Leadership grounded in service to our people.
Mai Nio-Aporo
Mai Nio-Aporo has been committed to serving and supporting the Cook Islands community since 2012. With parental lineage from Pukapuka and Aitutaki, he has actively contributed to community-based cultural initiatives that preserve, promote, and strengthen Cook Islands language, traditions, identity, and heritage.
Alongside 41 years of professional service with Dickson-Gray Electrical, Mai holds a Level 5 Diploma in Business Management and a Diploma in SAE Production. He continues to contribute his knowledge, experience, and leadership to cultural events, intergenerational learning, and community initiatives that foster pride, unity, and cultural connection.
Through his ongoing service, Mai is committed to supporting the preservation of Cook Islands culture and creating opportunities for cultural knowledge and traditions to be carried forward to future generations.
Noo Pare QSM
Nooareauri “Noo” Pare is the Founder of Te Maeva Nui O Aotearoa NZ and a highly respected leader in Cook Islands music, culture and community development. With more than 40 years of experience as a music producer, composer and cultural advocate, he has played a significant role in preserving and promoting Cook Islands music, language and identity across Aotearoa, the Pacific and beyond.
His contribution extends to community development, supporting youth initiatives, cultural programmes, health awareness and Pacific communities. In recognition of his service, Noo was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to Pacific culture and communities.
Under his leadership, Te Maeva Nui O Aotearoa has become a cornerstone of the Cook Islands community in New Zealand. Its flagship Te Maeva Nui NZ festival has brought together more than 1,400 performers and tens of thousands of attendees, strengthening cultural identity, connection and participation across generations.
Today, Noo serves as Vice Chairman of the Trust and Director of Te Maeva Nui Dialysis Centre Ltd, bringing decades of cultural knowledge, leadership and community experience to initiatives supporting health, housing and cultural wellbeing.
Frances Topa-Fariu
Frances has a background in Health and Human Resources Development in the Cook Islands. Frances was instrumental in the establishment of the Cook Islands Tertiary Advisory group which was tasked with supporting Cook Islands Tertiary learners in Auckland. Through her work with the Cook Islands Tertiary group she was nominated on behalf of the Cook Islands Auckland Community as a representative on the MIT Pacific Advisory Board.
Moe Autaua
Moe brings 30 years of experience within the insurance industry, including over 20 years in leadership and management roles across operations, claims, customer services, compliance, and business improvement. Currently working as an Operations Manager within a highly regulated financial services environment, she brings extensive experience in governance, financial oversight, strategic planning, and operational leadership.
Roseline Blake BEM
Rosie Blake BEM has spent a lifetime opening doors for Cook Islands people first through sport, then diplomacy, and now through the relationships and networks she has built across New Zealand, the Pacific and internationally.
A pioneer in Pacific sport, Rosie dedicated more than four decades to advancing Cook Islands representation on the world stage through the Cook Islands sports and Olympic movement. She later brought that same commitment to diplomacy, serving as Cook Islands Consul General in Auckland and strengthening connections between the Cook Islands and its communities abroad. Her service has been recognised with the British Empire Medal (BEM).
Although retired from her formal roles, Rosie’s contribution continues. Her extensive networks and trusted relationships enable her to connect Cook Islands communities with people, organisations and opportunities beyond our shores.
As Patron of Te Maeva Nui NZ, Rosie continues to provide guidance, connection and advocacy, helping ensure our Cook Islands community remains visible, connected and represented in the wider world.
Dr. Jonah Tisam
Dr Jonah Tisam is a high-impact executive leader, public policy specialist, and strategic business consultant with over three decades of experience driving economic development and governance initiatives across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. He specialises in aligning public sector policies with strategic frameworks to modernise service delivery, reduce operational costs, and implement lasting organisational change.
Since 2016, Dr Tisam has served as the Principal CEO and Director of Whupi (NZ) Ltd. In this role, he leads a multi-disciplinary network of international consultants delivering critical cross-border projects. His portfolio includes managing complex IT initiatives in the Federated States of Micronesia, designing strategic plans for the Cook Islands, and executing major infrastructure evaluations and governance reviews in Papua New Guinea.
Dr Tisam’s career spans executive roles across the corporate world, the private sector, and mainstream public service. He has previously served as a Senior Advisor to the Office of the Prime Minister (Cook Islands), Chief Collector for the Inland Revenue Department, Public Service Commissioner, and Assistant Secretary for the Department of Finance & Planning (PNG).
He holds a PhD in Public Policy and Governance from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and a Master’s degree from Monash University. Dr Tisam is an active member of the Institute of Directors (NZ), NZ Institute of Management, and the ANZ Academy of Management, consistently leveraging his deep academic and practical expertise to shape the future of Pacific governance.