Jotham Napat has been elected as Vanuatu’s new Prime Minister, securing the top post unopposed. Former Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, leader of the Reunification Movement for Change, nominated Napat, the MP for Tanna.
The Asian Development Bank has appointed Emma Veve as Director General of its Pacific Department, where she will be responsible for the department’s vision and strategy in the
subregion.
Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke has announced his new Cabinet. The ministers are:
● Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke – Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, Minister for Fisheries, Minister for Prisons.
● Dr Taniela Likuohihifo Fusimālohi – Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Communications and Climate Change and Minister for Infrastructure.
● Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala – Minister for Foreign Affairs and His Majesty’s Armed Forces.
● Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi – Minister for Education, Minister for Lands and National Resources.
● Paula Piveni Piukala – Minister for Public Enterprises, Minister for Police, Minister for Fire and Emergency Services.
● Mo’ale Finau – Minister for Tourism, Minister for Justice.
● Kāpelieli Militoni Lanumata – Minister for Trade and Economic Dvelopment.
● Mateni Tapueluelu – Minister for Revenue and Customs.
● Dr Ana ‘Akau’ola – Minister for Health.
● Dr Siosiua Moala Halavātau – Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
● Sinaitakala Tu’itahi – Minister for Internal Affairs.
Moana Pasifika’s Ardie Savea has been named as captain for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. The loose forward has played 94 Tests for the All Blacks and makes his Moana Pasifika debut this year.
Fraud investigator, Sophia H Pretrick, has joined the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) as a program director. Petrick will be based in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and was most recently a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Transnational Organised Crime Program Officer.
The Fiji Electoral Commission has named its new Chairperson, His Lordship Justice Usaia Ratuvili.
Elizabeth Genia has been appointed governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea. Genia was formerly the acting head of Papua New Guinea’s central bank and was permanently appointed to the position in early 2024.
In Dubai, HE Saif Abdulla Alshamisi, Assistant Undersecretary for Protocol Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has received a copy of the credentials of HE Doctor Tauisi M Taupo, Ambassador of Tuvalu to the UAE.
The Fiji Rugby Union Board of Directors has terminated the appointment of Laijipa Naulivou, who was the first woman to captain the Fijian women’s rugby team, as Director of Rugby. She had been on the job for only four days.
The Tonga National University has appointed Dr Giulio Masasso Tu’ikolongahau Paunga as its inaugural Vice Chancellor. Dr Paunga previously served as Deputy Vice Chancellor and
Vice President for Regional Campuses and Global Engagement at the University of the South Pacific (USP) from June 2014 to June 2024.
The University of the South Pacific, at its 98th Council meeting on Monday 25 November 2024 in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, appointed Daniel Vafo’ou Fatiaki as the Visitor for the university for a three-year term commencing 29 January 2025. Fatiaki is a legal professional with extensive experience in judicial leadership across the Pacific, spanning over 40 years and has served as Chief Justice of Fiji and Nauru, and served as a Justice in the Vanuatu Court of Appeal.
Prominent Australian-based lawyer Filipe Batiwale has been appointed Commissioner for the Online Safety Commission Fiji. Batiwale is a senior lawyer with a current practising certificate in Australia, specialising in commercial law, cyber law, and digital asset protection.
Karthikeyan Chandra and Jovilisi Liganivai have become Associates of Munro Leys law firms in Fiji. Chandra completed his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the South Pacific and was admitted to the Fiji Bar in 2017. Liganivai now works principally in commercial and private client litigation, including corporate disputes, debt recovery, employment law, property law, insolvency matters, and regulatory compliance.
Acting Commissioner of Fiji Police, Juki Fong Chew, has announced his retirement for May 2025 after 36 years with the force.
The American Samoa governor’s nominee for the position of Director of Commerce is Magdeline Pepe Petaia. Her confirmation hearing was chaired by Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono, Chairman of the Government Operations Committee.
Former Fijian Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, will retain her parliamentary seat. Tabuya remains a member of the People’s Alliance (PA) Party.
Five Commissioners of the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission were sworn in at the State House in the presence of President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and other distinguished guests. The five commissioners are:
● Dr Marcus Brand, originally from Austria, has served in international positions for more than 25 years working with the United Nations. Dr Brand has also been sworn in as the Chairman of the Commission.
● Sekove Naqiolevu, a member of the Pacific legal fraternity, has served as the Chief Magistrate of Fiji from 1992 to 1997, and as a Judge of the High Court and Court of Appeal of the Solomon Islands from 2005 to 2010.
● Rachna Shiv Shri Nath, a human rights advisor, strategic communications specialist, journalist and community leader.
● Asilika Laqeretabua, a leadership coach, facilitator and trainer, committed to transformational leadership. She is also the Principal Consultant and sole director of SALT Inc. Ltd, a development consultancy in operation in Suva, Fiji since 2009.
And Rajendra Hiralal Dass, an experienced and dedicated retired airline transport pilot with a distinguished 43-year career at Fiji Airways.
Peter Roberts has been appointed as Australia’s new High Commissioner to Fiji, replacing Ewen McDonald. Roberts is currently the Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Tokyo and has also served as Ambassador to Timor- Leste. He has also worked in Samoa, Japan and as a Senior Civilian Monitor in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. McDonald is heading to PNG to head Australia’s mission in Port Moresby.
Cook Islands Investment Corporation has confirmed that Romani Katoa’s contract with them for the Arutanga Harbour project in Aitutaki has been terminated.
Governor Stevenson A Joseph has sworn in two individuals who will play key roles in shaping the future of Pohnpei (FSM):
● Aspen Appis – Sworn in as a member of the Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Board, where he will help improve policies and practices in fisheries and aquaculture.
● Emmanuel Rodriguez – Sworn in as a member of the Board of Public Lands Trust, focusing on the careful management of public lands for the people of Pohnpei.
Mary Louise Milne has won a seat in the Port Vila electorate, making her the only women’s voice in the chamber after the only previous incumbent female MP Julia King was voted out.
Special Mentions
Papua New Guinea’s Adrine Monagi has a new national record in the 60mhurdles at the Australian Short Track Athletics Championship. She clocked a time of 8.31 seconds.
Dr Subashni Kumar, Fiji National University (FNU)’s assistant professor of Hindi in the School of Communication, Language and Literature, College of Humanities, Education and Law has won first place in the international Hindi Playwriting Competition, in the Asia/ Australia geographical category in 2024.
Tahitian surfer Vahine Fierro has become one of the three rookies on the World Surf League 2025 Championship Tour (CT). She will represent France but will be the first Tahitian woman full time CT surfer.
Miss Samoa, Litara Ieremia-Allan, has been crowned as the new Queen of the Pacific at the 38th Miss Pacific Islands pageant, held in Honiara, Solomon Islands. She was declared Miss Pacific Islands 2025-2026, marking Samoa’s ninth win.
Seini (Nau) Adivuti, a Cruise Director for Blue Lagoon Cruises, has been awarded the Employee Excellence in service Award for the year 2024 at the Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards.
Angie Rekha has become the first Fiji-based player to be contracted in the New Zealand Women’s National League. She has signed a one-year contract with Western Springs AFC in Auckland.
In Memory
Sir Julius Chan, one of Papua New Guinea’s founding fathers and longest serving politicians, has passed away at the age of 85.
Maori educator Dame Iritana Te Rangi Tawhiwhirangi, a founder of the Kohanga Reo movement, has died at the age of 95.
Maori singer, composer and performer, Toni Huata, has died. Huata was a champion of Maori Music and te reo, and released much of her music in her mother tongue. She was also the Kaihautu Puoro Maori – director of Maori music at the SOUNZ Centre for NZ Music.
Reverend Tuikoro Kolinisau, founder of the Kingdom Ambassadors International Fellowship and father of Fiji’s sevens coach Osea Kolinisau, has passed away at the age of 63.
Former Papua New Guinea Chief Justice and Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet has been appointed as the new PNG Ambassador to United States of America. Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced Sir Arnold’s official appointment at the commissioning Monday, marking a new era of diplomatic ties with US.
