A priest known for her leadership in ethnic diversity, women's and family issues has been appointed the new Anglican Observer at the United Nations. Archdeacon Taimalelagi Fagamalama Tuatagaloa-Matalavea, 55, of Samoa, succeeds Bishop Herbert Donovan, who was serving as the interim observer.

A veteran of the workings of the UN, the archdeacon has been operations manager in charge of the Samoa field office, and coordinator in charge of security for UN personnel and for the South Pacific Regional Environment Program.

In the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, Archdeacon Matalavea served as co-president of the May 2000 General Synod. She was a member of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) from 1987 to 1993.