Dr Nailasikau Halatuituia is proudly Tongan and passionate about the success of Pacific peoples and the environment. Nailasikau will continue to be based at Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand, he and his family have lived since 2003. He is blessed with his beautiful wife Vaha, and their four children, Toutai, ‘Anaseini Tupouveihola, ‘Apuanea, and Tu’ameliemeilangi. Nailasikau loves rugby and listening to classic Tongan music, is also hoping to soon take up golf.
Nailasikau joins Mana Pacific most recently from a position with Massey University where he was a key member of the Pacific team, advising on strategic initiatives and student-centered learning. Prior to this, Nailasikau has worked as a consultant, community navigator, and a social safeguard specialist on projects across the Pacific, primarily around environmental and land-based developments since 2011.
During this time, Nailasikau took on governance roles, including a five-year term as deputy chairman on the Utility Board (power, waste, and water) in Tonga. In that role, his focus was on the sustainable power and resources in the Pacific region. Earlier, Nailasikau worked as a civil servant in Tonga for 15 years, rising to the position of CEO for the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Natural Resources and Environment.
Nailasikau looks forward to contributing to the success of Mana Pacific and making a difference in the lives of Pacific peoples.
