Press Release Detail

Mere Vukialau Taoi is passionate about being an agent of change towards the sustainable management of Fiji’s forestry resources. And she displays this quite well in her role as the Ministry of Forestry’s Acting Director, Silviculture and Research Division based at Colo-i-Suva.

The Ministry continues to feature articles on our staff and consultants who are helping drive both Fiji’s specific and broader forestry agenda. With the passing years, there has been a change in the recognition of women and young people in taking up roles to improve Fiji’s stewardship of our natural resources and the environment.

For Mrs Taoi, working in the forestry sector may come with challenges as a woman, but she is committed to contributing to the paradigm change toward sustainable management of natural resources to address economic growth while also ensuring the protection of the environment.

After having worked a few years in the private sector, she decided to join the civil service through the Ministry of Forestry in 2019. Her love for nature, conservation and an ambitious mindset was also the driving force behind her interest in joining the field of research in the forestry sector. “Fiji’s unique flora not only offers endless research opportunities, but it also calls for a concerted effort on its conservation,” Mrs Taoi shared.

Mrs Taoi holds a Masters in Environmental Engineering from the Instituo Superior Tecnico, University of Lisbon in Portugal, in addition to her local degree and other certifications. She shared that throughout her pursuit of higher education, the skills learnt along the way have helped her in a variety of professional situations and dynamics. Mrs Taoi further said that everything she learned while studying overseas had enhanced her knowledge and skills, which she put to good use in her role.

She is one of several female staff in the Ministry of Forestry’s leadership team reflecting the Government’s aim of equal employment opportunities. Mrs Taoi leaves this week after 4 years with the Ministry to further career and education prospects, but below is an excerpt of an interview with her on the work that she did;

Briefly tell us about yourself? My name is Mere Vukialau Taoi and I am married to Jerome Taoi. I started my education journey at the young age of four and spent my primary school years at Nasinu Gospel Primary. I then progressed to Adi Cakobau School for my secondary education.

I attained my Bachelor of Science from the University of the South Pacific with a double major in Biology and Chemistry. In 2014, I left Fiji to pursue my Masters in Environmental Engineering from Instituo Superior Tecnico, University of Lisbon, Portugal, and I attained it in 2016. My studies in Europe, not only enabled me to achieve my academic goal, but they also provided me with the opportunity to foster friendships and network with students from all over the world and travel to over 15 countries.

Apart from my Master’s degree, I also have qualifications in Urban Forestry from the University of British Columbia and a Certificate IV in Project Management and Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation from the University of the South Pacific. 

What is your role at the Ministry of Forestry and what does it involve? As the Acting Director of Silviculture and Research Division, the role is responsible for the research and development of Fiji’s forests and related services, including native forests, plantation forests, agroforestry, and urban forests; for the health, protection and conservation of plant genes, as well as the development of native biodiversity assemblages to promote agroforestry and urban forestry; and also to provide scientific support and advice to senior management.

The immediate stakeholders that I worked with in a bid to achieve the deliverables for a sustainable forestry sector in Fiji are;
1. Stakeholder support on seed technology and other research areas - Fiji Hardwood Corporation Limited, Fiji Pine Limited, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
2. Development of Allometric Equation and Biomass calculation - REDD+, iTaukei Affairs Board, Pacific Community (SPC)
3. Conservation of Endemic species - University of the South Pacific – Institute of Applied Science, NatureFijiMareqetiViti, Agroforestry, Ministry of Agriculture
4. Forest Pest and Diseases including Invasive Alien Species - Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, Fiji Ports Limited
5. Stakeholders - International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR), Asia Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management (APFNET).

What challenges do you face in this role? The only challenge that I faced was managing expectations while working with limited resources.

What are some of the activities in which you have worked with communities to promote the forestry sector? I am a “behind the scenes” person. I don’t directly work with the communities per se, but I plan and coordinate the various activities and work programmes in alignment with the Priority Goals of the Ministry of Forestry and deliver the relevant supporting documents (in accordance with the policies and financial manuals) to the executive management team for endorsement and approval before execution by the officers on the ground.

Some of the research areas that I coordinated included the Allometric and Biomass equation development, Agroforestry, Tree Improvement Seed Technology, Forest Health and Biosecurity, Natural Forest Management, Research on Non –Wood Forest Products.

What has your experience been as a woman in the forestry sector? There are often negative perceptions about women in male dominated fields, that the workplace is unfavourable as it is too ‘manly’ and they are susceptible to bullying and discrimination. But this is not true for the Ministry of Forestry. Joining the “Voresi Family” has taught me to think long term, focus on impacts, and most importantly, to “roll with the punches” in the face of uncertainty. 

What advice would you give to a young person, especially a female, who might be thinking about a career in forestry? By pursuing a career in forestry and conservation, you can play an integral role in protecting our planet’s biodiversity and ensuring food security and resources for future generations - what could be more exciting than that! To young girls, if you are one that wants to break the glass ceiling and be part of an effort to harness the invaluable and transformative contribution that women can make in the forestry sector, then join the bandwagon because you can’t be what you can’t see.

Increasing Female Leadership in the Ministry Permanent Secretary for Forestry Pene Baleinabuli said the Ministry is grateful to Mrs. Taoi for her contribution in the past four years.

“The Ministry engages people on the basis of merit, inclusive of qualifications and relevant work experience. Promotions are also based on actual performance. Females hold five of the 14 executive and managerial positions in the Ministry.

This is equivalent to 35% of senior leadership roles. The senior management from Manager/Director-level and upwards reflect an increasing number of women in the recent years. It is a far cry from the Forestry of old which was naturally dominated by men given the physical nature of the job.”

Mr. Baleinabuli said the Ministry wishes Mrs. Taoi every success as she joins her family in the Western Division while pursuing other career and education opportunities