Army Commander attend senior military leaders retreat in Auckland

Army Commander, Major General Jone Kalouniwai and Force Sergeant Major Warrant Officer 1 Joeli Rabuli successfully concluded the 2025 Tōtara Wānanga Retreat in Auckland, fostering collaboration, leadership development, and strengthening regional security cooperation.

The event was organized by the New Zealand Defence Force Senior military leaders from across the Pacific.

The Tōtara Retreat, now in its fourth year, brought together defence chiefs and senior enlisted leaders from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Fiji.

Air Marshall Tony Davies, Chief of Defence Force New Zealand, described the retreat as hugely successful and a testament to the strength of the Tōtara Agreement.

Davies says they have not only upheld the founding principles of this agreement but adapted and evolved it to meet the needs of our region.

He says this retreat reinforces their commitment to nurturing leadership and strengthening the bonds between Pacific defense forces.

For Fiji, the retreat was an opportunity to further its commitment to the Veiliutaki Framework, an initiative supporting leadership growth within the RFMF.