Ewen McDonald is Australia’s inaugural Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs and the next High Commissioner to Fiji. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the role reflects the Albanese Government’s commitment to supporting Pacific priorities under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its ability to “respond to collective challenges and strengthen our engagement with regional organisations as a member of the Pacific Islands Forum”.
Former Vodafone Fiji CEO, Pradeep Lal, has been appointed CEO of Vodafone PNG, following a “substantial US$1 billion investment in an entire greenfield mobile network in PNG by the ATH Group and Vodafone Fiji with its other equity partners”, a Vodafone Fiji statement said. He will continue to serve as Regional CEO for Pacific operations. Elenoa Biukoto takes over as the Fiji CEO.
The Papua New Guinea Stock Exchange has a new director. Dr Solomon Awili holds a doctorate in Banking and Finance from Flinders University, Australia.
Tonga’s Ministry of Health has Dr Reynold ‘Ofanoa as its new Chief Executive Officer.
The Development Bank of Samoa’s Manager Finance, Muā’autau Raiē Silipa, has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer.
Three commissioners for the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in PNG have been sworn in by Governor General, Sir Bob Dadae. They are: Commissioner Andrew Forbes (Australia), Deputy Commissioner, Operations and Technical Services, Daniel Baulc (Australia), and Deputy Commissioner, Prevention and Corporate Administration, Graham Gill (New Zealand).
Pitolau Lusia Sefo-Leau has been reappointed Chief Executive Officer for the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association. She took up the role in 2016.
Olo Uluao Letuli has been sworn-in as the new Senator for Fofo County in American Samoa, succeeding former Senator Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet.
Dr Elizabeth Emma C. Itibus and Monique B. Sablan have joined the CNMI Scholarship Board.
Two Commonwealth National Climate Finance Advisers have been elected: Dr Deepa Pullanikkatil, who will work in Fiji, and Keshav Dash, who will be posted in Tuvalu.
Fiji Revenue and Customs Service Chief Executive Officer, Mark Dixon, has resigned citing personal reasons. He served in the role for 18 months.
Northern Marianas’ Governor Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang have sworn in new Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission members, James Sirok and Dr John Angello.
China’s new Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia, Wu Wei, has presented his credentials to FSM President Wesley W. Simina.
Fijian lawyer Barbara Malimali has been appointed temporary chairperson of the Fiji Electoral Commission.
Pacifico Martir is the new Deputy General Manager for Administration and Finance of the Port Authority of Guam.
Dr Anita Borja Enriquez is the new President of The University of Guam Board of Regents.
Kiribati’s President Taneti Maamau has appointed two Secretaries: Roreti Eritai’s contract has been renewed as Secretary to the Ministry of Education; Ribeta Abeta is the newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development.
Colonel Andrew Morgan is the newly appointed Commander of the U.S Army Garrison in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands.
Richard Terry Edwin is the Acting General Manager for the Vanuatu National Provident Fund, following the resignation of Parmod Achary.
Dr Sela Moa is the new Chief Executive Officer for Tonga’s Ministry of Justice for a four-year term.
President of the Marshall Islands, David Kabua, has accepted Letters of Credence of Spain’s Ambassador to the Marshalls, Miguel Utray Delgado.
Vanuatu’s Public Service Commission has elected Pacco Siri as Director-General to the Ministry of Justice and Community Services on a temporary basis.
The Palau Media Council has elected a new set of officers: Leilani Reklai, Island Times Publisher and Editor (Director); Kambes Kesolei, Tia Belau Editor (President); Jill Senior, Roll Em Production (Vice-President); Olkeriil Kazuo (Secretary); and Janiz Ruetinag (Treasurer).
Four new judges have been sworn into PNG’s National and Supreme Courts. They are: Nerrie Pinau Eliakim, Derrick Wood, Dr John Carey and Susan Purdon Sully.
BSP Financial Group Limited’s Umesh Radhika Prasad has been appointed General Manager Treasury. She is also a Board Director for the Fiji Revenue & Customs Services and the Fiji Chamber of Commerce.
Tongan-born Sione Taufa has been appointed Associate Dean Pacific at the University of Auckland Business School, New Zealand.
Samoa National Provident Fund has a new Chief Executive Officer – Lemalu Selesitina Meni Reti, who is currently on the Board of Directors for Samoa Trust Estates Corporation.
Solomon Islands’ Malaita Province Education Authority has announced Timmy Afia as its new Principal Education Officer for the province’s Central region.
Private Consultant Menzies Jack Samuel has been selected as Vanuatu’s new Lands Ombudsman.
Tafesilafa’i Ipiniu Filipo has been promoted to the role of General Manager for Samoa Shipping Services.
iTaukei Land Trust Board CEO Tevita Kuruvakadua has resigned. Solomoni Nata has taken over on a one-year term.
Four new executives have been selected into the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) Athletes’ Commission: Ken Wallace (Australia), Kaino Thomsen-Fuataga (Samoa), Matelita Buadromo (Fiji), and Kayla Whitelock (New Zealand).
All Blacks legend Tana Umaga has been named the next head coach of Super Rugby Pacific side Moana Pasifika, replacing the outgoing Aaron Mauger.
Tausala Mansfield is the first woman of American Samoan-origin to become a Blackhawk pilot in the US Army. A First Warrant Officer, she joined the US Army in 2014 and hails from the village of Aua in American Samoa.
Air Vanuatu has promoted local pilot Rankin Tari to the position of Captain.
In Memory
Cook Islands’ Professor Jon Tikivanotau Michael Jonassen has been laid to rest. Professor Jonassen was a Kūki ‘Āirani composer, university professor, diplomat and political scientist who held a deep love for his people, language and culture.
The Fiji Museum’s Isireli Racagimalua has passed away. He was a Technical Intern in the Education, Installation & Promotion Unit under the Urban Pathways Youth Work Placement Programme. He also played a vital role in the re-opening of the Museum post-pandemic.
