Oxfam in the Pacific

Eunice Wotene announced as Executive Director for Oxfam in the Pacific

December 1, 2022

The Trust Board for Oxfam in the Pacific is pleased to appoint Eunice Wotene as Executive Director, Trust Board Chair Freda Kanek Talao announced.

Eunice is an experienced finance and operations director with a demonstrated commitment to international aid, development, and equality for people in the Pacific. Eunice has been acting in the role of Interim Regional Director since March 2022, and first joined Oxfam in Papua New Guinea in 2014.

Ms Kanek Talao said that Eunice’s leadership and deep commitment to the values of Oxfam made her the ideal person to guide the Pacific’s transition.

“After an extensive international search for the right candidate, we could not be more thrilled to announce the appointment of Eunice Wotene as Oxfam in the Pacific Executive Director,” Ms Kanek Talao said.

“Eunice is an outstanding example Pacific leadership and holds an exceptional knowledge of the Pacific journey for Oxfam. Her commitment to the issues that affect our people and our region has been demonstrated to the highest calibre during her years of tenure with Oxfam Papua New Guinea and Oxfam in the Pacific.

“Eunice’s appointment marks yet another milestone in our journey to self-determination, and we are deeply proud of Eunice’s achievements and eager to see the future of transformation under her leadership.”

Eunice’s appointment comes at a significant time for Oxfam in the Pacific as they continue the consolidation of the new approach toward becoming an independent regional affiliate of the Oxfam global confederation; having announced the appointment of the first Pacific Islander, Freda Kanek Talao, to chair the Trust Board in July 2022.

The Oxfam in the Pacific Trust Board was established to govern the path to self-determination of Oxfam in the Pacific.

“The journey that Oxfam in the Pacific is on is very similar to my personal journey, to be independent and self-reliant is not easy, it has its own challenges and requires commitment, and determination, and the ability to appreciate that mistakes does not mean failure but an opportunity to learn and grow,” Ms Wotene said.

“I am humbled to be appointed as Executive Director for Oxfam in the Pacific and I look forward to working with you all.”

The Trust Board for Oxfam in the Pacific wishes Eunice well in her new role.

Oxfam supports Partnering for Resilience approach to Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pacific engagement

November 4, 2021

Oxfam Aotearoa Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said:

“The Minister’s speech today outlined a deeper approach to Aotearoa New Zealand’s relationships with Pacific Island Countries. Building on the Pacific Reset of 2018, the Minister has articulated yet another step-change to the nature of Aotearoa New Zealand’s relationships across te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.

“The move to focus on building long-term resilience across the region, with an enduring inter-generational approach will be key to Aotearoa supporting Pacific people to make the lasting and meaningful changes that they wish to see in their own countries.

“The emphasis on Pacific-led solutions and relationships of openness, trust and respect that Minister Mahuta described resonates with us at Oxfam, as this is also our approach to working with our colleagues and partners across the Pacific. We also know how challenging it can be to put these values into practice across the diversity of Pacific Island countries and peoples.

“We were pleased to hear that there will be a focus within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) on cultural competency and diversity. We question whether further changes will also be necessary across MFAT, and other government departments, to fully implement the values-based approach the Minister outlined today.

“We look forward to working alongside our Pacific partners and MFAT, to achieve inclusion, prosperity, peace and well-being for all peoples across the great Blue Continent.”

Fijian national welcomed to Oxfam’s Pacific family

June 25, 2015

Community development specialist and current Chief Executive of Save the Children Fiji, Raijeli Nicole, aappointed Oxfam’s new Regional Director for the Pacific.