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People People

Karthikeyan Chandra and Jovilisi leadership. She is also the Principal Dr Subashni Kumar, Fiji National
Liganivai have become Associates of Consultant and sole director of SALT University (FNU)’s assistant professor of
Munro Leys law firms in Fiji. Chandra Inc. Ltd, a development consultancy Hindi in the School of Communication,
completed his Bachelor of Laws degree in operation in Suva, Fiji since 2009. Language and Literature, College of
from the University of the South Pacific Humanities, Education and Law has won
and was admitted to the Fiji Bar in ● And Rajendra Hiralal Dass, an first place in the international Hindi
2017. Liganivai now works principally in experienced and dedicated retired Playwriting Competition, in the Asia/
commercial and private client litigation, airline transport pilot with a Australia geographical category in 2024.
including corporate disputes, debt distinguished 43-year career at Fiji Tahitian surfer Vahine Fierro has
recovery, employment law, property Airways. become one of the three rookies on the
law, insolvency matters, and regulatory Peter Roberts has been appointed as World Surf League 2025 Championship
compliance. Australia’s new High Commissioner to Tour (CT). She will represent France but
Fiji, replacing Ewen McDonald. Roberts
Acting Commissioner of Fiji Police, will be the first Tahitian woman full time
Juki Fong Chew, has announced his is currently the Deputy Head of Mission, CT surfer.
retirement for May 2025 after 36 years Australian Embassy, Tokyo and has Miss Samoa, Litara Ieremia-Allan, has
with the force. also served as Ambassador to Timor-
Leste. He has also worked in Samoa, been crowned as the new Queen of the
The American Samoa governor’s Japan and as a Senior Civilian Monitor Pacific at the 38th Miss Pacific Islands
nominee for the position of Director of in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. pageant, held in Honiara, Solomon
Commerce is Magdeline Pepe Petaia. McDonald is heading to PNG to head Islands. She was declared Miss Pacific
Her confirmation hearing was chaired Australia’s mission in Port Moresby. Islands 2025-2026, marking Samoa’s
by Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono, ninth win.
Chairman of the Government Operations Cook Islands Investment Corporation Seini (Nau) Adivuti, a Cruise Director
Committee. has confirmed that Romani Katoa’s
contract with them for the Arutanga for Blue Lagoon Cruises, has been
Former Fijian Minister for Women, Harbour project in Aitutaki has been awarded the Employee Excellence in
Children and Social Protection, Lynda terminated. service Award for the year 2024 at the
Tabuya, will retain her parliamentary Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards.
seat. Tabuya remains a member of the Governor Stevenson A Joseph has Angie Rekha has become the first
People’s Alliance (PA) Party. sworn in two individuals who will play
key roles in shaping the future of Fiji-based player to be contracted in the
Five Commissioners of the Fiji Truth Pohnpei (FSM): New Zealand Women’s National League.
and Reconciliation Commission were She has signed a one-year contract with
sworn in at the State House in the ● Aspen Appis – Sworn in as a member Western Springs AFC in Auckland.
presence of President Ratu Naiqama of the Office of Fisheries and
Lalabalavu and other distinguished Aquaculture Advisory Board, where
guests. The five commissioners are: he will help improve policies and In Memory
practices in fisheries and aquaculture.
● Dr Marcus Brand, originally from Sir Julius Chan, one of Papua New
Austria, has served in international ● Emmanuel Rodriguez – Sworn in Guinea’s founding fathers and longest
positions for more than 25 years as a member of the Board of Public serving politicians, has passed away at
working with the United Nations. Dr Lands Trust, focusing on the careful the age of 85.
Brand has also been sworn in as the management of public lands for the Maori educator Dame Iritana Te
Chairman of the Commission. people of Pohnpei. Rangi Tawhiwhirangi, a founder of the
● Sekove Naqiolevu, a member of the Mary Louise Milne has won a seat in Kohanga Reo movement, has died at the
Pacific legal fraternity, has served the Port Vila electorate, making her the age of 95.
as the Chief Magistrate of Fiji from only women’s voice in the chamber after Maori singer, composer and performer,
1992 to 1997, and as a Judge of the the only previous incumbent female MP Toni Huata, has died. Huata was a
High Court and Court of Appeal of the Julia King was voted out. champion of Maori Music and te reo,
Solomon Islands from 2005 to 2010. and released much of her music in
● Rachna Shiv Shri Nath, a Special Mentions her mother tongue. She was also the
human rights advisor, strategic Kaihautu Puoro Maori - director of Maori
communications specialist, journalist Papua New Guinea’s Adrine Monagi music at the SOUNZ Centre for NZ Music.
and community leader. has a new national record in the 60m
hurdles at the Australian Short Track Reverend Tuikoro Kolinisau,
● Asilika Laqeretabua, a leadership Athletics Championship. She clocked a founder of the Kingdom Ambassadors
coach, facilitator and trainer, time of 8.31 seconds. International Fellowship and father of
committed to transformational Fiji’s sevens coach Osea Kolinisau, has
passed away at the age of 63.

Islands Business, February 2025 35