Paediatric Surgeon and Urologist, Dr Tearikivao (Kiki) Maoate is a well-respected leader in the Cook Islands community and Pacific health sector in New Zealand and the region. He was invested as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for his dedication and commitment to Pacific health. He was invested as a Commander Royal Crown of Tonga by His Majesty Tupou VI in 2015.

Dr Maoate is a Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and was previously the Pacific Island Program.  He is the Associate Dean Pacific Health, University of Otago based in Christchurch. Dr Maoate was instrumental in the establishment of Pacific Trust Canterbury and provides strategic leadership in the development of the Pacific Health, Social sector.

He is the President of the Pasifika Medical Association and a member and strong supporter of the Pacific Islands Surgeons Association.  He has served on numerous boards and committees including the University of Canterbury Council and the New Zealand and Pacific Health Research Councils, Pacific Peoples Ministerial Advisory Committee.

Dr Maoate is an advisor to Te Marae Ora the Cook Islands Ministry of Health and is active in the Pacific region as Clinical Director for the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with 6 countries in the Pacific region.