Fijian national, jurist and lawyer Imrana Jalal is the first woman from the Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands region to be awarded the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medal of Honour by the World Jurists Association. The award is given in recognition of inspiring women jurists who fight to defend and strengthen the rule of law, and to consolidate society’s advances in gender equity.
Carmel Sepuloni is New Zealand’s new deputy Prime Minister. Sepuloni, a Taranaki-raised Auckland-based MP, is a former teacher with Samoan and Tongan heritage through her mother.
Tatafu Moeaki, Tonga’s former Minister of Finance, has been elected as the new Governor of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga.
Kelep Sandy has been reappointed as Auditor General of the Vanuatu National Audit Office. Sandy first took up the position in 2017.
The Samoan Cabinet has re-appointed Su’a Hellene Wallwork as the country’s Attorney General for the next three years. Other appointments include Papali’i John Taimalelagi as CEO for the Ministry of Justice, Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma as CEO for the Ministry of Health, and Tupa’i Peter Leilua as CEO for Samoa Qualifications Authority.
In American Samoa, five new members of the House of Representatives have been sworn in for two years. They are Shawn Onosai Va’a, Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr, Tapai Alailepule Benjamin Vaivao, Tautoloitua Sauasetoa Ho Ching, and Fiu John Saelua.
Four mayors have been elected in the Northern Marianas. They are Republican Mayor Edwin Palacios Aldan for Tinan and Aguiguan; Republican Mayor Valentino Nicky Taisacan for Northern Islands; Independent Saipan Mayor Ramon Jose Blas Camacho and Rota Republican Mayor Aubury Manglona Hocog, who is the first female elected mayor in CNMI history.
Fiji-born Michael Cokanasiga is the new Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Revenue and Customs in Tonga for the next four years.
Cook Islands’ recently appointed Deputy Solicitor General, Lauaki Jason Annandale has been admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the nation’s High Court.
Former Premier of Niue Mititaiagimene Young Vivian has been awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his years of dedication to the island nation.
Federated States of Micronesia’s new Governor and Lt. Governor for the State of Kosrae is Tulensa W.Palik and Arthy G.Nena. Others elected into the 13th State Legislature include Speaker Semeon Phillip, Senator Sasaki George and Senator Artson Talley.
In Solomon Islands, Tongoua Tabe is the newly elected Premier of Choiseul Province and the new Premier for Western Province is Billy Veo.
Luke Rokovada is the new Chair of Fiji’s Public Service Commission following the resignation of Vishnu Mohan. The former diplomat is joined by Avi Raju, Mereseini Baleilevuka, Nesbitt Hazleman, Mahmood Khan and Vilitati Mataitini on the PSC.
Lachlan Halstead has been appointed as ANZ Country Head for Papua New Guinea. He has worked with the bank for 21 years.
New Zealand-born Matt Hooper has completed his four-year term as the Deputy Director-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency.
Chloe Abraham is Marshall Islands’ new Foreign Service Officer under the Bureau of Bilateral Affairs. She recently graduated from the University of Geneva with a Master’s Degree in International Governance.
Solomon Airlines has promoted Lyndah Tito Owen, one of its female pilots to captain the national carrier’s largest domestic aircraft – Dash 8.
The new Chief Executive of Vision Investments Limited (Fiji) is Sanjesh Prasad, replacing PL Munasinghe who held the role since March 2011.
Dan Khaisir is the first Papua New Guinean to be selected as General Manager of EastWest Transport. He has more than 18 years of commercial experience in the region.
Maritime Cook Islands has appointed a newly-formed Management Board who will serve as Co-Chief Executives. They are Moeroa Matheson, Paolo Favilli and Eleanor Roi.
Guam’s Michael Takai has been promoted as general manager for Triple J Tire Center. Takai had been operations manager for the car centre since 2017.
Fijian Holdings Limited has promoted Elenoa Kaloumaira as General Manager of Fund Management Limited, a subsidiary of FHL. She first joined FHL as Group Manager Investment.
PNG’s New Guinea Islands Produce Agmark Ltd has promoted Steven Nightingale as Managing Director. He was NGIP’s Chief Operating Officer from November 2019.
The new Bishop for the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia is Rev. Sione Uluilakepa, who is also head of St. John the Baptist Theological College in Suva.
Franklin Cooper-Nurse is the new acting superintendent of the Guam Department of Education. Cooper-Nurse will serve for up to 30 days until the new superintendent, Kenneth Swanson, assumes the post.
Kellie Newstead is the new marketing and brand manager at Tropica Island Resort on Malolo Island, Fiji.
South Pacific Tourism Organisation has recognised Benjamin Shaw as the company’s Employee of the Year 2022 with Finance and Administration Assistant, Reema Lal, scooping the first runner-up prize.
Maxumise Fiji Ltd has a new owner — Judi Cooper. She has been part of its operations since 2014 and replaces the founders Max and Anna Underhill.
Papua New Guinea Commonwealth Games champion Ryan Pini has been selected into the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) athlete council.
Nick Gross has been named Chef de Mission for the Northern Marianas at this year’s Pacific Games in Solomon Islands.
Maria Salamasina from Samoa has been recruited as an Assistant Referee for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.
Tevita Tuiloa has been elected interim Chief Executive of the Fiji Rugby Union, succeeding John O’Connor after six years in the role.
Oceania Rugby has hired Frank Puletua as its new General Manager. He has spent over 10 years working for the National Rugby League (NRL).
Vanuatu Rugby League has elected its new executive board for 2023. They are Antonio Korikalo as President; David Nicolasi as Vice President; So’oletaua Motuliki as Secretary-General; Breana Kamsoo as Treasurer; Ben Howard as NRL Liaison; Johnson Antas as Male Players Representative; Winona Kalpukai as Female Players Representative; Tonny Liu as Board Member; and Salitasi Lolo as Board Adviser.
Head of UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Levan Bouadze, has completed his mission of three and half years. He takes up his new assignment in New York.
In Memory
Solomon Islands’ first Ambassador to China, John Moffat Fugui passed away in Beijing from cardiac arrest. He was 61 years old. Fugui’s career in national politics began in 2010 as Member of Parliament for Central Honiara.
The first governor of Angaur State and the first woman to become a governor in Palau, Theodosia Faustino Blailes, 87, has died. She was also the first female to serve as the country’s Land Court Judge in 1977.
Fiji’s former football physiotherapist Nishant Singh has been laid to rest. He was the physiotherapist for the Fiji National U16 team to the Oceania qualifiers in Samoa, Tahiti and Solomon Island in 2015, 2016 and 2018, respectively.
