Anne Fitisemanu welcomed as new Chair of National Pacific Media Trust

Pacific Media Network has welcomed respected Pacific leader and governance professional Anne Fitisemanu MNZM, as the new Chair of the National Pacific Media Trust.

Fitisemanu, who is of Niuean and Samoan heritage, was formally appointed on 5 August by Minister for Media and Communications and the Minister for Pacific Peoples.

She was officially welcomed to PMN by staff and fellow board members today.

She brings more than two decades of leadership experience spanning education, health, community development and the non-profit sector, with a strong focus throughout her career on social equity, cultural integrity and creating opportunities for Pacific and Māori communities.

Fitisemanu is currently Chief Executive of Make-A-Wish Foundation New Zealand and previously served as CEO of TupuToa, where she helped develop corporate pathways for Māori and Pacific talent across Aotearoa.

Her extensive governance experience includes serving as Chair of Pacific Collaborative Futures, formerly the Pacific Cooperation Foundation, as a board member of Literacy Aotearoa Te Kōruru, and as the first Pacific Peoples appointee to the board of Whānau Āwhina Plunket.

She has also held senior leadership positions with PACIFICA, including President of PACIFICA Auckland Central and Vice President of the organisation's Northern Region, and has served as a trustee of YWCA Auckland and on its national executive.

Fitisemanu was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her contribution to Pacific communities and executive leadership and is an active member of Global Women and the Institute of Directors.

Her appointment comes at an important point for the National Pacific Media Trust and PMN as the organisation looks to strengthen the way it serves Pacific audiences in a rapidly changing media environment.

“We’re at an important crossroads for Pacific Media Network as we navigate the rapidly changing digital era,” Fitisemanu says.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with the Board and leadership team to future-proof the organisation, while building on the excellent work and strong foundations laid by those who have come before us.

“We need to make sure PMN continues to evolve, diversify and meet Pacific audiences where they are, while staying firmly grounded in our purpose, our values and the communities we serve,” she says.

Her appointment follows the tenure of outgoing Chair Saimoni Lealea, who took up the role on 1 January 2022.

PMN acknowledges Lealea’s steady and considered chairmanship during a period of significant change for the organisation.

Under Lealea’s leadership, PMN continued to develop its Moanaverse strategy and broaden its ambitions beyond traditional broadcasting, laying important foundations for the organisation’s evolution as a modern, multi-platform Pacific media service.

The Board and staff thanked Lealea for his stewardship and contribution to PMN, while welcoming Fitisemanu and the experience she brings as the organisation moves into its next chapter.