We are pleased to announce Professor Sir Ashley Bloomfield KNZM CMInstD  as a Keynote Speaker at our upcoming Pacific Academy of Sciences Inaugural Congress 2026, to be held 16–18 February 2026 in Apia, Samoa, at Taumeasina Island Resort.

Sir Ashley is a distinguished public health leader and physician with over 25 years’ experience in public policy and health leadership. He trained in medicine at the University of Auckland and specialised in public health medicine, with a career spanning senior leadership roles in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, including at the World Health Organization in Geneva.

From June 2018 to July 2022, Sir Ashley served as Director-General of Health for New Zealand, leading the country’s health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership during this period was widely recognised for its commitment to science-led decision-making, public trust, and equity.

In recognition of his service, Sir Ashley was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) in the 2023 New Year’s Honours for services to public health. He is currently Chief Executive of PHF Science and Professor at the University of Auckland’s School of Population Health, with professional interests focused on non-communicable disease prevention and control and addressing health inequities.

His keynote will contribute to the Congress theme, Harnessing the Knowledge of the Pacific, offering reflections on leadership, public health, and evidence-informed policy across Pacific and global contexts.