About Us
For Pacific. By Pacific.
With Pacific.
Our mission is to create a future where Pacific People have digital equity, are confident pursuing pathways in digital technologies and see themselves as future creators.
What we do:
We co-design and deliver immersive tech programmes and experiences; we share the stories of Pacific people in tech to create visibility and amplify the voices of our community; and we create platforms and spaces for Pacific people to connect, learn and grow.
What we stand for:
Tautua (Service). Le Va (Space). Fa'aaloalo (Respect). Aiga (Family). Lumanai (Futures). Justice.
Julia Arnott-Neenee
Co-founder and Director
CEO
Julia carved out an international career working in tech across AU, the UK and the USA. Julia grew up In Grey Lynn and Christchurch before heading overseas. She returned home from California in Feb 2020 and has been serving Pasifika communities ever since - serving on the Digital Council for Aotearoa, Hi-Tech Trust, Middlemore Foundation, World Economic Forum Global Futures Council, Next Foundation Fellow, Pinnacle Inc. and has dedicated countless hours towards driving representation of Pasifika wāhine in tech through sharing her journey, mentoring and advocacy - alongside her day job. Since going full-time on Fibre Fale in August 2022 and becoming CEO - Julia is deeply fulfilled to have her values in alignment with justice, people and futures, serving her Pasifika communities from her home in Favona with immense passion and pride. BCom & BA from UC.
Eteroa Lafaele
Co-founder and Director
Head of Partnerships and Community
Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele hails from the beautiful islands of Samoa. Her villages are Fogapoa, Leulumoega Tuai and Tafagamanu, Lefaga. She was born and bred in Cannons Creek, Porirua, and has always had a passion for serving.
This service birthed an initiative called DigiTautua, where Eteroa and the team refurbished and fundraised for devices to help bridge the digital divide. In line with this mission, Eteroa later co-founded the purpose-led start-up Fibre Fale in 2022.
She has been recognised for her work in the community and technology industry, she is the Young IT Professional of the Year 2021, Prime Minister Award for STEM 2019, Nominated Young Women of Influence 2019, ASB Good as Gold recipient and MacDiarmid Institute, Discovery recipient and Forbes 30 Under 30 for Social Impact.
Saphron Matamua
Director
Head of Digital and Media
Saphron is a Creative and Strategist born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau and now living in Te Tai Tokerau.
She has spent 10 years working in the gig economy across the digital landscape from design and marketing to programme and product development. An advocate for Pasifika people in the tech and creative industries, Saphron was a Pasifika peer mentor and student tutor during her time at AUT studying a Bachelor of Communication Studies, Pasifika mentor at the Moko Foundation and collaborator in the design and development of tech and innovation programmes at 21C Skills Lab and CORE Education.
Our Story
Fibre Fale was co-founded by Julia Arnott-Neenee and Eteroa Lafaele under the shared vision to create pathways for more Pacific people to embark in technology.
As young Pacific leaders, Julia and Eteroa are committed to growth and tautua (service) for our communities and creating resources for Pacific people to journey from consumers to creators and controllers in the tech space.
