Pacific Disability Forum

Who we are

The Pacific Disability Forum works across the Pacific and this is reflected in our board and staff. Learn more about the people who work with us to improve the lives of persons with disabilities in the Pacific below.

Board 

Latoa Halatau (New Zealand)
Co-Chairperson (Male)

Latoa Halatau is the General Manager for Akamarama Advocacy Inc.

Villany Remengesau (Palau)
Co-Chairperson (Female)

Villany Remengesau is a member of the Omekasang Association of Palau.

Faatino Utumapu (Samoa)
Board Secretary

Fa'atino is the Office Manager for NOLA in Samoa

Jacquiline Garou (Papua New Guinea)

Board Member

Ms Jacqueline Garoau, is the Co Chairperson of the Papua New Guinea Assembly of Persons with Disabilities.

Richard Fournier (New Caledonia)
Board Member

Richard Fournier is the president of Collectif Handiap of New Caledonia 

Samantha French (People With Disabilites Australia Inc)
Board Member

Samantha French is the Senior Policy Officer, Employment and Accessibility for PWD Australia.

Makarita Miriama (Fiji)
Board Member

Makarita Miriama is the President of the Fiji Assocations of the Deaf (FAD)

Timote Solo (Tonga)
Board Member

Timote Solo is the president of Tonga National Disability Congress (TNDC)

Staff

Setareki Macanawai
Chief Executive Officer

Angeline Chand
Team Leader  - Programs

Katabwena Tawaka
Manager - Preparedness Emergency Response Unit (PERU)

Laisa Vereti
Manager - Policy, Planning and Advocacy

Raveen Chand
Manager - Corporate and Finance

Soloveni Vitoso
Public Relations and Comunications Officer


Simione Bula
Regional Cordinator - Preparedness Emengency Response Unit (PERU)

Sainimili Tawake 
Regional Cordinator  - Climate Change

Lagesh Lal
DIDRRN Finance and Admin Assistant.

Lagesh Lal assists the Manager- Finance & Corporate with bookkeeping (general ledger & balance sheet reconciliation, payroll, petty cash, financial reports and accounts processing). He also facilitates administrative support and delivers excellent customer services for the DiDRRN Programme through Pacific Disability Forum. He also closely works with PDFs Finance & Administration Officer.

Arieta Dumaru
Executive Assistant

Arie handles all secretariat work for the Chief Executive Officer. She also supports the Chair in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Board Committee. In general, she ensures that all meetings are effectively organised and minuted; maintaining effective records and administration of the Pacific Disability Forum.

Rohit Prasad
Finance and Admin Assistant

Rohit Prasad assists the Manager - Finance & Corporate with bookkeeping (general ledger & balance sheet reconciliation, payroll, petty cash, financial reports and accounts processing). He also facilitates administrative support and delivers customer services for the Pacific Disability Forum.

Mereoni Daveta
Community Based Inclusive Development Officer

Mereoni Daveta will ensure the successful coordination, implementation, monitoring & evaluation of PDF program activities related to community based inclusive development. She will also support the work of PDF on two other initiatives; the development of an accessibility blueprint and assistive technology services in the region. Mereoni will be part of the PDF Programme Team.

Ruci Senikula
Programme Officer

Ruci is the officer responsible for our youth, Indiginoues Persons with disabilities and inclusive Bugdeting.

Rosie Catharine
Programme Officer

Rosie is responsible for disability inclusive churches and theological schools and intellectual disabilities.

Maria Miller
Programme Officer

Maria is the latest addition to our staff and is responsible for inclusive education and inclusive sports.

Telesia Kobiti
Research Officer

Telesia undertakes research activities identified and prioritised by the Pacific Disability Forum which addresses the emerging issues facing persons with disabilities within the Pacific region. Working collaboratively with the disabled peoples organisations, NGO's, regional organisations, governments, businesses, Universities, research institutions, and other key stakeholders, she will also contribute to the development of policy frameworks, advocacy strategies, and capacity building programs that will support disability inclusion in compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and related disability frameworks in the region. 

Nancy Queen
Administrative Assistant

Nancy is responsible for all administrative task to support all teams in terms of travels, logistics, and accomodations. She also supports the Finance Team in terms of aquitals and general customer services

Neori Lagi
Office Assistant

Neori prepares refreshments for staff and visitors, ensures the office is in a clean and tidy state and is responsible for all driving errands as required.


 Trainer

Ms Petra Letter

Australian, Ms PETRA LETTER who has a Contractual Agreement with RedR Australia is deployed with us, Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) under our MoU with RedR Australia as an expert in the sector of humanitarian response. Since us (PDF), a Regional Organization supported by regional and international Governments and International Non- governmental Organizations (NGO’s) are mandated to execute our obligations specifically in the disability sector working closely with Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) organizations in the Pacific to promote disability inclusion. There is a need for DRR expertise with knowledge and experience of working with persons with disabilities. There is limited resources in the Pacific in this specific area and PDF for which we are indebted and captivated to have RedR Australia provide the much required abetment through secondment of Ms Petra Letter.