Tonga’s parliamentary Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, is the first Pacific Islander to be elected into the board of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Forum of Young Parliamentarians. Fakafanua said his election guarantees that pressing issues such as climate change can be heard at the international parliamentary fora.
Samoan Associate Professor Tuifa’asisina Patila Amosa is the first female Vice-Chancellor and President of the National University of Samoa (NUS). She takes over the position held by Aiono Alec Ekeroma, who was appointed recently as new Director General of Health.
Solomon Islands’ High Court has a new Puisne Judge — Ronald Bei Talasasa Jnr, who hails from Munda, Western Province. He was the former Director of Prosecutions in Nauru.
The new Permanent Representative of Tuvalu to the United Nations, Tapugao Falefou, has presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Northern Marianas Governor Arnold I. Palacios has named former Speaker Oscar M. Babauta as the new Special Assistant for Administration. Babauta served as speaker of the 15th Legislature.
Sir Kostas Constantinou has retired as Chairman of the BSP Financial Group after 13 years serving at the Bank. He has been replaced by Robert Bradshaw, who is also current chairman of Post PNG Ltd.
Tonga’s first Ombudsman, Aisea Taumoepeau has retired from the role, after nine years of service. Alisi Taumoepeau will be serving as interim Ombudsman until June this year.
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. has terminated Ismael Aguon as the Director of the Bureau of Public Safety without citing any reasons for termination. Aguon was sworn in as Director in March 2021.
Former Tourism minister Patrick Arioka, former secretary of Education Sharyn Paio, and businessman Arama Wichman have joined the Cook Islands’ Investment Corporation (CIIC) Board.
Bougainville Copper Ltd has elected Maryanne Hasola as an independent non-executive director. She has more than 23 years’ experience in accounting and auditing while working for the PNG Internal Revenue Commission.
Professor Steven Ratuva has been selected as the University of Canterbury’s inaugural Te Amorangi Pro-Vice Chancellor Pacific. He heads the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, a world-class centre for interdisciplinary research about the Pacific region.
Russell Tamata has resumed his role as Director General of Vanuatu’s Ministry of Youth and Sports. He was temporarily transferred to the Ministry of Health due to the COVID-19 crisis. Judith Melsul, the Human Resource Manager for MOH, has been appointed as the Acting DG for Health.
Two new directors have been appointed to the Fiji National Provident Fund — veteran trade unionist Attar Singh and business executive Joe Taoi. They replace Sanjay Kaba and Joel Abraham, who have resigned from the Board.
Lita Lui has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer at the Samoa Chamber of Commerce following the resignation of Lemauga Hobart Va’ai earlier this year.
Umarji Musa and Tupou’tuah Baravilala have tendered their resignation from the Board of Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH). Their replacements were yet to be named as we went to press.
Lautimuia Uelese Vaai has been sworn in as Samoa’s newest Member of Parliament for Vaimauga #3. He was previously the chairman of Samoa Shipping Services.
Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has promoted Kedi Ilimbit as new acting Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Mark Thompson. Also, Erizo Kepe is the new Manager of the Environment Department at OTML.
Samoa’s Cabinet has confirmed the appointment of Tuala Tamaalelagi Siaki Tuala as Chief Executive Officer of the Gambling Control Authority (GCA).
Bank of South Pacific (BSP)’s Board of Directors has selected Haroon Ali to be acting Chairman of BSP Convertible Notes Limited. He is the current Country Head of BSP Fiji.
In Kiribati, Benny Teuea is the new Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, while Terengaiti Awerika has also renewed her contract as permanent secretary of the Ministry.
American Samoa’s LBJ board of directors has approved Rowena Reid as Human Resources Director for the hospital. She previously worked for StarKist Samoa as its HR Manager.
The iTaukei Trust Fund Board (TTFB) has selected two new board members. They are Fiji lawyer Jovilisi Suveinakama and policy researcher Dr. Amerita Ravuvu.
Malakai Naiyaga is the new acting Chair of Fiji Revenue and Customs Service. He replaces Savendra Dayal who served in the role since January this year.
Kathryn-Ann Stamm has been admitted as an Attorney in Palau. She is a Cornell Law School alumni and a former Senior Court Counsel to Palau’s Supreme Court.
Lawyer and businessman McRonald Nale has been chosen as the acting chairman of PNG Power Ltd. He replaces Moses Maladina who has resigned. Also, Vera Lama Makara has been promoted as General Manager — Asset Management at PNG Power.
German national Simon Graf is the new general manager of Hyatt Regency Saipan. He has been with the Hotel group for over 20 years.
Army veteran Leevan Manuel has joined the Palau International Coral Reef Center as the newest Aquarist in the Palau Aquarium. Leevan is helping with the coral reef restoration project in collaboration with the people of Ngaraard State.
Papalii Alexandra Iakopo-Ah Tong has been recognised with the 2023 Gender Equality Award by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs. She serves as a Support Officer with the House Disability Division in the Australian High Commission to Samoa.
Guam Governor, Lou Leon Guerrero has selected Col. Michael Cruz as the next Adjutant General of the Guam National Guard. This follows the retirement of Maj. Gen. Esther Aguigui, who served in the role since 2019.
Mikela Heine has joined the Marshall Islands’ Foreign Affairs Ministry as its new Foreign Services Officer after successfully completing her three-months internship.
The Vanuatu Athletes Commission has a new Chairperson, Ajah Pritchard Lolo. She represented the nation in weightlifting at the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
Iuli Moefa’auo Salale Moananu has been re-appointed as Chief Executive of the Samoa Sports Facility Authority (SSFA) for an additional three years. He has supervised all government-owned sports complexes for the past 12 years.
Ten executive members have been appointed into the Board of the Fiji Sports Council. They are Chairman Gilbert Vakalalabure; Deputy Chairman Peter Mazey; Board Secretary, Joseva Sania; Nouzab Fareed; Della Shaw Elder; Rajesh Singh; Peniasi Sokia; Semesa Karavaki; Permanent Secretary for Finance, Shiri Krishna Gounder; and Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports, Rovereto Nayacalevu.
In Memory
Vanuatu has bid farewell to one of its prominent businessmen and political figures, Gilbert Dinh Van Than, who passed away on February 28, 2023, in New Caledonia. He owned over ten companies, including the Blue Water Resort (now known as Crystal Blue).
Solomon Islands’ first veterinarian surgeon, Dr Baddley Ashton Anita, was called to rest on March 1st in India. He initially worked under the Solomon Islands Government in the agriculture sector in 1991.
