Dr Audrey Aumua is the new Chief Executive Officer of The Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand, the first Pacific woman to head the Foundation.

She holds a PhD in Public Policy from Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia, as well as a Master’s in Public Policy from Massey University, New Zealand. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in International Health, with Distinction, from Curtin University, a Graduate Diploma in Business from Auckland University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Auckland.

Dr Aumua joins The Foundation from The Pacific Community’s Suva office, where she has been Deputy Director-General. She takes over from Andrew Bell who helped lead the Pacific eye care charity with distinction for 10 years.

Dr Audrey Aumua has led The Pacific Community (SPC)Suva office as Deputy Director-General since March 2016. 

As Deputy Director-General, Dr Aumua has been responsible for the executive leadership and management of all SPC Suva operations, including over 600 staff and technical divisions whose primary focus is on Small Islands and Developing States sustainable development challenges.

Prior to her appointment, she served as the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Solomon Islands, United Nations Office and was responsible for shaping the public health development dimensions of United Nation’s partnerships with the government of Solomon Islands.

Prior to Dr Aumua’s appointment to the WHO, she held positions with the University of Queensland, and Curtin University, Western Australia. She served as Chief Advisor for the Pacific, within the Ministry of Health of the Government of New Zealand from 1999 – 2004 and was responsible for public policy advice on improving the social economic outcomes for Pacific people in New Zealand.