A group of 12 emerging Pacific Leaders graduated at the inaugural graduation ceremony of the Best Leadership Academy in Auckland, New Zealand, in May.

The academy  was established in 2011 at Auckland University by the New Zealand Olympic discus champion, Beatrice Faumaina, with a mission "to build a large and sustainable pipeline of Pasifika leaders throughout New Zealand's public, private and not-for-profit organizations." Its vision is "to lift Pasifika incomes and living standards by increasing the number of Pasifika people starting and leading New Zealand businesses and organizations."

Malia 'Apikotoa

One of the graduates is a Tongan, Malia 'Apikotoa, the Northern Sale Manager of State Insurance, who  enrolled with the Academy in 2011. Malia manages and leads 80 staff across the North Island of New Zealand. "She prides herself on delivering the best in sales, service, financials and risk underwriting for the company," stated the academy.

One of the mentors of the Best Pasifika Leadership Programme, Mataitini Fotu told Matangi Tonga that four Tongans had enrolled in the Academy's 2012 programme, which blended post-graduate courses for business leadership and entrepreneurship interwoven within a Pasifika context.