Pacifica Inc., sometimes styled P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. or PACIFICA is a

non-government organisation A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an independent, typically nonprofit organization that operates outside government control, though it may get a significant percentage of its funding from government or corporate sources. NGOs often focus ...

in Aotearoa New Zealand established in 1977 following a Pacific women's conference held in Auckland in 1976. It consists mainly of Pasifika women, although all women of any background, faith and ethnicity are eligible to join."About us"
on Pacifica Inc. website, retrieved 28 March 2025 The organisation seeks to provide opportunities for Pacific women to contribute effectively to the cultural, social, economic and political development of Aotearoa. In 2023, the organisation published ''A Wellbeing Report: Voices from Pacific Women and Girls in Aotearoa, New Zealand'' as part of an aim to present a record of Pacific women and girls’ voices."PACIFICA Inc reveal new report that looks to elevate voice of Pacific women in New Zealand"
''

Tagata Pasifika Tagata Pasifika is an English language New Zealand programme which screens on TVNZ's TV ONE and on Māori Television, first broadcast in 1987. This programme is made to specifically meet the niche market of New Zealand's Pacific Islander ( Pasi ...

'' 29 November 2023, retrieved 28 March 2025

Notable members

* Susana Lemisio, co-founded a Fatupaepae branch of Pacifica for

Tokelau Tokelau (; ; known previously as the Union Islands, and, until 1976, known officially as the Tokelau Islands) is a dependent territory of New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean. It consists of three tropical coral atolls: Atafu, Nukunonu, an ...

women * Emma Kesha * Caren Rangi, president 2015 to 2017 * Paddy Walker, founding president in 1976 *

Eti Laufiso Mary Agnes Ivala-Laufiso, known as Eti Laufiso (1939–2009), was a policy writer and lecturer specialising in the education of Pasifika New Zealanders and the teaching of Pacific languages. She was involved in founding several organisations ...

, founding member *

Anahila Kanongata'a Anahila Lose Kanongata'a (born 1969) is a New Zealand social worker and politician. She served as a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party from 2017 to 2023. Early life and career Kanongata'a was born in Tonga. When she was a child, her si ...

, national executive member *

Fanaura Kingstone Fanaura Kimiora Kingstone QSO (born 1940) is a Cook Islands former politician and Cabinet Minister. In 1983 she became the second woman elected to the Parliament of the Cook Islands, and the first appointed to Cabinet. Kingstone was born in Ar ...

, founding member in 1976 * Tepaeru Tereora, founding member in 1976 * Johnny Frisbie, founding member * Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop, president 2013 *

Elizabeth Kerekere Elizabeth Anne Kerekere (born ) is a New Zealand politician and LGBTQ activist and scholar. She was elected a member of parliament for the Green Party in 2020, but resigned from the Greens on 5 May 2023, following allegations of bullying within ...

Young Pacifica member

References

1977 establishments in New Zealand Women's organisations based in New Zealand Oceanian-New Zealand culture {{NewZealand-org-stub

Notable members

Further reading

References