Afamasaga lands top role in Pacific Cooperation Foundation

By Marc Membrere 28 November 2020, 10:30PM

A Samoan woman, Afamasaga Jackie Curry, has been appointed the Management Consultant to lead the Pacific Cooperation Foundation in New Zealand. Afamasaga's appointment comes with a focus on implementing the organisation’s strategic initiatives, in a role set for the next eight months, a media statement said.

“Working for the P.C.F. is an incredible opportunity," Afamasaga said. 

"I believe the P.C.F. is in a strong and unique position to connect people in New Zealand and the Pacific to enable a more prosperous and empowered Pacific region – which includes New Zealand – and I’m excited to be part of it."

Afamasaga is no stranger to the Samoan community in Samoa and abroad.

As Director of Spacific Consultancy Ltd for the last ten years, she has been working closely on economic development and business growth projects with Pacific businesses and NGOs in New Zealand and the Pacific region. 

This has included a range of business education and training programmes in Samoa and New Zealand including the National University of Samoa, Samoa Tourism Authority, the Pacific Business Trust, Martin Hautus Pacific Training Institution, Te Wanganga o Aotearoa, and AUT, and a range of consultancy projects for the United Nations Development Programme, International Labour Organisation, Samoa Qualifications Authority, as well as for the Ministry of Business Innovation and Development in New Zealand. 

Afamasaga was also recently involved in a number of digital marketing projects for a range of SMEs in Samoa.

She also the former Chairperson of Samoa Business Network (Samoa Branch), and is currently on the Board of Social Enterprise Auckland.

The announcement of Afamasaga's appointment follows the exit of another Samoan, Fiso John Fiso, as P.C.F Board Chair and Acting Chief Executive.

According to a media release issued by the P.C.F., following six months as chair and acting chief executive and three years as a board member, Fiso will be stepping down from his roles at the non-government organisation. 

Fiso’s role in the last six months was to put in place an implementation plan for the strategy, the hire of a new chief executive, assist the new board members with a smooth transition, and ensure that P.C.F. was positioned to increase the Foundation’s contribution to development and collaboration across New Zealand and the Pacific region.

Fiso said he feels that the job he had been put in place to do has been done as a new team has now been put in place to be led by Afamasaga.

“There is now a strong board, and a good team in place, led by Jackie, to take the organisation through the next year, and then onto a bright future,” Fiso said.

“I have also established a Wellington office so the organisation can align more closely with the Government, the diplomatic corps, and other stakeholders based in the Capital.

“I took on the position of chair and acting chief executive earlier this year during a period of significant transition for the Foundation following a review, change in leadership and governance, and development of a new strategic plan.

“I am eternally grateful to the staff and board for their work in a short space of time assisting me get the organisation positioned for growth.

“The opportunity I had at P.C.F. was one I valued and I am grateful for the roles I was given, but now it is time for me to step aside and let the new governance, Jackie and the and team take it from here.”

P.C.F Board Member, David Vaeafe, said that the Board thanks Fiso for his dedication to the organisation over the last few years and more recently taking the helm as they steered through significant change.

“His legacy will be the P.C.F. commitment to strengthening and growing our shared Pacific and New Zealand identity for a prosperous future. We also warmly welcome Afamasaga Jackie Curry with all the skills and experience she brings, and look forward to her contribution.”


By Marc Membrere 28 November 2020, 10:30PM

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