Dr Shane Reti (QSM MP) is a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives, and a Cabinet Minister with the roles of Minister of Health and Minister for Pacific Peoples since 27 November 2023. He is a member of the New Zealand National Party and served as its deputy leader from 10 November 2020 to 30 November 2021 including a period of five days as interim leader following the departure of previous party leader.
Mary is proud of her Tongan and Māori ancestry, from Ngāti Rereahu ki Ngāti Maniapoto and the villages of Ha’ano, Foa and Faleloa, Ha’apai. Prior to joining PBT, Mary worked in the health sector as the Chief Service Experience Officer for National Telehealth Services, Whakarongorau Aotearoa, where she led the community co-design and delivery of the Pacific and Māori Telehealth pathways to meet the needs of communities during the resurgence of Covid-19. Mary brings extensive private and public sector experience to her role that she will utilise to drive a work programme to deliver for Pacific businesses and communities. She has worked with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Housing New Zealand (now Kāinga Ora), the Bank of New Zealand’s Innovation Unit and New Zealand Magazines. Mary has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Auckland.
Of Samoan descent, Paul has led many successful entities in the hospitality sector over the past 30 years. He has extensive board experience both in the private sector and community, and is focused on better outcomes for Pacific and Māori rangitahi in business entrepreneurship and education. Paul is also a member of the Treasury’s Talanoa Group, comprised of Pacific business leaders and employers.
Agnes Loheni is an accomplished businesswoman in the manufacturing, export, and retail sector, known for founding the Pacific fashion brand MENA. Established 22 years ago as a home business in Samoa, MENA expanded its operations to Auckland over a decade ago to grow its wholesale and export channels. In 2010, the business received the MIT Pacific Business Trust ‘Pacific Exporter’ Award. Agnes is proud of her Samoan heritage and is passionate about fostering Pacific success and enterprise, sharing her expertise as a mentor both privately and through Business Mentors NZ. Agnes also donates her time to helping inspire young students to read as a role model for Duffy Books in Homes. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical & Materials) from the University of Auckland and was awarded the SunPix Pacific Peoples Award for Enterprise in 2015. From 2019 to 2020, Agnes served as a New Zealand Member of Parliament, where she advocated for small businesses and Pacific communities as an associate spokesperson for Small Business and Pacific Peoples. Born and educated in Auckland, Agnes is of Samoan descent (Amaile, Saleaumua, Safotu, Safune, Siumi) and lives in West Auckland with her husband, Ward Kamo (Ngai Tahu, Ngati Mutunga) and their five children.
Arti is a highly experienced tax lawyer who has been an independent practitioner since 2015, following a decade in the private sector. She specialises in providing domestic and international tax consulting to SMEs, not-for-profits, law firms and high net worth individuals. Arti was recently appointed as the Referee of the Wellington Disputes Tribunal. Currently, she serves as President of the New Zealand Pacific Lawyers' Association and has previously held the role of Vice President (Wellington) on the New Zealand Law Society Board. Additionally, Arti holds the position of Vice President for the New Zealand Fiji Business Council and is a Director on the board of Save the Children New Zealand. Arti's contributions have earned her recognition, including her inclusion in NZ Lawyer Magazine's Most Influential Lawyers List in the Changemakers category in 2022 and the Superdiversity Institute's inaugural "Top Diverse Board-Ready Directors" list in 2021. In 2018, she was the recipient of the Wellington Pasifika Business Network award in the Woman in Business category. As a proud Fijian, Arti's upbringing in Lautoka has fueled her passionate advocacy for celebrating the successes of Pacific people and businesses in New Zealand.
With Samoan and New Zealand heritage spanning from Lalomanu, Afega to Lotopa, Dana's journey is deeply rooted in the Pacific. She has carved an illustrious career as an award-winning television executive, International Emmys® member and judge. For 2 decades Dana worked in television production as a Director, Showrunner and Executive Producer bringing many of New Zealand's most watched programmes to air. Dana also spent time as the Head of Production at TVNZ leading a team of 100 creatives across TVNZ Auckland and Avalon Studios. She progressed from creative/management roles into senior leadership with significant business, financial, commercial, strategic and legal responsibilities within large corporate entities. In recent years, Dana moved into content commissioning as a Network Executive and Senior Commissioner for Sky Network Television and TVNZ. For the duration of her career in the screen sector, Dana has been a champion of Pacific peoples, advocating for meaningful inclusion and representation, particularly in prime time television. In 2021 she was recognised for this work, as well as her dedication to championing Māori and minority cultures, with a New Zealand Woman of Influence Award.
Dain is an innovative leader with an 8 year history of driving change. He excels in creating business value and social impact in New Zealand and the Pacific by identifying opportunities and leveraging strengths. Dain's expertise spans strategic analysis, holistic strategy, program design, organisational development and sustainability. He's played a crucial role in national Health and Safety, Sports and Community Development programs. With an MBA focused on CSR and CSV (Creating Shared Value) Dain now leads New Zealand's Centre for Social Impact, bridging corporate and social sectors. Throughout his career, Dain has delivered significant value across a range of organisations from small nonprofits to multinational corporations including a multimillion-dollar collective impact project, transforming Health and Safety for a leading property developer, turning around a National Sporting Organisation and revitalising a Pasifika Youth Organisation. He's also designed corporate strategies for community engagement and Shared Value.
New Zealand born Samoan Hana Halalele is Waitaki District Council’s first Pasifika deputy mayor Councillor, an Independent Registered Social Worker, and General Manager for the Oamaru Pacific Island Community Group Inc. Hana is passionate about community empowerment and collaboration, believes in investing in the wellbeing of our people, and advocating for social change for betterment of our community. Hana holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Social and Community Work, Masters Degree in Consumer and Applied Science in Community and Family Studies from Otago University. Hana was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to public health in the 2023 New Year Honours.
Lloyd’s extensive service to the Pacific community draws on his extensive experience in business, banking, leadership, social wellbeing and governance roles. Mentoring Pacific youth, Lloyd co-founded the South Pou Charitable Trust and is a business navigator with Business South and Workforce Central Dunedin. As Chief Executive of the Pacific Trust Otago, Lloyd developed and implemented the delivery of health, social and wellbeing programmes and has also supported community finance initiatives through the Good Loans programme, working with Presbyterian Support Otago.
Luke Meredith is a successful entrepreneur who, after founding Circuit Systems Ltd in 1989, transformed it into a multimillion-dollar company before selling it. Today, he owns and directs Sureline Systems Ltd, specializing in high-end security solutions for businesses and government clients. As a proud Pasifika individual of Samoan heritage, Luke is passionate about providing mentorship and leadership within the Pasifika business network. Recognizing the need for increased Pasifika-owned businesses he is dedicated to helping emerging businesses achieve their goals. Luke's success is rooted in his culture, family, and the people around him. With a wealth of business experience, he aims to support fellow Pasifika entrepreneurs on their journey.