by Georgina Maka’a

A former governor general, church leader, and highly decorated Solomon Islander, Sir David Vunagi, died in Honiara today.

He was 73.

Born in Samasodu, Isabel Province, Vunagi passed away at his retirement home at Okea in the Guadalcanal Plains.

His death marks the end of a life dedicated to public service, leadership, and faith.

Vunagi served as the country’s Governor General from 2019 to 2024.

Prior to that, he was a respected Anglican Archbishop and a prominent figure in the church community. 

His leadership within the Anglican Church of Melanesia earned him widespread respect both at home and across the Pacific.

During his time as Governor General, Vunagi carried out his constitutional duties with dignity and grace, representing the Solomon Islands on both the national and international stage.

Early Life

From his humble beginnings in Samasodu village, Vunagi moved to Honiara and studied at KGVI Secondary School from 1968 to 1973.

He earned a Diploma of Education in Science at the University of the South Pacific in 1976 and a Master of Education in Biology at the University of Papua New Guinea in 1982.

Before becoming a priest, Vunagi worked as a teacher at KGVI Secondary School and at Selwyn College, a school run by the Church of Melanesia.

In 1990, he earned a Bachelor of Theology from St John’s College in Auckland, before moving to Canada in 1996, where he completed a Master of Theology at the Vancouver School of Theology. While in Canada, he also served as assistant priest at St Anselm’s Parish in the Diocese of New Westminster, British Columbia.

After returning to the Solomon Islands, Vunagi became a priest in the Diocese of Isabel.

In 1999, he returned to Selwyn College as principal. The following year, he was appointed Mission Secretary at the Provincial Headquarters of the Church of Melanesia.
Later in 2000, Vunagi was elected Bishop of the Diocese of Temotu, a position he held until 2009.

On 4 March 2009, he was elected the fifth Archbishop and Primate of the Church of the Province of Melanesia.

While serving as Archbishop of the nation’s largest Christian denomination, Vunagi attended the Global South Fourth Encounter in Singapore from 19–23 April 2010, and also represented the country at the Global South Conference in Bangkok from 18–20 July 2012.

Details of his funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

In-depth Solomons anticipates that Vunagi will be accorded a state funeral — an honour reserved for the nation’s statesmen.

Vunagi is survived by his wife Mary, his three children and several grandchildren.