Dr Ate Moala
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.
She has a rich and diverse background in Pacific health across many fronts, including strategic health policy, health service development, and frontline service delivery at provider and community levels. Over many years, she has played a significant role in shaping Pacific health in New Zealand and the region, including serving as Vice-President and President of the Pasifika Medical Association NZ, as well as in governance roles on health boards.
A consistent thread throughout Dr Moala’s career has been her commitment to advocacy, research, and practical solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of Pacific peoples. Her work continues today in health service management, Pacific health, and public health policy, while she remains deeply engaged with Pacific communities both in New Zealand and across the region to strengthen outcomes for families and future generations.
For the past 19 years, Dr Moala has worked alongside her husband, Dr Mark Sherwood, in their orthopaedic and spine surgery clinic, Pacific Orthopaedics in Wellington. Together, they see their professional work not merely as healthcare delivery, but as a platform for service, compassion, and Kingdom impact.
Dr Moala carries a particular burden for children, youth, and families. She is deeply intentional about leaving a legacy for the next generation and about strengthening families to remain connected, resilient, and purpose-driven. She actively mentors Pacific parents and families in navigating the challenges of raising children in a changing world.
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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.
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Feagaimaalii is a strategic advisor and governance specialist who blends analytical thinking with creative leadership. She leads a team delivering evidence-based strategy, innovative engagement, and MERL evaluation services across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
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