The Chair of Pacific Business Trust (PBT), Paul Retimanu, announces the appointment of Mary Los’e as Chief Executive. 

PBT is the nation’s Pacific Economic Development Agency appointed by central government and serves Pacific entrepreneurs, sole traders and the business community in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

“We look forward to welcoming Mary Los’e to PBT in the New Year, who will start on 7 February 2023,” says PBT Chair Paul Retimanu.

“Mary has extensive experience in the private and public sectors and expertise in Partnering, Communications, Media and Marketing, and in a new era, we are excited to have Mary lead the organisation to achieve big things, together.”

Of Tongan and Māori descent, Mary is Ngāti Rereahu ki Ngāti Maniapoto and is from the villages of Ha’ano, Foa and Faleloa, Ha’apai. She comes to PBT from the National Telehealth Services, Whakarongorau Aotearoa, where she was the Chief Service Experience Officer. Mary led the community co-design, enabling a Pacific Telehealth pathway to meet the needs of communities during the resurgence of Covid-19.

This co-design served as the catalyst for Mary to guide the integration of the Māori and Pacific Covid Vaccination Healthlines, where she is credited with establishing their Pacific and Iwi Māori partnerships.

Her Tongan and Māori whakapapa provides Mary with insights to create equitable outcomes for communities, underpinned by her active commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and Pacific Aotearoa Lalanga Fou Strategic goals.

Mary’s extensive experience in the private and public sector includes 25 years of experience in multimedia and broadcasting. She went on to further hone her skills with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Housing New Zealand (now Kāinga Ora), Bank of New Zealand’s Innovation Unit, New Zealand Magazines and most recently served the Health sector during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mary has an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Auckland.

At this time the Pacific Business Trust Board wishes to also thank the Interim CEO, Tracey Smith, for her leadership during 2022. Tracey will resume her role as General Manager, Service Delivery at PBT.