She established new leadership roles in the health sector including manager Pacific Health Services, Northern regional Health Authority, Chief Advisor, Pacific Health Ministry of Health, General Manager Pacific Health Counties Manukau, and more recently in a consultancy role as Acting Chief Executive Officer South Seas Healthcare, Chief Executive Officer Pasifika Medical Association and Project Director on assignments with NZAID, AUSAid, World Bank and Secretariat of the Pacific Community. Debbie is a Director in Health Specialists Ltd who holds a Management Services contract with NZAID for the Medical Treatment Scheme and is an advisor to the Paediatric Oncology Regional Pacific Project.

Debbie’s selfless desire to seek and support better health services for Pacific people has been grounded by her Tongan ancestry and her strong values to serve Pacific communities. Her ability to relate to the health and business sector through her professional training and experience in both areas was responsible for the rapid development of some of the successful entrepreneurial Pacific health provider businesses in New Zealand. This has included the restructuring and establishment of organisations such as South Seas Healthcare and Pasifika Medical Association to ensure sustainability. She is passionate about developing and mentoring Pacific Health Professionals and has volunteered many hours in these roles. Her skills have also extended to the Pacific region where through her role as a Director for Health Specialists Ltd, she provides advice to the Ministries of Health in Tonga, Cook Islands, and Nauru.

Debbie is well known for being a champion and pioneer for Pacific health issues, not only through the establishment of new leadership roles in the Ministry of Health, and wider health sector but also through her consultancy work in the international arena and Pacific region. Her ability to successfully and strategically establish business models and practice in the Pacific health sector has increased the capacity of Pacific health systems to deliver health outcomes more efficiently and effectively. During this process she has, and continues to develop Pacific health business capacity through her strong leadership and mentoring of young Pacific health leaders. Her current role is now focused on providing support throughout the Pacific region.

Dr Michael Burling
MBCHB (Auckland)

Born and raised in Tonga, Michael Burling arrived at the medical course orientation day, pretty much straight off his surf board, having competed in surf competitions back home. Prior to this, he graduated from the local primary school to Tonga High School where he spent his entire secondary school days, learning in his own tongue and surrounded and strengthened by his culture. Michael admits that he chose medicine for the challenge it presented and has thoroughly enjoyed his training experience and become passionate about his work in particular Pacific health.

Throughout his career, Michael has contributed significantly to workforce development through his role as a mentor for young Pacific and Maori medical students, and health career recruitment drives for Pacific and Maori secondary school students. He has also been on the interview panel for students applying for entry through the Maori and Pacific Admission Scheme.

Despite his full schedule, Michael maintains his surfing prowess by entering competitions at every available opportunity or returning to Tonga to his family’s sea-side holiday resort, a favourite spot also for his medical colleagues. His major sporting achievements include gold and silver medals for Tonga in the 2003 South Pacific Games, and awards for 2003 and 2006 Sportsman of the Year for Tonga. He has also won multiple Oceania competitions as a junior and open competitor and competes internationally.