To view the Dean’s full eulogy, click here.
Funeral Service for the late High Commissioner of Vanuatu to New Zealand, HE Mr Johnson Marakipule Naviti
11th August 2020
Samoa High Commissioner and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps (HE Mr Leasi Papali’i Scanlan) delivering a eulogy for the late High Commissioner of Vanuatu (HE Mr Johnson Marakipule Naviti), on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps.
On 10 August 2020, a Funeral Service was held at the St Ninian’s Uniting Church in Karori, Wellington for the late High Commissioner of Vanuatu to New Zealand, HE Mr Johnson Marakipule Naviti. His Excellency passed away suddenly in his office the previous week on 3 August at the young age of 49.
High Commissioner Naviti previously worked for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and was also the former Director General of the Vanuatu Office of the Prime Minister, before being accredited as the first High Commissioner of Vanuatu to New Zealand in late 2017.
The funeral service was well attended by many Members of the Diplomatic Corps & Spouses, several Senior Staff of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Other Dignitaries, Family and Friends, as well as the wider Vanuatu Community in New Zealand. The Samoa High Commissioner and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps (HE Mr Leasi Papali’i Scanlan) and the Deputy Secretary of MFAT’s Pacific and Development Group (Mr Jonathan Kings) were among those who delivered eulogies. “High Commissioner Naviti was well known for his humility, soft spoken nature, as well as his warm & friendly smile. He was usually fairly quiet, but when he spoke there was a lot of sense and wisdom in what he had to say.” – High Commissioner of Samoa and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps (HE Mr Leasi Papali’i Scanlan).
The Ambassador of Indonesia (HE Mr Tantowi Yahya) led the Diplomatic Corps in a farewell song dedicated to their former colleague. His Excellency was a great Ambassador for Vanuatu and will be sadly missed by his Diplomatic Corps colleagues.
High Commissioner Naviti is survived by his wife, Mrs Timaima Naviti, and six children.
High Commissioner Naviti previously worked for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and was also the former Director General of the Vanuatu Office of the Prime Minister, before being accredited as the first High Commissioner of Vanuatu to New Zealand in late 2017.
The funeral service was well attended by many Members of the Diplomatic Corps & Spouses, several Senior Staff of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Other Dignitaries, Family and Friends, as well as the wider Vanuatu Community in New Zealand. The Samoa High Commissioner and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps (HE Mr Leasi Papali’i Scanlan) and the Deputy Secretary of MFAT’s Pacific and Development Group (Mr Jonathan Kings) were among those who delivered eulogies. “High Commissioner Naviti was well known for his humility, soft spoken nature, as well as his warm & friendly smile. He was usually fairly quiet, but when he spoke there was a lot of sense and wisdom in what he had to say.” – High Commissioner of Samoa and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps (HE Mr Leasi Papali’i Scanlan).
The Ambassador of Indonesia (HE Mr Tantowi Yahya) led the Diplomatic Corps in a farewell song dedicated to their former colleague. His Excellency was a great Ambassador for Vanuatu and will be sadly missed by his Diplomatic Corps colleagues.
High Commissioner Naviti is survived by his wife, Mrs Timaima Naviti, and six children.