems, especially to ensure young people are rehabilitated and supported in society and do not become trapped in a lifetime of offending. In 2023, Lal became the first openly queer person to win an award from the New Zealander of the Year awards. In 2024, Lal won One Young World’s Journalist of the Year award.

Stephanie Clota LLB, MBA

Chief Executive Officer at Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

Panel: Professional Medical Colleges

Stephanie Clota is the CEO of RACS and a highly respected and experienced leader with a remarkable track record of success in the healthcare and training sectors. Her expertise is in strategic decision-making, financial performance, policy and advocacy and corporate governance. Her ability to build and maintain key partnerships with government, private, and not-for-profit organisations has been instrumental in strengthening practitioner development and ensuring it meets the evolving healthcare needs of communities.

Dr Vanessa Beavis CNZM

Director of Professional Affairs at Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists

She is a specialist anaesthetist at Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand, and is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Department of Anaesthesiology at Auckland University. She is a liver transplant anaesthetist and while not doing that, is focused in improving the perioperative outcomes for patients. Vanessa is a past President of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and is now a director of professional affairs for ANZCA with special responsibility for Perioperative Medicine.

Dr Mark Lawrence FRANZCP

Elected Director of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

Panel: Professional Medical Colleges

Dr Mark Lawrence completed his medical training in Aotearoa New Zealand at the University of Otago school of medicine before receiving his fellowship in 2009. He has whakapapa (genealogical) links to Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri and Ngā Puhi iwi (tribes). He works as a Consultant Psychiatrist in the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga. He is an adult psychiatrist working within an integrated model of care with both Kaupapa Māori (Māori Model of care) and mainstream services at Tauranga public hospital. He is a recipient of the Henry Rongomau Bennett Memorial Scholarship (in memory of the first Māori Psychiatrist), the inaugural recipient of the RANZCP Pirika Taonga (recognising noteworthy contributions in Māori mental health and addiction in Aotearoa New Zealand), and proudly the 9th Māori RANZCP Fellow. Mark has been involved in multiple advisory groups including Māori health workforce development, Māori health scholarships and Māori leadership role at Tauranga Hospital, as well as being an Executive for Toi Mata Hauora (Association of Salaried Medical Specialists). His interest includes Māori mental health development, teaching, advocacy, and policy development. He has a particular interest in improving structures and systems to achieve equity. Mark is a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland School of Medicine teaching and examining the undergraduate students in psychiatry. He is also an Affiliate member for the University of Otago school of Medicine, Wellington campus. Mark was the chair of the RANZCP’s Te Kaunihera from 2012 to 2015 and completed three terms on the written sub-committee. He was appointed as a Casual Vacancy Board Director to the RANZCP Board in May 2021 for twelve months. Prior to his, he served as the elected chair of the Tu Te Akaaka Roa for five years. Mark was elected to the Board in May 2022 for a two-year term and was re-elected for a further two-year term in May 2024

Dr Peter Hadden FRANZCO

Board Director of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists

Panel: Professional Medical Colleges

Peter Hadden is an Auckland ophthalmologist who subspecialises in cataract and vitreoretinal surgery as well as intraocular oncology. Currently on the federal board of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and the board of the NZ Council of Medical Colleges, he is also a previous NZ RANZCO branch chair. He has been going to Fiji and Samoa at least annually for almost two decades, to assist with the management of retinal disease and diabetes in particular, and has been very gratified to see how eye care in those countries has improved over the years. As part of RANZCO’s global eye health he continues to be involved in improving eye care in the Pacific, including helping to facilitate outside assistance from the All India Ophthalmological Society.

Fuimaono Satualafaalaglagi Dr Leinani Aiono-Le Tagaloa FANZCA FFPMANZCA

Vice Dean at Faculty of Pain Medicine, ANZCA

I was born and brought up in Samoa (previously Western Samoa) and came to New Zealand to study medicine at age 18. I spent four years in surgical training after graduating before switching to anaesthesia. I qualified as an anaesthetist (FANZCA) in 2005 and went overseas to the US for an obstetric anaesthesia fellowship at Stanford University, followed by three years as Assistant Professor at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. I returned to New Zealand in 2012. In 2014, I officially began my career in Pain Medicine with a fellowship at The Auckland Regional Pain Service. I completed my qualification in pain medicine (FFPMANZCA) in April 2016 and currently I split my work week between chronic pain at The Auckland Regional Pain Service and Anaesthesia at Auckland Hospital. I have been a member of the New Zealand National Committee for ANZCA, and. in 2022 I became a board member for the Faculty of Pain Medicine. This year I was elected as the Vice Dean for the Faculty of Pain Medicine. I am a passionate advocate for promoting opportunities for our Pacific doctors in specialty training. Because of this I helped to found Pasifika Anaesthesia in Aotearoa (PAiA), and we have seen the inclusion of the special relationship with Pacific peoples in the ANZCA constitution. I am a Samoan chief and an active participant in my aiga.

Dr Basil Leodoro MBBS, MMed (General Surgery )

Director of Operations at MV HELPR-1

Dr Leodoro has been a PMA member since 2007. He is a Vanuatu based general surgeon with paediatric interest who trained in Fiji and in Christchurch, NZ and is now the Director of Operations for the health and humanitarian marine response vessel, MV HELPR-1 based in Vanuatu. He is a founding member of Oceania Society for Sexual Health and HIV Medicine (OSSHM) and Pacific Island Society of Emergency Care (PISEC). He has led hospital and health disaster responses since TC Pam in 2015 and continues to support and train emergency medical teams in Vanuatu. He is a surgical mentor, trainer and member of the Pacific Island Surgeons Association since 2008.

Dr Xaviour Walker FRACP

Consultant Geriatrician and Internal Medicine Physician at Te Whatu Ora Southern, Dunedin Hospital

Dr Xaviour Walker is a Consultant geriatrician and Internal Medicine Physician, and the past Associate Dean Pacific, Division Health Sciences at University of Otago. After initially training in New Zealand and Australia, he completed his post graduate medical training and worked at Mount Auburn Hospital Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he also received his Master’s in Public Health, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), University of California, Irvine and Kaiser Permanente the largest HMO in the US. He is triple American Board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Public Health and Preventive Medicine. He was the cofounder and inaugural chair of the Junior Doctors Network, World Medical Association and is founder and president of Kiwi Leadership Network USA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit to help New Zealanders succeed in US. His research interests include Pacific health, workforce and leadership, Big Data and health aging.

Dr Etuini Ma'u FRANZCP

Consultant Psychiatrist at Te Whatu Ora, Waikato, Mental Health Services for Older People

Dr Etuini Ma’u is a Consultant Psychiatrist in Old Age Psychiatry, specialising in psychogeriatrics at the Waikato District Health Board, where he has been practising for the past 10 years. He is also a senior lecturer for the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland. Dr Ma’u was raised in Tonga where he completed majority of his education and spent his senior years in New Zealand at Wesley College. He graduated with a Bachelors in Human Biology (BHB) and Bachelors in Medicine (MBChB) from the University of Auckland, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (PGDipCBT) from Massey University.

Finau Taungapeau NZRD

Director of Health Services/Dietitician at Pacific Trust Otago

Born and raised in Tonga, Finau Kaunanga Taungapeau has been working as a dietitian at Pacific Trust Otago (PTO) since 2020 and was appointed Director of Health Services in 2022. Prior to this role, she spent six years as the Nutrition and Physical Activity (NPA) health promotion team leader and six years as an NPA health promoter. Her experience also includes roles as a Community Development Coordinator and Assistant Researcher. Through these roles, Finau has been involved in establishing key long lasting Pacific-focused initiatives in Dunedin, such as the Pacific Senior Group (2004), the Pacific Sports Tournament (2005), the Breakaway Holiday Programme (2010), and the Moana Nui Festival (2021). Her work is driven by her commitment to supporting Pacific communities in leading healthier lives, with a focus on promoting daily healthy habits, particularly in the areas of Nutrition and Physical Activity. Finau is deeply passionate about fostering intergenerational sharing of cultural knowledge, skills, and experiences to benefit all Pacific people. It is her hope to see the younger generation grounded in their culture, confident, and proud of their identity, while also ensuring that their elders feel valued and know their contributions positively shape the community.

Dr Minnie Strickland FRNZCGP

National Clinical Director of Etu Pasifika

Panel Discussion

Dr Minnie Strickland, who was born in Rarotonga and raised in New Zealand, studied at Auckland Medical School and is an experienced GP. Currently Minnie works at Etu Pasifika Auckland serving her community as a GP, her first joy. She’s also the National Clinical Director since September 2024, a new role that supports the Clinical Directors in our three Etu Pasifika clinics. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband Junior and family, going fishing on her boat and decorating spaces.

Dr Sarah Harris FRACP PhD

Paediatrician at Etu Pasifika Canterbury

Dr Harris trained as a neonatal paediatrician, spending her early career in the neonatal intensive care unit. She is now a senior lecturer and child health researcher at the University of Otago Christchurch, Department of Paediatrics. Sarah convenes the paediatric teaching programme for fifth year medical students and teaches on post-graduate child health papers. Sarah’s research interests focus on ensuring children have the best start in life. She is a paediatrician working with the team at Etu Pasifika Canterbury where they have launched Bula Talei, an innovative, First 2000 Days programme. Sarah also leads the New Zealand Very Low Birth Weight Study, investigating the long-term health effects of premature birth and works at Whangai Aroha, the South Island Regional Perinatal Mental Health Service. She is passionate about family-centred care and reducing health and educational inequity by investing in the early years.