Panel Discussion
2
CPD
Explore how diverse Pasifika perspectives in governance drive commercial success in Aotearoa.
Renown international and academic research prove that cultural diversity in the board room is more than a moral imperative—it is a commercial advantage. By 2050, ethnic minorities will make up at least 50% of the population and one in every three births will be of Pasifika descent.
Pasifika leaders bring unique governance insights that enhance decision-making, drive innovation, and strengthen business resilience. We will talanoa (discuss) these findings and hear from experienced directors about leveraging Pasifika perspectives to improve organisational value.
Following a scene-setting address by Distinguished Professor Emeritus Paul Spoonley FRSNZ, Mele Wendt MNZM MInstD will facilitate a panel discussion focusing on real-world examples with our esteemed panel, including Andre Afamasaga MInstD and XXX.
This is an opportunity to gain practical insights into how Pasifika values—such as collective leadership, reciprocity, and long-term relationship-building—contribute to governance excellence and commercial success.
Distinguished Professor Paul Spoonley stood down as Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey University in 2019. He was then appointed as an advisor to the Commissioner of Police and in 2022, was appointed as the Co-Director of He Whenua Taurikura (National Centre for Countering Violent Extremism) by PM Jacinda Ardern.
Paul is a Fellow of the Auckland Museum and a Board member, a Visiting Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity, Göttingen, Germany and he was a Fulbright Senior Scholar at the University of California Berkeley in 2010.
He was awarded the Science and Technology Medal by the Royal Society in 2009 for cross-cultural understanding. He is the author or editor of 29 books, the most recent being ‘The New New Zealand. Facing Demographic Disruption’ (2021) and ‘Histories of Hate. The Radical Right in Aotearoa New Zealand’ (2023). He was Ranginui Walker’s biographer (Mata Toa. The Life and Times of Ranginui Walker). He has researched and written on social cohesion, racism, Pākehā identity, demographic change, white supremacism and antisemitism, immigration policy and settlement and the impacts of diversity.
MInstD
Andre Afamasaga (Samoan: Afega, Fasito‘otai), is a recognised advocate for human rights, diversity, and inclusion. In acknowledgement of his work, he was previously nominated for Australia Day Citizen of the Year and NSW Pacific Community Worker of the Year.
Andre’s professional experience includes GM of Advice, Research & Engagement at the NZ Human Rights Commission, where his team oversaw the Pacific Pay Gap Inquiry, the Housing Inquiry, the civil redress response to the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act, and anti-racism and social cohesion campaigns. He also held secondment roles at the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet and the Ministry of Justice in strategic communications and community engagement. Additionally, Andre has worked in public health, on several award-winning public health campaigns for Pacific and Māori. He now has his own consultancy Lived Experience Leadership.
In governance, Andre champions ‘operationalising’ human rights, diversity, and equity, so that all people from the boardroom to the tearoom ‘get it’ and ‘live it’. Based in Taranaki, he currently serves on Zeal Education Trust and Praxis boards, drawing on decades of governance experience in community and faith-based settings.
His lived experience as a former pastor and conversion practices survivor has made him a sought-after leader on issues of diversity and inclusion. In September 2024, he was the focus of ‘Alofa', an ABC Australia documentary, and has also featured in the Sydney Morning Herald, Stuff, TVNZ and Samoa Observer.
MInstD
Mele Wendt MNZM, has 25 years of governance and 17 years of management experience. In her early career, she was a high school teacher, and later, was the founding Pacific islands liaison officer and manager of the student recruitment office at Victoria University of Wellington, before becoming the executive director of Fulbright New Zealand – a role she held for ten years.
In 2019, Mele was awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for her services to governance, the Pacific community, and women. In 2022, she was the recipient of the Not-For-Profit Governance Leader Award at the Women in Governance Awards, and is also a White Ribbon Ambassador and a member of various professional and community groups.
Mele currently chairs Wellington Community Fund, and serves on the boards of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (The Correspondence School), the Real Estate Authority, Tāwhiri: Festivals and Experiences, Tokelau International Trust Fund, ANZ Bank (Samoa) Ltd, and The Helen Clark Foundation. She is also the National Vice President - Central Region of P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. and provides consultancy in governance training, Pacific peoples’ development, organisational capacity building, scholarships management, and mentoring.
Mele’s heritage is a mix of Samoan (Malie, Vaiala, Lefaga) and Palagi (NZ, Britain). She is married to Eteuati Ete - they have four grown-up children and four grandchildren, and Wellington has been her home for more than 35 years.
Should you have any dietary, mobility, cultural or other requirements, you can let us know on the registration form.
By registering for this event you are confirming that you agree to adhere to our event terms and conditions.
Regrettably, registration fees cannot be refunded when cancellations are received within two working days prior to any branch event. See our standard terms and conditions for more information.
Litia Brighouse-Fuavao
Diversity Programmes Manager
+64 274 447 371
Litia.Brighouse-Fuavao@iod.org.nz
The Institute of Directors acknowledges the generous support of national partners and sponsors
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Members — $40.00
Non-members — $50.00
