Raihei Ansquer (and Vanina Pommier are the new appointees.
Photo: Screengrab / Polynésie La Première
French Polynesia’s President Moetai Brotherson has made key personnel changes in his cabinet just over a year before the French Pacific territory hosts the 2027 Pacific Games.
Raihei Ansquer has been handed the health portfolio, while Vanina Pommier has been assigned the sports portfolio. They take over from Cédric Mercadal and Kainuu Temauri.
Brotherson announced the changes during a news conference on Monday local time, but did not immediately specify the reasons for the reshuffle.
The move has drawn criticism from opposition parties on all sides of the political divide – including those who are pro-autonomy and those against independence.
Opposition figure and Tapura Huiraatira party leader Tepuaraurii Teriitahi said it revealed “failures from the President and his government”.
Pommier’s appointment comes less than one year after her predecessor, Kainuu Temauri, was appointed in early August 2025.
Ansquer, a medical doctor by profession, was also recently a technical advisor at French Polynesia’s health ministry. She said her priorities as a minister will be to strengthen prevention, including in the fields of mental health, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and cancer.
In addition to sports, Pommier will also be in charge of youth, arts and crafts, as well as prevention against delinquency.
Regarding the scheduled hosting of the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti, she said the Pacific Games Council (the organising body of the regional event) is this week visiting French Polynesia as part of its follow-up missions.
Pommier is set to meet the council on Friday.
She said the Pacific Games is “an opportunity to show the Pacific and the world what we can do”.
Her main task will be to supervise and coordinate the organisation and preparation for the 2027 Pacific Games. This includes upgrading and building relevant infrastructure to host the key regional event from 24 July to 8 August 2027.
Multimillion budget
The current estimated cost to organise and host the Pacific Games in French Polynesia is about US$55 million, including about US$26m financed by France.
Competitions will mainly take place on the capital island of Tahiti, but also on outer island locations, including neighbouring Moorea and Raiatea.
Existing infrastructure, such as the iconic Pater Stadium in Papeete, will be used but needed to be renovated.
The first phases of upgrading and building works started in July 2025 and were expected to be completed and delivered in April 2027.
The process of recruiting up to 4500 volunteers is also underway in preparation for the 18th Games scheduled for 24 July – 8 August.
Athletes from 24 Pacific Island countries and territories are expected to compete in 24 disciplines across an estimated 30 sites.
It will be the third time French Polynesia hosts the iconic regional event.
