Vanuatu’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, H.E Johnson Naviti, passed away yesterday afternoon in Wellington, New Zealand.
High Commissioner Naviti was a long-serving and respected senior civil servant in Vanuatu and the broader Pacific region. He served in the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat for 12 years, and worked as Director General of the Vanuatu Prime Minister’s Office before being appointed as Vanuatu’s first High Commissioner to New Zealand in December 2017.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu paid their respects to the long-time public servant today.
“High Commissioner Naviti was a great friend to New Zealand, a respected colleague, and a proud representative of Vanuatu.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said, “Our thoughts are with the High Commissioner’s family and colleagues during this difficult time. This is a terrible loss both to the people of Vanuatu and to New Zealand.”
“High Commissioner Naviti will be remembered for his significant contribution to strengthening the friendship between Vanuatu and New Zealand, and his tireless efforts to care for the thousands of ni-Vanuatu who visit New Zealand each year for seasonal work or to study here.”
Just last month the late High Commissioner celebrated Vanuatu’s 40th Independence Anniversary with the Wellington Vanuatu community.
The New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu’s flag is at half-mast today as a mark of respect.
