Energy poverty and access to electricity in the Pacific
Energy poverty is widespread in the Pacific. It is estimated that 70 per cent of households in the region don’t have access to electricity and 85 per cent don’t have access to clean cooking energy
PNG: Happy birthday to the land of unexpected
Future depends on ability to fight crime Papua New Guinea, the largest of the economies within the island-Pacific in terms of population and gross domestic product, reaches the milestone of being 39 years since
New leadership for Pacific Islands Forum
In the absence of Australia’s Tony Abbott and New Zealand’s John Key, and with Fiji still suspended from Forum meetings, Papua New Guinea’s push for regional leadership was highlighted at the Pacific
Malaysians take over PNG palm oil giant
Pacific plantation yields record surge London Stock Exchange listed company and Papua New Guinea’s largest agribusiness, New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NPOL) will have a new owner. After two months of intense
Tonga floats Development Bank for the Pacific
Setting up a regional development bank gained the support of the Association of Development Financing Institutions of the Pacific meeting in Nuku’alofa last month. Tonga’s Acting Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu
Fuel company focuses on gas
The National Petroleum Company of Papua New Guinea (NPCP), the third largest shareholder of the world class Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas project (PNG LNG) is estimated to be valued at US$8 billion to US$9
CNMI heads for 3 elections in November
I n yet another first in its history, the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is headed for three elections in a single month in November with a recordbreaking 18,000 registered voters. Election issues are
Security stays tight after win
Despite a landslide election win and claims of nationwide popularity, the security cordon around Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has not weakened. In fact, once it became obvious that he had won the
Air Niugini wary of flying into Qantas path
National carrier to sell shares As leading regional airline operators announced a disastrous past 12 months in profit trading, Papua New Guinea’s Air Niugini declared it will sell its ownership in an attempt to
Vocational education boosts hospitality and fashion jobs
Without formal qualifications, Pacific Island workers can find themselves stalled on the career ladder. When work demands make it near impossible to study and attain qualifications – and the costs and
Regional food and beverage exhibition creates growth possibilities for growers and manufacturers
Fine Food Australia is the region’s biggest annual food and beverage trade show. Featuring hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors and buyers from around the world, potentially millions of dollars worth
A premium offering from Samoa
Project offers land for sale to foreigners One of Samoa’s long established and reputable boutique accommodation providers, who built and run the popular Sinalei Resorts, has embarked on an ambitious firstof-a-kind
‘Samoa arrives on world cuisine stage’
“I didn’t win the award. Samoa won the award,” Oliver said when his second book based on the cuisines of the Pacific islands, ‘Mea’ai Samoa: Recipes from the Heart of Polynesia’, won
Prime Minister’s signature is expensive
The decision of Samoa’s Prime Minister to sign a letter in support of two convicted rapists has raised serious questions from the country’s Opposition Party Tautua Samoa. According to the Party, the Prime
Forum is work in progress
Melanesian leaders failed to attend the 2nd Pacific Islands Development Forum on the Fijian resort island of Denarau last month. Conspicuous in their absence were Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and
More US immigration woes for the Northern Marianas
Russians, Chinese target visa loop-holes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has received a five-year extension of a critical programme allowing it continued access to some 10,000 foreign workers up to 2019
A piece of Lau in Atafu
Google Earth says Vanuabalavu Island in Fiji’s northeast lies 1400 km southwest of Atafu, one of three inhabited atolls of Tokelau. And while separated by the vast Pacific Ocean, the two islands share a common
Protecting young people’s sexual health and well-being
Young Pacific people, including those on Tokelau, have high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned teenage pregnancies. Youth and population level surveys conducted by Pacific Ministries of Health
Rare cultural display in Melanesian Festival
2000 take part in traditional extravaganza The true spirit of Melanesian cultural identity has again been invigorated, fostered and enhanced at the 5th Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture staged from 28th June to
Putting Samoa on the global tourist map
Global event revolves around local show Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) Chief Executive Officer Matatamali’i Sonja Hunter says the SIDS event is an opportunity to showcase Samoa not only to the visiting 3000
Straight-shooting PM ready to take on the world
Samoa willing to say no to China Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has been Samoa’s Prime Minister for 17 years. The frank and outspoken leader has had a long career in politics, diplomacy and public administration.
Farm to table – Chef’s passion is infectious
Oliver joins growing new food movement Award winning chef and author Robert Oliver is not one to rest on his laurels. The two-time winner of the world’s most prestigious cookbook awards for his Pacificthemed
Showcasing small islands enterprise
Traditional artisans to display products Several local, regional and global agencies are coming together to showcase a wide range of small islands enterprises – not just from Samoa but also from the Pacific