We have just published our fourth quarterly report for the 2024–25 financial year.
Current and past reports are available on our Quarterly reports page.
Pacific Island audit office staff to focus on investigations in new webinar series
Auckland, New Zealand: The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) is delivering a series of webinars to strengthen the capacity of its members to conduct investigations.
Seventy-seven staff (43 female and 34 male) from the government audit offices of American Samoa, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) National, Fiji, FSM Kosrae, FSM Pohnpei, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga have registered for the remotely accessible capacity building training, which started yesterday.
Led by PASAI Program Director and Certified Fraud Examiner, Sophia H Pretrick, the first webinar in the series provided an overview of fraud and covered what constitutes fraud, fraud detection, red flags and warning signs, common types of fraud and fraud prevention measures.
“This webinar will also help our many member offices who conduct fraud awareness outreach briefings to colleagues in the public sector and to other stakeholders,” Ms Pretrick said.
PASAI has developed this training to support SAIs in their objective to promote good governance, integrity and ethical conduct in the public sector.
The training provides tools for Pacific Island audit offices to be more proactive in recognising fraudulent activities.
Participants will be able to recommend mechanisms that will help prevent fraud and maintain accountability in the public sector.
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).
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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
More Pacific Island government audit offices to upgrade in-house quality management systems
Auckland, New Zealand: The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) continued its support to Pacific Island government audit offices to set up a formal system of audit quality management (SoAQM) with an in-person workshop this week.
Six staff (3 female and 3 male) from the government audit offices of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the FSM State of Kosrae and Tonga gathered in Auckland to participate in the 4-day workshop which ended today.
PASAI, in cooperation with the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI), is already helping 5 other offices establish fit-for-purpose SoAQMs that promote continuous improvement with self-correcting mechanisms.
Program Director, Meresimani Vosawale-Katuba facilitated the training alongside Matthew Geddes (Director, Quality Assurance [Annual Audits] from the Office of the Auditor-General of New Zealand) and Stuart Cormack (Manager Methodology from Audit New Zealand).
Ms Vosawale-Katuba explained, “In this workshop we explained how to get an office aligned with the recently revised international standards of audit quality management with processes such as quality risk management, monitoring and remediation, and the evaluation of the SoAQM.
“We also equipped participants to carry out their own Needs Analysis Assessments.”
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).
SoAQM workshop participants and facilitators in Auckland, New Zealand
SoAQM workshop participants and facilitators during training
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Contact information:
Meresimani Vosawale-Katuba, Program Director PASAI
E: Meresimani.VosawaleKatuba@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF version of this media release
Performance audits a focus for PASAI Program Director in Palau
Koror, Palau: Program Director from the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI), Mike Scott, is providing in-person technical assistance to the Office of the Public Auditor (OPA) of the Republic of Palau this week.
Mr Scott’s assistance covers matters ranging from the delivery of quality audits to the internal governance of the OPA. This includes working with the Public Auditor, Satrunino Tewid, and his staff to help the OPA update its forward program of work and refine its human resource practices.
Mr Scott explained, “A big part of the OPA’s work is conducting performance audits in response to requests from the Senate and from the OPA’s annual audit plan.
“I’m here to advise the audit teams on how to approach and complete a number of those audits, as well as audits of grants received by the government and audits of the performance information prepared by public agencies.”
Of the team at the OPA, Mr Scott said, “They are committed to using the full range of their office’s mandate to deliver quality audits and other work that provides transparency and accountability for the Palau Congress and citizens of Palau.
“This small team plays an outsized role in Palau’s public financial management system and strives to enhance public sector performance.”
Mr Tewid welcomed the assistance from PASAI through Mr Scott’s visit, saying, “My office plays a crucial role in safeguarding the efficient and effective administration of public resources for the people and Government of Palau.
“I am grateful for PASAI’s invaluable assistance in helping us to fulfil this role.”
During his mission, Mr Scott also visited the Ambassador of Australia to the Republic of Palau, His Excellency Mr Toby Sharpe, to brief him on the support PASAI is providing to the OPA.
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).
Program Director, Mike Scott (centre), with Palau Public Auditor, Satrunino Tewid (third from right), and his staff
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Contact information:
Mike Scott, Program Director PASAI
E: mike.scott@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF version of this media release
Two Micronesian state public audit offices benefit from PASAI organisational assistance
Kolonia, Pohnpei: Program Director for the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI), Sinaroseta Palamo-Iosefo, spent 2 weeks in the Federated States of Micronesia providing in-person technical support to the staff at the state public audit offices of Pohnpei and Kosrae.
Ms Palamo-Iosefo started work at the Pohnpei office on 21 July, supporting staff to establish performance management processes, identify competencies needed for individuals and create a learning and professional development (LPD) plan.
“Audit offices can support staff competency development by refining job profiles, creating LPD plans and maintaining databases of staff progress towards professional certification,” Ms Palamo-Iosefo said.
Ms Palamo-Iosefo guided staff to develop their own performance agreements as a basis for monitoring performance and ensuring they contribute to achieving the SAI’s organisational goals.
She also trained staff on the importance of overall audit planning so audit offices can focus on key government priorities and matters of public interest, maximise their audit coverage, submit reports in a timely manner and conduct quality and impactful audits and investigations.
Locally-based Program Director, Sophia Pretrick, provided feedback on the office’s Investigation Division’s annual plan, ensuring it is integrated in the office’s annual operational plan.
From 28 July, Ms Palamo-Iosefo provided similar organisational technical assistance to the equivalent state office based in Tofol, Kosrae.
As well as technical support, Ms Palamo-Iosefo worked with the Public Auditor, Palikkun Kilafwasru, to review the bespoke capacity development plan used to guide the audit office’s training and development activities into 2026. A draft process for developing the office’s overall audit plan was prepared for it to finalise and adopt.
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).
Pohnpei Public Auditor, Erick Paul, with PASAI Program Director, Sinaroseta Palamo-Iosefo
PASAI Program Director, Sinaroseta Palamo-Iosefo (sixth from right), with staff from the Pohnpei Office of the Public Auditor
PASAI Program Director, Sinaroseta Palamo-Iosefo (centre), with staff from the Kosrae Office of the Public Auditor
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Contact information:
Sinaroseta Palamo-Iosefo, Program Director PASAI
E: sina.iosefo@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF version of this media release
PASAI strengthens audit investigations and advocates for good governance in FSM Yap
Colonia, Yap State: The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) has completed a successful mission visit to Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia with some audit capacity building and advocacy for good governance from 16 to 18 July 2025.
Led by Program Director, Sophia H Pretrick, the mission’s 2 key objectives were to provide in-house training and technical assistance to the staff of the Yap State Office of the Public Auditor and to engage in high-level advocacy with public sector leaders on the importance of audit independence and good governance principles.
The training sessions focused on strengthening the skills of staff in the audit office’s Compliance Investigation Unit, which investigates fraud, waste and mismanagement in government operations.
Staff participated in workshops covering ethics in government, fraud awareness, investigation planning, evidence handling and interview techniques, alongside an introduction to the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) professional development program.
Ms Pretrick commended the local audit staff members’ dedication to developing their investigation capabilities, saying, “PASAI is proud to support members through mentoring, technical assistance and by helping to align their manuals and practices with international standards.
“Supporting staff to gain CFE certification aligns with our vision of transparent and accountable public administration for the benefit of all Pacific peoples.”
Accompanied by the Public Auditor, Bryan Dabugsiy, and Chief Investigator, Marie Laamar, Ms Pretrick explained PASAI’s role in the broader Pacific region in a meeting with the Acting Governor, the Attorney General, the Director of the Office of Administrative Services, the Director of Planning and Budget and the Human Trafficking Coordinator.
As part of her advocacy activities, Ms Pretrick also delivered a targeted session for members of the 11th Yap State Legislature on the role of government audit offices in fostering accountability, transparency and integrity.
She presented the results formal assessments of regional audit offices’ levels of independence, highlighting the local office’s status and the importance of legislative support for an upcoming bill designed to strengthen its independence.
“I’m encouraged by the commitment expressed by Yap State legislators to working with the Office of the Public Auditor on legislative reform and to make use of its audits to improve public governance,” Ms Pretrick said.
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).
PASAI Program Director, Sophia H Pretrick (fourth from left); Public Auditor, Bryan Dabugsiy (third from right); and Chief Investigator, Marie Laamar (far right); meeting with Acting Governor, Francis Itimai (seated, centre); and other Cabinet members
At a presentation to members of the 11th Yap State Legislature, including Speaker, Nicholas Figirlaarwon; and chairs and vice chairs of various legislative committees
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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
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
Audit office independence a priority for PASAI in Tuvalu
Funafuti, Tuvalu: Program Director for the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI), Sinaroseta Palamo-Iosefo, spent this week in Tuvalu providing in-person technical support to the staff at the Office of the Auditor General (OAG).
Ms Palamo-Iosefo started work at the office on 26 May and is providing comprehensive support ranging from organisational development to the implementation of human resource (HR) functions.
While here she also met with the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Hon Monise Laafai.
Ms Palamo-Iosefo explained the meeting was part of PASAI’s advocacy work, saying, “Independence is critical to the OAG’s effective functioning and performing its oversight role in holding government to account.”
As participants of PASAI’s on-going HR management program, the OAG was keen to adopt effective people management practices. While at the office, Ms Palamo-Iosefo supported staff to establish performance management processes, identify competencies needed and initiated the creation of a learning and professional development (LPD) plan.
“Audit offices can support staff competency development by refining job profiles, creating LPD plans and maintaining databases of staff progress towards professional certification,” Ms Palamo-Iosefo said.
Other mission objectives included strengthening the audit office’s financial management processes and following up the development of its overall audit plan.
“Ensuring the OAG’s own budgeting and payment processes stand up to high levels of scrutiny enables it to be a credible evaluator of other public agencies’ accounts,” Ms Palamo-Iosefo said.
As well as technical support and advocacy, Ms Palamo-Iosefo worked with the Auditor General, Imase Taai Kaunatu, to review the bespoke capacity development plan used to guide the audit office’s training and development activities into 2026.
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).
PASAI Program Director, Sinaroseta Palamo-Iosefo, with staff from the Office of the Auditor General of Tuvalu
PASAI Program Director, Sinaroseta Palamo-Iosefo, with Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Hon Monise Laafai
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Contact information:
Sinaroseta Palamo-Iosefo, Program Director PASAI
E: sina.iosefo@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF version of this media release
Last chance to register for tomorrow's webinar on effective engagement with the justice system
Communication is key to effective justice – effective engagement to ensure integrity and transparency
This webinar will seek to show the key to effective engagement with the wider justice sector from different perspectives.
Our Secretary-General, John Ryan, will chair the discussions. The panel will include the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Kingdom of Tonga, James Lutui Finau; Assistant CEO – Criminal and Civil Courts, Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration in Samoa, Tofilau Sina Faapoi; and the Director of the New Zealand Pacific Justice Sector Programme, Toli Sagaga.
This event is led by Office of the Auditor-General of New Zealand but forms part of our advocacy and good governance program.
Please register for this event to receive a unique login for the webinar. For any issues email international@oag.parliament.nz.
We encourage you to forward this invitation to those you think may be interested in this event – all are welcome.
Government auditors in Fiji for regional reporting on climate change adaptation actions
Nadi, Fiji: The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) is holding a 4-day in-person workshop for auditors reporting on government responses to climate-related matters from today.
Thirteen performance auditors (9 female, 4 male) from the government audit offices of the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are participating in the workshop from 26 to 29 May 2025.
PASAI has been providing guidance to the 9 Pacific Island audit teams since the audits started in 2024.
Each participating audit office has selected one of 3 audit topics; examining how well their governments are managing water resources, implementing climate change adaptation plans or actions, or taking action to adapt to the impact of sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Staff from the New Zealand Office of the Auditor-General and the Australian state audit offices of New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia have also provided technical support to many of the Pacific Island audit teams.
The workshop is being held to extract the themes from the individual performance audits and prepare an outline of a Pacific regional report on climate change adaptation actions.
PASAI Program Director, Mike Scott, is co-facilitating the workshop with Karen Wong, a Performance Audit Manager from the New Zealand Office of the Auditor-General.
“Our regional report will feed into a global overview report for presentation to international stakeholders and events, including at the UN’s Climate Change Conference this November,” said Mr Scott.
Workshop participants will present their own report findings and review how their participation in this cooperative regional audit will help them improve their performance audit practices in future work.
Mr Scott expressed satisfaction with the dedication of the auditors, saying, “Many of the audit teams overcame significant hurdles to access information and people, undertake site visits, gather direct evidence of government project progress and engage with communities to hear, see and understand how well initiatives are improving their lives and futures.”
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).
Participants of the report writing workshop in Nadi, Fiji
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Contact information:
Mike Scott, Program Director PASAI
E: mike.scott@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF version of this media release
PASAI Secretary-General: His term in review and future outlook | Zoom webinar – 24 June 3 pm NZT
Join us for a special webinar event to mark John Ryan’s term as Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand, Niue and Tokelau, and Secretary-General of PASAI, as he prepares to step down after 7 years on 1 July 2025.
John’s term has navigated a period of major change and challenge—from the Covid-19 pandemic to the growing frequency and severity of climate-related events. During this time, PASAI has embarked on a new 10-year strategy and delivered a variety of programs to strengthen public auditing across the Pacific. Under his leadership, PASAI has championed greater independence for audit offices, built stronger regional partnerships, improved the professionalism of its members and pushed for more effective engagement with those in the broader public financial management system.
This webinar is a chance to hear John reflect on the milestones of his term and his outlook on areas of public fund management that matter to everyone in the Pacific. After his presentation, there will be time for questions and discussion where you can share your thoughts and ask questions to John.
This event is led by the Office of the Auditor-General of New Zealand but forms part of the advocacy and good governance program of PASAI.
Please register for this event. After you submit your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with your unique Zoom link and a way to add this to your calendar. If you have any issues contact international@oag.parliament.nz.
We encourage you to forward this invitation to those you think may be interested in this event, all are welcome.
Third quarterly report under new strategy now available
We have just published our third quarterly report for the 2024–25 financial year.
Current and past reports are available on our Quarterly reports page.
Register for Transparency International's Pacific Anti-Corruption Series
Strengthening transparency, financial integrity and civil society action.
Three powerful webinars. One shared mission.
Transparency International New Zealand invites you to join civil society leaders, journalists, advocates and financial oversight professionals across the Pacific to explore how we can tackle corruption, uncover financial crime and strengthen our governance systems—together.
Webinar 1: 14 May 2025 – 12 to 1:30 pm (Fiji/New Zealand time)
Anti-money laundering (AML) – Risks, benefits and the role of transparency
Explore how money laundering affects Pacific communities, why strong AML systems matter, and the vital role civil society plays in promoting transparency. You’ll hear from experts in law enforcement, financial intelligence and anti-corruption advocacy.
Webinar 2: 28 May 2025 – 10:30 am to 12:00 pm (Fiji/New Zealand time)
Organised crime – Corruption, financial networks and policy responses
This session dives into how organised crime operates across the Pacific, from hidden financial networks to state corruption. Learn how investigative journalism, policy innovation, and law enforcement are fighting back—and what role you can play.
Webinar 3: 11 June 2025 – 12 to 1:30 pm (Fiji/New Zealand time)
Beneficial ownership 101 – Strengthening transparency and accountability in the Pacific
What is beneficial ownership and why does it matter for the Pacific? Learn how secretive company ownership structures fuel corruption—and what tools exist to make ownership more transparent and accountable.
Spaces are limited, so please register to attend as soon as possible to secure your spot.
Pacific Island auditors to focus on government compliance in new webinar series
Auckland, New Zealand: The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) is delivering a series of webinars to strengthen the capacity of its members to conduct high-quality compliance audits from today.
Ninety-one staff (49 female and 42 male) from the government audit offices of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu and Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia have registered for the remotely accessible capacity building training.
One of the course facilitators, PASAI Program Director, Susana Laulu, believes compliance audits are a powerful tool to uphold fairness and accountability in public institutions.
“Compliance audits help ensure that public officials and institutions are following the rules, laws, policies and executive directives they’re meant to uphold.
“A compliance audit can either reveal to the auditee what it needs to change or it can provide assurance to the public that the government entity is applying laws and regulations fairly and consistently – there is great value in either outcome,” she said.
PASAI has developed this training to improve the coverage of compliance audit activities and enhance public sector auditors’ capabilities in conducting a standalone compliance audit.
The training will include practical examples from the public sector to illustrate key concepts and the different phases of the compliance audit process as prescribed by the international standards.
Ms Laulu explained, “Our goal is to demystify compliance auditing and provide practical guidance that audit teams can apply immediately.
“It’s about giving auditors the confidence and clarity to ask the right questions and make meaningful findings.”
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).
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Contact information:
Susana Laulu, Program Director PASAI
E: susana.laulu@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF version of this media release
Training continues on managing Pacific Island audit offices’ greatest assets – staff
Auckland, New Zealand: The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) is delivering a series of webinars on human resource management (HRM) for its member offices from today.
Twenty-eight staff (19 female and 11 male) from the government audit offices of FSM Kosrae, FSM Yap, Guam, Kiribati, the Northern Mariana Islands, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu have registered to attend the first webinar.
PASAI Program Director, Sinaroseta Palamo-Iosefo, is facilitating the series of monthly webinars, with the inaugural one focused on ‘The employee lifecycle’.
“Establishing robust HRM systems is vital for delivering high-quality audits, ultimately supporting improved public sector accountability.
“This session is designed to equip participants with a good understanding of the key responsibilities of audit offices as outlined in international standards on auditor competence,” she said.
The current webinar series is appropriate for staff who are responsible for managing HR-related matters and will cover concepts ranging from recruitment and performance management to staff wellness and development frameworks.
This training follows PASAI’s delivery, with invaluable assistance from the Swedish National Audit Office, of a comprehensive HR Champions program which created a cohort of Pacific Island-based staff who are now experienced in managing contemporary HR matters.
Ms Palamo-Iosefo explained that throughout the webinar series, staff performing HR duties in the region will share examples of how they implemented HR initiatives in their offices, such as developing an HR strategy or introducing a wellness program.
“These webinars fit into a broader program of strengthening HRM capabilities among member audit offices drawing on the expertise that has been developed in the region,” she said.
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).
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Contact information:
Sinaroseta Palamo-Iosefo, Program Director PASAI
E: Sina.Iosefo@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF version of this media release
Twelve Pacific Island government auditors on track to upgrade in-house quality management systems.
Auckland, New Zealand: The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) is continuing to support the staff of 5 Pacific Island auditors general to set up a formal system of audit quality management (SoAQM) with a second in-person workshop.
The first workshop in April 2024 covered in detail the main concepts of the processes in the SoAQM such as quality risk management, monitoring and remediation, and the evaluation of the SoAQM. It also equipped participants to carry out a Needs Analysis Assessment.
Twelve staff (5 female and 7 male) from the government audit offices of the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu have gathered in Auckland this week to participate in the three-day SoAQM program workshop.
PASAI, in cooperation with the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI), have been helping these offices to take the initial steps in establishing fit-for-purpose SoAQMs that promote continuous improvement with its self-correcting mechanisms since April 2024. IDI developed the SoAQM establishment ‘playbook’.
Fiji-based Program Director, Meresimani Vosawale-Katuba is facilitating the training, with the support of Esther Lameko-Poutoa, PASAI Chief Executive. Gerhard van den Berg, Quality Assurance Manager from the Office of the Auditor-General of New Zealand and, Stuart Cormack, Manager Methodology from Audit New Zealand will also share their experiences implementing a SoAQM and provide technical assistance.
This second workshop will cover the development of a bespoke SoAQM action plan and policy for each audit office.
Ms Vosawale-Katuba explained, “Staff members that auditors general have selected for this program have been involved in documenting their offices’ needs analysis and will be part of the team implementing a SoAQM.
“They are multi-disciplinary team members with experiences in and knowledge of auditing standards, different audit practices, audit methodology, quality assurance, strategic planning, and research and policy development.”
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).
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Contact information:
Meresimani Vosawale-Katuba, Program Director PASAI
E: Meresimani.VosawaleKatuba@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF of this media release
Pacific Island auditors trained on financial audit practice areas
Auckland, New Zealand: The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) is delivering a series of webinars covering financial audit practice areas for its members from today.
Fifty-eight staff (37 female and 21 male) from the government audit offices of Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) National office, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu participated in the remotely accessible capacity building training.
This first webinar of the series is designed to provide participants with essential insights and practical strategies to enhance their audit planning processes.
One of the course facilitators, PASAI Program Director, Susana Laulu, said the webinar will provide practical tools to help audit offices refine their current processes with help from PASAI’s own regional financial audit manual.
“By increasing understanding about the importance of planning an audit and the key components for effective planning, we aim to enhance the quality of financial audits in the Pacific.
“This webinar will equip staff with the knowledge and tools needed to tackle financial audits whether they are experienced auditors or new to the field,” she said.
Senior Advisor at the Office of the Auditor-General of New Zealand, Logan Moore, is also facilitating the webinar series, held for about 2 hours each month until June 2026.
Senior Advisor, International team and Audit New Zealand Manager Narisha Poonsamy, shared her experience of Public Sector Entities audit planning.
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).
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Contact information:
Susana Laulu, Program Director PASAI
E: susana.laulu@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF of this media release
Pacific Island auditors trained on performance audit practice areas
Auckland, New Zealand: The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) is delivering a second series of 10 webinars covering performance audit practice areas for its members from today.
Forty-one staff (24 female and 17 male) from the government audit offices of American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) National office, FSM Kosrae, Fiji, Guam, Tonga, Vanuatu, FSM Yap, FSM Chuuk, Palau, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea participated in the remotely accessible capacity building training.
PASAI Program Director, Mike Scott, is keen to build on the first webinar series he delivered from February 2024 that covered the fundamentals of auditing the performance of government service provision.
“During each webinar, I will talk to a panel of guest practitioners from different international audit offices, opening the conversation to questions and comments from the webinar audience,” he said.
The first webinar will cover project management of an audit with guest panellists from the Office of the Auditor-General of New Zealand. The remaining webinars, held once every 2 months, will cover concepts ranging from evidence collection to risk management and report writing.
The training model responds to the expressed desires of Pacific Island auditors to learn directly from those in the same field.
Mr Scott explained, “The webinars feature practitioners sharing what they have found has worked in successfully delivering impactful performance audits, challenges they have encountered and how they have overcome them, and pitfalls to avoid, giving examples from audits that they have worked on.”
PASAI will make a recording of each webinar available to participants on its online Learning Platform which also includes a forum for participants to share their reflections and experiences.
Additionally, the first series of webinars will soon be available to Pacific Island performance auditors as a self-paced online learning package that includes practice sheets and quizzes to complete.
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).
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Contact information:
Mike Scott, Program Director PASAI
E: mike.scott@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF version of this media release
