The Family Party Management Board is privileged to have the contribution of very talented individuals from a variety of New Zealand Churches. The Party looks forward to increasing the membership as the vehicle grows. They are:  

Richard Lewis
Richard was born in South Auckland. With over a decade of policing experience, Richard was an accomplished investigator having served in the CIB and as a Sergeant at Manukau’s Emergency Response Group. He is married with two children. A full profile can be viewed on Richard’s candidate page.

Paul Adams
Paul Adams is deputy leader and a former Member of Parliament. Paul is married with four adult children and five grand children. He has been self-employed most of his working life, involved mainly in manufacturing and the motor industry. In motor sport he has won three separate New Zealand championships. A full profile can be viewed on Paul’s candidate page.

Albert Ruijne
Mr Ruijne is a founding member of the Christian Heritage Party and served as a National Board Member. He is presently the Chairman of the Board of Management of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Bucklands Beach and works as a Home Care Giver for the Howick Baptist Home Care Services.

Chris Hickey
Chris is a senior accountant for a chartered accountancy practice. Chris is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants. His background also includes roles as Financial Controller, Management Accountant and Recruitment Consultant. He is the former leader of the Finance Committee on the Board of Trustees of an Auckland Catholic school. Born in Hastings, raised in Wellington and living in Auckland, Chris is married and attends a Catholic Church.

Pene Pati
Talauega Pene Pati has an extensive background in health and is head nurse for a Mangere hospital delivering care to Pacific people. A former privacy officer and policeman, Pene is a highly respected member of Mangere’s Pacific community and attends the local Samoan Methodist Church. He is married with four children.

Melanie Taylor
Melanie and her husband are specialist caregivers for CYFS, having been involved in frontline work for the last seven years with high and complex needs teenagers referrals. With an intricate working knowledge of social policy, Melanie is particularly passionate about the impact of Government policy on families and children. She has formal qualification in Communications, Human Relationships and Keeping Children Safe. A mother of 13 years with three children, Melanie and her family attend the Lifeway Church at Snells Beach.

Elias Kanaris (President)
Elias Kanaris is a marketing manager with a Master of Science in Medical Electronics (1984 – University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, UK); Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (1983 – Kingston University, UK). With over 20 years experience predominantly in the computing and telecommunications industry, Elias has held a number of senior management roles. He is married with children and lives on the North Shore and attends City Impact Church.

Siniva Sylvia Papali’i
Siniva is a Justice of the Peace who specialises in social work for Otahuhu CYPS. Siniva has grassroots political experience in Mangere, having held the position of secretary of the Mangere Electorate Committee for the Labour Party, for which she was an active party campaigner for three terms, from 1996 until 2002. From 1998 – 2003 Siniva was an elected member of the Mangere Community Board. She has four children and two grandchildren and is a member of the Mangere Pacific Island Presbyterian Church.