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
Katrina Ma'u Fatiaki is a Leadership and Human Rights Specialist with more than 20 years of experience serving in regional organisations, civil society and government. She was appointed in 2025 as a Public Service Commissioner under the Tonga Public Service Act 2002, mandated to oversee recruitment, appointments, promotions, discipline, and performance management across 16 Ministries and 4 agencies.
Tina Vaka is an accomplished Managing Director with a career spanning more than 25 years across higher education, organisational leadership, communications, and business management. Holding qualifications including a BA, MA, MBA, Dip TESL, and Dip JPN, she has built a diverse and impactful professional portfolio grounded in strategic leadership and cross cultural expertise.
Tiani Tohi is passionate about training and grooming positive and influential leaders in children and youth thus building stronger families. Tiani was instrumental in organizing the Tonga 2023 Legacy Leadership Symposium and the Kingdom's first Family Conference in Oct 2024. She currently serves as CEF Chairman Children Evangelism Fellowship (Tonga) and Board Member of Aglow International Tonga.
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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.
