Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Apii brings over 35 years of experience in the electricity and water sector, complemented by six years of formal tertiary training, providing him with extensive expertise in utilities management.

He began his career in 1984 as an Engineering Officer with the Electric Power Supply of the Cook Islands (EPS), progressing to Engineer and later into executive management. From 1994 to 1998, he served as Engineer for the Outer Islands Power under the Ministry of Energy (MOE) while concurrently holding the position of Secretary of the MOE. He went on to become General Manager of Operations at Te Aponga Uira (TAU) from 1998 to 2001, before being appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TAU, a role he held for 20 years.

In 2021, Apii joined To Tatou Vai (TTV) as Chief Operating Officer and shortly after was appointed Chief Executive Officer. Over the course of his career, he has undertaken numerous courses in executive and financial management, further strengthening his leadership capabilities.

Apii holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from Unitech PNG and a Master of Engineering Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Queensland, Australia.

CHAIRMAN

MA (Hons), LLB Solicitor of High Court of New Zealand (1990)
Solicitor of High Court Cook Islands (1992)
Member Cook Islands Law Society

Brian has had a varied career having held a number of senior positions in the public sector in New Zealand before moving to Rarotonga in 1993. In Rarotonga, Brian worked as a solicitor for a major law firm before being appointed the Assistant Chief of Staff for the Office of the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. Following this Brian was appointed to the Cook Islands Investment Corporation finishing his tenure there as CEO. In 2000 Brian joined a large Cook Island trust company. Brian has spent 15 years working in general practice in all fields of law including civil, commercial, equity, contract and constitutional. He is also a director of the largest private business in the Cook Islands and a director of a private boutique resort in Rarotonga. He currently operates his own law practice. With his background, Brian brings a wealth and depth of business acumen, experience and corporate governance to Ta Tatou Vai.

DIRECTOR

REA, NZCD, NZCE

Des Eggelton first came to Rarotonga in 1970 as a young designer employed by the New Zealand Department of Works on the Rarotonga Airport development. He returned to NZ in 1971 and in 1980 applied for the New Zealand Government Station Works Officer in Rarotonga. Des branched out into tourism over the next 30 years. During the 1990s, was President of the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce for 4 years. Between 1996-2004 he served as a director of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation. In 2008-2009 he became Chairman for a short time. Throughout the 2000s Des used his design and project management skills to assist in the construction of accommodation properties and homes in both Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Des has an incredible amount of local knowledge with regard to Cook Islands commerce and major development over the past 40 years.

DIRECTOR

Sam has a vast and deep knowledge of Rarotonga’s Water Network and its history since inception in 1907. He has worked in the water industry in Rarotonga for over 40 years and has seen every major project initiated on the island with involvement in most. Sam is also a qualified engineer and with his wealth of experience in Cook Islands land customs, project management and local connections, he brings invaluable knowledge to the To Tatou Vai board.

DIRECTOR

Appointed to the To Tatou Vai Board in 2022, Ashleigh Steele brings a strong background in business, finance, and governance. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Sydney, a Diploma of Financial Markets from the Australian Financial Markets Association, and has undertaken the Company Directors Course with the New Zealand Institute of Directors. She is also completing her MBA with the University of Otago.

Ashleigh’s career spans financial markets, education, entrepreneurship, and governance, equipping her with a broad perspective on strategy and leadership. She is committed to contributing to her island home through her role on the Board, where she combines financial expertise with a focus on community benefit and long-term sustainability.

DIRECTOR

Born and raised in Rarotonga, Philip Vakatini has built a lifelong connection with his community through diverse experiences in tourism, aviation, hospitality, and cultural leadership.

Philip began his career in the tourism industry, working in restaurants and bars before developing a passion for scuba diving. This interest grew into business ownership, as he became a shareholder in both hospitality and diving ventures. His career then expanded into aviation with Air Rarotonga, where he gained extensive experience across traffic, engineering, and nine years as a guide on the renowned Aitutaki Day Tour.

Entrepreneurship has been a consistent theme in Philip’s journey. He successfully established and operated a charter fishing business, which later branched into managing tourist accommodation for both short- and long-term visitors — an enterprise he continues to run today.

In recent years, Philip has taken on the esteemed role of Ariki, a traditional leadership position that has deepened his commitment to serving his people and upholding customary values. His role on the To Tatou Vai (TTV) Board reflects his dedication to ensuring sustainable water management — recognizing water as a fundamental necessity for life. He is focused on meeting the challenges inherited from the past while striving to deliver a reliable and inclusive service for the benefit of all.

Through his professional journey and cultural responsibilities, Philip Vakatini continues to embody leadership, resilience, and service to both the people of Rarotonga and future generations.

DIRECTOR

Charles Carlson is the former Director of Emergency Management for the Cook Islands, widely recognised for pioneering the integration of traditional knowledge with modern science and technology. With a career dedicated to resilience and community safety, he continues to share his expertise through consultancy in Disaster Risk Management and government policy.

Now retired from public service, Charles is also an accomplished children’s author, inspiring younger generations through storytelling. He holds an MBA from the University of the South Pacific and an MPhil from Auckland University of Technology. His wealth of knowledge and passion for sustainable development are invaluable to the governance and vision of To Tatou Vai.

DIRECTOR

Jessica is the newest member of the To Tatou Vai Board, bringing with her a strong professional background in financial accounting and strategic financial management. Over the past eight years, she has worked in the Cook Islands’ offshore trust and banking sector, gaining extensive experience in managing significant asset portfolios and ensuring robust financial oversight.

With her analytical strengths, fresh perspectives, and collaborative approach, Jessica adds valuable depth to the Board’s governance team. Her expertise supports To Tatou Vai’s mission to deliver sustainable, reliable, and community-focused services for the people of the Cook Islands.