Ulugia Lealailepule Edward Cowley will MC this year’s conference. Of Samoan descent, he proudly carries the chieftain title Lealailepule — meaning “the path to leadership is through service.” A passionate advocate for Pacific health and wellbeing, he has contributed widely through leadership, health promotion, and stop-smoking advocacy. Known for his energetic and collaborative approach, Edward is a valued leader across many communities, championing nutrition, physical activity, and smokefree living. His belief in leading by example continues to inspire positive change for Pacific peoples and beyond.

Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga is a Public Health Medicine Specialist and leading advocate for Pacific and global health equity. He is Associate Dean Pacific at the University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and Co-Director of Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, where he advances Pacific health education, research, and workforce development. With a distinguished career in public service and international health, Sir Collin has led major initiatives in governance, policy, and disease prevention. Recognised for his lifelong contributions, he remains a visionary leader dedicated to reducing health disparities and strengthening health systems across New Zealand, the Pacific, and beyond.

Dr Andrew Old is a public health physician with over 20 years’ experience in clinical leadership, executive management, and governance across strategy, community participation, patient experience, and quality improvement. A 2018/19 Commonwealth Fund Harkness Fellow, he was based at Stanford University and UC San Francisco before returning to support New Zealand’s COVID-19 response as Chief Clinical Officer for the Northern Region. He later became the inaugural Deputy Director-General of the Public Health Agency in 2022. A graduate of the University of Auckland and Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine, Andrew was awarded Fellowship of the New Zealand Medical Association in 2011 for his services to the profession and the public.

Dr Corina Grey is a Samoan public health physician, epidemiologist, and health equity advocate with over 20 years’ experience in population and heart health research. Appointed as New Zealand’s Director of Public Health effective 5 May 2025, she previously served as Chief Clinical Advisor Pacific Health at the Ministry of Health and Deputy Secretary, Policy & Insights at the Ministry for Pacific Peoples. A leading voice in Pacific health research, she co‑leads the Manawataki Fatu Fatu heart health equity programme for Māori and Pacific communities and has authored key national strategies including Te Mana Ola, Ola Manuia, and Bula Sautu .

Sam Uffindell is the National Party Member of Parliament for Tauranga, elected in a by-election in June 2022. He serves as Chair of the Health Select Committee and has held additional parliamentary roles in science, agriculture, and innovation portfolios. With nearly 15 years of experience in banking across New Zealand, Australia, and Asia, including senior roles at Westpac, Macquarie, Deutsche Bank, and head of financial economic crime at Rabobank New Zealand, Sam has a strong background in finance and risk management. A graduate of the University of Otago (BCom and BA Hons) and the University of New South Wales (Master of International Law and International Relations), he holds certifications in anti‑money laundering, financial planning, and counter-terrorism financing.

Hūhana Lyndon is a Green Party List Member of Parliament, representing Te Tai Tokerau since October 14, 2023. She holds spokesperson roles in health, Māori development, Whānau Ora, forestry, oceans & fisheries (Māori fisheries), and media & communications. A proud descendant of Ngātiwai, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Whātua, Waikato Tainui and Pare Hauraki, Hūhana has deep roots in Te Tai Tokerau. Before entering Parliament, she served as CEO of Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust and then Ngātiwai Trust Board, where she led strategy in governance, land and sea protection, education and primary industries, including Indigenous forestry transition initiatives grounded in mātauranga Māori. Known for collaborative leadership, she played a key role in iwi-level COVID‑19 response, prioritising care for people, whenua and moana.

Tania Hodges (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Maniapoto & Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is a seasoned leader in health, governance, and Māori development. As Managing Director of Digital Indigenous.com Ltd, she has led health, education, and workforce initiatives since 2001 focused on equitable kaupapa Māori solutions across Aotearoa’s public and community sectors. A facilitator of leadership programmes since 2002, she holds qualifications in psychiatric nursing, business research, social science management, and Te Reo Māori, including an MBA with Distinction. Tania also serves as a Justice of the Peace.

Professor Arthur Grimes is an economist and internationally respected public policy expert. He is Professor of Wellbeing and Public Policy at Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Government and a Senior Fellow at Motu Economic & Public Policy Research. From 2003 to 2013, he chaired the Reserve Bank of New Zealand—helping to pioneer inflation targeting—and later served as Chief Economist at both the Reserve Bank and National Bank of New Zealand. He has also led the New Zealand Association of Economists as President, chaired the Hugo Group, and served on the Financial Markets Authority board. His current research focuses on the economics of wellbeing and urban development, including housing, infrastructure, and quality of life outcomes.

Holly Donaldson is Executive Director of the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia (CAPHIA), representing public health universities and research centres across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. She has leadership experience spanning medical education, higher education and IT, with a strong background in governance, policy and workforce development. At CAPHIA, Holly drives international initiatives in competency development, curriculum innovation and sector capacity building. She has pioneered public health hackathons as a platform for design thinking and collaborative problem-solving, fostering innovation and equity. Holly is committed to preparing future professionals to meet complex health challenges with creativity and impact.

MBChB, MPH, PhD

Dr Mataroria Lyndon (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Wai, Waikato) is a Māori clinician, academic, and governance leader dedicated to advancing health and equity in Aotearoa. He is the Co-Founder and Director of Health & Equity at Tend Health, a Clinical Advisor at Ngāti Hine Health Trust, and a Senior Lecturer in Medical Education at the University of Auckland. Dr Lyndon also serves on the boards of the Rangitāmiro Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, Te Tira Tū Iwi Māori Partnership Board, the Waitangi National Trust, and Pūtahi Manawa Centre of Research Excellence for Heart Health. He was previously the Deputy Chair of the Health Promotion Agency and a board member of Te Aka Whai Ora I Māori Health Authority and Northland DHB. A Fulbright Scholar, he holds a Master of Public Health from Harvard University, a PhD in medical education, and was named the Deloitte IPANZ Young Professional of the Year.

Dr Moana Tane is an experienced executive and postdoctoral researcher specialising in qualitative and decolonised health research. She has held leadership roles in Indigenous health services, public health, and research, focusing on evidence-based, community-driven initiatives. A visionary leader, she advocates for sustainable, culturally diverse health services and lifelong learning.

Dr Clair Mills is a Pākehā public health doctor who has worked internationally (mainly for Doctors without Borders) and in Aotearoa as a GP, Medical Officer of Health, and in management, teaching and research roles in public health. She lives in Te Taitokerau close to her growing extended whānau. She has worked in the secretariat of the Public Health Advisory Committee since early 2025, alongside part-time mahi at Te Kupenga Hauora Māori (University of Auckland) with Prof Papaarangi Reid and colleagues.

Associate Professor Gurney (Ngāpuhi) is Director of the Cancer and Chronic Conditions (C3) Research Group at the Department of Public Health, University of Otago, and is based in Auckland. He is an epidemiologist and public health researcher with a focus on cancer, and he’s also seconded part-time to Te Aho o te Kahu Cancer Control Agency. He has board and committee experience in the last 10 years in the field of health care delivery, cancer and research, and a significant list of publications with a focus on the cancer and health equity for Māori.

Kevin Hague is the former chief executive of the West Coast DHB, the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand and the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, and is also a former Member of Parliament. He has considerable experience in the health and wellbeing sector, and particular expertise in public health and health promotion. He is an experienced leader in the public, private and community sectors and is currently the Deputy Chair of Te Hiringa Mahara (the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission). He has an academic background principally in mathematics, physics and public health, and lives on the West Coast of the South Island.