Congratulations to my friend Elsie Fukofuka on her new role as Regional Director, Polynesia at the Pacific Community (SPC), after 19 years of public service, leaving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tonga where she was Head of the Pacific. Mālō e ngaue lelei!

Yesterday was my last day as a Public Servant. I thank God for the opportunity to have served the country and people I love for the past 19 years. Thank you Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni - Huakavameiliku and Foreign Minister Fekitamoeloa K. Utoikamanu for your leadership & the honour of serving under you 🇹🇴

Blessed to commence at Pacific Community Polynesia Regional Office today in Nuku'alofa. Humbled and honoured to serve our Pacific region, in particular, the 10 SPC Polynesia member countries. Excited to work with, and learn from, these wonderful colleagues and the brilliant team at SPC.🙏

Beware the quiet man. For while others speak, he watches. And while others act, he plans. And when they finally rest... he strikes. #NeverComplain #NeverExplain Marchie 2024🇹🇴

Ending #IWD as a panelist at a 'Women in ICT' event. Hosted by Selu Kauvaka, an inspirational young woman leader in ICT in #Tonga and moderated by the amazing Dr Tangikina Skeen. Fellow panelists incl'd my teacher Sinama Fuao, Deputy Aust DA Caroline & ABC correspondent Marian🌴

New kava bar seeks to make drink more accessible abc.net.au/pacific/progra…

Fiji’s former prime minister Frank Bainimarama is a free man. A magistrate in Suva today described his role in directing Fijian police to halt an investigation in 2019 a “trivial violation”. The guilty finding remains, but no conviction will be registered. Lice Movono

It’s been an honour to guest edit a special edition of The Journal of Pacific History The Journal of Pacific History on “Resistance and Survival – the nuclear era in the Pacific.” Great articles on Pacific anti-nuclear activism in the 20th Century. The edition's online! tandfonline.com/toc/cjph20/59/1

Check out Chrisnrita Aumanu- Leong Solomon Islands Election Special for The Pacific. Beautiful and important coverage youtu.be/d8wyGIF0lTM?si…

Female police officer took out the Sydney stabbing rampage terrorist. Hero. Give her the Order of Australia

Shocking news out of Sydney.

As western countries toughen policies that return people to Pacific countries after a conviction- such a powerfully told story by Alice Lolohea and Marian Kupu 🇹🇴 on the impact on both the returnees, and the communities having to support them 🙌youtube.com/watch?v=arH3CH…

I for one agree!

PIF SG Waqa’s first official visit to Tonga. Updates on PIF Leaders preparations and discussed key issues for leaders consideration. Meetings Siaosi Sovaleni - Huakavameiliku, Speaker of the House

‘Media very important to taking forward the region’s development aspirations’ Pacific Islands Forum SG. Great discussion and sharing of different perspectives.

A Talanoa safe space betweem Forum SG Waqa and the Tongan media 🇹🇴 leading up to hosting the Pacific Leaders and the UN Secretary General in August. Pic: PIF

Roads to debt distress? Great yarn here from Doug Dingwall and Marian Kupu 🇹🇴 exploring China's loan regime in the Pacific and its impact on these small economies. abc.net.au/news/2024-07-2…

People are saying this story’s like ‘Eddy the eel’ at Sydney 2000. Unfortunately, there’s a lot more to it… abc.net.au/news/2024-07-3…

Discussions conclude at the FEMM roundtable this afternoon. Economic Ministers discussed the Pacific Resilience Facility and agreed to recommend Tonga, as the country of domicile for the PRF. This will be considered by Leaders at the Leaders Meeting in Tonga, later this month.

Inevitable. Pacific Islands Forum confirms mission to New Caledonia has been postponed until after leaders meeting in Tonga. Statement refers (rather decorously) to “a number of issues regarding protocol and due process.” Does not criticise either France or the New Caledonia govt