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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, specializing 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.
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.
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:
