Te reirei bon te matau ae kookona - Education is a magic hook and key to knowledge

Kiribati (Gilbertese)

5 December 2025 Reflecting on the 2025 Pacific Public Service Leaders Fono

Hosted by the Fiji Public Service Commission with the Fale’s direct support, the 2025 Pacific Public Service Leaders Fono recently concluded in Suva, Fiji. More than 60 delegates from 16 Pacific nations convened to share experiences, strengthen collaboration, and explore how leadership grounded in Pacific values can build stronger, more connected public services across the region. The Fono was directly supported by the New Zealand High Commission and MFAT.

From the opening ceremony to the final partner dialogue, sessions reinforced the theme of “Winds of Change: Reimagining Public Service in the Blue Pacific Continent.” The four-day programme reflected the region’s most pressing public sector priorities:

  • how to build cultures of trust and ethical conduct, sharing practical strategies for embedding integrity in public institutions and leading by example.
  • how technology and digital leadership can transform service delivery, supporting Pacific public servants to respond to change with confidence and creativity.
  • strengthening workforce systems, developing future-ready talent, and responding to regional challenges such as mobility and capacity.

Sir Brian Roche led a Heads of Delegation session with Dr Gordon de Brouwer, Australian Public Service Commissioner discussing common challenges for Public Service Commissioners leading at the national and system levels. Themes were optimising technology to enhance agency performance and service delivery, along with effective approaches to performance management in the public service. The session received excellent feedback from the Pacific leaders, and the Fale will look to facilitate other online sessions during the coming year.

The final day confirmed the Fono Outcomes Statement and reflections on how public services can continue to support the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. This collective vision for progress depends on the strength and integrity of the public institutions that serve Pacific people.

The outcomes of the 2025 Fono will guide the Fale’s work programme over the year ahead. The insights, connections, and priorities that emerged in Suva will shape how we continue to support capability building, leadership development, and regional collaboration across the Pacific.

The momentum built in Suva now provides a solid foundation as planning begins for the 2026 Fono in Palau, Micronesia!

  • Announcement: 10th Australasian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference (APSACC)7 - 9 September 2026

    The Australasian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference (APSACC) is the premier event for those working to strengthen integrity and prevent corruption in the public sector.

    The conference brings together experts and practitioners to share insights, strategies, and practical approaches to building ethical and transparent organisations. Attendees will gain:

    • Access to leading research and case studies
    • Practical tools and frameworks for anti-corruption initiatives
    • Opportunities to network with integrity professionals across Australasia

    For more details and to register, visit apsacc.com.au

  • Opening of the 2025 Pacific Public Service Leaders Conference (Fono) in Suva, Fiji17 November 2025


    Today marks the opening of the 2025 Pacific Public Service Leaders Conference (Fono) in Suva, Fiji, hosted by the Fiji Public Service Commission and supported by the Public Service Fale.

    The Fono brings together Pacific public service leaders to strengthen collaboration and advance leadership in the region’s public services. It reflects the spirit of regional cooperation and renewal under this year’s theme, “Winds of Change: Reimagining Public Service in the Blue Pacific Continent.”

    Day one set a strong foundation for the week ahead. The opening ceremony, attended by the Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat, His Excellency Baron Waqa celebrated unity and partnership, followed by plenary sessions on the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and Collective Leadership. Attendees discussed how Pacific public service leaders working together is integral to the success of the 2050 Strategy with delivery of fit for purpose, responsive public services directly aligning to the 2050 Strategy theme of good governance.

    A Heads of Delegation session led by Sir Brian Roche, NZ Public Service Commissioner and Dr Gordon de Brouwer, Public Service Commissioner Australia focused on common challenges and opportunities leading at the national and system levels, with the role of AI in improving public service operations and delivery top of mind for all HoDs.

    “The Fono is more than a conference, it’s a collective and regional commitment to stronger and more connected Pacific public services. The conversations between the leaders that happen at the Fono are built on throughout the year, and that’s when the real impact happens.”

    - Deputy Commissioner Tania Ott, Public Service Fale, New Zealand Public Service Commission

    The Public Service Fale, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), is proud to support this regional gathering strengthening Pacific leadership and connection across our shared Blue Pacific Continent.

  • Fono 2025: The Public Service Fale heads to Suva, Fiji.13 November 2025

    From left: Ileini Taloa, Andrew McMillan, H.E Charlotte Darlow, Jordan Aquila, and Dermott Lavelle at the New Zealand High Commission in Suva, Fiji.

    Next week Pacific public service leaders will come together in Suva, Fiji for the 2025 Pacific Public Service Leaders Conference (Fono), hosted by the Fiji Public Service Commission.

    As Secretariat, the Public Service Fale, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), has worked alongside the Fiji Public Service Commission and partners across 16 Pacific nations to coordinate this major regional gathering. The Fale team has supported programme design, logistics, communications, and delegate engagement, the result of months of collaboration and preparation that reflect the region’s commitment to partnership and shared progress.

    The event will bring together more than 50 senior delegates to explore how Pacific values and collective leadership can strengthen governance, capability, and connection across public services. Under the theme “Winds of Change: Reimagining Public Service in the Blue Pacific Continent” discussions will focus on how innovation, integrity, and shared values can shape the next phase of transformation across the region’s public services.

    A highlight of the Fono will be a Heads of Delegation forum chaired by Sir Brian Roche, New Zealand’s Public Service Commissioner and Dr Gordon de Brouwer, Australia’s Public Service Commissioner, to explore shared challenges and opportunities in leading at the national and system levels.

    For the Fale, the Fono is not only the biggest event on our annual calendar it also guides our future work programme, ensuring the support we provide reflects the priorities and aspirations of Pacific public service leaders.

  • The Public Service Fale attends HOPS73 November 2025

    The Public Service Fale was proud to take part in the Partners Showcase of the 7th Heads of Planning and Statistics (HOPS7) meeting, held in Aotearoa New Zealand for the first time. Co-hosted by Stats NZ and The Pacific Community (SPC), with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the event brought together leaders from across the Pacific to strengthen planning and statistical systems.

    The Fale joined regional and international partners to share insights, explore opportunities for collaboration, and showcase the work we do with Pacific Public Service Commissions to build public sector capability, support leadership development, and strengthen governance across the region. It also provided the opportunity to highlight FaleOnline - our digital platform that connects Pacific public servants across the region and provides contextualised resources designed to support their work and development.

    The Public Service Fale also attended the Welcome Dinner at Parliament, where the 2025 Pacific Gender Outlook and the Pacific Guidebook on Disability Statistics were officially launched. The event brought together regional partners and reflected a shared commitment to inclusive, evidence-informed public services.

    HOPS7 was a valuable opportunity to build relationships, share knowledge, and support Pacific-led solutions that improve lives across the region. We are grateful for the leadership of Stats NZ, SPC, and MFAT in convening this important event and look forward to continuing our shared work to support strong, transparent, and trusted public institutions across the Pacific.