Pacific Cooperation Foundation

The call comes from the Pacific Cooperation Foundation which has just carried out its first-ever survey about New Zealanders' perception of the Pacific​.

PMN News reports the Foundation's Executive Director David Vaeafe says the report based on the survey gives a mixed picture of knowledge about the Pacific, with only 29 percent of those surveyed saying they had a good understanding of Pacific cultures.

PCF Co-Board Chair Christine Nurminen said, “This partnership aligns with one of the PCF’s four focus areas - Promoting Our New Zealand Pacific Identity’ to bring a greater awareness and appreciation by the people and communities of the Pacific Islands and New Zealand, of their shared Pacific identity, history and culture.”

For the past 11 years Strong has been based in Suva, Fiji where he has held general management positions of significant Fijian trading companies, most recently as General Manager of Pacific Agencies (Fiji) Limited.

He will return to New Zealand to take up the role at PCF in or about November this year.

Strong was born and raised in Suva, educated at Kings College, Auckland and Massey University in Palmerston North, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Studies.