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, 3 Foreign Service Directors, 1 Principal Immigration Officer, and 1 Capability and Service Delivery Director.
Our Ministers
Our MFAI leadership team support the following Ministers: https://www.pmoffice.gov.ck/our-work/cabinet-services/
Tepaeru Herrmann - Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
Tepaeru was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration in October 2015. Prior to this, she was Cook Islands Deputy High Commissioner to New Zealand resident in Wellington from October 2011 to September 2015, and before that was the Director of the International and Trade Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration from 2003 to 2011.
From 2000 to 2003, Tepaeru worked outside the Ministry, holding the position of Acting Chief Executive, Trade and Investment Promotions Manager, and Administration and Finance Manager at the Cook Islands Development Investment Board.
Tepaeru holds a Post Graduate Diploma in International Affairs from the University of the South Pacific and a double Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Commerce from the Australian National University in Canberra. She grew up in Matavera and is married with two children.
Mackenzi Wichman - Director of the International and Trade Division
Mackenzi Wichman took up the role of Director of the International and Trade Division (ITAD) in March 2023.
Prior to taking up this position, Mackenzi has been Acting Director and spent two years as a Foreign Service Officer in the Cook Islands. Mackenzi first joined the Ministry in January 2020.
Mackenzi holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce, majoring in International Business and Marketing, and a Bachelor of Security Studies from Macquarie University in Sydney.
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.
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.