Pacific Business Trust appointments made

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has announced two new appointments to the board of the Pacific Business Trust.

Fa’amatuainu Tino Pereira has been appointed chairman of the six-strong board from October 1 for a three-year term.

Mr Pereira has sat on many government and private sector boards and has worked extensively in Pacific communities.

Rachel Afeaki Taumoepeau has also been appointed for the same term. She brings long experience in strategic business management.

Sitting members Uluomatootua Aiono and Kenina Court have been reappointed until 30 September 2017.

Teremoana Kenneth Mato and Repeka Lelaulu will remain on the board until 30 June 2016.

Mr Lotu-Iiga says he is delighted by the appointments.

“These board members will help the trust continue its work developing a strong economic base for Pacific people and providing opportunities for members of the Pacific community to start their own businesses.”

Mr Lotu-Iiga thanked outgoing members Rhys Faleafa and Poalaga Selma Scott for their valuable contribution to the board.

The Pacific Business Trust is a not for profit charitable trust set up in 1985. It provides economic development services for Pacific businesses and businesspeople in New Zealand.

Notes:

Profiles of new board members

Fa’amatuainu Tino Pereira

Mr Pereira is an experienced Pacific consultant on public sector issues and a leading conference facilitator.

For more than 15 years he was involved in New Zealand's broadcasting sector as a journalist, broadcaster, and commentator on Pacific issues.

He has had significant community involvement for more than two decades including community leadership responsibilities. Fa’amatuainu is of Samoan descent. He holds the chiefly orator title of Fa’amatuainu from Lufilufi in Samoa.

Rachel Afeaki Taumoepeau

Mrs Afeaki Taumoepeau, a New Zealand-born Tongan, works as the trust manager of For The Sake of Our Children Trust.

Her background is in strategic business management instigating business and operational systems for small-medium sized organisations in the business and community sector.

She directed a Pacific Mentoring Youth Agency based in Manukau City for four years and where she implemented business strategies and operations systems.

She is also the chairwoman of the NZ Tonga Business Council.