National Vaka Tautua leadership roles enhance Pacific services
2021 has been a transformative year for Vaka Tautua, as the organisation has refreshed its structure to ensure it is “fit for purpose” to respond to the current and future COVID-19 challenges and the Government’s transformation of the health and disability sector in New Zealand.
Lara Dolan, General Manager
Several new senior leadership roles have been created to enable Vaka Tautua to respond even more rapidly to the ever-increasing needs of our Pacific communities at a local level, and to support a growing team. They include a General Manager, a National Manager People and Capability, and a National Manager Operations.
Lara Dolan, formerly Vaka Tautua’s Finance and Administration Manager, has been appointed General Manager, in what is, in effect, a positional title name change. A chartered accountant, she will continue to lead the organisation’s business management and administration operations, ensuring robust financial and reporting systems.
Dr Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop, Chief Executive Officer of Vaka Tautua, said “Lara’s current role functions are comparable to general manager role functions across the sector. The Board recognised this, and recommended her title be changed to reflect her role, status and value to the organisation. We are thrilled for Lara, and know she will continue to do exceptional work for the organisation.”
Kristina Sofele, National Manager People and Capability (L) and Pat Masina, Regional Manager Auckland (R).
Kristina Sofele, a long-serving member of the Vaka Tautua team in Auckland, has been appointed the organisation’s first National Manager People and Capability, responsible for strengthening Vaka Tautua’s staff and organisational capability.
“The National Manager People and Capability position is an investment in our most important resource, our staff. It’s about investing in their development so they are even more skilled, capable and confident to deliver high quality services to our communities,” said Dr Dunlop. “Kristina was the obvious choice for this position. She is experienced and passionate about supporting our staff, and people generally, to thrive and prosper. We are blessed.”
On her appointment, Kristina said, “I’m excited about this new national role. My aim is to ensure our staff are well equipped and resourced to deliver the best responsive service to our Pacific peoples and communities.”
At a regional level, Pat Masina has gone from being Regional Manager Central and South Auckland, to Regional Manager for all of Auckland. Pat will work closely with Vaka Tautua’s executive leadership to ensure our Auckland team and services are performing at the highest levels.
All staff commenced their new roles on 15 November. The National Manager Operations position will be filled in due course.