Dr Netatua Pelesikoti, a distinguished Tongan scientist, passed away suddenly in Nuku’alofa on 11 November. 

The Griffith University community would like to express our heartfelt condolences to her family. 

Netatua was highly regarded and respected throughout the region. She held a PhD Degree in Environmental Science and helped to establish the Pacific Meteorological Council in 2011 when she was Director of the Climate Change Program at the Secretariat of the Pacific Environmental Program (SPREP).  Griffith University had a long-standing relationship with Neta—as she was affectionately known—through the Pacific iCLIM project and related activities.

Neta was a strong advocate for tertiary education as an integral component of sustainable development, particularly for Pacific island women and the Pacific diaspora.

May she rest in love and peace. 

AUTHOR

Professor Brendan Mackey and Kalara McGregor, Griffith University. The Pacific Outlook series is an initiative of the Pacific Hub.