At 1:23 pm on Sunday, 10 November 2025, Vanuatu lost a quiet giant of public life. Former Prime Minister Ham Lini Vanuaroroa passed away at Vila Central Hospital, surrounded by family. According to family arrangements shared locally, his body will return first to Teouma (Ham Lini residence), then lie in repose tomorrow night at Maliudu Nakamal, 21 Jump Street, Tagabe. A State Funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, after which he will be taken to Loltavola Sports Ground on Pentecost Island—approximately two kilometres from Father Walter Hayde Lini’s tomb—for his final resting place.

A life devoted to unity and service

Born on 8 December 1951 on Pentecost Island, Ham Lini came of age during the final years of the New Hebrides and gave his adult life to the new Republic that emerged. He is the younger brother of Father Walter Hayde Lini, Vanuatu’s first Prime Minister and Father of Independence.

From local leadership to the national stage, his path reflected a servant’s heart. Before the 1993 Decentralisation Act reshaped provincial governance, he served as President of the Pentecost Local Government Council and later became the first President of Penama Province—roles that helped lay the foundations of provincial administration after independence. (Local historical records and community testimony mark these milestones.)

Prime Minister in turbulent times (2004–2008)

Elected Prime Minister on 11 December 2004, Ham Lini presided during an era of intense parliamentary instability, yet was known for calm stewardship and compromise. His government restored steady foreign relations and guided the nation through moments of civil tension and recovery, including measures to maintain public order in Port Vila in 2007. He served until 22 September 2008.

Steward of resilience, climate and community

After his premiership, Ham Lini held portfolios that mattered deeply to everyday life: Climate Change, Meteorology, Environment, Energy, and Natural Disaster Management. He repeatedly urged a “change in mindset” so Vanuatu could become climate-smart, backing this with programmes that integrated climate services into agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure, tourism, and water—notably a multi-year initiative valued at about USD 20.5 million.
He continued front-line engagements—launching community projects and water systems—grounding national policy in village realities.

The Lini legacy of nation-building

Ham Lini carried forward a family tradition of public service that has shaped Vanuatu’s political history. His sister, Motarilavoa Hilda Lini—Vanuatu’s first woman elected to Parliament and first female minister—passed away in May 2025, a reminder of how profoundly the Lini family has served the nation. The country also recently mourned Charles Lini, son of Father Walter Lini.

How he led—and how he will be remembered

Those who worked with Ham Lini remember a leader who listened first, favoured consensus over conflict, and dignity over drama. He was not given to spectacle. He believed that progress is patient, that unity is work, and that peace—like a garden—must be tended every day.

On Pentecost and across our islands, his name is spoken softly, with respect. In Parliament, his record is read in the steadying of difficult moments. In communities, his legacy is found in water that runs, roads that hold, and young people who still believe service is noble.

The last journey home

From Vila to Teuma, to Maliudu Nakamal in Tagabe, and finally to Loltavola Sports Ground on Pentecost, the path of farewell mirrors the way he lived—from the nation to the village, and back to the land that formed him. Two kilometres from his brother’s tomb, Vanuatu will lay to rest a son who helped carry the dream forward.

Rest in peace, Right Honourable Ham Lini Vanuaroroa.
A man of peace. A bridge-builder. A servant of Vanuatu.