| GOVERNANCE TEAM |
Ma’u Fonua – ‘A – Manu Fotu
Chairman (‘Ākiheuho & TAASA)
Ma’u Fonua –‘A – Manu Fotu was born in Tonga and attended Tonga High School for 3 years before he emigrated with his family to New Zealand in 1980. After completing his high school years at Mt Albert Grammar School he attended the University of Otago where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Biochemistry and Microbiology before moving and living in England for 10 years. It was during his time in England that he graduated with a Diploma in Mental Health Nursing from the University of York.
He has worked in the mental health sector as a clinician for 10 years before assuming the role of General Manager for Vaka Tautua for 7 years. Vaka Tautua is a Pacific NGO that provides health and disability services to the Pacific Community. During this time he completed a postgraduate qualification in Health Management. Currently, Manu has taken up the challenge of managing the Suicide Prevention programme for both Waitemata and Auckland District Health Board. He is the chairperson of the Board of Trustee for Harbour Basketball Association and the current Chairman of Tonga Aotearoa Amateur Sports Association (TAASA), apart from being the Chairman for ‘Ākiheuho.
His sports career includes touring with the New Zealand University rugby league team to the student world cup which was held in England, 1989, then played for Tonga student team during 1993 student world cup held in Sydney. Upon returning to England he played professional for 5 seasons in both codes of rugby. Manu has brought in his wealth of leadership and management experiences to ‘Ākiheuho. He is a sport lover, which is clearly reflected through the performance of his children in sports. His children have been hired and contracted by overseas Sports Federations. Manu is truly an exceptional role model. He is married to Jenny and they have 5 children; Isaac, Gabriella, Daniel, Zinny and Jacob.
Manase Lua (Pakilau ‘o Aotearoa),BA,MA(Hon)
Secretary (Aotearoa Tongan Health Workers Association T/A ‘Ākiheuho)
Manase is currently the Disability and Pacific Workforce Manager for Te Pou o Te Whakaaro Nui, the national workforce centre for mental health, addictions and disability for New Zealand. He has worked in the public service of New Zealand for almost ten years at the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and Ministry of Health. He has also served over ten years in the NGO sector primarily in the disability sector. Aside from his current role on the Executive for TAASA, he is also the Secretary General for the Tongan Caucus (Governance member) of the Pacific Leadership Forum. Manase also serves as a Board Member for Fonua Ola Pacific Social Services provider, Secretary for ‘Ākiheuho – Aotearoa Tongan Health Workers Association and Secretary of the New Zealand Tongan Rugby Football Association (Siutaka NZ).
Manase is active and very involved in a number of community groups. He is passionate about Tongan arts, culture, sports, history and music. Manase was officially bestowed with a matāpule title “Pakilau ‘o Aotearoa” by Lord Ma’afu Tukui’aulahi, the Paramount Chief (‘Ulu) of the Ha’a Havea clan and Vaini village in the Kingdom of Tonga. Manase is possibly the only full Tongan to wear the sacred Samoan markings or lagi malofie (traditional full body tattoo – ta tatau) on his body in centuries. Manase is fully enriched in knowledge and experience not limited to Public Service, NGO, Community Leadership, and a Cultural Aspiration to ‘Ākiheuho. Manase is married to Folola with four children namely; Siosifa, Alvina, Sela Mouna and Moses.
(PDM Project Director)
Makahokovalu (Maka) is an executive member of the ATHWA Board of Trustees and is also contracted by the Board to oversee and ensure daily operations are running smoothly. He reports directly to the ATHWA Chairman. Amongst his responsibilities are drawing up ATHWA contracts, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), forming partnerships between ATHWA and other parties and agencies of which he adheres well to keeping the Chairman and the Board updated. He is currently the Project Director for the Pacific Dementia Māngalo.
His work experiences range from High School teaching at senior high school level. He then moved to the ANZ Banking Group working in housing and commercial lending. From banking, he joined the public accounting services having worked for two accounting firms in Tonga.
Maka returned to NZ in 1997 and work as a CEO in the Motor Vehicle Dealership industries for several years. While being at the leadership role, Maka returned to AUT to complete an MBA in Operations Management and International Business. He joined Transdev as a Service Delivery Manager managing the Auckland Metro Passenger Rail.
Maka’s involvement in the community includes the ‘Inasi Inc., the Tongan Community COVID-19 Response Group (TCCRG) that promoted the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the Aotearoa Tonga Response Group Inc. (ATRG) that initiated and carried out the national (in NZ) relief work for Tonga after the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and the tsunami that followed.
Makahokovalu Pailate | Chief Executive Officer – Aotearoa Tongan Health Workers Association | P: +64 9 2766968 or Mobile: 022 353 9865 | E: maka@athwa.org.nz | 25 Princes Street, Otahuhu, PO Box 22336, Otahuhu, Auckland1640, New Zealand
Associate Professor Dr Sione Vaka
PDM – Clinical Lead
Associate Professor Sione Vaka is the Poutumatua Pasifika (Tausisoifua) and Pacific lead at Te Huataki Waiora School of Health at the University of Waikato. He hails from the Kingdom of Tonga (villages of Longolongo, Neiafu, Lofanga and Lapaha) and had been working in different areas of mental health including acute inpatient, crisis services, early interventions, liaison psychiatry, community and cultural services. Sione’s research interests are mental health, Pacific health, gerontology, men’s health, youth. He has been awarded number of research grants and also won research awards. Sione also actively participates in the Pacific communities and ensures that the Pacific worldviews are addressed in the health and education systems. This leads to his contribution with the Pacific model of care, ūloa that address how to work with Pacific people experiencing mental distress
Dr ‘Etuini Ma’u
PDM – Clinical Governance Advisor
Dr ‘Etuini Ma’u is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland and a Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist at Te Whatu Ora Waikato. He is a member of the Dementia Matewareware Leadership and Advisory group, providing strategic advice to guide government on achieving the vision of the Dementia Matewareware Action Plan in Aotearoa. ‘Etuini was awarded an HRC Pacific Clinical Research Training Fellowship in 2019 and the Alzheimers New Zealand Fellowship in 2022 to support his research into dementia prevention and improving dementia services for Pasifika people in Aotearoa.
| CLINICAL TEAM |
Dr Siale Foliaki
PDM – Clinician
Dr Siale Foliaki is a dual qualified Adult and Child Psychiatrist with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists in both public and private practice. In his public role he is currently Associate Clinical Director Pacific of Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau Rohe Mental Health Services.
Other roles he currently occupies include Pacific Clinical Lead Whakarongorau National Telehealth Service, Clinical Director Capri Sanctuary which is a boutique mental health and addictions provider and fitness to practice consultancy work with the New Zealand Medical and Nurses Council.
He has developed his career primarily as a clinician but has also undertaken extensive research projects the most significant being his involvement in the New Zealand Mental Health Survey Te Rau Hinengaro. He has a strong interest in dementia at both a professional and personal level as he has close relatives that are suffering from dementia.
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Dr Staverton Kautoke
PDM – Clinician
Dr Staverton Kautoke is a Tongan Psychiatrist who was born and raised in Tonga, completed his medical training at the University of Otago medical school and currently lives and works with his family in Auckland, New Zealand. He has more than 10 years’ experience working closely with people who had suffered and continue to suffer from Dementia. His clinical skills combined with his expert knowledge of the Tongan language and culture enables him to navigate a culturally sound approach and connect easily with those suffering from Dementia. Staverton is completing his qualitative research on the Tongan worldview on Dementia where he has interviewed both participants with dementia and their carers.
Ms Makoni Havea
PDM – Clinician
Makoni Havea is a Nurse Practitioner in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in the Te Whatu Ora, Counties Manukau district. She is Clinical Lead for the Village Collective in Manukau and an academic mentor and supervisor at Massey University. She is a member of the Fatu Fono Ola (Pacific Health Senate), Te Whatu Ora.
She has clinical experience working as a case manager, mental health nurse and leader in various mental health teams within Counties Manukau Health (inpatient and community), and in providing mental health assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support within Primary Care and Integrated Locality Teams.
Makoni was born in Ha’apai, and raised in the village of Haveluloto & Ngele’ia in Tongatapu. Her father is from Vaimalo, Vava’u and her mother is from Tongoleleka, Hihifo Ha’apai & Fungamisi, Neiafu Vava’u
Tevita Vungamoeahi
PDM – Clinician
A Registered Nurse and Clinical Lead Navigator for the Pacific Dementia Mangalo Project, possesses a rich background that deeply connects him with his roots in the villages of Tongoleleka and Felemea Haapai, Tonga. Fluent in Tongan and deeply embedded in its culture, Tevita has demonstrated remarkable adeptness in engaging with the community, an attribute honed during his upbringing in Tonga until the age of 19.
Recently relocating to Auckland after a significant tenure of over four years in Dunedin, Tevita has made substantial contributions to the Pacific community there. His involvement in mental health initiatives, particularly the Ke Tatala Project in Dunedin, highlights his commitment to addressing critical health issues.
Tevita’s extensive experience in community service is noteworthy, encompassing vital areas such as vaccinations, cervical, and cardiovascular screenings. This work, particularly within the Pasifika and Tongan communities, showcases his exceptional skill set and invaluable contributions to community health and wellbeing. His transition to Auckland is a continuation of his dedication to serving the community, bringing invaluable expertise and experience to his new role.
Paea I Vahafolau Fifita Folau
PDM – Clinician
Born and raised in Tonga, AGE:28 in the village of Fanga. Began Nursing school at Queen Salote School of Nursing in the year 2014 and graduated in May 2017. I started working in the clinical area for about a year before allocating to the Public Department in 2018. The Public Department in Tonga is based in the districts, working towards the people of the community. In the community, we look after every individual especially with NCD, Disability and the Mother and Child care so basically from Womb to Tomb.
Finally in July 2023 got an offer to be a Mangalo Navigator for the Pacific Dementia Mangalo Project working alongside Tevita Vungamoeahi to navigate and advocate for the Pasifika individuals that are struggling with Dementia in hope for increasing improvement of Diagnosing and caring for them.
With personal development of skills and experience about community health, primary care and also Dementia. I hope to be of great help and support for the Project and itss ongoing development.