Public Service Commissioner Carl Hunter has commended Tania Ott and her team at the Pacific Fale for assisting Pacific commissioners to achieve their priorities despite the challenges of Covid-19.

The Pacific Fale is supporting 16 Pacific countries to strengthen leadership and governance for the benefit of their citizens; either through the advice or training programmes such as webinars or the newly created FaleOnline which has around 700 plus registered users from across the Pacific public service.  

“Along with all PSC at this Fono, we convey our sincere gratitude to the New Zealand Government for the valued financial support provided thus far and we strongly encourage additional financial support for future - which will hopefully include Australia stepping up to contribute as well to this important regional initiative,” Hunter said. 

During the Polynesian Public Service Commissioners Sub-Regional Fono in Tonga, Hunter concluded that his participation in the Polynesian sub-regional Fono confirmed to him that in times of crisis - like the COVID-19 pandemic – and more stable conditions, people depend on Governments for service continuity and service excellence.

For him, in order for the Cook Islands Public Service to navigate this new world and become more resilient, it needs to transform and develop new competencies and the ability to predict conditions and outcomes and respond with more agile and precise policy interventions.

Hunter observed that with governments facing more intense public scrutiny, given the critical services they provide, governments have to learn to adapt and transform once disruption ends.

Hunter said he will continue to elevate the significance that the Public Service plays in reimagining resilience and helping Governments prepare with confidence for what’s next. 

Hunter also agreed with Deputy New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga  Leitu Sa’s comments in light of the theme for the Fono - Osikivialenga – Continuous Striving for Excellence in the Spirit of Service “… that as leaders and Commissioners in the Public Service, we set the tone for our employees who look to us as Public Service Commissioners for guidance and inspiration. We are the key to whether our respective Government does a good job for our people, and that it is a lofty responsibility”. 

The Deputy New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, Leitu Sa reminded the participants that: “As Public Service Commissioners, you are at the forefront of making sure decision makers have the capacity and capability to determine and implement effective responses. Our people want to be reminded of that distinctly Pacific feeling that there is a public sector of the people, by the people, and for the people. A Public Sector that works for them. They want leaders like you who stand up and make our public sector stand out. Our effectiveness as leaders can determine whether our Government succeeds and whether it meets its obligations to its citizens. While the  political appointees help determine which direction we go in, it’s up to us as career leaders to actually get us there.”