Our People

Eve Hayden
Vice-Chair

Eve moved to the Cook Islands almost nine years ago after purchasing two small resorts in Rarotonga. Prior to moving, Eve had nearly 20 years of experience working in New Zealand and global financial markets, two years in business management consulting, and then 12 years developing and running several successful start-ups in Wellington.

Eve joined the Chamber board six years ago as a Director, and during 2020 was asked to set up and deliver the Chamber’s commercial operations as the first CEO. Eve is a Chamber representative on the National Labour Advisory Board, the Minimum Wage Committee, and she also chairs the Technical Migrant Workers Committee. She takes the lead for Chamber of Labour, Immigration, Skills, Training, & Qualifications. Eve also provides oversight to the Business Link Pacific Programme.

Eve’s passion for the private sector and its role in a thriving economy ensures the Chamber is present and engaged with Government and agencies wherever possible, and that the private sector is consulted and well represented.

Steve Anderson
Director

Born in the UK and raised in New Zealand, Steve has lived and worked in the Cook Islands since the 1970s. He was involved with the Atiu electrification in 1978, became chief engineer at The Rarotongan Resort in the eighties, and installed and operated the export fruit heat treatment plant in the late nineties. Steve now runs various business interests, including  contracting, machinery procurement, property development and retail.

A registered electrician, with an MBA in energy and sustainability from University of Cumbria, he is active in training young Cook Islanders to become qualified tradespeople. He is passionate about renewable energy, and has done major solar and battery installations in Rarotonga and the Pa Enua. As well as serving on various government boards, Steve has been active in the Chamber of Commerce over the past 15 years and served twice as president.

Rebecca Puni
Director

Rebecca was born and raised in Samoa and is of Samoan New Zealand Maori descent. She is a New Zealand educated lawyer with more than 20 years post admission experience, primarily in the corporate and commercial space.

Rebecca works in the offshore finance sector managing trust and corporate structures for high net worth individuals. However, her involvement with the Chamber is through Holistic Medical Clinic Ltd, a general practice medical clinic on Rarotonga owned and operated by her husband Dr Teariki Puni.

Rebecca supported her husband to leave secure paid employment to pursue his own business and they share a common interest to help and empower others who want to do the same.

Gaye Whitta
Director

Of New Zealand Maori and Pakeha descent, Gaye has in fact called the Cook Islands home her entire life. She attended Avatea Primary School and then Tereora College up to year 12 before completing her secondary education at Nelson Girls’ College on a government scholarship.

In 1987 she completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration majoring in Accounting from Victoria University of Wellington. She then immediately returned to the Cook Islands and took up a position with KPMG. In 1992 she was appointed to the newly created financial controller’s role at the Airport Authority.

In 1997 she was appointed financial controller for the CITC group, a position she held until 2004 when she became general manager, a position she continues to hold today. She has been a board member of the Financial Supervisory Commission since 2011 and has previously served on the Public Expenditure Review Committee.

Vaine Nooana-Arioka
Director

With a personal vision “A financially secure Cook Islands”, Vaine is presently serving in Moana Minerals Ltd as Community Engagement, after fourteen and a half transformational years, ending in July 2023 as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer for Bank of the Cook Islands. Vaine’s banking experience includes serving with ANZ and CIDB, and is underscored with a Masters in International Economics and Finance (University of Queensland) as well as an Affiliate in Development Bank Management (Asia Pacific Institute of Development Finance). It is important to lend your talents where needed and one which Vaine has nurtured by active service outside of the banking world, holding various board positions in non-government and government organisations, including now the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, Mediation Cook Islands, Punanga Tauturu Inc and the Cook Islands Business Trade and Investment Board.

Liana Scott
Director

Liana born and raised Cook Islander has always been involved in the Tourism industry since a young age.  She had started as a travel consultant with Air New Zealand and then moved into owning and running her own businesses.

GM of Muri Beach Club Hotel (a family business), as well as personally owned and operated budget to luxury accommodation and a adventure tour business.

Liana ensures she makes time for other volunteer organisations and holds the following roles: Lifetime achievement award for Business & Professional Womans organisation, President of the Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council, Co-Chair of the Private Sector Taskforce and recently Board Member of Chamber of Commerce.

Brent Fisher
Director

Originally from the last stop before Antarctica, Invercargill NZ, Brent qualified as an electrician and headed north to be part of the government think big projects at the time, Marsden Point and Glenbrook Steel Mill. Met his sweet Annie in Auckland, who is a direct descendant of William Marsters, and got married. Six years later and with an 18 month old, Corey Fisher, in toe moved to Rarotonga for what was to be a two year change of lifestyle. That was March 1990!

He worked as chief engineer at the Edgewater Resort for four years then Pacific Resort for two. Owner/Operator of several businesses including Big Game Charter Fishing, Real Estate, Kleantech and a few other sidelines. He then successfully completed a jewellery manufacturing apprenticeship and earned his NZ registration, being the first in the pacific islands to do so. Annie & Brent now have three adult children, Corey, Daniel & Peka and four grandchildren.

Jason Murray
Director

Originating from Australia, Jason is the Country Head for ANZ Cook Islands and has been in the role since 2022. Prior to coming to the Cooks, he was in Kiribati as ANZ’s Head of Commercial for over 3 years. He has over 20 years banking experience which included owning and operating a Bank of Queensland franchise in Darwin. He also worked in other industries such as agriculture, healthcare, and logistics utilizing his financial skills and acumen.

Jason holds a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Banking and Finance, from the University of Southern Queensland.  Having grown up in a small country town in Central Queensland, he understands the importance of being involved and contributing whenever possible to support activities that provide benefits to the greater community. As the Chamber’s newest board Director, he is looking forward to supporting the business members.