Niue’s new Premier is Dalton Tagelagi. He won 13 votes to rival O’love Jacobsen’s seven. Tagelagi was previously Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and replaces Sir Toke Talagi. Meanwhile Crossley Tatui has been named as Minister for Finance and Infrastructure, Mona Ainuu is the new minister for Natural Resources and newcomer Sauni Tongatule is the new minister of Social Services.
New Zealand-based Samoan lawyer, Satiu Simativa Perese, has been sworn as Samoa’s new Chief Justice, replacing the recently retired Patu Falefatu Sapolu. He has worked at the NZ Crown Law Office and is a past President of the Pacific Lawyers Society and member of the NZ Human Rights Tribunal.
Kiribati’s Parliament has elected its first female Speaker, former Opposition member Tangariki Reete. She is a former Minister of Women, Youth and Social Affairs.
Musie Werror is the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer at Ok Tedi Mining, replacing Peter Graham, who is now Chairman and Acting Managing Director at Kumul Minerals Holdings. From Madang, Werror was formerly Deputy Chief CEO and General Manager Employee and External Relations. He first joined OTML under the Graduate Development Scheme in 1988.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna has taken over the Police portfolio in a Cabinet reshuffle. The portfolio had been held by Vaine (Mac) Mokoroa, who is now Education Minister. There had been tension between Mokoroa and the Police Commissioner over the later’s contract and tenure.
In Vanuatu, the Acting Director of the Department of Hospital and Curative Services, Russel Tamata, has been named as the new Director General of the Ministry of Health. Tamata takes over from Johnson Wabaiat, who is now the Acting Director of the Department of Hospital and Curative Services. In other appointments, the former boss of the Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee, Henry Tavoa, has been appointed as Director of the Department of Youth and Sports Development.
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