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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=en-FJ link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=en-FJ>Mr. Latoatama Halatau-Talagi MNZM<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=en-FJ><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=en-FJ>Co-Chairperson<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=en-FJ><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=en-FJ>Pacific Disability Forum<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=en-FJ><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=en-FJ>Your email below is hereby acknowledged. I have decided to respond to it sooner rather than later drawing on your idea of “… principled response to correct several assumptions and ensure clarity and collective responsibility are upheld…. ” as there are wrong assumptions, unfounded allegations, ill-informed statements and character assassination in your email as you decided to focus on me as a person rather than addressing the principles and issues raised in my email addressed to the Board. As Co-Chairperson of the PDF Board, you have clearly focused your response on my action as an individual </span><span lang=EN-US>in sending </span><span lang=en-FJ>that email rather than its </span><span lang=EN-US>noble </span><span lang=en-FJ>intention to call for the Board’s timely attention and prompt response on matters that concern the good governance and proper </span><span lang=EN-US>management </span><span lang=en-FJ>of PDF. I wish t</span><span lang=EN-US>o point out here </span><span lang=en-FJ>that being the President of FDPF and voting delegate of a Full Member, I have every right to send that email to the Board if I as the representative of a Full Member believe that the Board through its Co-Chairpersons are not fulfilling their duties, lest you forget that that PDF is a democratic and membership-based organisation. I’m also surprised to read in your email your reference to “…. your continued interventions in governance matters …” as this was my first email to the Board on such issue. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=en-FJ><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ol style='margin-top:0cm' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><span lang=en-FJ>I appreciate the time taken to respond to my email as by doing so, you on behalf of the Board has provided particularly the members of PDF relevant information regarding the 2025 Board election, the much -awaited regional conference and additional information on the Board’s plans for the current transition period and governance. One can only guess if such information would have been provided by the Board through the Co-Chairs if I haven’t sent that email?</span><span lang=en-FJ> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><span lang=en-FJ>My email to the Co-Chairpersons and Board was only cc’d to the CEO, Senior Management Team and members of the PDF as in my view, they need to be made aware of the concerns I have raised as some of the members in particular have been raising them but not taking them to the right place, i.e. the Board. Therefore, your allegation of my mass-mailing my criticisms to lists viewable to donors, funding partners, and other observers is both unfounded and absurd. I just cannot see myself doing something to destroy the work of PDF and in turn the disability movement in the Pacific that I and others who have gone ahead of us toiled hard with blood, sweat and tears to build since the 1990s, well before PDF came to being.</span><span lang=EN-US> I did my time serving PDF for 17 and half years and respected the Board’s decision to appoint Ms. Sainimili Tawake as the new CEO. What good will I get out of undermining her role? Instead, you should ask the staff what I requested of them to do to support Sai when I left PDF. </span><span lang=en-FJ><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><span lang=en-FJ>The purpose and reason behind my taking up my current role with FDPF as its President since October last year were best known and understood by the FDPF members that were present that day. I suggest that you refrain from commenting on this matter and should be apologizing for the ill-informed and unfounded allegations made in your email such as conflict of interest and that I have not been able to step away and allow space for growth and independent governance within both FDPF or PDF as you were not present at the F</span><span lang=EN-US>DPF </span><span lang=en-FJ>biennial meeting last October to know the </span><span lang=EN-US>facts and </span><span lang=en-FJ>truth behind this matter you commented on. Half-baked truth is baseless, misleading, deceiving and untrue!</span><span lang=EN-US> Maybe the Board should check itself first on conflict of interest before casting the first stone?</span><span lang=EN-US> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><span lang=en-FJ>In my humble view, our legacy reveals our priorities and how we want to be remembered. The focus of our legacy is on the benefits for the generations coming after us rather than for ourselves. a LEGACY is created when a person puts his organization into the position to do great things without him. I believe this is the kind of legacy I left for PDF when I ended my term in June last year and will endeavour to do the same for FDPF when I complete my term next year! The question I want to ask is what kind of legacy are </span><span lang=EN-US>the </span><span lang=en-FJ>Co-Chair</span><span lang=EN-US>s</span><span lang=en-FJ> leaving behind as they are about to complete their term as board Members of PDF?</span><span lang=en-FJ> </span><span lang=en-FJ><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><span lang=en-FJ>Finally and with due respect, the Co-Chairpersons should swallow their pride</span><span lang=EN-US> and not be defensive</span><span lang=en-FJ>, do not allow their egos to diminish their ability to listen, accept criticisms, show genuine leadership by responding positively to the challenges behind those issues raised in my initial email and do the right thing for the betterment of PDF moving forward</span><span lang=EN-US>.</span><span lang=EN-US> </span><span lang=EN-US>All I asked was for information to be provided by the Board through the Co-Chairs on those key events I sought some update on for the benefit of the PDF members. As long as I’m a member of PDF and in whatever capacity, I will continue to stand for what is right, fight for the truth and call out any wrong for the sake of PDF and its members!</span><span lang=en-FJ><o:p></o:p></span></li></ol><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=en-FJ><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=EN-US>I wish the Board a successful meeting at its meeting this week. </span><span lang=en-FJ> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=en-FJ><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=en-FJ>Vinaka vakalevu.</span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=EN-US>Seta<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=624 style='width:468.0pt;background:white;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td style='padding:0cm 0cm 6.0pt 0cm'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='background:white;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td style='padding:0cm 0cm 6.0pt 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>Setareki S. Macanawai</span><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>President</span><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>3 Brown Street, Suva, Fiji</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>Tel: +679 331 1203</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>Mob: +679 992 1486</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>Email:</span><span style='font-family:"halvetica",serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><a href="mailto:macanawai.setareki@gmail.com"><span style='color:blue'>macanawai.setareki@gmail.com</span></a></span><span style='font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>WhatsApp: +679 992 1486</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>Pronoun: he/him</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'></td></tr><tr><td style='padding:6.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"halvetica",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>The information contained in this email message is intended only for the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it, including any attachments. If you receive this email in error please notify the sender immediately.</span><span lang=en-FJ style='font-family:"halvetica",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=en-FJ style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"halvetica",serif;mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=en-FJ><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000'> la@visionpacific.org.nz <la@visionpacific.org.nz> <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, 21 July 2025 1:19 pm<br><b>To:</b> macanawai.setareki@gmail.com; 'Sainimili Tawake' <Sainimili.Tawake@pacificdisability.org>; pdf-fullmembers@lists.pacificdisability.org<br><b>Cc:</b> PDFBoardMembers@groups.io<br><b>Subject:</b> Response to Setareki Macanawai<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>Bula vinaka Seta,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>This is to acknowledge receipt of your email sent to PDF Board members, the CEO, senior Secretariat staff, and all PDF members’ lists, stating your concerns regarding governance and strategic events for 2025.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>Your deep connection to this movement is profound and recognised. However, the content, tone, and broadcasting of your criticisms requires a principled response to correct several assumptions and ensure clarity and collective responsibility are upheld..<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>A Time of Leadership Transition and Renewal<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>You formally resigned from the role of PDF CEO in 2024 after 17 years of service. Since then, PDF is in a phase of strategic reform and renewal, under a new generation of leadership.</span><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'> The current Board and Secretariat are fully engaged in reforming PDF’s governance and strategic direction. We are in the final year of the current Strategic Plan, and work is actively underway—collaboratively with members and partners—to develop a new strategy that meets the evolving needs of our region. Transitions, by nature, involve complexity and recalibration.</span><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>The Board through its constitutional authority appointed a new Chief Executive Officer, a highly capable vision-impaired woman, to lead PDF forward. Her appointment is not symbolic, but deliberate. It reflects our commitment to elevating emerging leadership, including women with disabilities, and broadening regional ownership of our movement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>To that end, your continued interventions in governance matters, especially from your new role as President of the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation (FDPF), raise significant concerns about conflict of interest. By stepping into that presidency within months of leaving your CEO role at the Secretariat, the optics—and the reality—suggest that you have not been able to step away and allow space for growth and independent governance within both FDPF or PDF. This sends a message, intentional or not, that no one else is capable without you, even with your support. This is not leadership development; it is inhibition.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>Undermining Trust and Governance Through Public Criticism<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>Your choice to mass-mail your criticisms to lists viewable to donors, funding partners, and other observers is especially troubling. Whatever the intention, the effect is corrosive, undermining confidence in the new CEO and her staff who are working diligently to ensure continuity, reform and service delivery under considerable constraint. This approach creates an atmosphere where fear of appearing disloyal to your legacy outweighs honest discussion. Many will hesitate to challenge your assertions directly, not because they agree with them, but because they are wary of the polarisation your interventions may cause. Your influence casts a long shadow, one that is difficult to speak against, and that stifles rather than nurtures new leadership.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>Governance Processes Are Underway <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0cm' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:-18.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>The 2025 election timeline is aligned with last year’s. The only shift has been a few weeks, caused by member delays in confirming Voting Delegates, a constitutional requirement for an eligible election process. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:-18.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>Repeated reminders have been issued by Secretariat staff (on 4 and 23 June, and 18 July). This has been transparent and in line with the constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:-18.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>The Board is meeting this week to approve the election policy, appoint the Returning Officer, and initiate the formal voting process.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:-18.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>Planning for the 2025 Pacific Regional Conference and General Forum is progressing. Confirmation is pending finalisation of funding agreements. Until that is secured, we must proceed responsibly and manage costs cautiously.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:-18.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>Regarding constitutional amendments, the Board will ensure the proper advance notice is met once the General Forum date is confirmed.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>The Board and CEO are very mindful to act carefully and constitutionally to ensure the 2025 governance processes are credible, participatory, and robust.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>The Question of Legacy and the Way Forward<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>You have served the region and this movement with distinction. That contribution is appreciated and a legacy to be proud of. However, legacy is not measured by one’s ability to remain central, but by the strength of those who follow. True leadership, especially after stepping down, includes the grace to support successors without overshadowing them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>The two-year term you now hold as President of FDPF begs the question: What happens then? Who will be ready to step up, if your presence now has overshadowed and inhibited current FDPF leaders? These are the patterns our movement seeks to change.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>This Pacific Disability Forum was not built by one person. It was built collectively—by leaders across the Pacific, in all their diversity. Today, that leadership is coming through: in younger voices, in women, in people with psychosocial, intellectual, and multiple disabilities, and in the evolving structures of OPDs throughout the region.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>Let us not repeat the turmoil experienced by our global partners, including the International Disability Alliance, where transitions became points of fracture rather than strength. We have seen how crucial it is to protect new leadership from the destabilising effects of overreach, no matter how well-intentioned.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>This year marks the end of tenure for both Co-chairs after two full terms who will be stepping down in full respect of the term limits and governance structures by which we abide. This is the example we must all set. If there were genuine concerns, a phone call or direct outreach to the Co-chairs would have been a more respectful and appropriate approach in the first instance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>All Voting Delegates and Full Members are asked to remain focused on collective progress and not be drawn into personal allegiances. Our movement must stand on principle—not personalities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>Vinaka vaka levu,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>Co-chairs Jacqueline Garoau and <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>Latoa Halatau-Talagi MNZM<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'>For the Board<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>