Our
People

Pasifika Futures has a Board of Directors that reflects the interests of our Pacific communities, demonstrates strong Governance skills and experience and is able to operate within cultural frameworks. The board has extensive networks throughout New Zealand and the region built on family, village, kinship, professional, sporting, church, cultural, education, business and community relationships.

Our Board

Chairman

Dr Tearikivao (Kiki) Maoate

ONZM, FRACS

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.

Board Director

Dr Francis Agnew

MNZM, FRANZCP, FACHAM

Dr Francis Agnew is a pioneer in the development of Pacific Mental Health services in New Zealand and the region. In 2010 he was invested as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Pacific community.

Board Director

Mrs Soana Pamaka

BA, DipT

For the past 30 years, Mrs Soana Akolotu Pamaka has devoted her considerable energy and skill to East Auckland’s Tamaki College.

Board Director

Dr Siniva Sinclair

FAFPHM, MPH

Dr Siniva Sinclair was born and raised in Papua New Guinea. Dr Sinclair is a Fellow of the Australasian Facility of Public Health Medicine and completed a Masters in Public Health.

Board Director

La'auli Sir Michael Jones

MNZM.B.A., M.A, BPlan

La’auli Sir Michael Jones has a wealth of public and private sector experience having worked in tertiary education and Pacific economic development.

Mrs Debbie Sorensen

D.C.C.T, CMInstD, MNZIOD
Chief Executive Officer

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.

Our Team

The Director of Partnerships leads a team of advisors and practice managers across the country who are connected directly with our network of partners and the local Pacific community. This allows for accuracy when assessing our communities needs, empathy to understand the degree of these needs and agility to respond to these needs with effectiveness and efficiency.

Director of Commissioning

Cory Vessey

Cory Vessey is the Director of Commissioning.