Ex-diplomat Filimone Kau dies at 63

Former diplomat and long-serving civil servant Filimone Kau has died aged 63.

Mr Kau died peacefuly at his home in Nasinu on Sunday, June 1.

He was a respected figure in government and diplomacy, known for his decades of dedicated service to the nation.

His daughter, Talei Kau, confirmed his death in a public announcement on Monday, expressing the family’s deep sorrow at the sudden loss.

“He was a dear friend, a loved uncle, brother, son, beloved father and loving husband,” Ms Talei said.

Mr Kau’s distinguished public service career spanned more than three decades.

He began as an information officer in the Ministry of Information in 1989, rising to principal information officer by 1997. He later served in senior executive roles within the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of National Planning.

Between 2003 and 2006, he was appointed Fiji’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and in 2012, he became Fiji’s resident Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, a role he held with honour and distinction.

In 2011, he was appointed Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources, having acted in the role from 2010. His career also included leadership roles in public communications, including serving as director of Information and head of Public Relations for the National Council for Building a Better Fiji in 2008.

Colleagues and former officials have described Mr Kau as a humble, principled, and dedicated servant of the people, with a deep sense of duty and commitment to Fiji’s development.

Mr Kau is survived by his wife Selai and their five children.

He will be buried on Friday.

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