Historic appointment ‘a chance to shine light on Pacific’

A NZ national has been elected to the helm of Caritas Internationals - the second largest humanitarian network in the world.

24 November 2025 – WELLINGTON – A New Zealander has made history this weekend with her appointment as Vice President of the global Catholic humanitarian network Caritas Internationalis.

Mena Antonio, currently the CE of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, becomes the first New Zealander, the first Pasifika person and only the second woman to hold this role.

Speaking in Rome, where she had an audience with the Pope today to discuss her new position, Ms. Antonio said the appointment is an opportunity to shine a light on a part of the world that is often forgotten by the international community. 

As COP 30 comes to an end, there is growing regional concern about the climate-driven challenges facing small island nations. Ms. Antonio says that the appointment improves the profile of New Zealand and Pasifika humanitarian, development and climate change action.

“My election gives the Pacific a stronger voice,” she said. “In a region where the impacts of the climate crisis are immediate, this role strengthens CANZ’s ability to raise issues such as Pacific climate debt, resilience and the disproportionate burden borne by small island and coastal states. Our communities are among the first to experience the effects of climate change and among the least resourced.”

"In recent years, the harsh realities facing the communities in Oceania have become more widely known, thanks in part to the work of Caritas," said Cardinal Soane Mafi of Tonga, President of Caritas Oceania. "To now have a daughter of Oceania taking on such a prominent role in the global Caritas movement is a source of pride and a recognition that every part of our world is important. We entrust Mena's new role to the Lord, and we ask the great saints of Oceania to intercede for her."

"We see Mena's dedication and commitment to this integral part of the Church's outreach and ministry up close," said Bishop Steve Lowe, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference. “Mena's strong advocacy and leadership here in New Zealand and Oceania has clearly been noticed around the world. Her talents will now be shared with the vast Caritas network, but we are very grateful she will continue to lead our national office."

Antonio’s election took place today the confederation’s Representative Council meeting in Rome. She will continue in her role as Chief Executive of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. The Vice President's role makes Ms. Antonio the most influential lay person at Caritas Internationalis, whose president is Japanese Cardinal Tarcisio Kikuchi.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand manages more than $7 million worth of development programmes across the Pacific on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – focusing on livelihoods, food and water security. 

Caritas Internationalis is made up of more than 160 relief, development and social service organisations working in over 200 countries and territories.