Meet the people leading MFAI
We report to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration. Our senior leadership team includes the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, three Foreign Service Directors, the National Security Advisor, the Principal Immigration Officer, and the Director of Capability and Service Delivery.
Our Ministers
Our MFAI leadership team support the following Ministers: https://www.pmoffice.gov.ck/our-work/cabinet-services/
Elizabeth Wright- Koteka - Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
Elizabeth Wright-Koteka is the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, appointed in March 2026. She is a senior Cook Islands diplomat with more than three decades of public service, recognised for her leadership across foreign policy, international partnerships and national development.
Her career reflects a breadth of senior roles across Government. She has served as Secretary for Infrastructure, where she led reforms to improve delivery and performance, and as High Commissioner to New Zealand, advancing one of the Cook Islands’ most important bilateral relationships, including during the COVID-19 period. Earlier, as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister, she oversaw national policy coordination across key priority areas, including climate change, ICT and emergency management.
Elizabeth holds a degree from Victoria University of Wellington and joined the Cook Islands Public Service in 1992.
Of Pukapukan heritage, she is fluent in English, Rarotongan Māori and Pukapukan. She is a committed advocate for the preservation and use of Cook Islands Māori languages, recognising their central role in national identity and intergenerational connection.
As Secretary, she leads the Ministry’s work to strengthen the Cook Islands’ international presence, deepen regional and global partnerships, and ensure the country’s voice is effectively represented on the world stage.
Jim Armistead - Director of International and Trade Division
Jim Armistead is Director of the International and Trade Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration. He brings over a decade of experience in regional diplomacy, with a strong track record in advancing Pacific cooperation and the Cook Islands’ international partnerships.
Prior to his current role, Jim served as the Cook Islands’ first resident High Commissioner to Fiji from 2020 to 2025. During his tenure, he strengthened bilateral relations with Fiji and advanced key regional priorities, including the signing of the Cook Islands–Fiji Cooperation Agreement in 2023. He also led the establishment of the Cook Islands High Commission in Suva, marking a significant step in expanding the country’s diplomatic presence in the region.
Jim previously served as Director of the Pacific Regional Division at the Ministry, where he led the Cook Islands’ engagement in Pacific Islands Forum processes and broader regional policy coordination.
He played a central role during the Cook Islands’ Chairmanship of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2023, supporting senior officials’ processes and contributing to the advancement of key regional frameworks, including the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its implementation.
In his current role, Jim leads the Cook Islands’ engagement with key international partners and oversees the country’s trade portfolio, including implementation of PACER Plus and engagement in regional and global trade frameworks.
Teuru Passfield - Director of the Pacific Regional Division
Teuru Passfield has been a valued member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) for the past three years, starting her journey as a Foreign Service Officer. Over the last 12 months, she has served as a Senior Foreign Service Officer in the Treaties, Multilaterals, and Oceans Division (TMOD), where she has developed a deep understanding of the Foreign Service and its various facets.
With a Bachelor of Science in Marine and Coastal Ecology from the University of Auckland and a Master of Philosophy in Conservation Leadership from the University of Cambridge, Teuru brings a wealth of knowledge in marine ecology and conservation to her role. Her expertise in oceans is particularly valuable in supporting the division’s work with the Pacific Regional Division, bridging important connections between environmental conservation and regional policy.
Beyond her academic qualifications, Teuru is recognized for her extensive networks, strong relationship management skills, and proven experience in representation and negotiation. These attributes make her a key player in advancing the MFAI's objectives on the regional stage.
Outside of her professional life, Teuru is a proud mother to her beautiful daughter.
Sandrina Thondoo - Director of the Treaties, Multilateral and Oceans Division
Sandrina Thondoo was appointed to the role of Director of the Treaties, Multilateral, and Oceans Division (TMOD) in February 2023.
Sandrina was previously with the Ministry of Internal Affairs (INTAFF) as the Director of Labor and Consumer Commissioner, where she collaborated closely with TMOD and Immigration teams on various matters relating to the Decent Work agenda and the well-being and protection of migrant workers.
Sandrina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, an Interdisciplinary Masters Degree in Arts in Children’s Rights from the Institute of Kurt Bosch, Switzerland, and a Master's Degree in Law in Human Rights from the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Mackenzi Wichman - National Security Advisor
Mackenzi Wichman is the National Security Advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, appointed in March 2025. In this role, she provides strategic advice on national and international security issues, supporting the Cook Islands’ engagement on emerging risks, regional cooperation, and global security frameworks.
Mackenzi joined the Ministry in January 2020 and has held a number of roles across foreign policy and international engagement. She previously served as Director of the International and Trade Division, where she led the Ministry’s work on international partnerships, trade policy, and multilateral engagement.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in International Business and Marketing, and a Bachelor of Security Studies from Macquarie University in Sydney.
Chere Arthur - Principal Immigration Officer
Chere Arthur is a Cook Islander by descent from the islands of Rarotonga (Takitumu) and Mangaia.
Chere took up the role of Office and Compliance Manager with the Immigration division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration in April 2017. Since then, her role has varied from Immigration Operations and Compliance Manager in 2018, and she is now the Acting Principal Immigration Officer since April 2023.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Commercial Law and a Graduate Diploma in Commerce in Management from the University of Auckland.
Maika Vulaono - Director of Capability and Service Delivery
Maika was appointed to the role of Director of Capability and Service Delivery (CSD) in July 2024.
Maika joined MFAI in August 2023 as the Finance Manager within the CSD Division. He began his professional career as an auditor with PwC-Fiji and consistently got promoted up the ranks to Assurance Manager. Following this and before joining MFAI, Maika worked in various capacities within Corporate Services for Regional Organizations in the Pacific. Most notably as Finance Team Leader for the Geoscience Division of The Pacific Community (SPC) and as Finance Manager and Acting Director Corporate Services for the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).
Maika holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree majoring in Accounting and Economics from the University of the South Pacific.