Chief Advisor, Pasifika
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Bio

Matalena Leaupepe is the Chief Advisor, Pasifika, at the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Matalena is responsible for leading the development and supporting the delivery of the Pacific Economic Strategy and Action Plan at MBIE.

Matalena was born in Samoa and migrated to NZ when she was 10 years old. She is married to Geoff Rahari and is the mother to three amazing girls. A graduate of Victoria University, majoring in Politics and Pacific Studies, Matalena has worked in the public sector for over 10 years starting out as a policy advisor at the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs (now Pacific Peoples), then Careers NZ, Department of Labour which included a short stint as Private Secretary for Hon. Minister Tariana Turia.