Tafea Province
Tafea, the southernmost province of the six in Vanuatu, is an acronym derived from the five islands that make up the region: Tanna, Aneityum, Futuna, Erromango and Aniwa.
The province has a population of 32,540 people and an area of 1,628 km². The main island, though second to Erromango in land size, is Tanna, with some 80 percent of the province population, with the provincial capital of Isangel, and the largest village of Lenakel, both close together on the southwest coast.
The three larger islands are Melanesian, but the smaller two, Aniwa and Futuna, also known under the collective term Erronan Islands, are Polynesian outliers. Futuna is sometimes called West Futuna to distinguish it from Futuna Island, Wallis and Futuna.
The island of Tanna has the world's most accessible volcano, Mount Yasur, at 1,084 meters the highest peak of the province. Aniwa Island is the only coral island, the other four are volcanic and reach much higher elevations than Aniwa.
Aneityum is the southernmost island of Vanuatu (not counting the remote, tiny and uninhabited Matthew and Hunter Islands, 280 to 335 kilometres (174–208 miles) to the southeast, which are disputed with New Caledonia, but which are considered by the people of Aneityum part of their custom ownership). Its southeastern cape Nétchan Néganneaing is the southernmost point of land in Vanuatu.
The latter, however, is surrounded Intao Reef, that extends even further south, albeit submerged, thus being the southernmost feature of Vanuatu.
Productive Sectors
Tafea Province is rich with Agriculture crops, particularly high value crops such as Coffee planting, Coconut, Kava, Citrus, Noni spices and root crops and root crops. The Islands within Tafea Province are popular based on the value crops planted by the people. Tanna Island is famously known for its Tanna Coffee which grown under the shadows of the still active Yasur Volcano.
Traditionally Tanna is also well known for its fertile soil where it’s hard working population farm peanut, potato, onion, carrot, round cabbage, lettuce, tomato and capsicum. On the other hand, Erromango Island is well for its Sandalwood which later process into essential oil for perfumes and other products. Fishing activities on the Island of Aniwa play an important role in maintaining the supply of seafood protein for the communities.
Both men and women are active fishers, contributing to the household fish consumption and profitable purpose. The Government encouraged local businessmen to joint partnerships with foreign investors and create local industry associations depending on the require policy and agreement under the sector responsible
Welcome!
Welcome to the website of the Tafea Provincial Government Council!
The council strives to provide avenues for all that are actively involved and participate to develop a secured, strong and healthy Province
We aim to achieve this, with a particular emphasis on establishing partnerships and new trade links within and outside the province taking into consideration:
Christian principals
Cultural and traditional values
Gender equity
Respect for biodiversity (Environment)
We hope you find this website education and information as my council focuses on “bringing the Government closer to the People”.
Tankio tumas,
President of the Tafea Provincial Government Council
Our Staff
Joe Johnson Iati
Acting Secretary General – Tafea Provincial Government Council
Kaldon Sam
Assistant Secretary General – Tafea Provincial Government Council
Jamesly Tavuti
Planner – Tafea Provincial Government Council
Jones Lokasu
Accountant – Tafea Provincial Government Council
Kenia Dick
Area Administrator – North Tanna Area Council
John Bill Charlie
Area Administrator – Central Tanna Area Council
Lui Alick Kawisil
Area Administrator – South West Tanna Area Council
Amon Jaffert
Area Administrator – South Tanna Area Council
Isso Nihmei
Area Administrator – Futuna Area Council
Davina Vira
Area Administrator – Aneityum Area Council
John Daniel
Area Administrator – South East Tanna Area Council
Francis Korisa
rea Administrator – West Tanna Area Council
Vacant
Area Administrator – East Tanna Area Council
Remy Nabil
Area Administrator – North Erromango Area Council
Vacant
Area Administrator – South Erromango Area Council
Lenon Lukon
Area Administrator –Aniwa Area Council
Mission & Vision
Vision
With clear perception and in anticipation to empowering the Provincial Government with infinite access to service delivery to be a socio - economically self-reliant Province. That promotes a conducive working environment and successfully attracts partnerships while at the same time maximizes economic and social gains to local communities through sustainable utilization of its resources, taking into account the people’s welfare, cultural values, Christian values and traditional respect for the environment. Resilient governance linking to decentralization for a vibrant, safe and secure Provincial Government and its population
Mission
To provide avenues for all actively involve and participate to developing a secured, strong and healthy Province with emphasis on establishing partnership and new trade links within and outside the province taking into consideration: Christian principals, Cultural and traditional values, Gender equity and Respect for biodiversity (Environment). In the end focusing on “Bringing the Government closer to the People”.
Aims and Objectives
- To continue support in implementing the decentralization plan of the Vanuatu government.
- To Coordinate and implement community baseline projects in all 10 Area Councils through ACs & AAs in collaboration with Key Stakeholders.
- To Develop and Strengthen Governance institution and system for better service delivery to the people of MALAMPA .
- To Develop approaches that is in consistent with financial resources for MALAMPA Provincial Government Council.
- To continue support for a resilient governance linking to decentralization for a vibrant, safe and secure Provincial Government and its population.
- To Develop strong partnership with all Provincial Stakeholders to achieve common plans within Malampa Provincial Government.
The Council
Flag of Tafea Province
Vanuatu is a unitary state with three levels of government – the Central Government, Provincial Council and Area Councils. Provincial councils are established by virtue of the provisions of the Local Government Act, the Decentralization Act and Physical Planning Act. The Vanuatu Constitution also provides for a decentralized system of government.
The Tafea Provincial Government Council (TPGC) is the governing body that oversees Tafea Province, which includes the islands of Tanna, Aneityum (Anatom), Futuna, Erromango, and Aniwa—hence the acronym T-A-F-E-A. It represents the decentralised intermediate level of government between the national administration and local Area Councils and is headquartered in Isangel, West Tanna.
Tafea Province comprises 12 Area Councils being North Tanna, South East Tanna, South Tanna, Middle Bush Tanna, West Tanna, Whitesands (East Tanna), North West Tanna, North East Tanna, Aniwa, Futuna, Erromango and Aneityum, with each handling community-level planning and development with Governmental Area Administrators bridge provincial and community services, helping implement strategies, linking citizens to wider services, and supporting local governance.
It plays a critical role in advancing decentralization by bringing government services and infrastructure closer to communities across the remote southern islands of Vanuatu. It not only administers provincial operations but also nurtures local capacity and drives inclusive socioeconomic development.
The TPGC oversees coordination among Area Councils, provincial government departments, NGOs, and traditional chiefs. Its agenda includes decentralization, inclusive development, and streamlined planning at local levels.
Provincial leadership has petitioned the national government to fund strategic infrastructure improvements, including an international wharf, airport upgrades, hydropower development, and hospital expansion, reflecting Tafea’s growing economic potential and resilience needs.