Pacific Advisory Group

PACIFIC ADVISORY GROUP CHAIR

Dr Sarah McLean-Orsborn

Dr Sarah McLean-Orsborn is Samoan and New Zealand European with Scottish and Croatian gafa from her paternal lines and from her maternal lines hails from the villages of Tapatapao, Moamoa and Papa Sataua in Upolu, however Sarah grew up in Mulifanua and calls that home. 

Sarah is currently a Lecturer at the University of Auckland where she has recently completed her PhD, focused on Samoan women’s experiences of COVID-19. Sarah’s professional appointments to date have been educational or health focused.

Her reasoning for joining PAG is because she views the Museum to be a fale of learning, exploring and enriching of the mind and the opportunity to work alongside and with the Museum to ensure particularly our younger and older Pacific people can utilise and enjoy this place was one she could not pass up.

PACIFIC ADVISORY GROUP DEPUTY CHAIR

‘Alakihihifo Vailala

‘Alakihihifo Vailala hails from the villages of Haveluloto, Fo’ui, Kolomotu’a, the island of ‘Eua and Koulo, Ha’apai.

‘Alakihihifo is currently the political reporter for PMN News based in the Press Gallery. She’s been involved with politics since high school when she was selected as the Youth MP for her hometown, Māngere. Through her work as a journalist, ‘Alakihihifo has travelled and reported from over 10 countries within the Pacific region. Being part of the only Pacific media outlet based in the Press Gallery, ‘Alakihihifo is dedicated to telling the stories of her Pacific community when it comes to politics. 

Aside from politics, ‘Alakihihifo is a trained classical violinist having played the instrument since the age of 11. After high school, she volunteered as a violin teacher at Tailulu College in Tongatapu for a year and also participated in Tonga’s Women’s Youth Parliament. 

‘Alakihihifo is passionate about advocating for the Pacific Community and young people.

Linda Kaua

Linda hails from the villages of Fa’alau and Farisi in Malaita, Solomon Islands. She was a teacher earlier in her career. For several years she worked for a couple of regional organisations in the Pacific both in Solomon Islands and Fiji. Her work involved research and high-level policy advice. This opportunity also gave her a wider taste of various Pacific island countries’ and territories’ culture. She moved over to New Zealand in 2018 and worked for the Pacific Cooperation Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that delivered programmes and projects in Aotearoa and the Pacific region. Her most recent role was in evaluation with New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

Linda is currently studying part-time towards a second Master’s degree. She hopes that with the team’s collective efforts, the Museum’s engagements with our communities will be strengthened and sustained. Furthermore, they will become more meaningful and impactful.

Leisau Yonah

Halo evriwan and warm Pacific greetings! My name is Leisau Yonah, and I am honored to represent Vanuatu, specifically I hail from the village of Mabfilau on Epi island.

I spent my early years in Vanuatu, where I met my husband, Peter. Together, we took a leap of faith and moved to Samoa, a journey that deepened my appreciation for Pacific cultures and strengthened my faith in God. Eventually, we settled in Aotearoa New Zealand, where I continue to embrace and celebrate my heritage.

As the Chairperson of the Auckland Vanuatu Community Association, I am deeply passionate about strengthening our Vanuatu community and fostering connections across all Pasifika peoples. A proud milestone in our journey was successfully hosting the Melanesian Festival in 2024, a vibrant celebration of our shared cultures. Looking ahead, I am committed to creating more opportunities that uplift, unite, and empower our Pacific communities.

I am excited to connect with the Auckland Museum whānau and the wider community, sharing the richness of Vanuatu’s culture while working collaboratively to honor and preserve our Pacific heritage.

Tankiu tumas, and I look forward to the journey ahead!

Reid Fuemana-Elisaia O’Brien

Reid is a proud daughter of the Pacific Ocean belonging to the islands of Tuvalu, Niue, Tokelau and American Samoa. An emerging Pasefika writer/director who has experience in research, business advisory, creative arts and production. Reid is the co-founder of Tuvalu Creative Collective and is very passionate in indigenous storytelling, climate change resilience and holds high value and importance to cultural sustainability. With a hunger to serve the Pacific community, Reid currently works at Tiki Lounge Productions ensuring our Pacific people and stories are being told and seen.

Jacqueline Pointon

Jacqueline is from the villages of Lufilufi, and Leulumoega Tuai, Samoa.

Driven by Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum's vision of "He oranga tangata ka ao – Enriching lives: Inspiring discoveries."

Jacqueline is committed to enhancing the wellbeing of individuals and fostering a culture of continuous learning and inspiration. With a background that spans service at the United Nations (New York location), central and local government, and former District Health Board settings, Jacqueline's career has been marked by policy analysis, research, advisory services, and senior roles that reflect her dedication to making meaningful contributions to improving equitable outcomes.

By joining the Pacific Advisory Group, Jacqueline aims to contribute significantly to the realisation of better outcomes for Pasifika people in alignment with the Museum's Annual Plan, focusing on Pacific identity and well-being, as well as the engagement and empowerment of thriving Pasifika Communities. Her commitment to delivering quality policy advice aligns seamlessly with the Museum's vision and enabling Pasifika to connect with the past and have a sense of their identity and place in a changing world.

YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE

Kasi Valu

Kasi Valu hails from the villages of 'Eua, Lapaha, and Ma'ufanga in the Kingdom of Tonga. 

As an actor, poet, writer, and assistant producer for Le Moana under the leadership of Tupe Lualua. His work currently centres on Pacific peoples' experiences, wit, complexities, and universal connectivity. 

Hailing from a lineage of academics and factory workers, Valu has been embedded by his family and mentors to continue to do the dishes and to do things for the katas. 

His aspirations for Tāmaki Paenga Hira are ensuring that the institution is responsive and proactive in its engagement with Pacific peoples. 

Tevita Faleafa

Tevita Tukuafu Faleafa is a proud South Aucklander with both parents from the beautiful islands of Tonga. His father hails from the villages of Kolomotua and Hofoa and his mother from the villages of Ha’apai and ‘Uiha. 

Tevita holds a Bachelors of Arts double major in Sociology and Pacific Studies and a Bachelor of Arts First Class Honours in Pacific Studies. 

Tevita is currently a Senior Education Adviser at the Ministry of Education. Previously the Senior Advisor Pasifika at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and prior to this the Advisor Pasifika with a demonstrated history in the higher education industry.

Tevita’s passion and drive within the education sector has always been around Māori and Pasifika learner success. It is also this passion that continues to remind Tevita the importance of having an adaptive and equitable education system for all learners. 

His reasoning for joining PAG is the opportunity of connecting the Museum as a place of learning and understanding for Pacific learners within South Auckland while also having the opportunity to work alongside and with the Museum to build initiatives and programs that will ensure a continuation of this. 

Vaimaila Urale

Vaimaila Urale was born in the village of Fagamalo, Savai’i, Samoa, in 1972. She also has family connections to the villages of Matavai, Falealupo and Safa’ato’a. Her aiga immigrated to Aotearoa, in 1974, where they laid their roots in Te Whānganui-a-Tara. She currently lives in Avondale, Tāmaki Makaurau, where both of her daughters were born.

Vaimaila is the co-founder and director of Moana Fresh, a platform dedicated to advocating for Pasifika and Māori creatives. She is also an interdisciplinary artist having presented work locally and internationally. As an artist she has developed a distinct mark making process that draws on traditional Samoan symbols expressed through digital media. Placing ancestral marks at the root of her art practice is vital and empowering. 

With over 30 years experience working in the arts industry, Vaimaila is passionate about the visual arts, heritage arts and performing arts of Moana Nui a Kiwa.