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Australian Electoral Commission
Senior Election officials from the Pacific gathered in Auckland 16-17 October for the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand Electoral Administrators (PIANZEA) Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM). This meeting provides a platform for discussing strategies and addressing the shared challenges of conducting elections in a changing global landscape. Representatives from 15 countries participated in the meeting, covering a range of topics essential for delivering free, fair and transparent elections in the Pacific.
The meeting commenced with a Mihi Whakatau, a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony that fostered unity between the hosts and visitors. Kath Gleeson, PIANZEA Chair, extended her gratitude to the New Zealand Electoral Commission (NZEC) for their support in hosting the meeting and congratulated PIANZEA colleagues who had successfully delivered elections over the past year.
Leigh Deuchars, Deputy Chief Executive of Strategy, Governance & Development at NZEC, reflected on the Kaupapa (the purpose) of the meeting during her welcome. She anchored the gathering in five key values: Manaaki, representing interconnectedness and care; Arataki, guiding us toward deeper understanding and empowerment; Tika, standing for integrity; Tohonohono, the act of bringing people together; and Uakaha, embodying energy vitality and uniqueness.
The group benefited from regional presentations on topics such as voter turnout, engaging youth and other disenfranchised groups, electoral integrity, artificial intelligence, business continuity and out-of-constituency voting. The PIANZEA Secretariat provided an update to attendees on the 2025-2027 workplan priorities and facilitated sub-regional discussions and feedback.
Retiring Tongan Supervisor of Elections, Mr Pita Vuki’s decades long service to PIANZEA was recognised at a conference dinner, during which he reflected on his lengthy experience delivering elections – from the days of typewriters although the way through to now talking about Artificial Intelligence.
PIANZEA is an important opportunity for senior officials to share insights from recent election experiences and exchange successful strategies and practices. The Network, which has been flourishing for almost 30 years, is generously supported with funding from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
More information about the PIANZEA Network is available at www.pianzea.org.
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.