Christine Finau Nurminen
Christine(Chris) Nurminen has a pioneering spirit and is a Pacific development executive with extensive governance and management experience in the not-for-profit sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. She is Tongan and the Director of Manava Partners – a consultancy she and her sister co-founded based on seeing the need to support Pacific women to lead. Using her MA(Hons) in Education, Chris has served as a CEO for a Crown-appointed charity, served as Chair on various charitable Boards and she now consults Pacific organizations to support strategy, funding and professional development. Chris values partnerships and the interface between Pacific and Māori women in protecting Pacific languages and cultural identities. She is married with two young children and is a published children’s book author.
Area of Expertise: Pacific women, indigenous knowledge, education, governance.
Website: www.manavapartners.co.nz
Favorite Quote:
“Take care of our children. Take care of what is ahead of us”
Meet More of Our Dedicated Team Members
Kalolaine Kavaefiafi is a committed development practitioner from Lapaha, Tonga, with extensive experience in community-based initiatives and environmental stewardship. As a proud Tongan national, she combines deep cultural knowledge with technical expertise, ensuring that projects are both locally grounded and aligned with broader development priorities.
Alisi hails from Fiji and is married to James Panuve from Tonga, where they currently live. They have three adult children and three grandchildren. Alisi was instrumental in organizing the Tonga 2023 LLS Legacy Leadership Symposium and the Kingdom’s first Family Conference in October 2024.
Dr Ate Moala is Tongan with over 40 years of experience in the health sector, serving as a clinician in hospitals and primary care settings in both New Zealand and Tonga. Her life’s work reflects a deep calling to serve, heal, and strengthen Pacific people—both in body and in spirit.
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We welcome individuals who want to uplift communities and contribute to meaningful leadership work. Join our team and help shape a brighter future for the Pacific.
