The Pacific Community (SPC) has appointed Elsie Fukofuka as its Regional Director, Polynesia, stationed at its regional office in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
Tuvalu’s new Prime Minister, Feleti Teo has named key ministerial appointments, including: Panapasa Nelesone as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Economic Development; Paulson Panapa as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade; Dr Maina Vakafua Talia as Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment; Simon Kofe as Minister for Transport, Energy, Communication, and Innovation; Hamoa Holona as Minister for Education and Human Resources Development; Tuafala Latasi as Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and Sa’aga Talu Teafa as Minister for Natural Resources Development.
Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown has confirmed the appointment of Albert Nicholas as the country’s Deputy Prime Minister.
Tonga’s new Minister of Health, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola has been sworn in by Acting Speaker, Lord Tu’iha’angana.
Dr Jemesa Tudravu has taken over from Dr James Fong as Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services. He is an experienced orthopaedic surgeon and health administrator, with more than 30 years of work experience locally and abroad.
Assistant Attorney General, Marisha Jones has been sworn into the Bar of the Federated States of Micronesia.
Josephine Tauoa is the first Samoan to be promoted to the rank of Command Master Chief with the United States Navy.
United Nations Resident Coordinator, Themba Arthur Jimani Kalua, and the United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative, Aliona Niculita, both based in Samoa and overseeing Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, and Tokelau, have presented their Letters of Credentials to the Premier of Niue, Dalton Tagelagi.
Fagaloa Leti Setto Roy Tufuga has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Samoa Law Reform Commission.
Tingika Elikana is the new Cook Islands Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marine Resources and Parliamentary
Services.
The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Council of Fiji has elected its new Board headed by President Morika Hunter, Vice-Presidents Josie Prasad and Carol Watkins, Treasurer Faiyaz Khan and executive members Chandan Ohri, Erik van Duivenbode, Thelma Taria-Savua and Kelera Tukana.
Heseti Sione Vaai has been re-appointed as Samoa Life Assurance Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and General Manager for the next three years.
The Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner has four new members. They are Elisiva Akau’ola as Legal Officer, Madeleine Pears as Policy Officer, Leena Mesebeluu as Ocean Registry Officer, and Moira Simmons as Engagement Officer.
The Wildlife Conservation Society Program (WCS Fiji) has appointed Neomai Ravitu as Marine Manager, and Akanisi Caginitoba as Landscape and Watersheds Manager.
Dr Hōkūlani K. Aikau has become the first indigenous woman Editor of the Pacific Islands Monograph Series at the University of Hawaii.
The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement has appointed its new Board. They are Daiana Buresova as Chair, Akanisi Nabalarua as Vice-Chair, Virisila Buadromo as Trustee, Finau Waqa as Treasurer, and Adarshani Vikash.
Julius Liyon Tun has been sworn in as the new Director of the Office of Planning and Budget in the State of Yap, Federated States of Micronesia.
Arthur Sam has retired as a Director of BSP Financial Group Limited. He served in the role since July 2016.
RB Patel Group Limited has appointed Kamal Haer as its new Chairperson.
Fijian Holdings Limited Group has appointed John Matthews as the Development and Construction Manager for the Group.
Gynaecologist Dr Jon Hathaway has joined the medical team at LBJ Hospital in American Samoa.
Anne Herman has been reappointed Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Cook Islands, marking it her third consecutive term in the role.
Film Fiji has appointed Jone Robertson as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Former Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commanding Officer and Tailevu Chief, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula is the new Chairman of Fiji’s Great Council of Chiefs, which reconvened in Suva last month after being abolished by Fiji’s previous government almost two decades ago.
Francisco Rabauliman and Dr Glenda George have been appointed to the Northern Marianas Health Care Professions Licensing Board.
Justice Susan Purdon-Sully and Justice Derek Wood have been sworn-in as expatriate judges of the Supreme and National Courts of Papua New Guinea for three years.
Rooster Poultry General Manager, Stanley Raniga has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji.
Rita Sablan and Alvaro Santos have been reappointed to the Marianas Public Land Trustees for another six-year term.
Tanuvasa Oloapu Petone Mauga has been reappointed as Samoa’s Commissioner of Fire and Emergency Authority for the next three years.
The new Pacific Regional Director at the Waitt Institute is Arthur Sokimi. He was previously Country Manager with the Blue Prosperity Fiji team. Sokimi will support the Waitt Institute’s engagement with government partners and Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific agencies leading to the adoption of Marine Spatial Plans and Marine Protected Areas in the Pacific.
Shawn Walter has been appointed the new Technical Coordinator at Blue Prosperity Micronesia.
PNG’s Teachers Savings and Loan Society has appointed John Simango as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Fijian lawyer Vinay Sharma has been sworn-in as a Resident Magistrate in the District Court of Nauru.
Tonga police have appointed their first-ever Police Chaplain, Ian Claude Tu’ihalangingie.
Special Awards
Vice-Chancellor of Auckland University of Technology, Professor Toeolesulusulu Damon Salesa has been appointed an Honorary Fellow of Oriel College at the University of Oxford in England.
Fiji’s Lai Tora has been recognised with the Asian Development Bank’s One ADB Gender Champion award. Tora is based at the Pakistan Resident Mission. The award is named for another Fijian and leader at the ADB, the late Shireen Lateef.
In Memory
Ratu Kinijoji Rayacarogo George Cama, better known as Tukini Cama, passed away on 18 February 2024. Cama was one of Fiji’s most recognised radio announcers and media personalities.
Former Governor of the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands, Tony Hughes has died. In his retirement, he continued as a major national figure, including chairing a Commission of Inquiry into mining licensing.
