Wayne Chapman
Wayne is a dairy farmer. Whangarei born and bred, of Nga Puhi descent, his background is in banking. He is involved in sports administration, and is a long-term Rotarian, Paul Harris Fellow, and has received the Distinguished Meritorious Service award.
Wayne has been a long-time advocate of the organisation and effectively led the Board for over 20 years before standing down and staying on the Board as immediate past chair.
Helen Eskett MNZM (Finance Committee Chair)
Helen has a background in accounting. She lives in Christchurch and is of Ngai Tahu descent. Helen is currently the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, is self-employed as an employment consultant.
Helen is the immediate past president of the NZ Family Planning Association and until recently was the Treasurer of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) which works in more than 150 countries.
Helen is also a Board Director for the Concept Foundation, a Global organisation based in Geneva and Bangkok. Founded by WHO 25 years ago, the Concept Foundation identifies, innovates and enables equitable access to quality-assured, affordable, essential sexual and reproductive health medicines and technologies.
Tuhi Leef
Tuhi lives with his family in Auckland and is of Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua descent. As a values based, servant leader Tuhi has seven years governance experience, strong financial stewardship and a passion for helping whanau in need.
Tuhi is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. Currently Tuhi is General Manager of Pillars Ka Pou Whakahou and has worked on a number of Boards, including Social Service Providers Aotearoa, Financial Services Complaints Limited, The Good Registry, Workbridge Inc. and a couple of commercial iwi entities for Ngati Whatua o Kaipara. “As a Board Director, it has been hugely rewarding for me to bring my financial management, strategy and risk management experience to help the purpose / kaupapa of the organisation. In addition to my governance work, I have enjoyed building relationships across the social services sector, Government, corporate and philanthropic sectors and with Māori organisations, Iwi and Marae.”
Tuhi’s governance and leadership experience, coupled with his multi-sector relationships brings a valuable contribution to Stand Tū Māia.
Susana Lei’ataua
Susana was born and raised in Porirua, and now as an active member of the Pacific community in Tamaki Makaurau, she brings a breadth of knowledge drawn from around Aotearoa New Zealand.
Susana began as a journalist 40 years ago and her love for communication connects with her heart for the community. As a result, she has worked with people and places around Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. Roles and responsibilities have spanned radio, theatre, marae, galleries, print, government agencies, NGOs, universities, iwi organisations, museums and television.
She was a trustee for the National Pacific Radio Trust from 2011-2015 which was a government appointment. And Susana is currently a presenter and producer with Radio New Zealand.
She is the founding director of LAKA which is dedicated to supporting both heritage and contemporary Pacific art and cultural practices including with the growers, makers and practitioners.
She is a founding member for MANAVA for Climate Resilience - working with the Auckland Council to support Pacific communities in Tamaki Makaurau in response to the city's climate plan 2023-2026.
Being a board member for Stand Tū Māia stems from her commitment to serve the community and specifically Pasifika children and families in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Paraone Pirika
Paraone was born in “Te Takere o te Waka Te Arawa” Rotorua at a place called Owhata, under the watchful eye of his ancestral houses ‘Tutanekai & Hinemoa,’ into a family of 12 with him being the youngest. he started his working life on a farm as a shepherd before moving to Wellington where he worked in General Motors Car Factory for 5 years as a car painter, before returning to Rotorua. Whilst in Wellington he met his wife, whom has since passed on, of Te Whanau a Ruataupare, Ngati Porou and Ngati Rongowhakaata descent. They had 2 girls who have given them three awesome mokopuna, all boys.
For the past 20 years Paraone has been working in Education and Social Services, specialising in working with young people referred by Oranga Tamariki and Youth Justice. He is currently chair of
Te Pukenga Koeke o Te Arawa, Ngati Tuteniu Hapu Trust, Te Whare Whitinga o Te Ra ECE and Te Parewaitai Lifestyle Village. He is also a director for Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa and a trustee for Te Arawa Whanau Ora. Ngati Te Rorooterangi Hapu Trust, Te Orea Trust, Te Kahui Ako Rawhiti mai, Te Waiariki Purea Trust NGO, and Te Tatau Pounamu Community Collective.
