We have Pasifika specialists with diverse interests. Find out more about our Pasifika community librarians, collections specialists and leadership, where they are based and how they can support you.
Senior Library and Council Service Assistant Pasifika
Email: Email address: annie.fruean@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Location: Māngere – Ōtāhuhu Local Board
Languages spoken: Samoan - Fluent, Tokelauan - Beginner
Heritage Engagement Coordinator
Email: Email address: nia.vavao1@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Location: Waitematā Local Board
Languages spoken: Samoan
“E a le puga nisi, a le 'ana nisi.” – Let each do his share of the work.
Senior Librarian Pasifika
Email: Email address: elena.manu@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Location: Henderson- Massey
Languages spoken: Tongan - fluent, Samoan - beginner
Tongan: “Halahala ‘a ma’ala keli.” – Gaps in a well cultivated garden.
Samoan: "O le tele o sulu e maua ai figota, e mama se avega pe a ta amo fa’atasi" / My strength does not come from me alone but from many.
Librarian Pasifika
Email: Email address: irene.tufuga@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Location: Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board
Languages spoken: Tongan – Fluent, Samoan - Fluent
Samoan proverb – "O le ala i le pule o le tautua" – The way to authority is through service. Tongan proverb – "Oua lau e kafo kae lau e lava" - Stay positive and count your blessings.
Senior Librarian and Council Service Assistant Pasifika
Email: Email address: alice.meredith@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Location: Regionwide
Languages spoken: Samoan - Fluent
“E le sua se lolo i se popo e tasi.” – It takes more than one coconut to produce a substantial amount of oil.
Email: Email address: mary.sefilino@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Location: Manurewa Local Board
Languages spoken: Samoan – Fluent
"O fanau a manu e fafaga I fugalaau, ae o fanau a tagata e fafaga I upu." – The offspring of birds are fed with flower nectar, but the children of men are nurtured with words.
Senior Library Assistant Pasifika
Email: Email address: nia.motufoua@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Languages spoken: Tongan - Fluent
“Oua lau e kafo, kae lau e lava.” – Count not the injuries, but look forward to the victory.
Email: Email address: sepa.puleoti@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Languages spoken: Niuean - Fluent
“Fuhi ulu auloa” – the act of braiding hair together to mean working together.
Mobile Librarian
Email: Email address: sha.schmidt@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Location: Pātaka Kōrero Kaewa – Mobile and Access team
Pacific Heritage Advisor
Email: Email address: daren.kamali@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Languages spoken: Fijian - Bauan Dialect, Basic Pacific Languages
“Na nodrau i vakavuvuli nai tubutubu ena vakaraitaki ga ena nodra bula kei na nodrai tovo na luvedra.” – Children's behaviour and discipline will always reflect the teachings of parents at home; The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Senior Librarian Pacific Collections
Email: Email address: melissa.manapori@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Languages spoken: Cook Island Māori – Beginner
Senior Librarian Pasifika Research
Email: Email address: pamata.toleafoa@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Location: Research South
“O le tele o sulu e maua ai figota.” – Through collaboration we will overcome the most difficult challenges - My strength does not come from me alone but from many.
Senior Librarian Pacific Content
Email: Email address: veronica.ligaliga@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
“E lele le toloa ae ma’au lava i le vai.” – A toloa bird will take flight but will always return to the water.
Manager Pasifika Success
Email: Email address: elenoa.moasili-mati@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Languages spoken: Sāmoan - Advanced
“O le ala i le pule o le tautua.” – The pathway to leadership is through service.
Senior Pasifika Specialist
Email: mack.leala@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Languages spoken: Samoan - Intermediate
“Ia o gatasi le futia ma le umele” – “Let the futia (the sinnet ring) and the umele (the stand for the bamboo fishing rod) go together”. Let your actions agree with your words.
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