21st June 2016 Dr. Tu’ikolongahau Halafihi, of Makave, Vava’u and Ha’ateiho Tongatapu has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for the Fisheries Department. Dr. Halafihi’s employment by Government is for a period of three (3) years with effect from 17 June, 2016.
Dr. Halafihi holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology (2015) from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand and a Master of Science in Chemistry (2008), Postgraduate Diploma in Chemistry (2002) and a Bachelor of Science (1995) – all from the University of the South Pacific, Fiji.
His career began in the public service on 11 July 1995 as an Assistant Teacher (Graduate) in the then Ministry of Education. He was later promoted to the position of Senior Lecturer in the same Ministry in 2000. Dr. Halafihi was laterally transferred to the position of Senior Fisheries Officer in the then Ministry of Fisheries in 2005. Since then, he has taken over senior positions within the Fisheries Department including Manager of the Tu’imatamoana Fish Market, Principal Fisheries Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Acting CEO for Fisheries.
The Public Service Commission welcomes Dr. Tu’ikolongahau Halafihi’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer for the Fisheries Department and wishes him all the best in his professional careers.
ENDS.
Issued by the: Office of the Public Service Commission, Tonga