The people behind the cable

Beginning his telecommunications career in the Cook Islands with Cable & Wireless, Richard built a strong technical and commercial foundation that carried through senior roles with Clear Communications, Nortel, GENBAND, and Oracle, where he helped service providers adopt next generation network technologies across the region.

Today, as Senior Account Director at Ericsson New Zealand, he works closely with leading service providers to deliver the latest advanced systems, cloud native solutions, and cutting edge network innovations that shape the future of connectivity.

Miimetua Nimerota is the Director of the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology at the University of the South Pacific, Cook Islands Campus. She has over 10 years’ experience in information systems, public policy, and national ICT development, spanning digital strategy, education, and governance.

She brings a strategic and governance-focused perspective on digital inclusion, workforce capability, online safety, and the role of connectivity infrastructure in enabling economic and social outcomes. Miimetua contributes a strong understanding of stakeholder dynamics and national priorities, with a focus on building future-ready digital skills in the community and long-term digital resilience.

Gabe is a Chartered Accountant with a professional background in accounting and financial services across New Zealand and the Cook Islands. As a senior banker, he brings strong knowledge of the local private sector as well as financial management, commercial analysis and transparent reporting within complex operational environments. Public sector service in the Cook Islands includes as a former member of the Price Tribunal and as a director of two SOEs. Gabe is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand and contributes to community development through voluntary service on national sports committees.

His blend of financial expertise, governance experience, and cross-sector insight supports ACL’s commitment to commercial discipline, prudent long-term asset management, and resilient international connectivity for the Cook Islands.

After an earlier career in professional sport, Joe started out in financial services at Digicel Group’s Pacific Regional Commercial team, where he was responsible for the rollout of Mobile Money and MFS products in the South Pacific region. He subsequently worked in Sydney for Aggregato Global and WorldFirst as head of e-commerce and partnerships, gaining wholesale brokerage and fin-tech experience across Southeast Asia.

Over the last 12 years, Joe has successfully delivered major projects in cross-border payments and retail micro-remittances, foreign exchange, financial intermediation, banking, and securities trading across the APAC region. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Capital Security Bank, the Cook Islands’ largest private bank. He holds a BSc (Hons.) from the University of Exeter and a Diploma in Project Management from the University of Sydney.

Mike has 25 years’ experience in the New Zealand telecommunications industry managing disparate and virtual teams across multiple service, technology and operational domains — supporting mobile, internet service providers, datacentres, satellite systems, DMR and FWA systems, business support systems, and Core & Edge MPLS networks — along with 15 years managing the Southern Cross Cable Network submarine cable system for domestic and international wholesale, corporate and government customers.

Mike has a New Zealand Certificate in Telecommunications Engineering from the Auckland University of Technology, a postgraduate Diploma in Business Management from the University of Waikato, and a Certificate in Agile Change Management from the Auckland University School of Business.