New Zealand Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier is currently in the country for a three-day visit.
During his stay he will be meeting with staff of the Solomon Islands’ Ombudsman’s office and other government officials as part of his Pacific outreach programme.
He has a long association with Pacific judicial issues and was seconded to undertake judicial training there, based in Suva in 2002 and 2003.
He has traveled regularly to Pacific Island countries to undertake workshops on the subjects of family violence and youth justice.
He holds the Samoan Matai title of Misa which was bestowed in 2000.
In July 2015, he became the President of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts based in the United States. He is the first New Zealander to hold this position and did so until July 2016.
As Chief Ombudsman, Peter’s focus has been on a faster and more effective resolution of Official Information Act and other complaints, working with government agencies to improve their practices and strengthening his team’s investigation and monitoring of prisons and public mental health facilities.
He is also currently a Regional Director for the Australasia & Pacific region for the International Ombudsman Institute.
By CHARLES KADAMANA
