Veteran Tongan journalist Kalafi Moala was yesterday elected the new Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) president.
Winning 22 of the 36 votes case, Mr Moala accepted his new position following the PINA annual general meeting in Okioki Mai in Niue.
“Thank you for your trust,” Moala told PINA members yesterday
He said while accepted the new role, he welcomed the input of former PINA president Kora Nue (from PNG).
“One thing that I felt that we need to think through is our system because I know of an organisation in Australia that does things like this when they appoint a new president or chairman, the former president or chairman remains and becomes an assistant in order to ensure the continuity of operations.
“We need that continuity. We need these people here.”
Also elected was new PINA vice-president and Palau’s Island Times editor Leilani Reklai.
PINA board members that were also elected were Fiji’s Fred Wesley (print), PNG’s Neville Choy (national association rep, Niue’s Esther Pahivi (TV), Solomon Island’s Robert Iroga (online) and Tonga’s Katalina Tohi (Radio).
