Page 5 - IB December 2022

Managing Director / Publisher A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Netani Rika

Managing Editor The end of 2022 saw important elections in two parts of our region, Fiji and the
Samantha Magick Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. The results in both jurisdictions were
historic. In Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka has returned as Prime Minister, leading a coalition
government, while in CNMI, independent candidates have prevailed for the first
time, with the victory of Arnold I. Palacios and his running mate David M. Apatang.
Designer The economic and social impacts of the pandemic mean these new, and all Pacific
Islands leaders, will face major challenges in 2023. As always, we will be following
Dick Lee
developments closely, but for now, you can read how these elections played out in
this issue.
Contributors
K-Andrea Evarose S. Limol
You will also find features on our Pacific People of the Year. They include sports and
Nic Maclellan
Olympics administrator, Fiji’s Dr Robin Mitchell, and a powerful band of women
Vijay Naidu leading the region’s fisheries organisations, both in board and negotiating rooms, and
Alipate Pareti on the water. While no one individual Pacific Islander stood out for their international
Kite Pareti impact, we recognise the contribution these regional leaders have made to these
Netani Rika sectors that are so important to our economic and social well-being.
Dionisia Tabureguci
Kaliopate Tavola With plans to discharge more than 1.2 million tonnes of radioactive cooling water
Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti into the Pacific Ocean from the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan in early 2023, we
report on concerns from the fishing sector, and of an expert panel of scientists in
this issue. This will continue to be a contentious issue for the region, and chartering
international efforts to resolve it will be a priority of our coverage this coming year.

And this month we meet Jerrard ‘Jay’ Hekau, who is bringing insights into life in Niue
Islands Business is published monthly by
Front Page Pte Limited to the world via his YouTube channel, ‘Life on the Rock’. His clips show his family’s
Editorial & Advertising Offices ordinary activities of fishing, farming and sharing meals in a warm and engaging way,
GPO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands. connecting Niueans, other Pacific Islanders and people all over the world.
Tel: +679 9719660
Connection is at the heart of what Islands Business is about. Thank you to our readers,
Emails subscribers and advertisers who have supported us throughout 2022. It was a difficult
Editorial: editor@islandsbusiness.com year and we appreciate the faith you continue to put in us. We hope that 2023 brings
Subscriptions: subs@islandsbusiness.com all of us better times.
Advertising: marketing@islandsbusiness.com

Printing:
PrintHouse, Suva, Fiji.
editor@islandsbusiness.com

February 2022 FJD $8
www.islandsbusiness.com www.islandsbusiness.com
May-June 2022 FJD $8

TONGAN RESILIENCE
BLINKEN VISIT • PANGUNA LAU: THE NEXT GALAPAGOS?
TOURISM • ICT • CHINA
Copyright © 2022 Front Page Pte Limited.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced without the written permission of the
publisher.

www.islandsbusiness.com

Islands Business, December 2022 5