Kristina Sofele

Regional Manager, North-Western

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

Argentina Fatialofa

Team Leader, Mental Health Services

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