Clinical Advisory Committee
Committee Members
Dr. Anae Neru Leavasa
Committee Chair
Dr Anae Neru Leavasa, former Chair of the Labour Caucus Labour Health, Wellbeing and Social Services Committee, and Deputy Chair of the Health Select Committee. Dr Neru is a member of the Pacific GP network and has worked across several clinics including Southpoint Family Doctors and Baderdrive Doctors. Dr Neru has a strong interest in South Auckland communities having been the first MP for the Takaanini electorate. Dr Neru has recently been appointed to the position of Clinical Director at The Cause Collective.
Dr. Apisalome Talemaitoga
Deputy Chair
Dr Talemaitoga is a practicing GP in Christchurch and South Auckland. He has contributed to the National Health Committee’s advice on the management of long term conditions, worked in the Pacific both as a personal physician to Fijian leaders and, more recently across the Melanesian and Polynesian region, facilitating access to specialist services in New Zealand. Dr Talemaitoga also served on the Board of the Canterbury District Health Board, the Board of the RNZCGP from 2014-17 and was Chief Advisor, Pacific Health at the Ministry of Health 2008-13. In 2017 Api was awarded a Distinguished Fellowship for outstanding and sustained services to the College and medical profession. Apart from clinical practice, Api Chairs the Pasifika GP Network.
Dr. Siro Fuata’i
GP, TCC Board Member
Dr Sirovai (Siro) Fuata’i is a long time general practitioner (GP) and General Manager of Bader Drive Healthcare in Mangere. His practice, Bader Drive Healthcare, is a pioneer of the one-stopshop approach to primary healthcare for vulnerable communities. Dr Fuata’i is also a founding member of South Seas Healthcare and has served as Chair of the Board. Dr Fuata’i has held numerous leadership roles in the Pacific and South Auckland healthcare communities and led the establishment of important primary care and Pacific workforce organisations.
Dr. Hinamaha Lutui
GP Southpoint Family Doctors
Dr Lutui is a GP and fellow of the RNZCGP and one of the founding members of Pacific provider Southpoint Family Doctors in Manukau Auckland. She is also a clinical teacher for trainee interns through the University of Auckland, a GPEP teacher for the RNZCGP, and is member on the Pacific Senate (Fatu Fono Ola) at Te Whatu Ora.
Dr. Viliami Tutone
Renal Physician
Dr Viliami Tutone is a nephrologist trained in New Zealand and Scotland. He has been a consultant nephrologist at Middlemore Hospital since 2005 and he is currently the Pacific People representative for Organ Donation New Zealand.
Natalia Nu’u
Pharmacist BPharm (Hons), BSc, RegPharmNZ
Natalia is a community pharmacist and co-owner of Hillsborough Pharmacy in Auckland. She has been working in pharmacy since 2002 and is a member of the Pharmacy Council, an honorary academic at the University of Auckland School of Pharmacy, and a clinical mentor as part of the Pharmaceutical Society EVOLVE Intern Training Programme. Natalia is a proud Samoan and has a passion for helping the Pacific community especially through promoting the pharmacy profession to Pacific youth. She is a founding member and Executive Board Member of the Pacific Pharmacists’ Association; a network for the Pacific pharmacy workforce around New Zealand that acts as representation for its members on issues and in initiatives that concern the profession and the delivery of health services to the Pacific community.
Dr. Andrew Chan Mow
GP South Seas Healthcare
Tagaloa Dr Andrew Chan Mow is the Clinical Director of South Seas Healthcare. He has a wealth of experience in Pacific primary healthcare having worked as a general practitioner in South Auckland over the last 20 years. An Otago University graduate, he has previously worked in hospitals in Dunedin, Palmerston North, Auckland and Samoa. Dr Chan Mow was one of the founding members of South Seas Healthcare Trust formed in 1999 in response to an unmet need for a Pacific health provider in Otara. His passion remains in Pacific primary healthcare, one which encompasses cultural values and community engagement in providing excellent health outcomes for all Pacific people.
Dr. Yvonne Crichton-Hill
Dr Yvonne Crichton-Hill is an Associate Professor of Social Work and Programme Director of the Social Work programme at the University of Canterbury. She works with others to promote and inform Pacific social work knowledge, research and practice in particular focusing on Pacific communities and wellbeing across health, education and welfare fields of practice. Yvonne is passionate about enhancing the potential of Pacific people and working to make government, policy, and health and social sector activities more responsive to Pacific needs.
Galumalemana Vaifagaloa Kitiona Naseri
(NZRN, NZRM)
Vaifagaloa Naseri is the General Manager of Pasefika Family Health Group Ltd (PFHG), one of the main Pacific health providers for Pacific communities in Auckland. Vai is a New Zealand trained registered nurse and midwife with 40 plus years of health experience in New Zealand and Samoa. Vai is a Pacific Nurse Leader and was a recipient for the NZNO 2018 National Award to Nursing and Midwifery services in NZ. Vai is currently leading an initiative on childhood immunisations with Pasefika Early Childhood where preschools are being monitored to make sure they are all fully immunised before school entry.