The Pacific Islands Tax Administrators Association (PITAA) reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing leadership and management capacity in regional tax administrations through its participation in the 11th Pacific Manager Development Program (PMDP), held from 14–25th July 2025 at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi, Fiji.
Developed by the Australian Taxation Office, the PMDP aims to strengthen leadership and project management skills among mid-level managers in tax and customs administrations. It combines practical learning with workplace-based projects that align with the administration priorities and regional tax reform efforts.
The two-week program brought together 32 participants representing 15 Pacific Island tax and customs administrations, with project proposals ranging from automation and policy development to process improvements and sustainability. Notably, the 2025 cohort included participants from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Nauru, Niue, Kiribati, Palau, American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, the Northern Marianas, and the Marshall Islands.
PITAA’s Head of Secretariat, Mr. Petero Maivucevuce, was a key speaker at the opening ceremony, alongside the Head of Secretariat from the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), Ms. Nancy T. Oraka-Pomoso, and the Assistant Commissioner of the Papua New Guinea Internal Revenue Commission (IRC), Mr. Dollarcruse Augustine, in officially launching the event. Mr. Maivucevuce also served as a facilitator, offering mentorship and reinforcing PITAA’s leadership in regional tax development.
“The PMDP is not just a training initiative; it’s a platform for transformation,” he noted.
“It empowers tax administrators to become agents of change in their home administrations, equipped with the skills to lead with purpose and deliver impactful reforms,” he said.
Some notable projects included:
- Streamlining deregistration processes in Fiji,
- A tax compliance strategy in Samoa,
- Environmental customs awareness in PNG, and
- A public tariff classification portal in Vanuatu.
PITAA also had strong representation among participants, with attendees from its member countries including Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea. The Secretariat continues to champion initiatives like the PMDP as vital components in building institutional capacity and regional cooperation.
PITAA’s participation to this workshop was made possible through the generous support of the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), under our collective grant agreement and the Papua New Guinea Internal Revenue Commission (PNGIRC) through the PITAA Training Fund. We sincerely appreciate the partnership and shared commitment of both PNGIRC and DFAT to advancing leadership development and regional collaboration. The Secretariat remains committed to investing in people, processes, and partnerships that enhance revenue administration and drive sustainable development across its member jurisdictions.