Medical Team

CEO/Clinical Director/Board Secretary

Dr. Glenn Doherty, MB ChB (Otago), FRNZCGP, is a distinguished leader in the New Zealand healthcare sector, with over 42 years of experience spanning clinical medicine, health management, research, and policy. A prominent figure in both Māori and Pacific health, Dr Doherty has made significant contributions to primary care and governance, particularly in the Pacific health space.

As the CEO and Medical Director of the Tongan Health Society Inc., Dr. Doherty has been instrumental in the organisation's growth and success. The organisation serves a large percentage of the Tongan community in Auckland. Under his leadership, the Society was recognised with the prestigious General Practice of the Year award at the inaugural Primary Healthcare Awards in 2020, a testament to the team's unwavering commitment to providing holistic, high-quality care.

Dr. Doherty's vision extended beyond clinical practice with the establishment of the Langimalie Research Centre. This groundbreaking research facility is the only Pacific provider in New Zealand to have an affiliated research arm focused on Pacific health. The Centre's work addresses key health challenges within Pacific communities, enabling the Tongan Health Society to remain at the forefront of health innovation.

For over two decades, Dr. Doherty has worked extensively within the Tongan community, both in New Zealand and Tonga. His leadership and strategic alliances with government agencies, NGOs, and community organisations have significantly enhanced the delivery of healthcare services to Pacific populations. In recognition of his contributions, Dr Doherty has been awarded several honours, including a Community Service Medal from the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

In addition to his roles at the Tongan Health Society and Langimalie Research Centre, Dr Doherty is a Member of the Pasifika Medical Association and a Lifetime Member of the Te Ora Māori Medical Practitioners Association. He continues to serve as a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland's School of Medicine, mentoring the next generation of medical professionals.

Dr Makakaufaki commenced working at the Tongan Health Society as a Locum in 2007 and was appointed a full-time General Practitioner in 2015.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Queensland, Australia in 1976 and had the distinction of being the first female doctor in Tonga.

Dr Makakaufaki’s 40+ years of medical experience has involved:

• 18 years in the Outpatient & Emergency Department at Vaiola Hospital where she developed Standard Protocols for emergency management.

• Personal Physician for Her Majesty the Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho, 1985

• President of the Parents Teachers Association of the Nuku’alofa Government Primary School, 1993-1998.

• Chair of the “Women’s Multipurpose Cooperative Society – Kolofo’ou”, 1996-2000.

• Membership of the Management Board of Tonga Cooperative Federation, 1998-2000.

• President of the Parents Teachers Association of the Tonga High School, 1998-2003.

• Fellow of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (FRNZCGP), 2020.

Dr Inder joined the Tongan Health Society in 2017.

He gained a Bachelor of Medical Science (with distinction) from the University of Otago in 1999 and in 2001 was awarded a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. Dr Inder achieved a Professional Diploma in General Dermatology in 2022.

Dr Inder has extensive experience working in General Medicine, Paediatric Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Vascular Surgery and General Surgery.

In 2005 he made a presentation to the Vascular Society of New Zealand on, An Audit of Renal Access Surgery at Wellington Hospital, and in 2012 Dr Inder made a Grand Round Presentation Wellington Hospital, Appropriate management of Parapneumonic effusions.

He published a journal article, Malignant Melanoma in a New Zealand Province in 2017. Dr Inder was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago in 2011-2012.

Dr Inder has a strong interest in the social and economic determinants of health, inequalities in healthcare and examining ways in which to address these inequalities.

Dr Lee joined the Tongan Health Society in 2020

He achieved a double degree in Bachelor of Science (Major in Chemistry) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Major in Accounting) in 2012.

Dr Lee is a fluent speaker of English, Mandarin and Fujian.

He has received several scholarship grants and awards:

• Certificate of High Distinction in Australian Mathematics, 2008

• Studylink Step Up Scholarship, 2008

• NZQA Accounting Scholarship, 2008

• University of Auckland Jubilee Award, 2008

• University of Auckland Talent Fund Award, 2009

• UBS Book Scholarship, 2009-2011

• University of Auckland Partnership Appeal Award, 2012

• Gloag-Fitchett Memorial Education Trust Scholarship, Dunedin School of Medicine, 2013

Dr Lavulo joined the Tongan Health Society in 2022. She is of Tongan descent and a fluent speaker in Tongan and English.

In 2005 Dr Lavulo was the recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Top Māori and Pacific Scholars, from the University of Auckland

Dr Lavulo completed a Bachelor of Health Science at the University of Auckland in 2006 and in 2010 achieved a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the same university.

She achieved a Postgraduate Diploma in Obstetrics and Medical Gynaecology from the University of Auckland in 2014 and in 2020 became a Fellow of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (FRNZCGP).

Dr Lavulo has a strong focus on engaging individuals and families for continuous care and wrap-around services. In addition, she has a strong interest in developing skills around dermatology, women’s health, musculoskeletal, and paediatrics.

Dr Fonua joined the Tongan Health Society in 2024 and is fluent in Tongan and English as well as basic conversational Samoan.

He comes from the villages of ʻUtulau, Vainī, Foʻui, Kolonga, Fakakakai and Hāʻano in Tonga.

He achieved a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Auckland in 2021.

Dr Fonua also holds roles as an Academic Casual Staff Member at the University of Auckland, tutoring medical students within the Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS). He is also an Honorary Research Fellow with the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Auckland.

Dr Fonua is a member of the Pasifika Medical Association and maintains active involvement with various groups across the wider Tongan community.

He has a strong interest in Tongan Culture, Clinical Linguistics and Pacific Languages and is heavily involved with the translation of health information into the Tongan language.

Dr Young joined the Tongan Health Society in 2022 as a College Employed Registrar and is currently a Locum GP.

He achieved a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery, from the University of Auckland in 2017.

In 2023 Dr Young completed a Certificate of Proficiency in Primary Care, from the University of Otago.

His academic awards include:

• Le Va’s Pacific ‘Futures that Work’ scholarship, 2012

• Ministry of Health ‘Pacific Disability and Health Workforce Award’, 2013 & 2014

• Ministry of Health Aniva scholarship, 2015 & 2016.

Dr Young’s clinical interests, include Pacific health, diabetes in primary care, primary care of people living with HIV, skin cancer diagnosis, management, and excision in a primary care setting.

Dr Li joined the Tongan Health Society in 2024.

In 1987 she achieved a Bachelor of Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University China. Dr Li achieved a Master of Medicine, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China in 1992.

Dr Li gained a:

• Bachelor of Health Science, Manukau Institute of Technology, 2005

• Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Science (Merit), Auckland University, 2013

• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (2nd class honours, 1st division), Auckland University, 2015.

She has more than 10 year’s experience in the orthopaedic sector and more than four years as an urgent care doctor.

Dr Li has great affection for the Pacific island community, appreciating the relaxed culture and the compassion family members have for each other.

Dr Sai joined the Tongan Health Society in 2020. Previously she had worked as an urban and rural locum doctor for general practices in New Zealand and Australia. Dr Sai has extensive experience working in and covering emergency departments in rural hospitals, as well as providing care for inpatients and nursing home patients.

In 1977, Dr Sai achieved a Diploma in Surgery and Medicine from the Fiji School of Medicine. She was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners in 1998 and a Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 2010.

Dr. Sai also gained:

• Practice Managers Certificate, Good Fellow Unit, University of Auckland, 2001

• Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice, University of Otago, 2009

She has a special interest in emergency medicine and general practice and adopts a holistic approach to general practice and medicine.

Dr. Gabriel took up a full-time role at the Tongan Health Society in 2020 after being a locum since 2018.

He was awarded a Bachelor of Human Biology in 1996, and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1999, all from the University of Auckland.

Dr. Gabriel completed a Diploma in Obstetrics and Medical Gynaecology at the University of Auckland in 2001, and in 2002, he achieved a Diploma in Paediatrics from the same institution. In 2004, he became a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

He has extensive experience working in General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Medicine, Orthopaedics, Psychiatry, and ENT. Dr. Gabriel is an Honorary Lecturer in the Department of General Practice at the University of Auckland.

Dr. Gabriel’s clinical interests include reducing health inequalities and improving health outcomes, general practice emergencies, and chronic diseases, including congestive heart failure, COPD, diabetes, and mental health.