The Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel offers advice based on their experiences living as people from Pacific cultures, to help us improve outcomes for this community.
They will:
Mavae Ahio is a New Zealand-born Tongan with ancestral ties to Fua’amotu, Kolovai, Hofoa and Kolofo'ou in Tongatapu and Feletoa in Vava’u. Raised in Māngere, south Auckland, he draws on his lived experiences to shape his leadership and advocacy.
Grounded in the strength of Pasifika families and the diversity of urban communities, Mavae draws on resilience shaped by navigating inequality. He is committed to advancing community wellbeing, strengthening cultural identity and fostering collective responsibility.
Now in his second term on the Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel, he continues to support and uplift Pacific communities. He is passionate about strengthening Pacific leadership, advancing equity and ensuring Pacific voices help shape the decisions that affect their futures.
Tristan Ah-Sui is an award-winning emerging Pacific leader of Samoan, Tongan and Solomon Islands heritage, born and raised in Pukekohe. His Samoan roots trace to the villages of Vailele and Saleilua (Falealili), grounding his identity in strong cultural values of service community and collective responsibility.
Tristan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Pacific Studies and History, which informs his commitment to uplifting Pacific voices, identities and knowledge within education and community spaces.
In 2024, Tristan was awarded a University of Auckland Blues Award for his contribution to STEAM projects in South Auckland. The following year, he was awarded the Le Va Emerging Pacific Leader Award at the Sunpix Pacific Peoples Awards.
Tristan’s professional background is rooted in education, social and climate justice and youth work. His work is guided by the belief that when Pacific people are empowered to embrace both their cultural heritage and their aspirations, they can create meaningful change for future generations.
Deeply connected to his culture and community, Tristan continues to champion Pacific success, leadership and representation, striving to ensure that Pacific young people feel proud of who they are and confident in the paths they choose to pursue.
Kiely is proudly of Niuean (Lakepa) and Pākehā heritage and calls Titirangi home. Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, growing up across both cultures in a post-Dawn Raids era has shaped her commitment to equity and belonging.
As Tangata Tiriti, she values partnership and representation.
Kiely works in culture and inclusion, with experience across the public sector, local government and corporate Aotearoa. Her mahi focuses on strengthening leadership and governance practices so that diverse voices are reflected in decision-making and communities can thrive.
She holds a Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Communications from Auckland University of Technology and has completed Te Ara Reo Māori and He Papa Tikanga through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Kiely is passionate about creating positive outcomes for Pacific communities and is honoured to serve on the Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel.
Mariner Fagaiava is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster of Samoan (Lepa, Iva, Vaisaulu, Saleaula) and Tongan (Nukunuku) heritage. She proudly identifies as a transgender woman and member of the rainbow community.
Fifty-one years ago, her grandparents settled in south Auckland. They raised their family with values of generosity, tenacity and diligence.
Mariner has worked at some of Aotearoa’s leading media outlets. These include at Radio New Zealand (RNZ), where she led coverage of the Dawn Raids government apology, and at New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) where she hosted Flava Radio's drivetime show. She now works at The Cause Collective, a Pacific health and social change organisation.
Mariner is currently studying for a Master of Communication Studies at AUT on scholarship. She previously graduated from AUT with a Bachelor of Communication Studies and a Bachelor of Business.
She recently returned from the 'Ship for World Youth', a youth exchange programme organised by the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan. She is ready to serve as a member of Auckland Council’s Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel.
Hassana Kirkwood returns for her second term on the Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel. She brings strong passion and commitment to her Pasifika and Māori communities.
Hassana is a proud Niuean and Māori woman born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau. She is a mother of two and puts community at the centre of everything she does.
She has experience in recruitment, especially in the technology sector. She advocates for greater representation of Pasifika and Māori people.
Through her work, Hassana creates pathways to opportunity and mentors people from under-represented communities in Aotearoa’s technology industry. Her approach is grounded in connection, service and a genuine commitment to helping her people thrive and be heard.
George Makapatama is above all else, a Tagata Fakafekau (servant).
As a strategic leader and systems evolution practitioner, he works to strengthen leadership, governance and organisational culture to achieve sustainable, community-centred outcomes.
Grounded in the Niuean philosophy of Fakafekauaga (servantship), his work focuses on:
George is mokopuna Grandchildren-focused and committed to strengthening communities for future generations.
Seumanu Seuoti Simon Matāfai JP (Simon) is a proud Kiwi-born Samoan. He holds orator chief titles from both Salelologa and Saleaula, Savai’I.
He is a Samoan language interpreter and translator, and one of the youngest justices of the peace in the country. Simon holds a Masters in Business Administration from AUT, postgraduate qualifications in law and a Bachelor of Arts double major in history and music from the University of Auckland.
Simon spent four years in the United States, South Africa and Brazil as a Pacific youth advocate to United Nations summits and One Young World with various non-government organisations.
At 24 years old, he was elected to Whau Local Board. He was the first elected member of Samoan descent and the first Samoan representative for west Auckland since the supercity amalgamation in 2010.
He remains connected to Avondale College where he served as student president, head prefect and deputy head boy. For 20 years he has tutored the Avondale College Samoan Group and gospel choir.
Since the age of 11, Simon has served as a pianist and choirmaster for Grey Lynn Samoan Methodist Church. He is also a lay preacher and community coordinator for the Methodist Church of Samoa in New Zealand Charitable Trust.
Simon sits on the governance board for the Pasifika Festival as co-chair and village cultural advisor for Samoa. He is a co-founder and trustee for Whau Pasifika, an elected board member for Avondale Intermediate School and producer and anchor of the K.o.k.o Samoa Youth Show on Radio Samoa 1593AM.
Seimoana Naisali is a proud Tokelauan and Tuvaluan, a mum and a born-and-raised Aucklander from the North Shore.
She is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland where her research focuses on wealth and retirement gaps affecting Pacific women.
With a professional background in the New Zealand Police and as a US Embassy Young Pacific Leader alumna, Seimoana brings both public sector and community leadership experience to her work. She was also a co-founder of the social enterprise Jobs for Mums, which supports workforce participation for more than 30,000 parents and caregivers across Aotearoa.
Seimoana is serving her second term on Auckland Council’s Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel and is committed to strengthening opportunities and outcomes for Pacific communities in Auckland.
Dallin Niuelua was born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau and is of Samoan, Cook Islands and New Zealand European heritage. He spent part of his childhood growing up in Samoa, strengthening his connection to his Pacific culture and community.
He has worked in the tertiary education sector and in community leadership roles focused on strengthening participation, representation and partnership in decision-making.
He previously served as president of the student association at Massey University, where he led student advocacy and governance initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He remains actively involved in community and church life and is passionate about supporting Pacific communities, particularly Pacific youth and emerging leaders.
He is committed to contributing Pacific perspectives to Auckland’s civic leadership and public decision-making.
Mao Dayna Taramai is of Samoan (Saoluafata and Toamua) and Cook Islands (Matavera) descent. A second-generation born New Zealander, she views her life and achievements as the realisation of her grandparents' dreams and the fruit of the sacrifices they made when migrating to Aotearoa in search of a better life for their aiga. Raised alongside three brothers by parents who serve as her pillars, Dayna’s upbringing instilled in her a deep understanding of tautua (service) and a work ethic.
Professionally, Dayna operates across the social, wellbeing, start-up and sports sectors.
A passionate advocate for Pacific innovation and storytelling, Dayna is dedicated to ensuring Pasifika communities move beyond survival to truly thrive, honouring the rich history and entrepreneurial spirit of her heritage.
Siliva Togatuki was born and raised in Porirua, Wellington, shaped by strong Pacific identity, collective care and resilience. Her father comes from both Atafu, Tokelau and Satuiatua in Fai’aai, Savaii, Samoa, her mother from Armagh, Northern Ireland and Britain. Siliva has five children with her husband who was born and raised in Nofoali’i and Leulumoega, Apia, Samoa.
Siliva completed a master's degree in health practice, specialising in violence and trauma from Auckland University of Technology (AUT), resulting in an A+ dissertation on Samoan youth navigating identity in dominant western systems in 2025. She also holds a bachelor's degree in counselling from Manukau Institute of Technology.
In her professional space, she works as a counsellor in sexual harm for Pacific people, suicide bereavement, suicide prevention and intervention within South Auckland. She also works as a casual lecturer at AUT.
She has experience in clinical, frontline and social change and is extremely honoured to serve the Pacific people within Tāmaki Makaurau with this role and opportunity for positive impact.
Siliva is passionate about systems and creating innovation alongside the community that shifts policy and creates new pathways for Pacific people to thrive.
Evalesi Tu'inukuafe is a Pasifika (Tongan-Sāmoan) māmā who is a proud westie.
As a community developer, she has a genuine passion for community and can be found engaging in, supporting or leading different kaupapa that empowers Pacific and other diverse communities.
With an educational background in sociology and Pacific Studies, she understands how government systems operate and how crucial it is that policy is informed by those that they aim to serve.
As a member of the Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel, Evalesi believes that her connection to community and her lived experience can help shape advice that better reflects Pacific needs and aspirations.
The panel has a mixture of open formal business meetings and closed workshops each year. The panel meets approximately every six to eight weeks, excluding December and January.
Formal business meetings are open to the public and any elected members of Auckland Council.
Workshops are used for discussion between panel members, Governing Body members and relevant council staff.
For dates, agendas and minutes, visit Agendas and Minutes.
Email pacificpeoples.advisorypanel@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to:
