Solomon Islands High Court rules NHA spending for Pacific Games unlawful

The Solomon Islands High Court has ruled that the National Hosting Authority (NHA) acted unlawfully in its spending of public funds for the 2023 Pacific Games held in Honiara. Justice Augustine Aulanga determined that the NHA bypassed mandatory legal checks and balances, specifically violating sections of the Public Financial Management Act 2013 (PFMA).

The ruling follows a special audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) with assistance from KPMG. The audit revealed significant weaknesses in the NHA’s financial management and procurement practices. While Parliament had validly appropriated budget allocations for 2019–2024, the court found that the actual disbursement of funds from the Sports Solomons Fund lacked legal authority.

Auditor-General David Teika Dennis had sought judicial intervention following disputes regarding which laws governed the Sports Solomons Fund. The NHA had argued its spending was protected by the Pacific Games Act, but the court sided with the Auditor-General, noting that the NHA’s Accountable Officer lacked the legal standing to incur expenditure from the Special Fund.