Tuifa’asisina Maria Lafaele, of Auckland, QSM, for services to Pacific health
Tuifa’asisina Maria Lafaele works with Te Whatu Ora – Te Toka Tumai Auckland and Waitematā as a Project Manager for planning, funding and outcomes. She has been the Pacific Careers Consultant for the University of Auckland. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led operational, policy and service delivery problem-solving for the Pacific vaccination programme. She disseminated messaging on the virus and health guidelines through Pacific-led podcasts and radio stations. She advised church and faith leaders, health experts, Pacific health providers, community and youth groups. Ms Lafaele is now Interim-Director of the National Office of the Pacific Health Director.