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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Elias Kanaris is a globally respected leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and executive advisor dedicated to developing values-driven leaders across government, business, faith, and community sectors. With more than 30 years of experience, he has guided organisations through complexity and change, helping senior leaders navigate uncertainty with clarity, cultural intelligence, and moral courage. A former President of the Global Speakers Federation—representing 6,000 leaders in over 20 countries—Elias brings deep international governance experience and a collaborative, Pacific-aligned leadership ethos. He is the CEO of The Insight & Strategy Group and creator of the Presidential Think Tank’s Leadership Compass, a transformational development course that equips leaders with practical tools for influence, resilience, and high-trust decision-making. Elias is also the author of Leading From The Stop and a Certified Maxwell Leadership Coach, known for turning lived experience—including his leadership response during the 9/11 shutdown in Gander—into compelling lessons that inspire action. Elias is honoured to contribute to the Pacific Legacy Leadership Foundation’s mission of strengthening ethical, culturally grounded leadership across the Blue Pacific.
A Pacific human rights and governance specialist with over 20 years’ experience serving across regional organizations, the United Nations system, and civil society. Currently managing my own consultancy firm providing services in the areas of human rights, diplomacy, governance and Pasifika leadership values etc. Previously held senior leadership roles with the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat as Program Manager for Governance and Legal Affairs, and with the Pacific Community (SPC), including as Senior Human Rights Adviser and Senior Trainer with the Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT).
David Vaka is an author, entrepreneur, and Co-Founder of Breakthrough Nation, dedicated to establishing God's will in every sphere of life. Since 1998, he has built strong apostolic churches and strategic relationships to fulfill his vision of 'Total Redemption and Restoration of All Things.' He also leads Pacific Global Apostolic Network, Apostolic Reformation Australia, and ROAR Leaders' Summit, uniting church and marketplace leaders. Based in Brisbane, he and his wife Tina have four children.
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