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Our Team

Our Team

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Mark William

Health Agent

Anna Marry

Car Agent

Frank Cobam

Business Agent

Mark William

Health Agent

Anna Marry

Car Agent

Frank Cobam

Business Agent

Professional Agents

Meet Our Team

A dedicated team of Pasifika Physiotherapists with the goal and vision to support Pasifika Physiotherapists in Aotearoa and the Pacific Region.

Katie Vaili

Katie Vaili

Chair
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Sagar Billimoria

Sagar Billimoria

Treasurer and officer
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Eti Televave

Eti Televave

Secretary & Officer
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Aseta Redican

Aseta Redican

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Toleafoa Jordan Salesa

Toleafoa Jordan Salesa

Officer and OG founder of PPA
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Eliana Sialei Viali

Eliana Sialei Viali

Officer
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Elijah ARELI

Elijah ARELI

Officer
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Charleen Silcock

Charleen Silcock

Officer
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Emily Fruean

Emily Fruean

Officer / Marketing and social media
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Jorjia Stewart-Tuiletufuga

Jorjia Stewart-Tuiletufuga

Officer
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Lilo Dr Oka Sanerivi

Lilo Dr Oka Sanerivi

Officer
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Emily Fruean

Social Media & Officer

Katie Vaili

Officer

Aseta Patron

Patron and officer

Professional Agents

Meet Our Team

A dedicated team of Pasifika Physiotherapists with the goal and vision to support Pasifika Physiotherapists in Aotearoa and the Pacific Region.

Aseta Redican

Aseta Redican

Read More

Toleafoa Jordan Salesa

Toleafoa Jordan Salesa

Officer and OG founder of PPA
Read More

Emily Fruean

Emily Fruean

Officer / Marketing and social media
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Eliana Sialei Viali

Eliana Sialei Viali

Officer
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Elijah ARELI

Elijah ARELI

Officer
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Charleen Silcock

Charleen Silcock

Officer
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Eti Televave

Eti Televave

Secretary & Officer
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Sagar Billimoria

Sagar Billimoria

Treasurer and officer
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Jorjia Stewart-Tuiletufuga

Jorjia Stewart-Tuiletufuga

Officer
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Lilo Dr Oka Sanerivi

Lilo Dr Oka Sanerivi

Officer
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Emily Fruean

Social Media & Officer

Katie Vaili

Officer

Aseta Patron

Patron and officer

Katie Vaili

Katie Vaili

Chair
Read More

Join Us on the Journey

Connect with our team today and take the next step towards better health and wellbeing.

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Katie Vaili

Chair

Katie Vaili

Katie Vaili

Chair
Interests

It is a privilege to serve as the Chair of the Pasifika Physio Association. My journey in healthcare is shaped by my identity as a person of faith and my diverse heritage. I am proud to represent my village associations of Sopu in Kolomotu’a, Tonga, alongside my roots in Whitstable, Kent, England.

In my professional practice as a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, I have developed a keen interest in headache and concussion rehabilitation. From my time initially working in hospitals in NZ and UK to touring with the Manu Samoa 7s to my current roles in Pukekohe and Bruce Pulman Park clinics, and Wesley College, I am committed to using my skills to serve our people with excellence and compassion.


My life is anchored by my family. Outside of my clinical work, you will often find me attending church with my family, fishing with my husband, or baking—activities that remind me that people and connections are the most important things in this world.

Island & Village Associations

Sopu, Kolomotu’a, Tonga Whitstable, Kent, England.
Sagar Billimoria

Sagar Billimoria

Treasurer and officer
Interests

Sagar is a New Zealand-registered Physiotherapist with a strong passion for musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation. He is committed to delivering evidence-based care that helps patients reduce pain, restore movement, and return to the activities that matter most to them — whether that’s work, sport, or everyday life.

With experience managing a wide range of acute and chronic injuries, Sagar has a particular interest in sports injuries, strength-based rehabilitation, and return-to-performance programming. He takes a hands-on approach to treatment, combining manual therapy with progressive strengthening and functional training to optimise long-term outcomes. Sagar values clear communication and works closely with patients, employers, GPs, and specialists to ensure collaborative and goal-oriented care.

He is especially passionate about helping individuals build resilience through movement, education, and tailored rehabilitation programs.

Outside of the clinic, Sagar enjoys staying active through sports, hiking, and strength training. He has a strong interest in travel and exploring new cultures, and enjoys music and spending time outdoors whenever possible.

Island & Village Associations

Suva/Lautoka, Fiji
Eti Televave

Eti Televave

Secretary & Officer
Interests

Born and raised in Otara, South Auckland. Otara will always be home for me, and is a huge reason why my whole Physiotherapy career has been based at Middlemore Hospital which is now in its 18th year.

My main role at Health NZ Te Whatu Ora is the Student and Entry to Practice Development Lead, I work in this role for 4 days of the week. This role leads/supports student clinical placements for nursing, paramedicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and dietetics. The role also supports contracts administration for social work, speech and language therapy, medical imaging technology, anaesthetic tech, pharmacy, podiatry amongst others. The other part of the role leads/supports new graduate programmes/support for nurses and allied health professions, as well as an earn as you learn programme provided for health care assistants. Workforce development, in particular growing a workforce that is reflective of the Counties Manukau community is what drives me to turn up to work every day, encouraging and supporting our Maaori and Pacific students especially. This role sits within the People and professional development team which is responsible for the education that is provided to Counties Manukau staff, so in addition to my primary role I also facilitate staff education for Safe patient moving and handling, Preceptorship, Level 2 Basic life support, Professional supervision and the Raahiri Welcome day.
Once a week I continue to work as a Senior clinician physiotherapist for the acute orthopaedics team where I am mostly based in the emergency department (E.D), the busiest E.D in the country where we serve our community when they are at their most vulnerable. During the week I am also included on the on-call roster, and also work weekends covering mostly ICU, HDU, acute paediatrics and general surgery. My interest in Physiotherapy has always been in the acute services.

I co-chaired the Pacific Allied Health Association of NZ (PAHANZ) for 7 years and still remain an active committee member where I now focus most of my attention on planning and facilitating Pacific peer talanoa (group supervision) for pacific allied health professionals locally and regionally, and starting in 2025 growing the peer talanoa nationally where I facilitated a pilot for the Capital and Coast district (Wellington).

Island & Village Associations

Nofoali’i, Vailu’utai (Samoa)
Aseta Patron

Aseta Patron


Aseta Redican, MNZM, LMPNZ

Aseta Redican is Patron of the Pasifika Physiotherapy Association of New Zealand, where she actively champions its development, vision and mission.

She grew up in Moto'otua, Apia, the daughter of the late Moananu Dr Ioane Okesene Tilialo and the late Matelina Okesene, a nurse. She is of Samoan and Niuean heritage, with family roots in Sale’imoa, Faleasi’u and Fogapoa in Samoa, and Tuapa in Niue.

Aseta was the first Pacific person to become a New Zealand-qualified physiotherapist. She has over 26 years’ experience in physiotherapy practice across hospital and private settings. In 1965, she established the first Physiotherapy Department at Apia General Hospital, laying foundations for the profession in Samoa.

Her career and community service have focused on improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Pacific communities. In 1991, she established the Pacific Island Heartbeat Programme with the Heart Foundation and served on the Committee for the Implementation of the Cartwright Inquiry.

As the first Pacific General Manager at Auckland District Health Board (2001–2009), Aseta led initiatives that strengthened partnerships between Pacific communities and the health sector, including establishing two Pacific Primary Health Organisations and advancing community and workforce development.
She has served on the Boards of the Heart Foundation, the Fred Hollows Foundation and Spectrum Care Trust, and is a founding member of P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. Inc. and the National Council of Samoan Women in New Zealand.
Toleafoa Jordan Salesa

Toleafoa Jordan Salesa

Officer and OG founder of PPA
Interests
My initial working life was as a tradesman glazier prior to going to physiotherapy school at AUT in Auckland. During this time Dora, my wife I raised our now four adult children.

As a physiotherapist I have owned a large private practice group (Physio Rehab Group). I have been to a couple of rugby world cups (with Manu Samoa), and every Olympic and Commonwealth Games since Sydney 2000 (Samoa & NZ).

I also had the privilege of supporting Moana Pasifika in the first three years in Super Rugby.

My current role is Head of Performance Physiotherapy HPSNZ (High Performance Sport NZ).

As a Samoan-Pālagi who grew up in Glen Innes, Auckland with two brothers, two sisters and a large aiga, I had an “insider” or “lived” Pacific experiences around how our people navigated the “foreign” Pālagi-NZ environment. This has driven my curiosity and drive around supporting my fellow Pacific physiotherapists in our collective journey.

Island & Village Associations

Samoa - Satapuala, Neifu and Falealupo, NZ - Awanui / Waipapakauri and Glen Innes.
Eliana Sialei Viali

Eliana Sialei Viali

Officer
Interests
I grew up in Moto’otua and Ululoloa before obtaining an NZAID Undergraduate Scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. I graduated in 2019 from the University of Otago with my Bachelor of Physiotherapy and returned to Samoa where I worked at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital as a rotational physiotherapist for 1.5 years. I then moved to private practice where I was a general physiotherapist for 2.5 years before moving to Dunedin to pursue a Master of Physiotherapy at Otago. In December 2025 I graduated with my Master of Physiotherapy, and my thesis was titled “exploring the meaning and value of physical activity for Samoan stroke survivors in New Zealand”.

I am currently a PhD candidate at the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Otago funded by a HRC Pacific PhD scholarship. My thesis is currently titled “exploring intergenerational and reciprocal caregiving relationships within Samoan families in Aotearoa affected by stroke, long term conditions, and disability”.
Outside of the office, I love to read, play music, go to the beach, and spend time with my loved ones.

Island & Village Associations

Samoa (Vaimoso, Moto'otua, Ululoloa) & Niue
Elijah ARELI

Elijah ARELI

Officer
Interests
I graduated with a degree in Physiotherapy in 2013 and began my career at a private hospital specialising in rheumatological conditions. As a new graduate, I primarily worked in musculoskeletal and neurorehabilitation. Over time, I transitioned into persistent pain management, where I spent several years working across multidisciplinary pain teams and delivering services through ACC, as well as public and private healthcare contracts. Eventually, I progressed into a leadership role that involved training new pain team members and overseeing service contracts.

Seeking a new challenge, I moved into primary healthcare to help trial a more collaborative model of care alongside GPs. This role provided valuable opportunities to learn from doctors and nurses while also advocating for and promoting physiotherapy services. During this time, I became increasingly involved in occupational health, building on earlier experience gained through vocational rehabilitation contracts.

In this setting, I worked with many Pacific peoples who often lacked the time and financial resources to access physiotherapy outside of their workplaces. These experiences highlighted systemic inequities within our healthcare structures, as well as the ways in which stereotypes (often framed as resilience and strength) can obscure unmet health needs.

In 2022, I left clinical practice for a job at the University of Otago and became the first Pacific physiotherapy lecturer in Aotearoa New Zealand. I now hold a dual role in teaching and research. My research interests focus on Pacific health, persistent pain, and occupational health, particularly at the intersections of these areas.

Island & Village Associations

Samoa – Papa Sataua, Savai’i, Alamagoto, Apia
Charleen Silcock

Charleen Silcock

Officer
Interests
I have worked in musculoskeletal private practice around Aotearoa and within the NHS in the UK prior to returning to New Zealand to pursue further post graduate study in acupuncture and a Masters in Physiotherapy endorsed in Sports Physiotherapy. I have worked with various sporting codes in New Zealand and the Cook Islands and attended previous Commonwealth Games and Pacific Games.
I am currently the Associate Dean Pacific at the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Otago with additional roles as a clinical educator and research fellow.
I am passionate about supporting Pacific in Physiotherapy: students, clinicians, academics and communities, and enjoy spending time with my family, playing sports and reading.


Island & Village Associations

Cook Islands (Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia, Mauke), Niue, Tahiti, Aotearoa - Tainui.
Emily Fruean

Emily Fruean

Marketing and social media
Interests
Talofa lava,
I am currently working as a general physiotherapist in a private clinic setting in Samoa since August 2025. Due to the scarcity of physiotherapists I am currently looking after not only musculoskeletal cases but also neurorehabilitation and paediatric rehabilitation cases. Prior to this, I gained experience working at Dunedin Hospital on various rotations in the outpatient clinic, acute stroke unit, medical ward and older persons rehabilitation ward. I am grateful to have maintained and built a network with physiotherapists in NZ through PPA who I continue to learn from. I aspire to keep working in these areas and give my best to serve the people of Samoa and also the wider Pacific Physio community through my current role. Outside of physiotherapy - cooking, cake decorating, painting and hiking/travelling.

Island/Village associations

Samoa - Upolu Island. Villages - Si'usega, Faleasi'u

Jorjia Stewart-Tuiletufuga

Jorjia Stewart-Tuiletufuga

Officer
Interests
I graduated as a physiotherapist in NZ in 2013, working briefly in private practice, and then getting a new graduate rotational job at Counties Manukau. I rotated for a few years working in orthopaedics, medical/neuro, surgical/ICU, cardiorespiratory outpatients and inpatient/outpatient paediatrics at Middlemore hospital, then settling into an experienced physiotherapy role in cardiorespiratory outpatients (covering bronchiectasis clinics, disordered breathing clinics, first NZ post COVID clinic, and pulmonary rehabilitation classes). During this time, I studied part time to get a post graduate diploma in Public health, moving on to get a masters in Public health.


I have big interests in Pacific health education research/Qualitative research and supporting Pacific and Maaori allied health students to thrive (particularly in the hospital setting) which fostered a passion project creating a cultural mentoring group for final year physio students called “Tangata o le Moana” which runs at Counties Manukau and helps transition Pasifika and Maaori students into NG positions.

I currently sit on the AUT physiotherapy advisory committee as the Pacific physiotherapy association representative, and alternate this with my role as the clinical centre leader at Counties Manukau. In addition, I casually lecture on topics such as Pacific models of health and clinical application at AUT.

My biggest and most important job as a mum of 3 beautiful daughters and wife to my supportive husband is my reason for always wanting to contribute and give back. I enjoy spending time with my family, watching movies, and spending time outside in the sun whenever I can. I am also on a journey to learn more about my culture and language as an afakasi Samoan.

Island & Village Associations

Leulumoenga (Upolu Samoa), Savaia(lefaga), Leauva’a, NZ European/Scandinavian
Lilo Dr Oka Sanerivi

Lilo Dr Oka Sanerivi

Officer
Interests
Oka is a Samoan, Tongan Physiotherapy clinician, manager, educator, emerging researcher and governor. Oka was awarded a Pacific Clinical Research Training Fellowship from the Health Research Council of New Zealand to conduct his doctoral research titled ‘Le Taualuga o Tausiga: In Search of Samoan Cultural Safety in Physiotherapy’. Upon graduating in 2025, Oka became the first Pacific person to hold a PhD in Physiotherapy. He has since been awarded Postdoctoral Fellowships with the Health Research Council and the Royal Society of New Zealand and selected for the New Zealand Institute of Directors’ Tautua Pacifika Mentoring Programme. Oka is a Senior Research Fellow at the Va’a o Tautai: Centre for Pacific Health at the University of Otago and Mātai Medical Research Institute in Tairāwhiti. He is also involved in governance as the Chair of the Pacific Islanders Community Trust Tairāwhiti, the Deputy-Chair of the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand and was elected to the Executive Committee for Physiotherapy New Zealand. He bears the chiefly title of ‘Lilo’ from his village of Matautu-Uta, Lefaga, in Samoa and lives in Turanga-nui-a-Kiwa/Gisborne.

Island & Village Associations

Samoa: Matautu-uta, Lefaga & Fusi, Safotulafai
Tonga: Ha'ateiho
Fiji: (Grew up in) Lami, Suva