people engaged with the programme
Pacific Fisheries Leadership Programme
Leadership for sustainable Pacific fisheries
Strengthening confidence, capabilities and connections to lead sustainable Pacific fisheries
Why PFLP
Pacific leaders are navigating an increasingly complex fisheries landscape
This complexity requires more than technical expertise. Long-term success depends on capable leaders who can navigate complexity, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful change.
PFLP develops current and emerging leaders with practical skills, confidence, and networks to advance sustainable Pacific fisheries. The programme brings together Pacific experience, fisheries expertise, and leadership development practice.
Our history - 2018-2025
A regional programme with reach
Pacific Island countries and territories represented
female participants
Made possible through New Zealand's ongoing commitment to sustainable Pacific fisheries
The Pacific Fisheries Leadership Programme (PFLP) is part of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Sustainable Pacific Fisheries Programme (SPF), a long-standing investment that supports Pacific countries and regional organisations to strengthen the sustainable management of Pacific fisheries. The SPF aims to increase prosperity, self-reliance, and inclusivity across the region by ensuring fisheries continue to provide economic, social, cultural, and food security benefits for Pacific peoples. Delivery is supported through four partners: the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries through Te Pātuitanga Ahumoana a Kiwa, The Pacific Community (SPC), Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), and the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).
New Zealand's continued investment in leadership development through PFLP reflects a recognition that sustainable fisheries depend not only on strong institutions, policies, and technical expertise, but also on capable leaders who can navigate complexity, work across organisational and national boundaries, and build the relationships needed to address shared fisheries challenges. Since its establishment, PFLP has played an important role in strengthening leadership capability and regional networks across the Pacific fisheries sector, contributing to the long-term sustainability and resilience of Pacific fisheries.
Our pillars
Three pillars. One connected journey
PFLP helps participants translate learning into action in their own contexts while strengthening collective leadership across Pacific fisheries.
Leading Self
Build self-awareness, confidence, and personal leadership practice. Reflect, adapt, communicate with clarity, and take ownership of your impact.
Leading with Others
Work effectively with diverse stakeholders. Build trust, navigate relationships, and influence across teams and organisations.
Leading Futures
Develop systems thinking and strategic capability. Anticipate change and contribute to sustainable, long-term fisheries outcomes.
See the bigger picture
A Pacific story of leadership and possibility
Take a few minutes to see the people, places, and shared purpose behind the programme.
What we offer
Explore our leadership development opportunities
Intensive Units For selected cohorts
The Intensive Units provide a comprehensive leadership development experience, combining cohort-based learning with personalised support. Participants begin with an online introduction, followed by a five-day in-person intensive that brings together leaders from across the Pacific to learn, connect, and tackle shared challenges. The experience is complemented by individual coaching sessions, allowing participants to focus on their specific leadership goals and development needs. Participants who complete all programme components receive a certificate and gain access to ongoing learning, networking, and development opportunities through the Pacific Leadership Network.
Intensive Unit options: Emerging Leaders, People Leaders, and Leaders of Leaders.
Online Webinar Series Open to all
To complement learning from the intensive units and build broader awareness of leadership development in Pacific fisheries, this monthly online webinar series brings together alumni and guest speakers to share practical insights, experiences, and approaches for strengthening leadership capability. Each webinar runs for 30-60 minutes and offers real-world perspectives that participants can apply in their own contexts. The series is open to all who work in Pacific fisheries and related sectors.
Special Interest Series Targeted cohorts
Special Interest offerings are targeted leadership development opportunities designed for cohorts united by a shared purpose aligned to regional Pacific fisheries priorities. These engagements require an identified group with a clear connection to strategic themes, as well as a dedicated sponsor to support and champion the initiative. Special Interest offerings should also demonstrate a potential to scale learning, and contribute to influencing systemic change. Where possible, co-investment through shared resources or funding is encouraged to strengthen ownership, commitment, and sustainability.
Pacific Leadership Network For alumni
Upon successful completion of an intensive unit, participants can access alumni activities through the Pacific Leadership Network to further their professional development. Activities include networking events and access to masterclasses on discrete topics that are relevant to Pacific fisheries leaders. The network is open to alumni from the intensive units only.
Our team
Connected by a shared commitment to Pacific fisheries leadership
Meet the people supporting the design, coordination, and delivery of PFLP.
Programme Management Team
SPC
Narissa Lewis
Programme Manager
Originally from Aotearoa | New Zealand, Narissa brings expertise in leading enterprise-level people experience and capability portfolios, alongside expertise in individual learning and leadership development across the tertiary and public sectors. As Programme Manager for PFLP, she leads the design and implementation of leadership development initiatives that strengthen capability across Pacific fisheries. Her work is informed by her research interests in professional identity, culture, and the experiences of Indigenous staff within organisational settings.
SPC
Marie Contassot
Administrative Assistant
As the Administrative Assistant of the programme, Marie manages its logistics, from travel coordination to event organisation, ensuring participants have a seamless and positive experience throughout PFLP deliveries. She also supports procurement and financial processes, contributing to the programme's efficient and smooth delivery. Based in New Caledonia since 2012, Marie is passionate about the ocean and has developed a deep appreciation for Pacific cultures, honouring their values, traditions, and strong connection to the ocean and environment.
SPC
India Lynn
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer (SPF)
India provides monitoring, evaluation and learning support to PFLP, helping to ensure that programme design and delivery is continuously improving. She works with the Programme Manager and implementation partners to leverage successes and overcome challenges. Originally from Western Australia, India has been working in the Pacific for the past seven years.
Core Facilitator Team
Our Core Facilitators bring extensive experience in leadership development, capacity building, and multidisciplinary development across the Pacific. Our core facilitator team is complemented by a wider network of facilitators who contribute specialised expertise across the programme.
Adapsys
Megan Streeter
Associate Consultant
Originally from Fiji, Megan is a learning specialist with extensive experience in multidisciplinary development in the Pacific, working with a diversity of stakeholders. She is currently pursuing coaching credentials from the ICF, as well as holding qualifications as an automotive mechanic, environmental engineer, maritime auditor and trainer/coach. She has worked in sectors including government, private and regional agencies, spanning automotive, education, engineering, and fisheries. She facilitates the development of adaptive leadership skills in the Pacific and beyond. She also studies ontological leadership and coaching.
Square Circle
Dr Kamil Shah
Founding Director | Capacity Development
Kamil works collaboratively with academia, government, and the private sector to design and deliver leadership, education, development, and social inclusion programmes across Asia and the Pacific. He holds a PhD in International Relations and a Master of Peace and Conflict Resolution from The University of Queensland (UQ). In all his work, Kamil deploys innovative methods to foster the development of successful teams, to build effective and resilient communities of practice, and to instil a culture of critical engagement, dialogue, and mentoring that is mutually rewarding.
Pacific Leadership Network Coordinators
Pacific Leadership Network Coordinators play a key role in strengthening alumni connections and ensuring the network remains responsive to the priorities and needs of our alumni community. They gather insights from alumni, identify opportunities through existing networks, and help shape network activities.
Ministry of Marine Resources, Cook Islands
Phoebe Argyle
Network Coordinator
Phoebe is a marine ecologist with over 10 years of experience in marine science, research, and policy. She holds a PhD from the University of Canterbury, where she researched harmful microalgae associated with ciguatera in Tonga. Following postdoctoral research in diatom ecology, she moved to the Cook Islands to work with the Ministry of Marine Resources, supporting the evidence-based management and conservation of marine habitats and species.
In her current role, Phoebe contributes to national monitoring programmes, provides scientific advice, and supports collaborative initiatives across the fisheries sector. Since moving from academia to government, she has valued the opportunity to apply science in practical ways and work alongside communities, policymakers, and regional partners.
Phoebe was part of the inaugural PFLP cohort and values the opportunity to support ongoing connections, collaboration, and shared learning across the region.
Fiji Police Force, Fiji
Saimoni Bebenisala
Network Coordinator
Saimoni is an Operations and Research Policy Officer who brings 20 years of leadership experience across emergency management, organisational resilience, policy development, and capacity building in the Pacific. He has held a range of leadership, operational, training, and strategic planning roles within the Fiji Police Force, supporting institutional strengthening and multi-agency collaboration in complex environments.
Saimoni holds qualifications in education, leadership, disaster risk reduction, emergency management, and training and assessment and has worked extensively across the region to strengthen leadership capability and organisational resilience. His regional engagement includes leadership, academic, and advisory roles that have helped strengthen partnerships between governments, regional organisations, civil society, and development partners to advance resilience, leadership, and sustainable development outcomes.
As a PFLP alumnus, his broader sectoral experience added depth to the programme, building greater understanding between fisheries and related sectors. He is committed to supporting the development of Pacific leaders and fostering collaboration across countries, sectors, and disciplines through his role as Network Coordinator.
Participant voices
Leadership that changes how people see themselves
“I think as a leader, I see myself as a leader ... It has helped me to build my status in my community and my community see me as a leader now.”
“I am not the same person I was before I took the course. It really is transformational.”
Lead organisation
Implementation partners
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