Our people

Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave

PGDClinPsy, MA, BA (Hons), Registered Clinical Psychologist

I am a registered clinical psychologist of Tongan descent and hold a Specialist Clinical and Translational Lead role across the Wise Group and Le Va. In my 20 years as a psychologist, I have served the community working for the Psychological Service Department of Justice, Adult community mental health services, Māori community mental health service, and the Child and Adolescent service in Canberra, Australia. I have led the design and development of two national suicide prevention programmes funded by the Ministry of Health- FLO: Pasifika for Life and LifeKeepers. I am currently on the Workforce Futures Assessment Panel, the Mental Health and Addiction National Clinical Network, the Expert Advisory Group for Child and Adolescent mental health study and member of the Professional Psychology Advisory Forum. I am also honoured to chair Pasifikology, which is a national network of Pasifika psychologists in Aotearoa NZ.

Dr Elizabeth Mati

DClinPsy, BA/BCom, Registered Clinical Psychologist

I am passionate about developing effective Pasifika interventions and solutions which lead to Pasifika people unleashing their full potential. I am a registered clinical psychologist and have been working within Pasifika communities for over 15 years in educational, forensic and mental health settings. My father hails from the village of Sa’anapu in Upolu, Samoa, while my mother is of English descent. Family and relationships are two of my central values, which attracted me to the Le Va way of doing things. I currently live in South Auckland with my partner, Tino, our two daughters, Isabelle and Hope, and our son, Lua’itaua. In my previous roles as a DHB Manager and clinical psychologist for Pasifika mental health services, I supported the development and provision of culturally appropriate assessment and interventions for Pasifika young people, who often had sexual and violent trauma histories, and their families. I also had a focus on quality improvement and integrating services for child and adolescent mental health. My background in research explored factors leading to positive behaviour change in South Auckland young people who had offended, and I completed my internship at Corrections working with female and male high-risk violent offenders in prison and community settings.

Dr Max Maiava

DClinPsy, BSocSc (Hons), Registered Clinical Psychologist

Bio coming soon!

Peati Mene-Vaele

PGDipClinPsy, MNZCCP, Registered Clinical Psychologist

Born in NZ, descent of Samoan parents Ioane Mene (Fagamalo), and Tuiai Mene (Salelologa). Married to Norman Mene-Vaele (Safune/Tuana’i) and has two teenage children Ropeta and So’omalo. Has been practicing in the clinical field since 2018 working with adults with experience in both the corrections and community mental health. Has particular interest in working with female adults as lead for childcaring and family care, with particular interest in trauma and the impacts on wellbeing. Therapy modalities include DBT, ACT, CBT, and schema therapy. Trained at University of Canterbury and has three years of teaching experience for post-graduate psychology programmes and is based in Canterbury.

Hana Asi-Pakieto

BHSc Psych (Hons), MHSc Psych, PGDip Counselling Psychology, Counselling Psychologist

Talofa, my name is Hana. I am Auckland-born and raised of Samoan descent and my roots trace back to the villages of Falelatai, Lefaga, and Fagamalo. I am married to Morris who hails from the village of Lakepa, Niue. I currently work as a Senior Clinician for Safe Network - a counselling agency providing specialist services for concerning and harmful sexual behaviour towards children. I have worked in this sector for 13 years. I also do private practice, under ACC’s Sensitive Claims pathway, providing support for clients who have experienced trauma through sexual abuse. The work is challenging yet deeply rewarding and grounded in my commitment to breaking cycles of harm and uplifting the mana of those I serve.

Nicholas Cao

MSc (Hons), PGDipHealthPsych

Talofa lava. I am a second-generation New Zealand-born Samoan-Italian. I am married and share three beautiful children with my wife Masha. I completed all of my studies at the University of Auckland, including a post-graduate diploma in health psychology. Since registering in 2014, I have worked in the primary mental health and addictions sector supporting people in GP practices, and more recently at Middlemore hospital in the Whitiora diabetes service. I currently work as a Clinical Lead for the Mental Health and Addictions team at Le Va, where much of my work is in workforce development, supporting Pacific Access and Choice services across Aotearoa. Our MHA sector needs more Pacific psychologists to meet the demands of our fast growing and diverse population. While the road to become a psychologist is long, to work in such spaces is a real privilege. I encourage anyone who has started this journey to stick at it, even if it means taking a break between study years as many people including myself have done. Outside of the aforementioned specialities in psychology, I have a special interest in sport and performance psychology and have supported many athletes with their ambitions and goals related to performance and rehabilitation in private practice.

Jessee Fia’Ali’i

BSc, MHealthPsych (Hons), PGDipHealthPsych

My name is Jessee Fia’Ali’i. I am a New Zealand-born Sāmoan and grew up in South Auckland. My parents come from the villages of Fōgāsavai’i and ‘Āfega in Samoa. I am a Health Psychologist with experience working at the community, primary care (GP), and hospital settings. My interests include Pasifika understandings of health and wellbeing, healthcare navigation, validity/workability of therapeutic models, and Pasifika Rainbow/MVPFAFF+ health and psychology. 

Sonia Pope

BA, BA(Hons), MA(Hons), PGCertEdPsych, PGDipEdPsych

I am proud to be the first Tongan/Niuean Educational Psychologist in New Zealand, a role that I approach with both passion and responsibility. With five years of experience as an Educational Psychologist at the Ministry of Education, I have had the privilege of working on projects that focus on the wellbeing and youth development of Pacific young people. This work has allowed me to combine my expertise in psychology with a deep commitment to advocating for Pacific communities. Additionally, I have gained valuable project management experience, where I led initiatives that supported the mental health and development of Pacific youth.

In parallel to my work in education, I have served as a professional teaching clinician at Massey University. There, I have had the opportunity to equip future psychologists with the practical skills necessary to translate theory into meaningful, culturally competent practice. A key aspect of this role has been fostering cultural awareness, particularly in the context of Pacific values and worldviews, so that emerging professionals can better serve our diverse communities.

Throughout my career, I have been deeply committed to creating safe, nurturing spaces within school environments where students, teachers, families, and the wider community can thrive. More recently, I have felt a calling to extend this work beyond the educational sector. I have used my qualifications to support our churches in becoming safe spaces, not only for children and the vulnerable, but also for ministers, leaders, congregants, and the wider community.

My passion for working with young people and upskilling professionals, parents, educators, and church leaders continues to grow, as I help them understand how best to support and engage with those who are vulnerable.

I firmly believe that the field of Educational Psychology requires more Pacific voices and perspectives. I actively advocate for greater Pacific representation in this field and encourage any Pacific individual with aspirations to pursue this career to do so. As the saying goes, “Be the rose that grew from the crack in the concrete.” This quote about resilience resonates deeply with me, as I am a strong believer in the ability to successfully adapt to life’s challenges. These experiences ultimately strengthen our mental, emotional, physical, behavioural, and cultural wellbeing.

Ailaoa Aoina

BA, MA, PGDipPsychPrac, Registered Psychologist and Social Worker

Ailaoa Aoina is of Samoan descent (Satapuala, Toamua, Malie, Safune, Levi- Saleima, Faleasi’u), born and raised in East Auckland. Married to Paul So’oula from Asau, Malaemau- Falealili, they have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. They raised their family in Rotorua for 17 years and currently live in Pukekohe, South Auckland. Ailaoa has worked with children, young people and their families for the 32 years in the social work field for the former Department of Child, Youth & Family and then Oranga Tamariki covering a variety of roles including social worker, supervisor, evidential interviewer, practice consultant, site manager and co-managed the After Hours Emergency Service on the night shift at the National Contact Centre for 13 years. Ailaoa became a Registered Psychologist in 2012 and worked at Takanga A Fohe - Isa Lei, Pasifika Adult Community Mental Health for 5 years. Since 2017 she has worked privately providing psychological services for Primary Health Organisations and external supervision to Pasifika practitioners working in Social Services or Psychology. In 2021, Ailaoa became the Clinical Team Coordinator for Hala Ora, the Mental Health and Addictions service, within Fonua Ola Social Services based in Manukau.

Dr Mele Taumoepeau

BA, BSc (Hons), PhD Developmental Psychology

Dr Sam Manuela

Lecturer, PhD in Psychology

Dr Sam Manuela is Cook Island and European. He currently works as a Senior Lecturer in Te Kura Mātai Hinengaro - School of Psychology at Waipapa Taumata Rau - The University of Auckland. Sam has a range of research interests including: the relationships between Pacific ethnic identities and wellbeing; Pacific multiethnic identities; Pacific knowledge, values, and epistemologies in psychology; Pacific Rainbow health and wellbeing; Pacific mental health in Aotearoa; Cook Islands mental health.

Luisa Tuaoimaalii

Student Representative