SPEAKERS
Keynote Speakers
Putting Pacific Voices at the Heart of our Housing Future
Kiwi Tamasese’s extensive work in Pacific social policy, poverty, housing, mental health, cultural equity, and the effects of government systems aligns strongly with the conference’s policy and wellbeing themes. Her keynote could explore how Pacific cultural knowledge systems can reshape housing policy, reduce deprivation, and strengthen community led solutions. This includes addressing the impacts of overcrowding and housing insecurity on mental health, recognising cultural dislocation, and advocating for policy frameworks grounded in aiga, spirituality, relationality, and collective wellbeing.
With more than three decades of research, policy analysis, and community development experience, Taimalieutu Kiwi is a Pacific research leader that has served as the long standing Coordinator of the Pacific Section at the Family Centre in Aotearoa New Zealand. Her work spans social policy, cultural research, mental health, intergenerational wellbeing, disaster recovery, and Pacific centred conceptions of resilience. A pioneering contributor to the Just Therapy approach, Taimalieutu has led major national and international research partnerships—including projects with Massey University, Waikato University, and the New Zealand Treasury—and she has been instrumental in building Pacific research capacity across multiple disciplines. Internationally recognised for advancing culturally grounded methodologies, Taimalieutu has delivered keynote and plenary addresses across Canada, the United States, Europe, Mexico, Australia, and the Pacific. Taimalieutu’s leadership in post tsunami psychosocial recovery in Samoa influenced global understanding of resilience, and the Family Centre’s innovative climate adaptation proposal was selected as a World Bank Development Marketplace prize winner. A respected advocate for Pacific wellbeing, ethics, housing, and Pacific Data sovereignty, Taimalieutu continues to mentor emerging researchers, contribute to UNESCO and other governance bodies, and publishes extensively on Pacific perspectives in mental health, culture, and social policy.
Designing Pacific Housing with Pacific Knowledge
How can we balance culturally led designs with modular and scalable housing models? Pacific knowledges are key to how Pacific peoples live and how they will continue to thrive. So, if we are to design and build better housing for Pacific peoples, it must start here. However, making that a reality needs new approaches. Charmaine discusses opportunities to design Pacific housing with Pacific knowledges drawing on her research about multigenerational housing, Indigenous building technologies for climate resilient designs, and enabling housing wellbeing.
Dr Charmaine ‘Ilaiū Talei (Tatakamōtonga, Houma—Kingdom of Tonga) is a registered architect (NZRAB and BOAQ), researcher and educator at Te Pare School of Architecture and Planning, Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland. Charmaine is a leading researcher of Pacific architecture and has published widely on culturally responsive design methodologies, Pacific housing wellbeing, multigenerational housing, and Pacific building practices and technologies. Charmaine also works as an architectural consultant on government, community and aid projects in the Pacific region, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Australia. Enabling a symbiotic relationship between architectural research and architectural practice is a motivation of Charmaine's work.
Invited Speakers
Penina Trust Update
Catherine Ioane is the General Manager of Housing Services at Penina Trust and a leader in culturally responsive housing and community wellbeing. She brings over a decade of experience in the mental health sector and four years working in housing and social services, supporting individuals and whānau experiencing housing insecurity.
A proud tamaita’i Samoa born and raised in Aotearoa New Zealand, Catherine holds a Bachelor of Social Work, specialised qualifications in professional supervision, and is currently completing her Master of Business Administration (MBA). Her leadership is grounded in both professional practice and Pacific values. At Penina Trust, Catherine leads services aligned with the organisation’s mission to enhance holistic wellbeing for individuals, families, and communities. Guided by Faa Pasefika values and a Tagata mo Aiga (people for families) approach, she champions collaborative partnerships and sustainable housing solutions that empower communities and improve long-term outcomes.
This event is organised by Conferences & Events Ltd. We are a New Zealand business.