Dr. Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop

Samoan, Māori (Ngāti Maniapoto and Waikato-Tainui) • PhD (Community Health)

Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop is Chief Executive Officer. Appointed August 2019, she has over 25 years' experience and expertise in health policy development, management, relationship management, research and evaluation. Prior to joining Vaka Tautua, Amanda was Senior Adviser, Pacific and Development Group, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Previous roles include health research and evaluation consultant (self-employed), Pacific health research manager at The University of Auckland and programme manager at Counties Manukau District Health Board.

Amanda holds a Doctorate in Community Health (Social marketing; Health behaviour change) from The University of Auckland. She was raised in Samoa.

Amanda-Lanuola.Dunlop@vakatautua.co.nz

Lisa Amoa

Samoan • MBus, PGDipHR, BCom

Bio coming soon!

021 752 399 • Lisa.Amoa@vakatautua.co.nz

Bernice Mene

Samoan • BA (Hons), MNZM

Bernice Mene is Innovation Manager, responsible for growing Vaka Tautua’s business and ensuring that what we do is innovative and cutting edge. Appointed in July 2020, she has over 25 years’ leadership, governance and management experience, particularly within the sports and education (youth) sectors.

Bernice is Samoan, and a proud Cantabrian.

027 700 9962 • Bernice.Mene@vakatautua.co.nz

Lara Dolan

Ukrainian • CA, ACA, Bbus, Cert BMgmt

Bio coming soon!

027 880 2153 • Lara.Dolan@vakatautua.co.nz

Pat Masina

Samoan • MEd, BA

Pat Masina is Regional Manager, Central & Auckland, responsible for overseeing Vaka Tautua’s operations in these regions. Appointed in July 2020, he has been involved in community development at both a policy and operational level for over 25 years. Holding influential positions within central and local government, as well as the private and NGO sectors, means that Pat brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role.

A graduate of Victoria University of Wellington, Pat holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Master of Arts (MA) degree in Education. He also serves on the board of the Global Hope Missions Trust and is a former member of Auckland Council’s Pacific Advisory Panel.

Pat is of Samoan descent. His father, the late Reverend Setu Maliko Masina, hails from the village of Safa’atoa Lefaga; and his mother. Fa’alua Masina, from Pesega. Pat is married to Sala, and they have three children. In his spare time, Pat enjoys cooking, pretending to be a percussionist, and trying to keep fit.

Pat’s inspiration in life are his parents. He honours their pioneering spirit and legacy of service by continuing to help and support our Pacific communities across the region.

“Only a life lived for others is a life worth living”

027 880 2224 • Pat.Masina@vakatautua.co.nz

Kristina Sofele

Tongan • BSw, DipSw

Kristina Sofele is Regional Manager North-Western, overseeing Vaka Tautua’s operations in the North-Western Auckland region. The organisation’s longest-serving manager, Kristina has extensive social work, community development, relationship management and management experience. Prior to joining Vaka Tautua in 2014, she was Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs (now Pacific peoples). Previous roles include senior social worker and case manager at Child, Youth & Family Services (now Oranga Tamariki).

Kristina is actively involved in the Tongan community in New Zealand, particularly in the sports, youth development and church areas. Her personal experiences on the challenges of navigating the New Zealand health system inform her work.

027 533 5875 • Kristina.Sofele@vakatautua.co.nz

Kerry Price

Bio coming soon!

Kerry.Price@vakatautua.co.nz

Tunumafono Fa'amoetauloa Avaula Fa'amoe

Tunumafono Fa'amoetauloa Avaula Fa'amoe MNZM (Ava) is Chair of the board of directors of Vaka Tautua and Vice Chair of PIASS Trust. He is a self-employed managing director for Dauntless Blue Limited.

Ava has helped establish organisations, notably PIASS Trust, Taikura Trust and Vaka Tautua. He is a former trustee of Taikura Trust. Ava is also active in civil society matters. He was an elected member of the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board, Auckland Council; and previously served as the Chair of the Otara Community Board, Manukau City Council. Ava is currently a board member of the Community Legal Services South Auckland.

Kaiongo Tupou

Kaiongo Tupou (Kai) is Team Leader of the Christchurch office, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of our services in the Canterbury region and stakeholder engagement. He is also Whanau Resilience Kaimahi, helping co-design the regional Whanau Resilience strategy. Kai has extensive disability, social services and sports management experience. Prior to joining Vaka Tautua in 2013, he was Sports Development Office for the Tongan Sports Association. Previous roles include trainer for the Tongan Paralympics team (2006 – 2008) and professional rugby player. 

Tongan-born and raised, Kai holds qualifications in social services, disability information provision and sports management. He is a former Tongan international rugby player. Kai is actively involved in the Tongan community in New Zealand and back home; particularly in the disability, sports and church areas. He is also a voluntary bishop with his church.

027 204 5288 • Kainogo.Tupou@vakatautua.co.nz

Les Atoni

Tokelauan • Certificate in Mental Health (Level 4), Dip Sport and Employment

Bio coming soon!

027 778 8019 • Les.Atoni@vakatautua.co.nz

Aiga Seve

Samoan • BBSW

Bio coming soon!

027 583 8094 • Aiga.Seve@vakatautua.co.nz

Alphonso Afoa-Scotter

Samoan • BSc, PGDipHSc

Alphonso Afoa-Scotter (Sio) is Team Leader, Mental Health Services, responsible for overseeing the delivery of these services in the Auckland Central region. He has extensive mental health, youth health and health research experience. Prior to joining Vaka Tautua, Sio worked as a research fellow at The University of Auckland; and at Odyssey House Youth Residential supporting Pacific peoples with mental health challenges.

Sio is Samoan. He holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences from The University of Auckland.

027 599 9612 • Alphonso.S@vakatautua.co.nz

Antonio Hiliate

Tongan • DipBus

Bio coming soon!

027 205 3227 • Atonio.Hiliate@vakatautua.co.nz

Gabby Patelesio

Samoan • BCom

Bio coming soon!

Gabrielle.Patelesio@vakatautua.co.nz

Argentina Fatialofa

Niuean, Kuki Airani • Certificate in Mental Health (Level 4), DipMH

Argentina Fatialofa is Team Leader Mental Health Services, responsible for overseeing the delivery of our mental health services in the North-Western region..

Argentina has extensive counselling and family therapy experience. She holds a certificate in addiction and mental health support (Manukau Institute of Technology) and is a trained facilitator for suicide intervention. Prior to joining Vaka Tautua in 2008, Argentina was a telephone counsellor at Lifeline, and programme coordinator for elderly stroke survivors.

Argentina is Niuean and actively involved in the Niuean community.

027 691 9421 • Argentina.Fatialofa@vakatautua.co.nz

Epalahame Lauaki

Tongan • Certificate in Mental Health & Addictions (Level 4)

Bio coming soon!

027 691 9422 • Epalahame.Lauaki@vakatautua.co.nz

Viliami Toafa

Viiami Toafa is Vice Chair of the board of directors of Vaka Tautua and Chair of Malologa Trust. Currently he is employed as Relationship Manager at The Cause Collective. Previous positions include Practice and Public Health Manager of Langimalie Health Services and General Manager of West Fono. Viliami is a recipient of the Pacific Business Trust, MIT Pacific Business Executive of the Year Award.

Jessica Fonoti

Fonoti Jessica Fonoti (Jess) is Team Leader, Social Services, responsible for overseeing the delivery of the suite of services across the Auckland region. A social worker, Jess has extensive experience in social work, youth development and justice, whanau resilience, anti-violence and suicide prevention. 

Jess is Samoan and holds the chiefly title of Fonoti. She is actively involved in the Samoan community in New Zealand and back home; and in social work, youth development and justice areas.

027 778 8216 • Jessica.Fonoti@vakatautua.co.nz

Fauuga Faye Seumanutafa

Faye Seumanutafa is Co-Team Leader of the Porirua office, She is also Team Leader DIAS (Wellington), responsible for overseeing the delivery of this specific service in the region. Faye has extensive disability and accounting experience. Previous roles include accounts clerk at Samoan Treasury Department and assistant financial manager Gerard Lighting.

Samoa-born and raised, Faye is actively involved in the Samoan community in New Zealand and back home; and her church community.

027 930 4421 • Faye.Seumanutafa@vakatautua.co.nz

Lemalu Tu'ulua

Bio coming soon!

027 210 0314 • Lepou.Tuulua@vakatautua.co.nz