Latest news from the Fale

The Public Service Fale recently celebrated its 9^th cohort of leaders to complete the Fale Mentoring Programme.

Since 2021, approximately 120 Pacific public servants have completed the Programme, with cohort 9 representing mentors and mentees from Kiribati, the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, and New Zealand. During regular one‑to‑one mentoring sessions over 9 months, participants navigated leadership issues, from making sound decisions under pressure, through to leading teams in changing operating environments and breaking down silos to strengthen organisational culture.

Speakers at the graduation ceremony talked about the people-to-people connections they had built during the Programme and their intent to continue these important relationships. Reflecting on the importance of actively implementing their learning in the workplace, one mentee commented, “the real work starts now.” Another mentee shared, “advice that has stayed with me is to ‘own your role, helping me to recognise the importance of having confidence in my position and trusting the expertise and capability that led to my appointment. This mindset has strengthened my approach to decision‑making and leadership.”

Mentors reflected on being flexible to overcome time and connectivity constraints so using quick meetings or WhatsApp to enable regular, in‑the‑moment support and real time feedback. They also valued the perspective that the Programme provides on how common the issues and challenges are that we all face as public servants: “I was absolutely struck at the commonality of the issues we all face across organisations, sectors and countries” and “we don’t necessarily have all the answers, but we can share ideas about where to look.”

The Programme is a regional capability building initiative and reflects the New Zealand government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening good governance and leadership capability in Pacific public services. The Fale acknowledges the generosity of senior Pacific and New Zealand based public servants who volunteer their time and experience in the service of others. Their work strengthens leadership confidence and capability, expands access to context‑specific development, and reinforces collaboration across Pacific public services.

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The Public Service Fale is in Palau this week meeting with key government agencies and stakeholders to progress arrangements for Fono 2026: Pacific Public Service Leaders’ Conference. Public Service leaders at Fono 2025 confirmed Micronesia and Palau as Host and Chair for this year’s Fono. Palau is playing a leading role in Pacific regionalism this year, also hosting the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Quarter 3 2026.

Fono 2026 will build on the momentum created by the outgoing Chair, Fiji, and advance the collective priorities identified in the Fono 2025 Outcomes Statement.

During the visit, Terralyn Nabeyama, Director of the Palau Bureau of Human Resources and Dean Rosson, Fale Manager signed Terms of Reference for the Fono 2026 Working Group. This agreement marks an important milestone and formalises the partnership that guides the planning and delivery of the Fono.

Delegates from 16 Pacific Island Forum countries and territories, alongside representatives from New Zealand and Australia, and other partners will convene for the Fono in November. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Koror, Palau!

Osana Liki-Ward presenting Samoa’s Gift Gifting Policy during the recent Share Learn Connect session

More than 80 public servants from across the Pacific attended the Fale’s latest online Share Learn Connect session, Navigating Gift Giving in the Pacific Public Service. Gift giving was identified as an important emergent issue by Pacific public service leaders at Fono 2025.

Osana Liki-Ward, Assistant Secretary, Samoa Public Service Commission shared Samoa PSC’s journey behind the development of their gift giving policy. Osana outlined the key challenges they faced, including honouring long-standing cultural traditions, addressing integrity risks, and supporting consistency in practice across agencies. Real-life examples brought these challenges to life and highlighted the careful balance needed in recognising Pacific cultural practices while meeting public service ethical standards. 

A major insight from Samoa’s experience was the shift away from strict dollar limits for gifts and instead using transparent processes and a risk-based approach to help public servants recognise the difference between high and low risk gifts. Early engagement with communities and traditional leaders (matai/chiefs), was essential in building a policy that protects public trust and confidence while respecting cultural values.

Time for questions and answers as well as small group discussions led to attendees being able to connect with each other, share their reflections and experiences and discuss lessons learnt. Some initial reflections from the evaluation included:

“Participants shared real experiences, not just theory, which made the discussions relatable and actionable.”

“It was an eye opening and insightful session… to learn more from other countries’ points of view and share new ideas.”

If you missed the session, the recording and Osana’s slide deck are available on FaleOnline: Share Learn Connect | Navigating Gift Giving in the Public Service

Fa’afetai tele lava to Osana and Samoa PSC, and those that attended and contributed to this rich discussion on Gift Giving.

Coming up! Our next Share Learn Connect session focusses on Conflicts of Interest. We look forward to exploring further how effective public service practice and Pacific values intersect. If you have other topics to suggest or would like to share your experiences in a future session, please contact the Fale.

We look forward to connecting again for future sessions. 

The Public Service Fale has visited Papua New Guinea at the request of the PNG Government to advance their good governance and institutional strengthening priorities.
 
Over five days, the Public Service Commission team met with senior PNG government officials, gaining a deeper understanding of the current Reset@50 reform agenda outlined by Prime Minister Hon James Marape. Focussed on lifting performance of the PNG public sector, it aligns with NZ’s investment in PNG to strengthen capacity and capability to implement public sector management best practice. Sincere thanks to the New Zealand High Commission in Port Moresby, whose regional insights and deep local connections firmly anchored our engagement within the wider NZ–PNG partnership.
 
Engagements by the Fale included Chief Secretary Mr Ivan Pomaleu, who is overseeing the public sector reforms including consideration of SOE governance; former Deputy Prime Minister Mr Charles Abel, now leading the Reset@50 programme; Chair of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Public Sector Reform, Oro Province Governor Hon Garry Juffa; and Mr David Wereh, CEO of newly established National Monitoring and Coordination Authority. Areas of interest included NZ’s approach to leadership and performance, system guidance such as the NZ Public Service Code of Conduct and system levers such as Performance Improvement Reviews and Turnaround Plans. Insights on devolution and expanding regional service delivery were also canvassed.
 
The Fale met with counterparts at the Department of Personnel Management and Public Service Commission responsible for recruitment and recommending senior public sector appointments respectively.
 
We were privileged to be part of the groundbreaking ceremony for the new High Commission Chancery building, to be located on the current Waigani Crescent site. Honoured guests including the Prime Minister Hon James Marape who reflected on both the significance of the whenua and the deep and longstanding ties between NZ and PNG. The Fale’s Deputy Commissioner, Tania Ott joined Prime Minister Marape, New Zealand High Commissioner Peter Zwart and McConnell Dowell representative Gary Nisbet for the sod turning.
 
As part of their visit to Papua New Guinea, the Fale also spent two days in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Meetings in Buka included ABG Chief Secretary Kearnneth Nanei, and a range of ABG Ministers and Heads of Department, as well as locally based programme officers providing support and advice on good governance and capacity building programmes funded by Australia and New Zealand. We were honoured to join a Women in Leadership breakfast hosted by the New Zealand High Commission team, to celebrate local women leaders supporting and strengthening community initiatives and ABG institutions. 

Opportunities for ongoing engagement by the Fale were explored throughout the visit.