Companion paper to Secretary-General's final webinar available alongside recording

On 24 June 2025, after 7 years as the Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand, Niue and Tokelau, and Secretary-General of PASAI, John Ryan shared in a webinar his reflections and thoughts about the public financial management (PFM) system in the Pacific. In the webinar he focused particularly on the challenges that Pacific SAIs face and what needs to be done so they can perform their roles effectively for the people of the Pacific.

This paper preserves much of what he expressed in that webinar and provides a resource for those working within, and with power to enable, the PFM system. It does this by suggesting where effort needs to be focused to strengthen the system. It also highlights our work supporting SAIs to address the issues they face. Finally, it presents insights on opportunities for others to partner with us to deal with weaknesses and improve accountability by Pacific governments to their people.

A recording of the webinar is also available. This, and other reports, are on our Regional reports page.

Pacific Island SAI heads invited to serve on the IDI Board

A vacancy (from mid-October) on the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) Board must be filled by a SAI head from a developing country.

Eligible Pacific Island SAI heads are encouraged to submit expressions of interest by 31 July 2025.

There are more details about the role and the application process in the official invitation letter.

Current IDI Board Members

Mission to Chuuk State a first for PASAI Program Director in new role

Weno, Chuuk State: Program Director for the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI), Sophia H Pretrick, conducted her first mission to the Chuuk State of the Federated States of Micronesia from 11 to 13 June 2025.

While there, Ms Pretrick delivered training and technical assistance to the Office of the Chuuk State Public Auditor (OCPA) staff and met members of the Chuuk State Legislature to advocate for audit office independence and good governance.

The training provided to staff was focused on fraud investigations, ranging from the identification and detection of fraud schemes to collecting and analysing financial evidence, and interviewing witnesses and potential suspects.

Ms Pretrick explained that according to the auditing standards the OCPA adheres to, auditors must assess the risk of fraud occurring within the scope of their audit objectives.

“It’s critical that auditors know how to be alert to fraudulent activities while performing audits. The OCPA also proactively performs community outreach on fraud awareness,” she said.

Ms Pretrick and the Acting Public Auditor of the OCPA, Sarah Mori, met with representatives from both parties of the Chuuk State Legislature to highlight the importance of working together to implement audit recommendations and address aspects of legislation that inhibit the OCPA’s independence.

Ms Pretrick was encouraged by the advocacy meetings and courtesy visits, saying, “Members of the Legislature supported the strengthening of the OCPA’s independence and expressed interest in the creation of a public accounts committee to scrutinise audit reports, ensuring recommendations are addressed and government spending is accountable.” 

PASAI acknowledges the support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

L to R: Acting Chuuk Public Auditor, Sarah Mori; PASAI Program Director, Sophia H Pretrick; and Governor’s Representative and Special Advisor, Roger Mori

With the House of Senate, Hon Vice President, Wisney Nakayama; Hon Chairman of the Judiciary and Governmental Relations Committee, Pius Olopey; and Hon Vice Chairman, Mike Maras

With the House of Representatives Hon Speaker, Lester Danny Mersai; and Hon Chairman, Jesse Petewon William

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Contact information:

Sophia H Pretrick, Program Director PASAI
E: sophia.pretrick@pasai.org  P: +64 9 304 1275

PDF version of this media release