The PLA in association with the Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation and AUT proudly hosted the inaugural PLA conference – It’s Island Time from 21-23 November 2019.
The conference theme “It’s Island Time” encompassed multiple meanings – whether it be the playful adage about the pace of the Pacific and attitude towards time, or the fact that we are an ever-growing population, with Pacific Youth (0-14 years) now forming the major ethnic group in New Zealand. Most importantly however, the theme spoke to the challenges, advancement and changing narrative of Pacific People in Aotearoa and a proclamation that now, it really is our time.
You can download a copy of the event programme >>here.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
THURSDAY
HON. AUPITO WILLIAM SIO
Minister for Pacific Peoples
Hon. Aupito William Sio is the Minister for Pacific Peoples in New Zealand’s Coalition Government. He is also the Associate Minister of Justice and Associate Minister for Courts. Born in Samoa and educated in New Zealand, he was previously a City Councillor in Auckland for the Otara ward, and the first Pacific Deputy Mayor for Manukau City.
FRIDAY
TIANA EPATI
NZ Law Society President
Tiana became the President of the New Zealand Law Society in April of this year. She is first President of Pasifika descent, the first President from Gisborne, youngest President elected and the fourth woman president. Tiana is a partner with Gisborne law firm Rishworth Wall & Mathieson.
SATURDAY
SIR ANAND SATYANAND
GNZM QSO KStJ
Sir Anand Satyanand has in his professional life been a lawyer, Judge of the District Court and Ombudsman, as well as being New Zealand’s 19th Governor-General from 2006 until 2011. In 2018, the New Zealand Government appointed Sir Anand to lead the Royal Commission into the Historical Abuse in State Institutions and Faith-based Institutions.
The Rt Hon Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann
Honourable Randerson QC
Honourable Justice Edwards
Her Honour Judge Aitken
Her Honour Judge Ginnen
His Honour Judge Goodwin
Her Honour Judge King
His Honour Judge Mahon
Her Honour Judge Malosi
Her Honour Judge Moala
Solicitor-General Una Jagose QC
Margaret Casey QC
James Farmer QC
Stuart Grieve QC
Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff
Attorney-General Samoa
‘Aminiasi Kefu
Senior Crown Prosecutor/Former AG Tonga
Sisilia Eteuati
Chief Legal Counsel Operations – NZ Customs
Fonoti Seti Talamaivao
Legal Manager Northern, Ministry of Social Development Legal Services
Peter Fuiava
Member, Immigration and Protection Tribunal
Tufuga Tasi Malu
Regional Manager Legal Services – Oranga Tamariki
Folasāitu Dr Julia Ioane
Clinical Psychologist
Chris Merrick
Barrister
Satiu Simativa Perese
Barrister
Fuimaono Gardenia Atimalala
Barrister
Michael Webb
Barrister
Anna Devathasan
Crown Prosecutor
Maggie Winterstein
Barrister
Jacinta Fa’alili Fidow
Moana Research
Dr Seini Taufa
Moana Research