Board of Trustees
Poari
Our People
Our People
Our People
Our People
Our People
Our People
Board of Trustees
Leo Foliaki is a Chartered Accountant and was a partner at PwC New Zealand,
between 1999 and 2022. During his professional career Leo was the lead audit
partner on several publicly listed entities on the New Zealand Stock Exchange and
worked on large projects in complex operating environments.
Leo has also held governance roles such as serving as the Chair of the Audit and
Risk Committee for Counties Manukau District Health Board, the Council for
Auckland University of Technology, and the Board of New Zealand Opera. Leo is
passionate about serving his Pacific community and has worked for a number of not-for-profit community organisations.
between 1999 and 2022. During his professional career Leo was the lead audit
partner on several publicly listed entities on the New Zealand Stock Exchange and
worked on large projects in complex operating environments.
Leo has also held governance roles such as serving as the Chair of the Audit and
Risk Committee for Counties Manukau District Health Board, the Council for
Auckland University of Technology, and the Board of New Zealand Opera. Leo is
passionate about serving his Pacific community and has worked for a number of not-for-profit community organisations.
Ng?ti Tukorehe, Ng?ti Raukawa, Muaupoko, Rangitane ki te Wairau, Ng?ti Rarua Atiawa, Ng?i Tahu
Tina is Director at the New Zealand Trade Development Centre Taiwan for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. Previously, she was Director of M?ori Business at NZTE responsible for internationalising M?ori Business and sourcing investment opportunities for M?ori entities. She currently sits on the Council of Massey University and is the chair of Te Iwi o Ngati Tukorehe Trust. Prior to joining NZTE, Tina was CEO of the Taupo Moana Group/IWIinvestor – a specialist investment advisory firm for M?ori (pan-tribal entities). Tina has worked within the M?ori sector for the last 25 years, across investment, business strategy, financial management, training and economic development. She has extensive governance experience in both M?ori and non M?ori organisations.
Faye is a leader, thinker and doer. She is the Executive Director at Health Coalition Aotearoa, a national health advocacy NGO, and a trustee at Middlemore Foundation. Previously she co designed and co-founded impact organisations such as 21C Skills Lab, NZ Global Women and NZ Centre for Social Innovation.
Faye’s business background includes business development and partnership with AUT University. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma Business from AUT and a Graduate Diploma Tchg, and BEd from The University of Auckland.
Rhys Faleaf? is of Tongan descent and has had a 20 year career in working in the professional services sector, education, and managing SME's in the private and public sector, including managing family enterprises, iconic NZ clothing company Huffer, the Pacific Business Trust, as well as serving as Interim Executive at TupuToa!
Rhys holds a BCom(Hons) in Accounting & Finance and a BSc in Chemistry, and is a Chartered Accountant. Currently the Co-Chair of the Pacific Islands Chartered Accountants Network., Rhys has experienced private sector governance roles as well as Ministerial appointed roles such as the Pacific Business Trust and Partnership School Kura Hourua Authorisation Board.
Rhys has been actively involved in developing TupuToa from an idea into a sustainable social enterprise model, and is most proud of the work TupuToa is doing to create opportunities for aspiring M?ori and Pacific professionals to excel in culturally safe corporate and professional workplaces.
Tim is an Owner Operator of a Foodstuffs North Island Cooperative and currently operates a store in the Waikato region. Before joining the Foodstuffs he was the co-founder and director of two leading youth careers and employment businesses - GradConnection NZ (previously Nxtstep.co.nz) and HR consultancy Talent Solutions. Prior to embarking on his entrepreneurial endeavours he was with PwC. Tim holds a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from Victoria University of Wellington. He is also an admitted Barrister & Solicitor and a Chartered Accountant. Tim is actively involved in various not-for-profit organisations - namely, he is the Chairperson the Board and Foundation Trustee of Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand and the founder and ex Chairperson of the New Zealand Association of Graduate Employers (NZAGE).
Our Team
Te T?ma
Ng?puhi, Ng?ti Wh?tua
Maruata leads TupuToa’s Navigators Team, ensuring that the internship programme is delivered with excellence and that our rangatahi are supported to succeed. Throughout her life and career Maruata has been focused on building capability within M?ori and Pacific communities. She brings several years’ experience as a teacher aide in Kohanga and primary schools, and five years with the Counties Manukau District Health Board engaging M?ori and Pacific tauira in secondary and tertiary education.
Maruata grew up in Auckland and Samoa and speaks Te Reo M?ori, English and basic Samoan. She has a Bachelor of Arts in M?ori Development.
Ng?puhi, Ng?ti Wh?tua, Vaiala, Fa'atoia, Fai'a'ai, Sagone, Hamburg
Tala’s role as a Navigator is all about supporting our interns and partners chart new waters together. He helps to guide and uplift our rangatahi and partner organisations through their individual journeys.
Prior to joining TupuToa, Tala had roles in logistics, as a health and PE teacher, and even dabbled in factory work. He holds a degree in sports and recreation from AUT University and worked as Operations Manager for the Get into Life Youth Development Trust for four years, prior to moving to Melbourne for his overseas experience.
Tala is fluent in Te reo M?ori and has rudimentary Samoan skills.
Salelologa and Faleasiu, Samoa
O le ala I le pule, o le tautua – The Pathway to leadership is through service
John is of Samoan descent hailing from Faleasiu & Salelologa and has held roles within MSD & in the Private Training Establishment (PTE) working with empowering M?ori & Pasifika individuals to enhance their career prospects and personal development via courses, training, upskilling and employment services over the last 20 plus years.
“ I continue to love having a hand in helping our M?ori and Pasifika people to empower them in any way, shape or form, that’s my passion, as this is my way of connecting with my culture”
John is part of the Navigator team where he continues work with our Maori and Pasifika young people in the hope of service through their internship, where one day they will lead through their work.
Fuamotu, Tongatapu and Feletoa, Vava'u
Siliva is committed to equipping our Rangatahi with the essential tools to shape their futures. He is passionate about supporting our tauira in making a positive impact on themselves, their families, and their communities.
With a background in professional sports, Siliva integrates his personal experiences into his daily work to empower our Rangatahi to overcome challenges and inspire the next generation to follow in their footsteps.
In addition to his youth development efforts, Siliva is a dedicated sports coach and values quality time with friends and family. He is multilingual, fluent in Tongan, Japanese, and English.
