Nacanieli Yalimaiwai
Nacanieli was appointed as The Fono’s Board Chair in 2022. Born and raised in Fiji, he has a strong connection, knowledge and experience of the social, cultural, political and economic contexts of our Pacific communities.
Experience and specialist areas
Previously, Nacanieli was the Chair of The Fono’s Finance, Audit and Risk Committee from 2018. A Chartered Accountant and Lawyer by profession, he holds LLB, and BMS (Accounting) degrees from the University of Waikato, an MBA from the University of Auckland and is currently a member of the Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand.
Nacanieli has 20 years of experience at senior levels in large iconic New Zealand private and public-sector organisations, including Fletcher Building, Mainland, Fonterra, Masport, Auckland Regional Council, and Auckland Council. He also has extensive experience in financial management, organisational strategy, policy and framework development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation.
Nacanieli is a Fijian community leader and past President of the Fiji Community Association of Auckland. Currently, he is one of the leaders of the Fijian Advisory Council of Aotearoa’s working group
He is also passionate in uplifting and advancement of marginalised communities. He is also interested in diversity and inclusion.
Nacanieli also enjoys:
- following rugby, especially rugby sevens. His two favourite teams are the champion Fiji rugby sevens team and the mighty All Blacks.
- building his knowledge in socio-economic issues and parliamentary politics.