The Director of Climate Change Resilience for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) says the Pacific Island Nations' voice was heard loud and clear at the the two week Climate change summit COP26 in Glasgow Scotland earlier this month. Tagaloa Cooper says despite the small number of delegates from the Pacific Island Nations who were able to travel to Glasgow due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Pacific made an impact. www.pasifikawire.com

Faith is a guiding light for Lise Hope-Suveinakama in a journey that began in Tokelau, then a move to New Zealand to further her studies attending Wairarapa College then completing a double degree in Arts and Law at the University of Waikato. Lise then returned to her homeland to take on roles within the public sector that took her around the world, working as the Senior Legal Adviser for the Tokealu government, Judicial National coordinator, and National Coordinator for Women.

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The largest Pasifika women's non-government organisation (NGO) in New Zealand has gone from local, national to global recognition receiving special consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. Inc (Pacific Allied (Women’s) Council Inspires Faith In Ideals Concerning All) received the news in late September that they, alongside 57 other organisations out of 80 from across the world, were granted the new status. www.pasifikawire.org

Beaming with pride for her home country Tuvalu, union organiser/advocate and broadcaster Fala Haulangi pays tribute to her forefathers who paved the way to the nation's independence. "So proud of my nation Tuvalu and its people and where we are now, 43 years of independence from the "colonisers". Fala says while Tuvalu is one of the smaller minority islands, she says it always punches above its weight. The Tuvalu community across New Zealand have marked the 43 year anniversary of independence that coincides with the Gana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week celebrations. www.pasifikawire.com

Pasitaua Haufano, Managing Director and founder of Zeducation, a workplace training educational consultancy business, says his passion is all about helping people reach their full potential. Pasitaua says their mission and inspiration is to help people unleash their greatness through workplace training education.

Making a difference to improve mental health and well being services for Aotearoa New Zealand is what motivates the new CEO for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (MHWC), Karen Orsborn.

Ms. Orsborn played an integral role with the initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission at the beginning of 2020 and lead the secretariat for the initial commission. She says she is committed to support the work of the commission, fulfil its role and mandate, and make a difference for people first and foremost. www.pasifikawire.com

Strong communication, building partnerships, engagement and recruitment of Pasifika peoples into the Police force are key areas that the newly appointed National Partnerships Manager for Pacific Peoples for the New Zealand Police will continue to enhance during his tenure. Superintendent Fata Willi Fanene has a long history with the force with an impressive career that spans more than 40 years.

Thriving, prosperous, resilient and confident Pacific Aotearoa are key pillars for the team at the Ministry for Pacific Peoples. Laulu Mac Leauanae, Secretary for Pacific Peoples also Chief Executive for the Ministry, leads a team of more than 150 staff across the country with the primary focus to ensure the voices of Pasifika are heard and the initiatives that come out of those voices are delivered, and delivered well. www.pasifikawire.com

Talking about the uncomfortable issues around employee rights and discrimination within the workforce, pay equity, gender bias, bullying, and sexual harassment is something the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner for the Human Rights Commission (HRC) says we need to get comfortable with. www.pasifikawire.com

While the decision to step into the political landscape was not the first career choice for the Chair of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board within Auckland Council, Lemauga Lydia Sosene says she has no regrets about the choice she made more than a decade ago. Armed with support from family, friends and colleagues and her own natural curiosity after her years working for Parliamentary services, it has led to a career Lemauga describes as tough, but a privilege. www.pasifikawire.com