Aisake Eke is Tonga’s new Prime Minister, after the shock resignation of Siaosi Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku, just before the latter faced a discussion and ballot on a Vote of No Confidence in his government. Dr Eke is a former finance minister.
Alcide Ponga is the new President of New Caledonia. He is also managing the portfolios of international air transport, international promotion of New Caledonia, relations with Congress and the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, Francophony (French language matters), mining policy, external relations, and civil security. His other cabinet members include Christopher Gygès, Isabelle Champmoreau, Thierry Santa, Jérémie Katidjo-Monnier, Petelo Sao, Gilbert Tyuienon, Mickaël Forrest, Samuel Hnepeune, Adolphe Digoué, and Claude Gambey.
Solomon Islands National Parliament has elected Cathy Nori as Deputy Speaker, making her the first female to hold the position in Solomon Islands’ history.
The Pacific Islands Forum has announced that Dr Salome Taufa is the new Acting Director – Governance & Engagement (G&E). Dr Taufa will be acting in the role until the Director’s position is filled.
Sashi Kiran has been appointed as the new Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection for Fiji, replacing Lynda Tabuya. Kiran was formerly Assistant Minister and founded and ran a community-based organisation before being elected to parliament.
Shri Harsh Kumar Jain is India’s new Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia. FSM President, Wesley W. Simina, accepted Ambassador Jain’s letter of credence during a formal presentation of credentials ceremony held at the Office of the President in Palikir.
Pulaalii Nikolao Pula has been sworn in as the new Governor for American Samoa following last November’s elections. Pulu Ae Ae Jr was also sworn in as the new Lieutenant Governor.
The Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji has announced the appointment of Caroline Pickering as the new Director of the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Pickering was formerly the Manager Policy and Compliance with the Fiji FIU. She replaces Razim Buksh, who retired from the position in 2023.
Indian national and a current judge with the Supreme Court of Fiji, Madan Lokur, has been appointed as the chairperson of the Internal Justice Council. Justice Lokur has been appointed for a 4-year tenure ending on 12 November 2028.
Ratu Etueni Qiolele Caucau is Fiji’s new High Commissioner Designate to Malaysia.
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has appointed Stuart Larman as the new Project Manager for the upcoming OFC Professional League, to kick-off in early 2026.
Communications Fiji Ltd (CFL) has announced the resignation of Prastika Payal from its board. Payal was Unit Trust of Fiji’s representative on the CFL board.
Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister of Fiji, Dr Raijeli Taga, has been named the new Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Current Permanent Secretary Foreign Affairs, Dr Lesikimacuata Korovavala, will become the Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister. Dr Korovavala will also assume duties as Acting Permanent Secretary for Immigration responsible to the Minister of Immigration.
Lakapi Samoa Board has appointed Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun as its new Chief Executive Officer. Seumanu has over 15 years of experience in governance, leadership, and sports management, including roles of CEO of Leadership Samoa, President of the Tama Uli Rugby Club and the Fa’asaleleaga Sub-Union, and Chairman of the Savai’i Vikings Franchise.
CNMI Senate President, Dennis James Mendiola, has assigned committee chairmanships to members of the 24th Senate. The new chairs are:
● Sen. Frank Q. Cruz, Rules and Procedures, and the Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations.
● Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider, Fiscal Affairs Committee and the Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications Committee.
● Senate Vice President Karl King Nabors, Judiciary, Government and Law, as well as Federal Relations and Military Affairs.
● Senate Floor Leader Donald Manglona, Health, Welfare and Programs.
● Sen. Corina Magofna, Resources, Economic Development, and Workforce, as well as Gaming.
● Sen. Ronnie Calvo, Education and Youth Affairs Committee.
● The other senators are Saipan Democrats, Celina R. Babauta and Manny Gregory T. Castro.
The Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) has announced the returning Cook Islander Ewan Cameron as its newly appointed Smaller Island States Officer (SISO).
Christopher A. Concepcion, Managing Director of Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) of CNMI, has resigned from his post.
Three new members of the Samoa Council of Deputies have been sworn in by Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese. The three new Council of Deputies are Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, Malietoa Moli II and Laulu Tiatia Mapesone Mapusua.
Rusiate Tudravu is the new Commissioner of Police of Fiji.
Fiji’s Christopher Pryde has been reinstated to the position of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
Moana Pasifika utility back, Neria Fomai, will miss the entire 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. The player had anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery, following an injury he sustained playing for Hawkes Bay in the New Zealand National Provincial Championship last year.
Alexandre Rousseau has been appointed as the new Chairman of New Caledonia’s mothballed nickel plant, Koniambo nickel (KNS).
The 13th Kosrae State Legislature of Micronesia has elected new leaders during its mid-term caucus. T.H. Semeon J. Phillip was chosen as Speaker, T.H. Salpasr Tilfas as Vice Speaker, and Andy J. Andrew as Floor Leader.
Seven Opposition Members of the Fijian Parliament (MPs) from the Group of Nine (G9) have been sworn in as Ministers and Assistant Ministers for the Coalition Government. The following G9 MPs will take on ministerial portfolios: Ioane Naivalurua: Minister for Policing; Viliame Naupoto: Minister for Immigration; and Mosese Bulitavu: Minister for Climate Change. Four others will serve as assistant ministers.
Special mentions
Sprinter Pais Wisil set a new Papua New Guinea 60m short track record in Brisbane. Wisil ran an impressive time of 6.76, breaking the 30-year-old record held by Peter Pulu.
A former Niue Commonwealth Games representative, Olivia Bloomfield, has claimed the 2025 New Zealand Bowls Nationals Championships women’s pairs title.
Danielle Aina, a teacher at Laulii Elementary School, is American Samoa’s recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
The Asia Foundation has selected the second cohort of the Pacific Women Climate Leaders, a 10-day fellowship programme that recognises women driving climate solutions across the Pacific region and connects them with other climate leaders. They are Mereoni Chung from Fiji, Dikatauna Kwa from Papua New Guinea, and Zoe Mahe of Vanuatu.
In Memory:
The founder and former co-leader of Te Pati-Maori, Dame Taiana Turia, passed away earlier this month after suffering a stroke.
Former Fijian Journalist, Fiji Netball President and current senior manager at the Fiji National Provident Fund, Wainikiti Waqa Bogidrau, has passed away. The World Netball Board has since approved the posthumous awarding of a World Netball Service Award to
Bogidrau, making her the 44th person to receive this honor.
Sir Charles Watson Lepani KBE passed away on January 10. He was a distinguished Papua New Guinean diplomat and public servant.
