The Minister for Pacific Peoples, Hon Dr Shane Reti, has announced new appointments to the Pacific Business Trust Board and the Centre for Pacific Languages Board, following Cabinet decisions.
These appointments reflect the Government’s commitment to Pacific-led leadership across enterprise, education, and cultural preservation - and mark an exciting new chapter for two organisations that continue to deliver meaningful outcomes for Pacific communities across Aotearoa.
Uluomato’otua Saulaulu Aiono has been appointed Chair of the Pacific Business Trust Board for a three-year term. Ulu is a Samoan-Kiwi and Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, known for his strong business background and deep community engagement. He founded global tech company COGITA and has chaired organisations including Habitat for Humanity Northern Region and Alliance Health Plus. He also helped establish The Cause Collective and Tatou Collective.
Ulu’s leadership blends strategic foresight with cultural grounding, and he is well-placed to guide the Trust as it continues to support more than 2,000 Pacific businesses across Aotearoa to grow their confidence, skills, and resilience.
Joining him on the Board are Nora Swann, a creative entrepreneur and founder of the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show, and Lanuola Moe-Penn, a governance leader in early childhood education. Both bring strong community connections, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to Pacific development.
Reappointed to the Board are Eli Tagi, a chartered accountant with strong financial oversight experience, and Dr Rae Si’ilata, a national leader in bilingual education and cultural responsiveness. They are joined by Dr Polu Apollo Taito, a seasoned governance and community leader with over 20 years’ experience across health, education, and the New Zealand Army, bringing deep expertise in systems leadership and cultural capability.
Together, the Pacific Business Trust and the Centre for Pacific Languages represent two pillars of Pacific progress, one driving economic growth and entrepreneurship, the other safeguarding language and cultural identity. Their work is complementary, and their leadership is critical to delivering outcomes that matter for Pacific communities and for New Zealand.