Pacific health expert and Niue national Dr Collin Tukuitonga has been recognised with the Knight Companion of the New Zealand order of Merit in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours. Dr Tukuitonga said: “It’s nice to be recognised, and it’s a humbling experience – but it’s a reflection of the work of many people.” He was formerly head of the Pacific Community (SPC).
New Caledonia’s Southern Province president, Sonia Backes is the first New Caledonian politician to become part of the French National Assembly. Backes was appointed as Secretary of Citizenship in France’s reshuffled and enlarged 42-member government.
Chairman of the Tuvalu Broadcasting Corporation (TVBC) Board of Directors, Reverend Dr Kitiona Tausi is Nanumaga’s new representative in Tuvalu’s House of Parliament, replacing the late Minute Alapati Taupo.
The University of the South Pacific has appointed Sharvada Nand Sharma as the Director of the Professional Legal Training Programme (PDLP) with the School of Law and Social Sciences. Sharma served as Fiji’s Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary until he was removed in controversial circumstances last year.
Judith Green is International Financial Corporation’s new Country Manager for the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand. Green will focus on developing new opportunities for private sector investment to drive jobs and growth, helping nations recover from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and tackle climate change.
Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake has been sworn in as Nauru’s first female Justice of the Court of Appeal. Bandaranayake was also the first ever female judge appointed to Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court and upon her retirement in 2015, she was also the first female chief justice.
Fauoo Fatu Tielu has been appointed as Interim Managing Director of Samoa Airways. Tielu replaces outgoing Chief Executive Officer Seiuli Alvin Tuala whose contract has ended.
Marshall Islands President David Kabua has sworn in three new ministers. They are: Jack J. Ading as Minister of Justice, Immigration and Labor; Ota Kisino as Minister of Culture and Internal Affairs; and Joe Bejang as Minister of Health and Human Services.
Tonga’s new Police Commissioner is Shane McLennan, replacing former Acting Police Commissioner Brigadier Lord Fielakepa in the role.
Jemaima Tiatia is Ihonuku Te Moana-nui-o-Kiwa’s new Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific at the University of Auckland, making her the most senior Pacific academic at the institute. Tiatia replaces Professor Damon Salesa who is now Vice Chancellor at Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
Luke Daunivalu has presented his credentials as Fiji’s new Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva. He has served as Fiji’s High Commissioner to Australia since 2018.
Cook Islands’ Secretary for the Ministry of Marine Resource Pamela Maru has been reappointed for another three-year term. The Public Service Commission said Maru will focus on strengthening staff capabilities, developing strategic partnerships at home and abroad for improved service delivery, review of key legislation, and strengthening coastal fisheries management across the Cook Islands.
Vanuatu Parliament has elected two deputy speakers. They are: MP Bakoa Kaltongga as First deputy Speaker; and MP Kenneth Natapei as Second deputy Speaker. This follows the resignation of Member of Parliament (MP) Joshua Pikioune who was appointed as the new Minister of Lands.
Three Pacific lawyers have joined the Commonwealth Lawyers Association network. They are: Fiona Ey (Samoa) and William Wylie Clarke (Fiji) who were appointed into the CLA Council; and Luaipou Ann Matalasi (Samoa), who was selected for the Young CLA Australasian Hub.
Australian national Aaron Batten has taken office as Regional Director of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Pacific Subregional Office in Suva, where he will oversee the delivery of financing and knowledge solutions in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu. Batten has 18 years of development experience, including 11 years with ADB.
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has selected CEO of Kiribati Tourism Authority Petero Manufolau as its new Board Chairperson. Manufolau has held senior management positions in both private and regional tourism organisations, specialising in destination and resort marketing.
Three new appointments have been confirmed at The University of the South Pacific. They are: Professor Jito Vanualailai as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education) after having served in the role in an acting capacity for the past two years; Totivi D Bokini-Ratu as Secretary to Council and Manager Council after having served in the role in an acting capacity for the past 10 months; and Jone Maritino Nemani as the Executive Director People and Workforce Strategy since assuming the role in 2020.
In the Northern Marianas, Governor Ralph DLG Torres appointed Carla N. Camacho to the Marianas Public Land Trust and former Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. trustee William Cing to the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents. The Governor also re-appointed NMC regents Jesus Tudela and Elaine H. Orilla as well as CNMI Scholarship Board members Geralyn Dela Cruz, Diana Hocog and Charlene S. Masiwemai.
Palau environmental lawyer, William Ridpath has joined the Pacific Legal Network as part of their ongoing growth strategy across the Pacific. Ridpath has been admitted to the Palau Bar for over 30 years and has extensive local experience representing numerous public and private clients on major transactions.
Debra Sadranu is the new and first-ever female chair to be appointed to the Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards (FETA) Board of Trustee. Sadranu said she can’t wait to get underway with the resurrection of the Tourism Awards.
In Guam, Atkins Kroll Inc. has appointed new senior executives: Alex Yap as President replacing Wendi Herring; and Tracy Guerrero as Director of Operations for Atkins Kroll Guam and Saipan.
Two new trade commissioners have been named in Fiji’s Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport. They are: Alika Cooper as Fiji’s Trade Commissioner to North America with over 15 years of experience in agribusiness; and Daniel Stow who is now Fiji’s Trade Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand and who has been passionate about utilising digital technology as a platform to further enhance international trade. Stow has overseen nearly F$150 million in registered projects and over F$120 million in facilitated exports in Fiji.
The Samoan cabinet has endorsed three new CEO appointments. They are: Fui Mau Simanu with the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure; Ulugia Petelo Kavesi with the Samoa Land Corporation (S.L.C.) and Peseta Noumea Simi with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Georges Maniuri is Vanuatu’s new Ambassador to Europe. Maniuri replaces former Ambassador, John Licht.
In Tonga, Siosiua ‘Utoikamanu and Dr ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki have been sworn in as new members of His Majesty’s Tupou VI Privy Council.
KPMG Fiji has employed its second indigenous Fijian and third female partner Meliki Tuinamuana. Shehas extensive experience, both in professional services and in the private sector.
The new secretary for Papua New Guinea’s Department of Commerce and Industry is David Ganai. He will hold the position for the next four years.
Australia’s Victoria Clifford is Pacific Re Limited’s new chief executive officer (CEO). Clifford brings more than 20 years of industry experience into the Papua New Guinea-based reinsurance company.
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has hired trade adviser Stephen Musubire for the Polynesian sub-region covering Tonga, Niue, Tuvalu, Samoa and the Cook Islands under SPIRIT, a new US$6 million EU programme. The programme aims to increase intra-regional and international trade by strengthening institutional and technical capacity in the region.
Pro Surfer Hannah Bennett is the first female President of the Fiji Surfing Association after being unanimously elected by all board rider clubs at the latest Annual General Meeting. Bennett is joined by three other elected officers; Inia Nakalevu as Vice President, Stuart Johnson as Secretary and Blair Robertson as Treasurer.
PNG Air has announced Deborah Poya as its new Company Secretary replacing Nisaal Jai. Prior to her appointment, Poya, a qualified lawyer, worked closely with the Acting CEO and Board on various legal and compliance matters for the company.
The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation Board has hired Karla Eggelton as its new Chief Executive Officer. Eggelton replaces Halatoa Fua who left to take up a new role as Director of the National Environmental Service. “I look forward to the challenge ahead, working with all stakeholders and partners as we navigate our next steps of this uncharted Cook Islands tourism journey,” she said.
In American Samoa, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga appointed Director of the National Agriculture Department Solialeaofiotagaloa I.T. Mutini as Chairman of the government’s Food Security and Safety Committee replacing Samana Semo Ve’ve’a.
Solomon Islands’ Polycarp Galaigu is the new Premier for the Central Islands Province, following the ousting of former Premier Manetiva in a Motion of No Confidence. Galaigu will only serve for a year as the provincial assembly will be dissolved in June 2023.
ANZ Bank has hired Sarah Stubbings as the company’s new Regional Executive Pacific with responsibility for ANZ’s businesses across 10 Pacific markets. Stubbings will be based largely in Suva and will commence in early August.
After a successful 2022 Super Rugby season, Moana Pasifika held an inaugural awards event to commend the efforts of its team players and coaching staff. Seven players received awards. Christian Leali’ifano won Moana Man of the Year; and Alamanda Motuga earned the most awards: Player of the Year, Forward of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
Mathias Boe is the newly appointed Sports Development Officer for the Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (VASANOC) following the resignation of David Lolo last year.
In Memory
Tongan Cabinet Minister Viliami Manuopangai Hingano passed away on June 10 in New Zealand. He travelled to New Zealand last year for medical treatment, only two days after he was appointed as Tonga’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
Former Papua New Guinean businessman and politician, Sir Peter Barter has passed away in Cairns. After going to PNG as a pilot for Divine Word Aviation in 1967, he set up businesses in the tourism and other industries. In 1992 he was elected as the regional member for Madang province and served as health minister in the government of Sir Michael Somare.
Jean Leques, the former long-time mayor of Noumea and president of New Caledonia was laid to rest at home, aged 90. He served as mayor for 28 years from 1984 until he retired at the age of 82. As a member of the RPCR, he was one of the signatories to the 1998 Noumea Accord, and in 1999, he became the first president of the collegial government set up under the Accord.
