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.