Grace Sisilia Tupou Talagi (born February 27, 1952) is a Niuean diplomat and former High Commissioner of Niue to New Zealand (2005-2011).[1][2] She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and a Certificate of Law from the University of Otago in New Zealand.[1][3] During the early 1980s, she was a Research Fellow with the Institute of Research, Extension and Training in Agriculture (IRETA) of the University of the South Pacific, Alafua, Western Samoa.[4]

Sisilia Talagi
Sisilia Talagi in 2010
High Commissioner of Niue to New Zealand
In office
2005 – March 2011
Preceded byHima Douglas
Succeeded byO'Love Jacobsen
Personal details
Born27 February 1952

She served as the Director of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for Niue (1988-1994) and as the Head of External Affairs (1994-1999) before becoming the Secretary for the Government of Niue (1999-2005).[5][6][7] She was first appointed High Commissioner to New Zealand (based in Wellington, New Zealand) in 2005, and the Niue Public Service Commission confirmed her reappointment to a second term in November 2008. During the 2008 election, she reportedly competed against six other candidates from New Zealand and Niue for the position.[7] New Zealand is the only country in the world in which Niue exchanges diplomatic representatives.[2] Talagi was succeeded as High Commissioner to New Zealand in March 2011 by former Cabinet minister O'Love Jacobsen.

Talagi is Niue's first female diplomat and the first woman to hold the post of High Commissioner.[8][9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Sleeman, Elizabeth (2001). The International Who's Who of Women 2002. Psychology Press. ISBN 9781857431223.
  2. ^ a b "Niue appoints veteran woman politician as Wellington High Commissioner". Radio New Zealand International. 10 February 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  3. ^ "Sisilia TALAGI – Niue Politics 2017". niuepolitics2017.nu. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  4. ^ Thaman, Randolph R.; Clarke, William C. (1983). Food and National Development in the South Pacific. University of the South Pacific.
  5. ^ Pacific Magazine. Pacific Magazine Corporation. 1992.
  6. ^ Asiaweek. Asiaweek Limited. 1989.
  7. ^ a b "Niue's High Commissioner to New Zealand confirmed". Radio New Zealand International. 8 November 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  8. ^ "Niue appoints its first female diplomat, says unconfirmed report". Radio New Zealand International. 9 March 2005. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  9. ^ Pacific Magazine. PacificBasin Communications. 2005.