Our Board

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GILLIANNE RAY
Interim Chair

  • Gillianne is a dedicated professional having worked in Community Development and Engagement at central and local government level for most of her working career. Her passion is working with the community - fostering social cohesion and empowering diverse communities. 

    While at Department of Labour, she advised small businesses on employment law and health & safety. It was here when she became one of the founding members of Puataunofo Come Home Safely. 

    Her skill sets are in Project Management, Community Engagement and Relationship Brokering. One of her proudest works was in inspiring the making of a cultural documentary and seeing it come to life – Tapped in Ink.  

    Gillianne believes in servanthood leadership, that is, leading by example and taking people with you on the journey.  Not one to be dazzled by titles, she also firmly stands by Faith, Family, Friends, and Community.  In her spare time, she likes to travel and socialise.  

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NATIA TUCKER
Deputy Chair

  • Natia is a dedicated professional with 14 years of experience at PIPA, where she excels in leveraging institutional knowledge to foster collaboration across the public sector, private sector, and NGOs. Her commitment to building long-term relationships has yielded significant benefits for communities.

    Natia holds a Master's in Pacific Development and is actively involved with Coastguard Tautiaki Moana, reflecting her passion for community service. Among her top career achievements, she was part of successful collaborations that changed the Navigational Safety Bylaw in 2014 by amplifying Pacific community voices and secured the ACC Best Innovation in Industry award at the Safeguard Awards in 2012.

    Natia finds great satisfaction in seeing her efforts contribute to meaningful community advancements, continually inspiring her professional journey.

    E fofo le alamea e le alamea.

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CORAL TIMMINS
Treasurer

  • Coral Timmins is a dedicated community relationship broker at Auckland Council where she facilitates connections between community organisations, businesses, the council, and local boards. She provides support to navigate council systems and processes to make sure these groups can access the support they need and have their voices heard. Coral has dedicated her career to helping individuals and communities to achieve transformative change. Her previous roles include Injury Prevention Coordinator at Waitakere Council and various roles at Waitemata Plunket. She is qualified in Mental Health 1st Aid, Conflict Management, and Community Facilitation. A career highlight for Coral was developing a community partnership programme with the local board to inform community investment. She gets great satisfaction knowing that her work ensures engagement and representation from even the most underserved communities.

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TIA PAEA
Secretary

  • Tia Paea is a proud mother of 6 children and attributes her empathy and passion for Whanau through her lived experience. With a strong proficiency in Tikanga Maori and Niuean culture.

    Her administrative acumen allows her to excel in organizing schedules, managing communications, and supporting her team effectively.

    Deeply connected to her Maori and Pacific roots, Tia is passionate about community engagement. She actively volunteers with local Maori and Pacific organisations, focusing on taking care of our elders.

    Tia’s dedication to her work and cultural heritage makes her a respected figure, inspiring others through her leadership and commitment to community development.

Operations—
Lead Experts

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  • Health & Safety Inspector for WorkSafe New Zealand, now appointed as Principal Advisor Pacific Responsiveness for WorkSafe NZ.

    Talofa! Born and raised in Samoa, mother is Samoan with German heritage and father is Samoan with English heritage.

    Father is from a small village called Manase in Savaii & mother from a small village called Malaela - Aleipata District in Upolu.

    After completing high school & a 2yr church service mission, I started working in the private sector - steel manufacturing company in East Tamaki for 9yrs. Joined Department of Labour (DOL) in May 1995 as an Immigration Officer. In 2000, seconded to Head office in Wellington for 16 months as Pacific Advisor managing DOL’s internal Pacific Strategy. In 2002 appointed as an OSH Health & Safety inspector based in the Manukau office. Have experiences in following industries: Manufacturing, Construction (residential/commercial sites), Agricultural, Horticulture, Transport/Warehouse & Logistics, Quarries, Hazardous Substances (HSNO). I’ve also facilitated many Health & Safety workshops / presentations to company management and workers within government and various businesses.

    My current role as a Principle Advisor Pacific Responsiveness provides a ‘Pacific lens’ for WorkSafe NZ on work activities that connects WorkSafe with Pacific & non Pacific workers & their communities. One of our successful programs we’ve actioned since 2006 is the Puataunofo Come Home Safely programme which engages workers, educating & raising awareness of their health & safety rights/responsibilities, empowering them to speak up if they have concerns about their workplace health & safety.

HANS KEY
Workplace Health & Safety

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AFELE PAEA
Workplace, Community - Health Safety & Wellbeing

  • Afele is of Maori (Ngati Paoa / Ngati Whanaunga Iwi) and Niue ( Fineone Hakupu Atua / Avatele Oneonepata) - he is a proud father of four boys and married to Vicky Paea (Kiribati / Cook Islands).

    Born and raised in Aotearoa, a proud son of South Auckland, he holds his culture and upbringing as a big part of his identity.

    Afele has worked for multiple Organisations in the Public sector including Work & Income, Department of Corrections, Electoral Commission & Worksafe NZ. He has also worked for International Private Sector Organisations in multiple Strategic and executive positions.

    Afeles’ true passion is with the community, serving Maori & Pasifika peoples is where his passion is. Enabling opportunities for the next generation and ushering in a Cultural Intelligence lens to Cultural Health, Safety & Wellbeing.

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NATIA TUCKER
Water Safety

  • Natia is a dedicated professional with 14 years of experience at PIPA, where she excels in leveraging institutional knowledge to foster collaboration across the public sector, private sector, and NGOs. Her commitment to building long-term relationships has yielded significant benefits for communities.

    Natia holds a Master's in Pacific Development and is actively involved with Coastguard Tautiaki Moana, reflecting her passion for community service. Among her top career achievements, she was part of successful collaborations that changed the Navigational Safety Bylaw in 2014 by amplifying Pacific community voices and secured the ACC Best Innovation in Industry award at the Safeguard Awards in 2012.

    Natia finds great satisfaction in seeing her efforts contribute to meaningful community advancements, continually inspiring her professional journey.

    E fofo le alamea e le alamea.

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NAOMI SALUNI TAVAU
Community Advocate

  • Mother (Vaipou Saluni nee Auva’a) from the villages of Tiavea, Saleaaumua, Sapapali’i.  Father (Sione Saluni) from Fasito’o Uta, Tanugamanono, Samusu and Leimatu’a, Vava’u.

     

    Naomi wears many hats. She is a social entrepreneur, equity advocate and collaborative leader.  Through her extensive career working in community, NFP governance, adult education, central government and private sectors in New Zealand and international she has lived experience and is able to identify gaps and opportunities utilising Pasifika culture and values as a tool for learning and empowerment, promoting holistic and sustainable business models for communities economic well-being.

     

    In 2002 Naomi founded Lavea’i Trust Inc delivering adult community education courses in partnership with polytechnics overseeing the delivery of Literacy and Numeracy projects reaching over 1000 learners such as NZ Post STEPS at Te Riu O Tamaki Makau Rau Auckland Mail Service Centre. 

     

    From 2006-2009 Naomi was National Co-ordinator for Workplace Pacific at Department of Labour she was a founding member of the Puataunofo Come Home Safely programme advocating access for schools, churches and communities to participate in Puataunofo and life skills workshops.

     

    Co-founded and has been CEO for Failoa Famili Trust since 2019 providing hope and motivation for youth and families to thrive not just survive.  

     

    Our social impact has supported 4k families and 2k youth with tools to navigate systems with our life skills workshops, supporting 20 families with pathways to home ownership, developing the 21-Day Life Journal and distributing 5k copies, creating pathways for women and youth into tech and providing 767 refurbished digital devices for parents and students.

     

    In 2025 Naomi led the launch of Failoa Energy a social enterprise empowering families with tools for a healthy home, energy and financial well-being.

    "O le ala ile pule o le tautua". "The pathway to leadership is through service"