Abel Smith is a senior lecturer for the Aniva programme and has over 35 years' experience in the nursing and health care sector as a senior Pacific nurse leader, manager, clinician, and educator. Abel is currently the Director Pacific Health at Te Whatu Ora – Te Toka Tumai. In 2015, Abel received the New Zealand Nurse Organisation’s National Award in recognition for his services to nursing and midwifery. Abel is the current President of the Fiji Nurses Association New Zealand, Executive Board Member of the Pasifika Medical Association, a Trustee of the Auckland Nurses Education and Research Trust, and Treasurer of the Pacific Nurses Section of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, among numerous other advisory and governance groups in Pacific health. Abel was awarded the Pasifika Medical Association Life Member Award in 2022. 

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Abel was the first person to be awarded the Master of Professional Practice (Leadership) through the Aniva programme and is currently completing his PhD in Nursing.