State Funeral Accorded to Former Governor-General, the Late Sir Nathaniel Waena, GCMG, CSI, KStJ

Honiara, 23 September 2026 – The National Government will accord a State Funeral to the late former Governor-General, Sir Nathaniel Waena, GCMG, CSI, KStJ, this Friday, 26 September 2026, at the Saint Barnabas Anglican Cathedral in Honiara.

The former Head of State, Minister, Member of Parliament and Senior Civil Servant passed away at the age of 81 on 19 September 2026 at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara, following an illness.

A State Funeral is the highest honour the Nation can bestow upon its distinguished sons and daughters. In accordance with Government protocol and long-standing Westminster tradition, it is accorded to current and former Governors-General, Prime Ministers and national heroes who have rendered eminent and meritorious service to the country.

It is an official act to recognise a lifetime of selfless leadership, to allow the Nation to mourn collectively, and to record for history the contribution of a statesman to nation-building.

Sir Nathaniel devoted more than 40 years of his life to public service, from a classroom teacher to the highest Office in the land. His service as a Member of Parliament for Ulawa/Ugi, as a Cabinet Minister and as the 6^th Governor-General from 2004 to 2009 makes him eminently deserving of this honour.

The programme for Friday 26 September is as follows:

Lying-in-State: The body of the late Sir Nathaniel will Lie-in-State at the National Parliament Chamber for public viewing and final respects from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.

State Funeral Service: A State Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 pm at the Saint Barnabas Anglican Cathedral.

Repatriation: Following the service, the body will be transported to his home village at Ahia, Ulawa Island, Makira-Ulawa Province for burial. Details of the village burial service will be announced by the family.

The Prime Minister, Honourable Mathew Wale, has directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast from 19 September until sunset on the day of burial, as a mark of respect and national mourning.

The Government calls on all Solomon Islanders to join in honouring the memory of a great statesman who served our Nation with humility, wisdom and faith.

-ENDS-