Veteran journalist Kalafi Moala from Tonga has been elected President of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), with Palau’s Leilani Reklai named Vice President, following elections held at the scenic Okioki Mai Clifftop Cafe and Bar on the final day of a week-long summit in Niue.
Moala won 22 of 36 votes over former president Kora Nou, while Reklai secured 29 votes in her victory over Iliesa Tora.
The election capped off an intensive PINA Media Summit that covered a wide range of Pacific media issues, from press freedom and the challenges posed by emerging technologies like AI, to the importance of initiatives such as Women in Media.
Reklai’s election marks progress in gender representation, with the new executive featuring three women and four men—an improvement over the previous board’s composition. The old board comprised of two women and five men.
The leadership transition brings new faces while retaining experienced members. The outgoing board included President Kora Nou, Iliesa Tora, and Georgina Kekea, all of whom stepped down after completing their terms.
Outgoing Board:
– Kora Nou (President)
– Iliesa Tora (Online Rep)
– Georgina Kekea (TV Rep)
New Board:
– Kalafi Moala (President)
– Leilani Reklai (Vice President)
– Neville Choi (MCPNG and National Media Associations Rep)
– Esther Pavihi (Niue Media Association and TV Rep)
– Katalina Tohi (Tonga BroadCom Radio Rep, retained)
– Fred Wesley (Fiji Times Editor, Print Rep, retained)
– Robert Iroga (Online Rep, retained, previously served as Vice President)
Photo: The new PINA Board joined by PACNews PINA Managing Editor and PINA Secretariat Makereta Komai (far left)
