Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo

Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, New Zealand Human Rights Commission

Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo is the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner at the New Zealand Human Rights Commission.
She is of Samoan descent and originally from the village of Vailima in Upolu, Samoa.

Saunoamaali’i has a strong commitment to improving equal employment opportunities, particularly bringing a Pasifika perspective to human rights issues facing Aotearoa New Zealand.
For 20 years, Saunoamaali’i has worked as a public advisor and social worker, advocating for the interests of children, women, families, the rainbow community, social protection, youth employment, gender equality and an end to gender violence.

She believes pay equity and equal employment opportunities are key avenues for youth empowerment, women’s empowerment, reduction of family poverty, freedom from gender based violence, and community wellbeing.

Saunoamaali’i holds qualifications in social work, social policy, mediation and science, including a PhD in public policy from AUT.