New Australian High Commissioner to Niue presents Credentials to the Prime Minister of Niue

On Thursday 12 December 2024, the newly appointed Australian High Commissioner to Niue, Her Excellency Ms. Olivia Phongkham, officially presented her Letters of Credentials to the Prime Minister of Niue, Honourable Dalton Tagelagi and Cabinet Ministers.

This ceremony marks Her Excellency as the 4th Australian High Commissioner to Niue, following former High Commissioner Katy Stuart, who completed her tenure in November 2024.

With a background in policy development and program management, Her Excellency Phongkham has held senior roles across several Australian Government agencies, including AusAID, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Communications.

In her remarks, Her Excellency reflected on her connection to Niue and Australia’s longstanding partnership, stating “This is my fourth visit to Niue, and it is an honour to represent Australia as High Commissioner. For over 45 years, Australia has been a proud development partner to Niue. Since establishing the Australian High Commission in 2020, our relationship has strengthened, and I look forward to working together to further deepen our collaboration.”

The Prime Minister of Niue, Hon. Dalton Tagelagi warmly welcomed Her Excellency and expressed his appreciation to the Australian Government for its ongoing support. He acknowledged the significant impact of Australian-funded projects in Niue, including advancements in water sanitation, infrastructure, and renewable energy.

“Niue is proud of its enduring partnership with Australia,” Prime Minister Tagelagi stated. “Your presence here makes our communication and collaboration easier, and we are grateful for Australia’s contributions to projects like the new power station and the recycling centre. These initiatives reflect the strength of our partnership.”

The Government of Niue would also like to extend its appreciation and well wishes to former High Commissioner Katy Stuart for her work and time in Niue as the Australian High Commissioner from 2023. We thank her for fostering the ongoing friendship between our two nations, and her friendly and cheerful personality will be greatly missed.

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