Our Team

Cook Islands Finance has a Board of Directors comprised of industry members and is led by a Chairperson appointed by the Minister responsible for the Cook Islands Financial Services Development Authority (FSDA).
The Board of Directors appoints the Chief Executive Officer who manages and leads the agency in promoting the long term development interests of the financial services industry.

Hon. Minister Mac Mokoroa

Minister Hon. Vaine Mac Mokoroa is the Minister responsible for Cook Islands FSDA. Minister Mokoroa is a strong advocate for the Financial Services Industry and its value to both the economic development and opportunities for the Cook Islands people. He also holds key portfolios in the Cook Islands Government including Financial Services Commission, Financial Intelligence Unit, Cook Islands Audit department and the Ministry of Education.

Meet Our Board of Directors

Karla Eggelton

Chair

Karla is a seasoned professional with nearly 3 decades of experience in destination tourism, marketing and management. Her forte has been destination marketing on a global scale, as both Director of Sales & Marketing (Global) and in her current role as Chief Executive Officer at Cook Islands Tourism Corporation. Karla brings to the Chairmanship a proven track record of Strategic Management, Corporate Governance, Stakeholder Management and Human Resource Management.

Tine Ponia

Managing Director, Fidentem Pacific Limited

Tine is the Managing Director of Fidentem Cook Islands, bringing more than 20 years of legal and fiducial expertise to the international financial services sector. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, and is admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Courts of both the Cook Islands and New Zealand. Tine is a seasoned practitioner in trust law, wealth structuring, and asset protection.

Joseph Horn-Smith

CEO, Capital Security Bank

Joseph graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Exeter 2006, and holds a Diploma in Project Management from the University of Sydney. Joseph brings comprehensive financial services experience, having spent time over the past 12 years, delivering projects in cross-border payments, foreign exchange, retail micro remittance, wholesale brokerage, banking, and stock trading across the APAC region. Joseph is the CEO of Capital Security Bank.

David Street

COO, Ora Partners

David is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Ora Partners, with over 20 years’ experience in banking, corporate finance, and executive leadership across the Pacific. Formerly Country Head of BSP Financial Group Cook Islands, he brings deep expertise in compliance, governance, and operational structuring. David is recognised for developing high-performance teams, navigating complex regulatory environments, and delivering sustainable, well-governed organisational outcomes.