Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees for South Auckland SDA School is made up of experienced and committed individuals. They work collaboratively and constructively with school management to oversee governance and set the strategic direction for the school. The BoT Chairperson can be contacted via this email address: botchair@sasda.school.nz

We are pleased to introduce you to the team:

Parent Selected Representatives

Metu Tariau

Chairman

Ke ola, my name is Metu Tariau. I am a Cook Islander and am married to a beautiful Samoan wife.
We are a regular members of the Glen Innes SDA Church and are very much involved with church outreach programs especially with youth.
We have had two children go through the SDA Education system over the past 19 years.
I am currently studying in my final year at Laidlaw College, completing a Bachelor in Counselling.
I have the ability to communicate at all levels with confidence, complimented with a can-do attitude and willingness towards any task.
My passion in life is growing His Kingdom firstly in my home, my wider family and various communities I am involved with.
Blessings.

Andrew Hoeflich

Vice Chairman

My name is Andrew Hoeflich
I am Samoan, born in Apia, and have grown up in South Auckland. My wife is a teacher at SASDA School. We have three of our children currently attending SASDA and our eldest daughter attending ASDAH College.
I work at Cavendish Carpets as an operation manager for the past 21 years.
I am a member of the Papatoetoe Seventh Day Adventist Church (PAPSDA) given duties as Elder and Leading our Deacons.
I run a Kickboxing and Basketball Community Programme Ministry called Solid Community with a team of God loving people.
I am honoured and humbled to be part of the Board of Trustees team and support our kids for a better Future.

Eleanor Vaafusuaga

Trustee

Talofa Lava,
My name is Eleanor Vaafusuaga-Erika and I am Samoan. I am an EA/Office Manager for the Pacific Health Development Team at Counties Manukau District Health Board.
I am born and raised in Australia and I have lived in Auckland, New Zealand for the past 5 years. I have two young children. My daughter started at SASDA this year as a new entrance Year 1 and my son to join next year when he is 5 years old.
It is an honour and a privilege to be part of the new school board. I am an ex-student of the Seventh Day Adventist schools as well as growing up in the Seventh Day Adventist church. I have witnessed how the SDA education can empower and make a difference in students’ lives. As a new parent to SASDA, I am very appreciative and proud of the hard work and level of commitment teachers and staffs has towards students learning with God at the centre.
I look forward to working as part of the new Board of Trustees and bringing my level of expertise to further enhance the great work that is already occurring within SASDA.

Sharon Kimi-Piiti

Trustee

Michael Ahsoon

Trustee

I am a Building Surveyor for Auckland Council, Builder for 6 years. Studied Carpentry level 4 at M.I.T. Diploma in building at Unitec. Currently an Architecture student. I have a strong Christian faith. My partner is the CEO for an early childhood center. Our daughter is a student of the school she is a new entrant. I strongly believe and thrive in making a difference by helping the school improve physically, mentally and spiritually.

SDA Proprietors Appointees

Jerry Faifua

Chairperson

I am a NZ-Born Samoan who is an ex-pupil of SASDA from 1994 – 2001. Today, my three daughters attend SASDA which is why it is a privilege for me to be on the Board of Trustees. I am honoured to support the school community alongside my fellow trustees. As a former student, I look forward to committing to the core values of SASDA which helped instil my Christian values which prepared me for life after school. I am currently working in the Real Estate industry and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that I hope can benefit our school in many ways.

Penina Nateba

Trustee

Kia Ora and Bula Vinaka.
My name is Penina and I’m Fijian.
I have three children that attend SASDA, Susana in year 8, Tevita in year 5 and
Elizabeth in year 3, whilst my eldest son Josua is in year 11 at ASDAH.
Currently, I’m working as an accounts administrator. Also, I administrate our church
account at Papatoetoe SDA Church, and run money courses with CAP (Christian
Against Poverty) that helps to train individuals on living on organised budgets. In
addition, I serve as a Sabbath school leader for 3-5 year olds in my home church.
Having attended Christian schools in both my primary and secondary school years, I’m
a strong believer of surrounding my children in a safe Christian environment and
closely walking this early age journey with them before they venture out into the
world.

This is my first time to be in the board and am thankful to be able to contribute at this
level towards the infrastructure and welfare of my children’s school. I am passionate
about Adventist education and I greatly admire how SASDA has integrated God and
education in their curriculum that I see evidences of in my children.
I believe that God has called me here at this time and pray that he will guide me to
maximise on my set of skills to help grow our school, children and community in the
direction that he intends.

PRINCIPAL, SECRETARY, STAFF REPRESENTATIVE

Maxine Tau

Principal

Paul Biggs

Board Secretary

Karin Saifoloi

Staff Representative