Tarita’s work, through the HRSD Social Inclusion Team, seeks to strengthen inclusive mechanisms and capacities of Pacific Island Countries, to facilitate the achievement of equitable socio-economic outcomes, for vulnerable individuals and marginalised groups from a people-centred and human-rights approach.  

Prior to joining SPC, she served the Ministry of Women, Community & Social Development (MWCSD) in Samoa in senior and project management capacities for over 10 years. She began her public service career serving the Policy Implementation Unit of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (MPMC) in Samoa before joining the foreign service through the Training, Scholarships & Bilateral Division: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

Her areas of work included employment & labour, education and training, youth and child protection, climate change, gender mainstreaming and disability inclusion. Her experiences of work allowed engagement with various partners across Government Ministries, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and Development Partners and Village Communities.

She holds a Foundation Certificate of Arts in Geography, History & Sociology (National University of Samoa: Samoa), a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations & Political Science (Victoria University of Wellington: New Zealand), and a Masters in Administrative Law & Policy (University of Sydney: Australia).