Brianna StewartAs the Kāinga Tupu Taskforce Coordinator, a role focused on addressing homelessness in the Western Bay of Plenty. She connects with people, listens deeply to understand their needs, and facilitates the important conversations required to create meaningful support and solutions.
Meet the team
Our people are what's makes us special.
Oceania TaiAs Registered Social Worker at Pacific Growth, supporting Pasifika families with empathy and guidance. She focuses on helping families set goals, create positive change, and believe in their potential, backed by 6 years of experience and ongoing postgraduate study.
Adi WarrenGuided by Teu le va, she nurtures relationships with care, respect, and intention—bringing a calm, thoughtful approach to connection, communication, and navigating complex situations. Her work is focused on creating clarity, growing leadership courage, and strengthening people foundations that are fair, practical, and genuinely human.
Easter NafoiAs a Whānau Ora Community Navigator, where she supports whānau to navigate challenges and move toward their goals with empathy, positivity, and a solutions-focused approach. Her role is centred on walking alongside families, building trust, and helping them access the right support and resources to strengthen their wellbeing
Daina TaurariiShe is a Jack of all trades for Pacific Growth Services. where she plays a dynamic, all-round role supporting both people and operations. She provides pastoral care to JNP Aviation Training Centre students, building strong relationships while supporting their emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing.
Christine TagilalaAs Whānau Ora Navigator, she works with families to help them achieve their goals, while challenging them to aim higher. She uses her greatest strength - connection - to foster collaboration and positive outcomes.
Advisory Board Group
David TurnerHe is a respected Samoan executive with extensive experience across international finance, agribusiness, and commercial leadership. With a career spanning banking roles in Hong Kong and Singapore, David brings a global perspective to business growth, innovation, and strategic leadership. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Sequal Lumber and Trinity Lands, overseeing large-scale operations focused on sustainable growth, customer relationships, and community impact. David is passionate about creating strong businesses that deliver long-term value for both people and communities. He holds a degree from Victoria University of Wellington.
Tonia BrughShe is a Cook Islands-born intellectual property and commercial lawyer with over 20 years of experience across New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. She is a Partner at James & Wells, specialising in trade mark law, brand strategy, media and technology law, and indigenous intellectual property rights. Tonia has worked with global clients including Apple, Warner Bros., and Google, and is recognised for her leadership in protecting Māori and Pasifika cultural and commercial interests. She is Co-Chair of the Pacific Island Community Trust (Bay of Plenty) and actively contributes to initiatives supporting te reo Māori, Pasifika communities, and indigenous business development. Known for her authentic, people-first approach, she is widely respected for building long-term client relationships and empowering others to succeed.
Lloyd RakaupaiNgāti Tūwharetoa Māori Business Leader is a Māori leader from Ngāti Tūwharetoa with a strong focus on advancing Māori and Pasifika economic development in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. She is a member of the GHD New Zealand Management Team, where she leads supplier diversity strategy and drives initiatives that support and uplift Māori and Pasifika businesses. She also holds leadership roles as Deputy Chair of both the Tauranga Māori Business Association and the Tauranga Business Chamber. Her leadership is guided by the principle of He Mahitahi—working together in partnership to create shared success and lasting impact.
Brook CarringtonA New Zealand-based construction leader with over 20 years of experience in commercial construction across all levels of project and site management, currently serving as Pre-Construction Manager at Livingstone Building NZ and member of the Senior Leadership Team. Progressing through every stage of the industry—from Labourer, Apprentice, Carpenter, Site Foreman, Site Manager, Project Manager, to Regional Manager—he brings a deep, practical understanding of construction from the ground up. He holds advanced qualifications in carpentry and construction management, along with an MBA from the University of Waikato, and is a Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. Recognised for leadership grounded in integrity, humility, and a commitment to lifting others, his approach combines strong commercial expertise with a deep respect for Māori and Pacific values, including whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and kaitiakitanga. He is known for aligning people, purpose, and strategy to deliver meaningful and sustainable outcomes, while empowering Māori and Pacific businesses to grow with confidence and authenticity.
Aifai Esera
Fainu’ulelei Pacific Leader is a Pacific leader, former professional rugby athlete, and dedicated advocate for community development in Aotearoa New Zealand. He is the Director of Pacific Growth Services, where he focuses on empowering Pacific communities through business support and development initiatives.
With 12 years of experience at Tauranga City Council, he also works as a Cultural Navigator at JNP Aviation Training, supporting Māori and Pasifika students in inclusive learning environments.
Fainu’ulelei plays an active leadership role across several community organisations, including Co-Chair of BOP Vaka Pasifika and the Ringa Hora Pasifika Advisory Group, as well as a founding member of Ko Ta’ua Tàua Trust, supporting future community housing initiatives.