02/06/2026
Meet the team: Tuala
Tuala was born in American Samoa and now lives in East Auckland. His full first name is Palemene Victor Vaauli, a name that carries special meaning in his family.
“My first name was… a way to remember the year my father went into parliament,” he explains. Service has shaped his life from the very beginning. “My whole upbringing was around my father’s life,” he says. “He was a politician… serving the community, serving his district, serving people.”
That example left a lasting impact. “Growing up, I’ve always wanted to be a politician,” Tuala shares, inspired by what he saw at home and the idea of serving others in a meaningful way.
Tuala’s journey has taken him across education, law, and community development.
He studied through college in Samoa, went on to university, and completed his law degree before stepping into roles focused on people and service. “Ever since I started work, I’ve worked in the community development sector,” he says.
His career has included working with the United Nations Development Programme, youth programmes, and the Ombudsman’s Office in Samoa.
“I had service to the young people, I worked in the youth sector… and also on a national level,” he explains. “Protecting rights and looking after people.”
Today at Pacific Business Trust, Tuala works in community engagement. “A typical day… is serving, connecting everything,” he says. “Building relationships, building bridges, connecting regions.”
His role takes him across Aotearoa, connecting with businesses, communities, churches, and cultural groups, helping people understand what support is available and how to access it.
For Tuala, one of the most powerful parts of the work is what he sees in people. “It’s overwhelming, in a good way,” he says. “You discover the potential of people… people sitting with great ideas.”
He also sees the barriers many people carry. “There’s a fear of failure… people don’t see themselves in that space,” he explains, which is why building confidence is such a big part of what he does.
His why is deeply personal. “My why has always been service… service to people,” he says. He is driven by a desire to shift mindsets and create better opportunities. “We don’t always have to be on wages or minimum salary… I want people to grow… shift the standard of living.”
For Tuala, this is also about legacy. “My why is my kids and my family… setting a precedent for them.”
Faith is central to everything he does. “God is at the top,” he says, describing how his life is structured around faith, family, and service.
“Work is more than just a job… it’s also part of my ministry,” he explains. “Helping people beyond business.” His journey of faith has also been deeply personal. “God changed the man I am today,” he says, reflecting on his growth over the past few years.
At home, Tuala has been married for 11 years and has three children. “My kids are everything to me… my wife is everything to me as well,” he says.
When asked what he values about working at PBT, his answer reflects the same authenticity he brings to everything. “You can be who you are,” he says. “My values, my culture, my Christianity… what you see is what you get.”
