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Graduates and facilitators from the Wāhine Toa Oceania Pilot Programme
A group of 19 former elite athletes from nine Pacific countries have been selected for the second Wāhine Toa Oceania leadership programme.
The cohort brings together women from a range of sporting backgrounds with many Pacific countries represented including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
Wāhine Toa Oceania is delivered by the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC), with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) as principal partner through its Pacific Sport for Development Fund, and with support from Olympic Solidarity.
NZOC CEO Nicki Nicol acknowledged the support Wāhine Toa Oceania has received.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their commitment to supporting Wāhine Toa Oceania through the Pacific Sport for Development Fund. The pilot programme has already shown us the impact this programme has in Pacific communities and we’re looking forward to welcoming this next cohort soon,” said Nicol.
The 12-month programme helps retired female athletes use the skills and experience they developed through their sporting careers to help them move into leadership roles within sport.
Participants will complete residential workshops in Fiji, Greece and Papua New Guinea alongside mentoring and project work focused on creating opportunities for women and girls in sport.
Wāhine Toa Oceania Programme Manager Cathleen Bias is eager to get started with the new cohort.
“Confirming the group is always an exciting step for the programme,” said Bias.
“I look forward to meeting all nineteen wāhine next month, hearing their stories and supporting their growth as we begin this journey together - I can’t wait!”
The cohort will come together for the first time in Nadi, Fiji from 23 to 26 November 2026.
Wāhine Toa Oceania cohort two:
Programme facilitators Robyn Cockburn and Sarah Cowley Ross will lead the group, with support facilitator and 2025 graduate Julieanne Westrupp.
Cook Islands
Davina Hosking-Ashford - Tennis
Fiji
Raijieli Daveua - Rugby
Rusila Nagasau - Rugby
Vaciseva Tavaga - Athletics
Matelita Buadromo – Swimming & Oceania National Olympic Committee
Tessa-Maree Harman – Hockey & Oceania National Olympic Committee
Kiribati
Waymar Bwereeti - Athletics
Palau
Jahmila Kuartei - Basketball
Papua New Guinea
Rayleen Bauelua - Football
Gantianna Joseph - Karate
Melissa Miriam Maino - Va’a and rugby
Samoa
Sopolemalama Tuitama-Alsop - Athletics and netball
Solomon Islands
Sharon Firisua - Athletics
Tonga
Jacinta Sitapa - Taekwondo
Pilimilose Taai - Rugby league
Vasi Taufaloa - Athletics
Vanuatu
Aileen Huri - Netball
Debbie Melsul - Netball
Miller Pata - Volleyball
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About Wāhine Toa Oceania
Wāhine Toa Oceania was launched in 2025, drawing on the Wāhine Toa NZ leadership model established by the NZOC in 2017. The Oceania programme was developed for retired female athletes and adapted for Pacific cultures and needs, with a focus on leadership development, governance, mentoring, safeguarding and creating opportunities for women and girls in sport.
The first Wāhine Toa Oceania cohort undertook residential workshops in Fiji and online learning, with participants also developing special projects to create change within their sports and communities. Those projects led to outcomes including safeguarding policy adoption, improvements to club governance, coaching pathways and athlete voice initiatives.
The second cohort builds on the pilot, extending the programme’s reach across Oceania and connecting participants with a wider Wāhine Toa alumni community. The programme is endorsed by the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC), Oceania Impact Network (OIN) and ONOC Equality Commission (ECO), supporting shared goals under the organisations’ strategic pillars and the IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) pathway. The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) is also supporting the programme through its Knowledge Exchange Olympic Solidarity programme. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is the principal partner of Wāhine Toa Oceania through its Pacific Sport for Development Fund, with additional support from Olympic Solidarity.