International Keynote Speaker
Robert Jacobson, MD
Medical Director of Primary Care Immunization Program, Rochester, Kasson, and Southeast Minnesota, Co-Chair, AskMayoExpert Knowledge Content Board for Immunizations and Vaccinations, Mayo Clinic.
Robert is a Professor of Pediatrics at Mayo Clinic with appointments in Community Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, and Epidemiology. He was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, and did his undergraduate studies at Butler University, got his medical degree at University of Chicago, and completed his pediatric residency at Yale University where he remained to complete the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program in quantitative clinical epidemiology.
Robert practices medicine as a primary care pediatrician at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; teaches research methods and evidence-based medicine to the faculty, pediatric residents, and pediatric sub-specialty fellows; and serves the 11-county area as the Medical Director for the Immunization Program for Mayo Clinic’s Primary Care in Southeast Minnesota and co-chair of the AskMayoExpert Immunizations & Vaccinations Knowledge Content Board.
Robert is a National Institutes of Health-funded investigator and conducts research to improve the uptake of vaccines.
Robert has lived in worked in Rochester, Minnesota, for 35 years and, with his wife Renee, raised four well-vaccinated children.
Robert Jacobson, MD
Medical Director of Primary Care Immunization Program, Rochester, Kasson, and Southeast Minnesota, Co-Chair, AskMayoExpert Knowledge Content Board for Immunizations and Vaccinations, Mayo Clinic.
Robert is a Professor of Pediatrics at Mayo Clinic with appointments in Community Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, and Epidemiology. He was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, and did his undergraduate studies at Butler University, got his medical degree at University of Chicago, and completed his pediatric residency at Yale University where he remained to complete the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program in quantitative clinical epidemiology.
Robert practices medicine as a primary care pediatrician at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; teaches research methods and evidence-based medicine to the faculty, pediatric residents, and pediatric sub-specialty fellows; and serves the 11-county area as the Medical Director for the Immunization Program for Mayo Clinic’s Primary Care in Southeast Minnesota and co-chair of the AskMayoExpert Immunizations & Vaccinations Knowledge Content Board.
Robert is a National Institutes of Health-funded investigator and conducts research to improve the uptake of vaccines.
Robert has lived in worked in Rochester, Minnesota, for 35 years and, with his wife Renee, raised four well-vaccinated children.
New Zealand Contributing Speakers
Listed in alphabetical order by surname
Dr Claire Achmad
Te Kaikōmihana Matua mō Ngā Tamariki o Aotearoa - Chief Children’s Commissioner
Dr Claire Achmad has been Te Kaikōmihana Mātua mō Ngā Tamariki o Aotearoa – Chief Children’s Commissioner since November 2023. She is a visible advocate for all mokopuna (children and young people), meeting them in their communities across the motu and carrying their experiences, ideas for change and voices to decision-makers across Government and throughout communities and hapori around the country. Claire been a vocal advocate on a range of issues, including across the child and youth health sector, care and protection and youth justice issues, championing mokopuna and their rights in a range of spaces and leading public discourse. Claire’s core commitment as Chief Children’s Commissioner is to ground all her advocacy in what she hears from mokopuna - their lived experience and voices, including of mokopuna Māori, and to promote and progress children’s rights.
Claire has previously worked in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally in a wide range of areas relating to children's rights, including from legal, policy and practice perspectives. Immediately prior to being appointed as Chief Children’s Commissioner, she was Chief Executive Officer of Social Service Providers Te Pai Ora o Aotearoa, progressing the aspirations and outcomes of children, rangatahi and whānau and community-based social services. Claire has worked for children’s NGOs and international organisations in Aotearoa, Australia and Europe, held a senior role within Te Kāhui Tika Tangata the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, and practised as in-house legal counsel in the New Zealand government. She holds a doctorate in international children’s rights law from Leiden University, where she maintains a Guest Lectureship in the Child Law Department, and has published internationally on a range of children's rights issues.
Claire was born and grew up amongst kauri and kererū in the Waitākere Ranges, went to school in West Auckland, and is of woven heritage (Indonesian, Pākeha).
Dr Claire Achmad
Te Kaikōmihana Matua mō Ngā Tamariki o Aotearoa - Chief Children’s Commissioner
Dr Claire Achmad has been Te Kaikōmihana Mātua mō Ngā Tamariki o Aotearoa – Chief Children’s Commissioner since November 2023. She is a visible advocate for all mokopuna (children and young people), meeting them in their communities across the motu and carrying their experiences, ideas for change and voices to decision-makers across Government and throughout communities and hapori around the country. Claire been a vocal advocate on a range of issues, including across the child and youth health sector, care and protection and youth justice issues, championing mokopuna and their rights in a range of spaces and leading public discourse. Claire’s core commitment as Chief Children’s Commissioner is to ground all her advocacy in what she hears from mokopuna - their lived experience and voices, including of mokopuna Māori, and to promote and progress children’s rights.
Claire has previously worked in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally in a wide range of areas relating to children's rights, including from legal, policy and practice perspectives. Immediately prior to being appointed as Chief Children’s Commissioner, she was Chief Executive Officer of Social Service Providers Te Pai Ora o Aotearoa, progressing the aspirations and outcomes of children, rangatahi and whānau and community-based social services. Claire has worked for children’s NGOs and international organisations in Aotearoa, Australia and Europe, held a senior role within Te Kāhui Tika Tangata the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, and practised as in-house legal counsel in the New Zealand government. She holds a doctorate in international children’s rights law from Leiden University, where she maintains a Guest Lectureship in the Child Law Department, and has published internationally on a range of children's rights issues.
Claire was born and grew up amongst kauri and kererū in the Waitākere Ranges, went to school in West Auckland, and is of woven heritage (Indonesian, Pākeha).
Dame Valerie Adams DNZM
Dame Valerie Adams is undoubtedly the most dominant track and field star New Zealand has ever produced. From 2006-2014 Dame Valerie was unbeaten in major championships, enjoying an unprecedented winning streak in world athletics of 107 competitions during that period. Her major wins included back-to-back Olympic gold at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games, and four world championship titles. In 2016, Dame Valerie added silver to her Olympic medal collection at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and was later appointed as a Dame of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Athletics.
As a mother of two, Dame Valerie continued to compete at the top level and won bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (postponed to 2021) whilst also coaching younger sister Lisa to her gold medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in the shotput.
Dame Valerie announced she would be hanging up her throwing shoes in March 2022. She continues to be involved in Athletics and is Chair of the World Athletics Athletes Commission, is a World Athletics Council Member and in September 2022 was appointed to the board of High Performance Sport NZ. Dame Valerie also enjoys spending time with her young family, working in the community supporting causes such as Jammies for June with the Middlemore Foundation and Game Plan AKL with Aktiv Auckland and with her valued commercial partners.
Dame Valerie is a leader and role model in the Pacific community, a seven-time Halberg sportswoman of the year and featured in a theatrical documentary film Dame Valerie Adams: More than Gold on her life and sporting career was released in October 2022.
Dame Valerie Adams DNZM
Dame Valerie Adams is undoubtedly the most dominant track and field star New Zealand has ever produced. From 2006-2014 Dame Valerie was unbeaten in major championships, enjoying an unprecedented winning streak in world athletics of 107 competitions during that period. Her major wins included back-to-back Olympic gold at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games, and four world championship titles. In 2016, Dame Valerie added silver to her Olympic medal collection at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and was later appointed as a Dame of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Athletics.
As a mother of two, Dame Valerie continued to compete at the top level and won bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (postponed to 2021) whilst also coaching younger sister Lisa to her gold medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in the shotput.
Dame Valerie announced she would be hanging up her throwing shoes in March 2022. She continues to be involved in Athletics and is Chair of the World Athletics Athletes Commission, is a World Athletics Council Member and in September 2022 was appointed to the board of High Performance Sport NZ. Dame Valerie also enjoys spending time with her young family, working in the community supporting causes such as Jammies for June with the Middlemore Foundation and Game Plan AKL with Aktiv Auckland and with her valued commercial partners.
Dame Valerie is a leader and role model in the Pacific community, a seven-time Halberg sportswoman of the year and featured in a theatrical documentary film Dame Valerie Adams: More than Gold on her life and sporting career was released in October 2022.
Professor Emeritus Innes Asher ONZM
Professor Innes was a Respiratory Paediatrician, Starship Children's Hospital until her retirement in 2020.
Innes led global asthma research studies from 1991-2022. With Child Poverty Action Group 1998-2023 she actively promoted evidence-based policies to lift children out of poverty.
In 2018 she was appointed to the Government’s Welfare Expert Advisory Group.
Professor Emeritus Innes Asher ONZM
Professor Innes was a Respiratory Paediatrician, Starship Children's Hospital until her retirement in 2020.
Innes led global asthma research studies from 1991-2022. With Child Poverty Action Group 1998-2023 she actively promoted evidence-based policies to lift children out of poverty.
In 2018 she was appointed to the Government’s Welfare Expert Advisory Group.
Malaetogia Dr Jacinta Fa'alili-Fodo
Malaetogia Dr. Jacinta Fa’alili-Fidow has extensive leadership and management experience in health research, public health and Pacific wellbeing in New Zealand. Her work aims to bridge government, academia and Pacific communities to champion authentic positive change for Pacific. As the founding Managing Director of Moana Connect, Jacinta empowers the importance of Pacific world-views, and the prominence of self-determination in all Moana Research work, including evaluation, research and advocacy.
Jacinta has worked for the Health Research Council and the Public Health Group in the Ministry of Health. After the Ministry of Health, Jacinta was shoulder tapped to manage TAHA Pacific Maternal and Child Health Service at the University of Auckland. Having completed her Master of Public Health (Honours) on the impacts of trade on child health in Samoa, Jacinta went on to complete a PhD at the Centre for Longitudinal Studies – Growing Up in New Zealand Study, exploring Pacific child resilience during which she developed ‘Vā o Tamaiti’, a relational resilience framework for Pacific child wellbeing. Jacinta also services on various Boards including the Pacific Data Sovereignty Trust, Health Coalition Aotearoa.
Malaetogia Dr Jacinta Fa'alili-Fodo
Jacinta has worked for the Health Research Council and the Public Health Group in the Ministry of Health. After the Ministry of Health, Jacinta was shoulder tapped to manage TAHA Pacific Maternal and Child Health Service at the University of Auckland. Having completed her Master of Public Health (Honours) on the impacts of trade on child health in Samoa, Jacinta went on to complete a PhD at the Centre for Longitudinal Studies – Growing Up in New Zealand Study, exploring Pacific child resilience during which she developed ‘Vā o Tamaiti’, a relational resilience framework for Pacific child wellbeing. Jacinta also services on various Boards including the Pacific Data Sovereignty Trust, Health Coalition Aotearoa.
Leo Buchanan Memorial Lecture
Professor Matire Harwood
Professor Matire Harwood MBChB (University of Auckland), PhD in Medicine (University of Otago), Ngāpuhi
Matire is the Deputy Dean for the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland; and continues to practice one day a week as a General Practitioner.
She has served on several national Boards and Advisory Committees in New Zealand including Waitematā District Health Board, Health Research Council, COVID-19 Technical Advisory Group and Primary Care Strategy at the Ministry of Health and the Māori Advisory Committee to New Zealand’s Minister of Health.
Matire has been recognised for her work with numerous awards across research, teaching and leadership. These include the 2017 L’Oréal UNESCO New Zealand ‘For Women In Science Fellowship’ for research in Indigenous health, the Health Research Council’s Te Tohu Rapuora award in 2019 for leadership in research to improve Māori health, the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Community Service Medal in 2022 and the Butland Award in 2023 for Excellence in Research Supervision. She received the King’s Service Medal in June 2024 for her contribution to Māori health. She has 200+ research publications, teaches in the medical programme and supervises postgraduate students.
Leo Buchanan Memorial Lecture
Professor Matire Harwood
Professor Matire Harwood MBChB (University of Auckland), PhD in Medicine (University of Otago), Ngāpuhi
Matire is the Deputy Dean for the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland; and continues to practice one day a week as a General Practitioner.
She has served on several national Boards and Advisory Committees in New Zealand including Waitematā District Health Board, Health Research Council, COVID-19 Technical Advisory Group and Primary Care Strategy at the Ministry of Health and the Māori Advisory Committee to New Zealand’s Minister of Health.
Matire has been recognised for her work with numerous awards across research, teaching and leadership. These include the 2017 L’Oréal UNESCO New Zealand ‘For Women In Science Fellowship’ for research in Indigenous health, the Health Research Council’s Te Tohu Rapuora award in 2019 for leadership in research to improve Māori health, the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Community Service Medal in 2022 and the Butland Award in 2023 for Excellence in Research Supervision. She received the King’s Service Medal in June 2024 for her contribution to Māori health. She has 200+ research publications, teaches in the medical programme and supervises postgraduate students.
Dr Mataroria Lyndon (MBChB, MPH, PhD)
Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Wai, Waikato
Dr Mataroria Lyndon is a Māori clinician, academic, and governance leader dedicated to advancing hauora Māori and health equity in Aotearoa. He is a Co-Founder of Tend Health, among Aotearoa’s largest primary healthcare providers, and a Senior Lecturer in Medical Education at the University of Auckland. He previously served as Equity Lead at Mahitahi Hauora Primary Health Organisation and as Medical Lead for Māori Health at Counties Manukau DHB. A Fulbright Scholar, he completed his Master of Public Health at Harvard University and holds a PhD focused on medical education.
Dr Lyndon has held governance roles as Deputy Chair of the Health Promotion Agency and board member of Te Aka Whai Ora Māori Health Authority and Northland DHB. He currently serves on the boards of Rangitāmiro Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, Te Tira Tū Iwi Māori Partnership Board, Waitangi National Trust, Pūtahi Manawa Centre of Research Excellence, and the Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Foundation.
Dr Mataroria Lyndon (MBChB, MPH, PhD)
Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Wai, Waikato
Dr Mataroria Lyndon is a Māori clinician, academic, and governance leader dedicated to advancing hauora Māori and health equity in Aotearoa. He is a Co-Founder of Tend Health, among Aotearoa’s largest primary healthcare providers, and a Senior Lecturer in Medical Education at the University of Auckland. He previously served as Equity Lead at Mahitahi Hauora Primary Health Organisation and as Medical Lead for Māori Health at Counties Manukau DHB. A Fulbright Scholar, he completed his Master of Public Health at Harvard University and holds a PhD focused on medical education.
Dr Lyndon has held governance roles as Deputy Chair of the Health Promotion Agency and board member of Te Aka Whai Ora Māori Health Authority and Northland DHB. He currently serves on the boards of Rangitāmiro Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, Te Tira Tū Iwi Māori Partnership Board, Waitangi National Trust, Pūtahi Manawa Centre of Research Excellence, and the Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Foundation.
Dame Ranjna Patel DNZM QSM JP
Ranjna is a pioneering health leader and founder of East Tamaki Healthcare ( now known as Tamaki Health) . With nearly 5 decades of experience in improving access and equity in primary care, she champions innovate, community focused models. Ranjna also leads social impact initiatives addressing youth, family harmony, and wellbeing, making her a respected voice in holistic healthcare.
In the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, Patel was promoted to Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to ethnic communities, health and family violence prevention.
Dame Ranjna Patel DNZM QSM JP
Ranjna is a pioneering health leader and founder of East Tamaki Healthcare ( now known as Tamaki Health) . With nearly 5 decades of experience in improving access and equity in primary care, she champions innovate, community focused models. Ranjna also leads social impact initiatives addressing youth, family harmony, and wellbeing, making her a respected voice in holistic healthcare.
In the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, Patel was promoted to Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to ethnic communities, health and family violence prevention.
The RACP Montgomery Spencer Memorial Lecture
Dame Teuila Percival DNZM QSO
Dame Teuila is a New Zealand born Samoan. Her family are from Ofu in Manu’a and Pu’apu’a in Savaii.
Teuila is a Consultant Paediatrician at KidzFirst Childrens Hospital, South Auckland and an Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, at the University of Auckland.
Her particular interests are in Pacific people’s health, Maternal and Child Health, Child Protection and Community Health.
Teuila has been working clinically in Paediatrics for over twenty years in the acute hospital setting and in outpatients.
Teuila is involved in research and community work both in New Zealand and the wider Pacific region.Teuila has been involved in Community work in South Auckland for over two decades.
Teuila is the current Co-Chair of Le Afio’aga o Aotearoa and past Chair of South Seas Healthcare Trust (Pacific Primary Care, Otara). Other community roles include past Board members of Ta Pasefika, Alliance Health Plus and past President of Pasifika Medical Association.Teuila is Director of Moana Connect, a Pacific Maternal and Child Health Community based Research, Education and Social Enterprise group in Mangere, South Auckland.
Teuila was made a Dame (DNZM) in the Kings Birthday Honours in 2023 and awarded the Queens Service Order (QSO) in 2010 for service to the Pacific Community and children.
Teuila has three children and one grandchild. She is married to John McEnteer, Ngati Maru, Ngati Tamatera of Hauraki.
The RACP Montgomery Spencer Memorial Lecture
Dame Teuila Percival DNZM QSO
Dame Teuila is a New Zealand born Samoan. Her family are from Ofu in Manu’a and Pu’apu’a in Savaii.
Teuila is a Consultant Paediatrician at KidzFirst Childrens Hospital, South Auckland and an Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, at the University of Auckland.
Her particular interests are in Pacific people’s health, Maternal and Child Health, Child Protection and Community Health.
Teuila has been working clinically in Paediatrics for over twenty years in the acute hospital setting and in outpatients.
Teuila is involved in research and community work both in New Zealand and the wider Pacific region.Teuila has been involved in Community work in South Auckland for over two decades.
Teuila is the current Co-Chair of Le Afio’aga o Aotearoa and past Chair of South Seas Healthcare Trust (Pacific Primary Care, Otara). Other community roles include past Board members of Ta Pasefika, Alliance Health Plus and past President of Pasifika Medical Association.Teuila is Director of Moana Connect, a Pacific Maternal and Child Health Community based Research, Education and Social Enterprise group in Mangere, South Auckland.
Teuila was made a Dame (DNZM) in the Kings Birthday Honours in 2023 and awarded the Queens Service Order (QSO) in 2010 for service to the Pacific Community and children.
Teuila has three children and one grandchild. She is married to John McEnteer, Ngati Maru, Ngati Tamatera of Hauraki.
Hon Aupito William Sio
Aupito William Sio is a distinguished Pacific leader and former New Zealand politician, renowned for his unwavering advocacy for Pacific communities across Aotearoa & the Pacific region. Born in Samoa and raised in South Auckland, Aupito’s political career spans both local and central government. He was the first Pacific person to serve as Deputy mayor of Manukau City before entering Parliament where he served as the Member of Parliament for Māngere from 2008 to 2023. He held key ministerial roles including Minister for Pacific Peoples, Minister for Courts, Associate Minister for Foreign Affairs, Associate Minister for Justice, Associate Minister Education (Pacific) and Associate Minister of Health (Pacific Peoples).
Aupito’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping policies that support Pacific peoples, securing unprecedented investment for Pacific development, and spearheading the government’s historic apology for the Dawn Raids. Deeply rooted in his Samoan heritage and values, he is committed to empowering Pacific youth and communities through education, health, business and cultural initiatives. Aupito brings a rich cultural heritage and deep understanding of Pacific values, identity and aspirations. His work has always been guided by a strong sense of service and cultural responsibility with the need for continuous transition to the emerging generations.
Aupito is deeply passionate about the future of Pacific young people – whom he affectionately refers to as “Generation 6Bs” - Brown, Beautiful, Brainy, Bilingual, Bicultural, and Bold. He believes they hold the keys to transformational change in our communities and across Aotearoa, including the regional Blue Pacific continent that he calls his home.
We are honoured to welcome Aupito William Sio to share his insights on Pacific communities and the immense potential of Pacific youth.
Hon Aupito William Sio
Aupito’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping policies that support Pacific peoples, securing unprecedented investment for Pacific development, and spearheading the government’s historic apology for the Dawn Raids. Deeply rooted in his Samoan heritage and values, he is committed to empowering Pacific youth and communities through education, health, business and cultural initiatives. Aupito brings a rich cultural heritage and deep understanding of Pacific values, identity and aspirations. His work has always been guided by a strong sense of service and cultural responsibility with the need for continuous transition to the emerging generations.
Aupito is deeply passionate about the future of Pacific young people – whom he affectionately refers to as “Generation 6Bs” - Brown, Beautiful, Brainy, Bilingual, Bicultural, and Bold. He believes they hold the keys to transformational change in our communities and across Aotearoa, including the regional Blue Pacific continent that he calls his home.
We are honoured to welcome Aupito William Sio to share his insights on Pacific communities and the immense potential of Pacific youth.
More speakers to be announced shortly.
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