In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Pacific pushes for urgent climate action as Fiji sets pre-COP31 dates
2. NZ/COOKS — Cook Islands PM Mark Brown in New Zealand but no talks with Luxon
3. PACIFIC — U.S seeks to expand seabed ‘diplomacy’ in the Pacific, eyes deal with Nauru
4. PACIFIC — Protesters target Luxon office over proposed U.S minerals agreement as Pacific concerns grow
5. A/SAMOA — American Samoa delegate welcomes passage of ocean monitoring bill
6. PACNEWS BIZ — FFA Members review decade of Niue Treaty as Honiara meeting targets Illegal fishing
7. PACNEWS BIZ — PNG Government bracing for fuel price hikes: Ling-Stuckey
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Former PNG PM O’Neill questions surge in Papua LNG cost
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Australian PM wants nation ‘over prepared’ amid fuel supply fears
10. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — The Solomon Islands version: Why there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics
11. PACNEWS DIGEST — Aotearoa vs Australia: Do Pacific travellers face same visa hurdles?
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — Naidiri Marine Biodiversity Park: A Small Village Making a Big Impact
PAC – CLIMATE CHANGE: PIFS/FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 1: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Pacific pushes for urgent Climate action as Fiji sets pre-COP31 dates
BRISBANE, 20 MARCH 2026 (PIFS/ FIJI GOVT) — As momentum gathers toward Pre-COP 31 and COP31, the Pacific stands united and resolute in its call for urgent, ambitious, and just climate action.
The Climate Change Ministers Talanoa convened Thursday in Brisbane for its third meeting, co-chaired by Palau’s Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment, representing the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Troika as incoming Chair, Steven Victor, and Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.
The Talanoa was also attended by the President of Kiribati, Taneti Maamau, and the Prime Minister of Niue, Dalton Tagelagi.
The Talanoa opened with a traditional smoking ceremony, offering a warm welcome to Leaders and Ministers and grounding the Talanoa in a spirit of respect, connection, and shared commitment as they gathered to advance the region’s climate priorities.
Fiji is set to host the COP31 Pre-COP from 05 to 08 October this year, signalling a pivotal milestone in the lead-up to next year’s negotiations
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya, on behalf of Fiji, in close consultation with Tuvalu, announced the proposed dates for the COP31 Pre-COP at the third Pacific Climate Change Ministers Meeting in Brisbane, Australia.
The Pre-Cop dates have been strategically sequenced following the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly and ahead of the World Bank Annual Meetings. This positioning is intended to maximise ministerial participation, strengthen political momentum, and align with the broader multilateral calendar.
In a deliberate move away from the traditional format, Fiji has proposed an extended three-and-a-half-day programme to the Ministerial Talanoa, reflecting both the urgency of the climate crisis and the Pacific’s commitment to delivering substantive, solutions-oriented outcomes.
At the heart of this design is a dedicated Leaders’ component spanning one and a half days, including a segment to be hosted in Tuvalu.
This approach highlights the region’s strategic intent to elevate political leadership and provide clear guidance at a critical juncture in the COP31 cycle.
Complementing this high-level engagement, the programme will incorporate structured technical discussions to enable deeper engagement on priority thematic areas requiring sustained attention and consensus-building. This integrated approach reflects the Pacific’s emphasis on aligning political ambition with technical rigor.
“We have also received strong interest from Indigenous Peoples, civil society organisations, and the private sector to engage meaningfully in this process. The proposed structure will therefore create space for inclusive participation, consistent with UNFCCC practice, while maintaining the integrity of Party-led discussions,” Tabuya stated.
Fiji looks forward to working in close partnership with all Parties and stakeholders to further refine the programme and ensure that Pre-COP 31 delivers concrete, forward-looking outcomes—commensurate with the urgency of the climate crisis and the shared global responsibility to act…. PACNEWS
NZ/COOKS – DIPLOMACY: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 1: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Cook Islands PM Mark Brown in New Zealand but no talks with Luxon
WELLINGTON, 20 MARCH 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is in Aotearoa but will not be engaging with his Kiwi counterpart.
Brown spoke at a formal event at Takina Events Centre in Wellington on Wednesday, before travelling to Auckland to meet members of the Cook Islander diaspora.
Addressing a room of dignitaries, which included Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni, Brown said his country was “growing in influence” globally on its “voyage of statehood”.
“Our desire to pursue our own policies and interests have been reflected in our growing participation on the international stage,” he said.
Noting the 60th anniversary of the NZ-Cook Islands free association compact, Brown said the nature of that relationship was due for a rethink.
“There are times when we must pause and consider whether the conventions and evolved understanding between our freely associated states remain aligned,” he said.
“We find ourselves in such a moment.”
However, he also spoke of the “family-like” relationship with affection, saying “maturity shouldn’t change our bond”.
His office had been coy with media in the runup to the visit, telling Cook Islands News that “officials remain in regular contact, and we welcome opportunities for dialogue” with NZ officials at all levels.
But RNZ Pacific understands Christopher Luxon and Mark Brown will not meet on this trip.
Winston Peters’ office confirmed on Monday that he had no planned engagements with the Cooks PM either. Asked why, Brown refused to comment.
Prime Minister Luxon returned to New Zealand on Wednesday after a four-day trip to Samoa and Tonga.
He told media at Parliament on Thursday that progress was being made – but it was best that officials handled it.
‘I’m confident we’ll get to a good place in the end, we’ve made some good progress recently, but I’m going to let our officials handle that progress,” he said.
“Mark and I have spoken in the past … about how we want to handle it going forward.”
The pair last met at the Pacific Islands Forum in Honiara last year, after Brown’s government was roundly criticised by NZ signing a deal with China without consultation, as per the free association agreement.
Further, it was revealed the Cook’s private shipping registry had been hosting sanctioned oil tankers linked to a “shadow fleet” servicing Russia and Iran, which MFAT said risked New Zealand’s international reputation.
It has all resulted in a “pause” in aid to the Cook Islands, something which Brown said at the time he wanted to resolve with Luxon or Peters directly.
RNZ reported last November that Brown “wanted to elevate these discussions to the Prime Minister’s level but was told “they wanted the discussions to be done between our officials.”
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) told RNZ Pacific, “New Zealand and Cook Islands officials continue to engage regularly and will be meeting while the Cook Islands delegation is in New Zealand.’
However, written responses from ministry officials to Parliament’s foreign affairs select committee last week suggest there is still mistrust.
They said MFAT officials continue to engage with their Cook Islands counterparts regularly regarding a myriad of concerns.
These revolve around “concerns about a series of actions and statements by the Cook Islands, the nature of our free association relationship and the need to rebuild the trust that underpins it…. PACNEWS
PAC – DEEP SEA MINING: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 1: Fri 20 Mar 2026
U.S seeks to expand seabed ‘diplomacy’ in the Pacific, eyes deal with Nauru
WASHINGTON, 20 MARCH 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — Washington has begun engaging with Nauru to explore a partnership on seabed mineral extraction, in a bid to expand its deep-sea mining diplomacy in the Pacific and tap into China’s network.
Nauru, with an area of 8.2 square miles and a population of 10,000, is on the front lines of a drive to jump-start seabed mining in international waters governed by the International Seabed Authority.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau this week spoke with Nauruan President David Adeang “about advancing shared interests in the Pacific,” said Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson for the State Department.
Besides deep seabed mining, Landau and Adeang also tackled the potential to work together to curb illegal activities in the region, increase investment opportunities, enhance air travel and cooperate on migration, Pigott said.
“Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a strong bilateral relationship and a peaceful, prosperous Pacific,” the spokesperson said.
Pigott said the dialogue was a follow-up to their earlier discussions at the recent Pacific Agenda Investment, Security and Shared Prosperity Summit in Honolulu.
Amid the Pacific island leaders’ growing call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining in the region, Nauru has defended its collaboration with The Metals Company to advance the initiative, which is considered an economic salvation for the tiny island.
“The greatest risk we face is not the potential environmental impacts of mineral recovery but the risk of inaction. There is a risk of failing to seize the opportunity to transform to renewable energy and decarbonise our planet,” Adeang said during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 24 September 2024.
While no commercial mining has begun yet, ISA has issued several exploration contracts in the Clarion-Clipperton zone, most of them sponsored by Nauru and Tonga. The area is known to host the world’s largest polymetallic nodule deposits.
As the U.S and China race to the ocean floor, island nations are hedging their bets. The Cook Islands and Nauru previously signed separate deals with China.
Last month, the U.S built a partnership with Tonga to advance marine scientific research for “responsible exploration of seabed mineral resources.”
Federal officials said Tonga’s longstanding history of ocean stewardship and the United States’ expertise in ocean research and technology “uniquely position” them to collaborate in the industry, which stakeholders project will offer a US$20 trillion opportunity.
Before Tonga, Washington signed an agreement with the Cook Islands establishing critical mineral frameworks that would lay the groundwork to collaborate “on pricing challenges, spur development, create fair markets, close gaps in priority supply chains and expand access to financing.”
The Trump administration is seeking to accelerate plans to exploit mineral resources offshore Guam and the Northern Marianas, in line with President Trump’s executive orders to “unleash” America’s potential to explore and develop offshore mineral resources amid a growing call for a deep-sea mining moratorium in the region.
The U.S signed similar agreements with 10 other nations, expanding what it calls critical mineral diplomacy…. PACNEWS
PAC – DEEP SEA MINING: PMN PACNEWS 1: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Protesters target Luxon office over proposed U.S minerals agreement as Pacific concerns grow
AUCKLAND, 20 MARCH 2026 (PMN) — Greenpeace activists have staged a protest at Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s electorate office in Auckland, raising concerns about a possible deal to supply New Zealand minerals to the United States.
Images of US President Donald Trump and American flags were placed around the office in Botany, alongside a sign reading “Trump War Minerals HQ”.
The group says the action reflects fears that Aotearoa could be drawn into supporting US military activity through mining.
The protest comes after reports the government has been considering a deal to provide the US with so-called “critical minerals”, some of which are used in military equipment.
Luxon has previously said New Zealand is one of more than 40 countries in discussions with the US, and no Cabinet decisions have been made.
Juressa Lee, Greenpeace Aotearoa campaigner, says the proposal raises serious concerns for both the environment and the region.
“The Luxon government must not sign Aotearoa away to fuel the United States’ illegal wars,” Lee said in a statement.
“New Zealand should have no part in this, and that includes giving Trump access to the resources he needs to keep dropping bombs.”
Many of the minerals identified by the U.S have military uses. For example, vanadium found off the coast of Taranaki is used in jet engines, missiles, and other defence technology.
Campaigner Juressa Lee from Greenpeace Aotearoa warns that supplying critical minerals to the U.S could lead to environmental destruction and make New Zealand complicit in military conflicts abroad. Photo/Greenpeace Aotearoa
Lee says expanding mining to meet overseas demand could cause lasting damage to land and sea.
“We know a minerals deal would be bad for the land and sea of Aotearoa,” she said. “But since the United States and Israeli governments launched a military attack on Iran in clear breach of international law, the stakes are even higher.”
The protest also highlights wider concerns across the Pacific about growing military influence in the region.
Pacific leaders and advocates have also raised their concerns about global militarisation and its impact on the region.
Speaking on Globalisation at the PANG 2025 State of the Ocean webinar, Joey Tau from the Pacific Network said they are worried about the links between critical minerals and militarisation.
“They’re deemed extremely vital for the defence industrial base, enabling the production of military platforms such as fighter aircraft, tanks, missiles, submarines,” Tau said.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, under the theme ‘global military spending vs climate action’, Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka warned global priorities are shifting away from the Pacific’s needs.
“The rich and powerful are spending some US$2.4 trillion on arms that could have been best used in the 2030 agenda and fighting the biggest enemy of humanity, climate change,” Agovaka, who resigned this week, said.
At the time of AUKUS’ launch, the Pacific Elders’ Voice (former Pacific leaders) said: “AUKUS signals greater militarisation by joining Australia to the networks of the U.S military bases in the northern Pacific and it is triggering an arms race, by bringing war much closer to home.”
Lee says the issue is not just about mining, but about Aotearoa’s role in the Pacific.
“Our message to Luxon is clear. Aotearoa is not a U.S outpost,” she said. “We must not allow the U.S to dictate widespread mining that could cause irreversible harm to the whenua, moana and people here in Aotearoa.”
The United States has been increasing its focus on the Pacific, with officials highlighting both defence and economic interests in the region, including access to critical minerals.
The New Zealand government has also signalled support for developing the minerals sector, including an $80 million (US$46 million) fund to boost exploration. Greenpeace says more than 13,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Prime Minister to reject any deal.
“We’re calling on Luxon to say no to a minerals deal with Trump. We’re also inviting the public to show their strong opposition to this deal if they’re concerned about complicity in warmongering and the exploitation of our environment for military aggression”
Lee also pointed to the Pacific’s history of resisting militarisation. “This is not the first time the US has tried to disrupt a free and peaceful Pacific, the history of nuclear testing proves this.
“Aotearoa and the Pacific were united over stopping the region being a nuclear testing ground then and now we must do it again and not be complicit in providing the materials for war.”
Many in the region see the debate going beyond economics: raising questions about sovereignty, environmental protection, and the Pacific’s long-standing commitment to peace.
As discussions continue, the issue is likely to remain a flashpoint both in Aotearoa and across the wider Pacific…. PACNEWS
A/SAMOA – OCEAN MONITORING BILLL: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 1: Fri 20 Mar 2026
American Samoa delegate welcomes passage of ocean monitoring bill
WASHINGTON/PAGOPAGO, 20 MARCH 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — As an economy driven by maritime industries, American Samoa stands to benefit from the reauthorisation of the ocean monitoring system for another five years, according to Rep Uifa’atali Amata Radewagen, the territory’s delegate to the U.S Congress.
The U.S House of Representatives this week passed the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act authorising a public-private partnership for collecting maritime data with an annual funding of US$56 million.
“Well-situated ocean observations provide data that can save lives and improve maritime decisions, as well as considerations for fisheries and coastal areas and strengthen tsunami response and environmental health,” said Radewagen, co-sponsor of H.R. 2294.
The bill, which is headed to the U.S Senate, sailed through Congress as American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas brace for the federal government’s plan to develop dee-sea mining in federal waters surrounding the U.S territories.
“American Samoa and many other communities on the U.S coast benefit from these ocean monitoring services that help our scientists know our ocean better,” Radewagen said.
She added that maintaining the ocean observation system would facilitate informed decision-making involving the nation’s extensive coasts and marine waters.
“In American Samoa, we have a buoy that gathers ocean information that is named in honor of our longtime Port Director Chris King,” Radewagen said.
“Data gathered here can help planners elsewhere, and in turn data on the other side of the Pacific can prove beneficial far away through integrated analysis,” she added.
Radewagen said the legislation would improve the program’s effectiveness by clarifying the type of data it provides as operational oceanographic information; updating statutory references to reflect current law, including replacing the National Ocean Research Leadership Council with the Ocean Policy Committee; and enhancing the role of the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee to ensure the program is used to its full capacity as an integrated system.
Besides Radewagen, other sponsors of the bill are Representatives Mike Ezell (R-MS), with Congresswoman Amata (American Samoa), Rep. Bonamici (D-OR), Rep. Weber (R-TX), Rep. Dingell (D-MI), and Rep. Davis (D-IL). …. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – FISHERIES: PACNEWS/FFA PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 20 Mar 2026
FFA Members review decade of Niue Treaty as Honiara meeting targets Illegal fishing
HONIARA, 20 MARCH 2026 (PACNEWS/FFA) — Members of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency have begun pre-meeting discussions in Honiara with a workshop on the Niue Treaty Subsidiary Agreement, marking more than a decade since the agreement came into force.
The workshop, held ahead of the 29th Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Working Group (MCSWG29), saw Members reflect on progress, challenges and lessons from joint surveillance operations across the region.
Adopted in 2012 and operational since 2014, the Niue Treaty Subsidiary Agreement enables FFA Members to work together on fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance, including joint operations, intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement across national borders.
The agreement has strengthened regional efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, allowing Members to pool resources, exchange fisheries data and carry out cooperative surveillance activities.
To date, more than 50 joint operations and capability development activities have been delivered under the agreement, involving 13 Parties, highlighting continued regional commitment to protecting Pacific fisheries.
Discussions at the workshop focused on boosting cooperation, tackling illegal fishing and addressing emerging transnational maritime risks, while also reviewing implementation progress and identifying gaps requiring further support.
FFA Interim Deputy Director-General and Director of Fisheries Operations, Allan Rahari, said the agreement remains central to regional collaboration.
“Through the NTSA, our members are able to coordinate surveillance efforts, share information, and carry out joint operations across national boundaries. This cooperation is key to addressing illegal fishing and safeguarding our fisheries resources.”
The workshop builds on years of operational cooperation, reinforcing efforts to strengthen surveillance across the Pacific.
FFA Members are in Honiara for MCSWG29, running from 23 to 27 March 2026 at FFA Headquarters, bringing together fisheries, maritime and security officials to coordinate regional responses to illegal fishing and strengthen ocean governance…. PACNEWS
PNG – IRAN CRISIS/INFLATION: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 20 Mar 2026
PNG Government bracing for fuel price hikes: Ling-Stuckey
PORT MORESBY, 20 MARCH 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — Papua New Guinea Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey says on 08 April, PNG will see the impact of the Middle East conflict, with a hike in fuel prices to be announced by the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC).
He told Parliament that there was no increase in fuel prices earlier this month because the decision by the ICCC was based entirely on February prices before the United States bombed Iran, starting the Middle East conflict.
Responding to Deputy Opposition Leader Keith Iduhu on what immediate and concrete interventions the Government was implementing beyond monitoring to alleviate the financial pressure on Papua New Guineans caused by global fuel price spikes and general volatility, Ling-Stuckey said they would be responding in the same manner they did during the Coronavirus outbreak in 2019, Ukraine-Russia war and the Gaza war.
“We all hope that the war in the Middle East ends quickly. We will be affected by this war,” he said.
“We do have a very clear perspective, the prime minister responded the day after the war with the Government’s readiness to respond to, not just fuel prices, but cost-of-living pressures.
“We will take on the same interventions that we did back in 2022 when fuel prices jumped during the Ukraine-Russian war.
“We responded with cuts in fuel price excise and goods and service tax (GST) on fuel.”
Ling-Stuckey said this was part of the household assistance package back then and that cost K305 million (US$70 million) in lost revenue.
He said the Government stood ready to do so again if warranted.
“We will closely monitor those prices and take whatever necessary actions that need to be made,” Ling-Stuckey added.
He said for urgent budgetary allocations, they would consider reviewing the household assistance package.
“We anticipated global external shocks and that’s why we increased the household assistance package in tax cuts as well as school subsidies and cuts to GST on 13 household items,” he said.
“But many businesses are not passing that on, so we need to work closely with the ICCC and Customs and fund them appropriately, so they enforce those changes.”
Ling-Stuckey also said the household assistance package had been generous to the people and that was not put in place to deal with external shocks but also to deal with the foreign exchange programme to try and achieve Kina convertibility.
“In the last four years, our package has increased to over K3 billion (US$690 million),” he said.
He added that they are working on bringing home Papua New Guineans stranded in the Middle East…. PACNEWS
PNG – LNG: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Former PNG PM O’Neill questions surge in Papua LNG cost
PORT MORESBY, 20 MARCH 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — Former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister and Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill has questioned the rising cost of the Papua liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, warning that the nation may be sacrificing billions of dollars without clear benefits.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, O’Neill said the project cost had jumped from US$11 billion (about K47.37 billion) in 2019 to about US$14.5 billion (about K62.41 billion) currently.
“That means we are funding over one third of the cost ourselves. What other benefits is this nation going to receive because of that sacrifice?” he asked.
O’Neill said Papua New Guinea had missed opportunities to develop the project on time.
“Because the government decided to review the contract and claw back some benefits, we should have been in production today. Many contractors have either moved on or abandoned the project because costs have escalated,” he said.
However, Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina said the cost increase was still under negotiation and far less than the US$3.5 billion (about K15.07 billion) suggested.
He said Cabinet would decide on the final amount.
Maladina said regarding clawing back benefits and delays associated with that, he would review the matter and present details to Parliament later this week.
O’Neill also raised concerns about fuel storage and said that Puma was the only storage facility in the country and was reportedly in negotiations to sell the facility to the United States government under a defence agreement.
“Is this the only place in the country where we can build new storage facilities?” he asked.
But Maladina said he could not confirm any negotiations with the U.S government.
“It hasn’t come across my table as minister for petroleum.
“I can’t confirm whether the sale is going forward,” he said…. PACNEWS
AUST – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: AAP PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Australian PM wants nation ‘over prepared’ amid fuel supply fears
CANBERRA, 20 MARCH 2026 (AAP) — A fuel tsar has been appointed to oversee Australian supply issues triggered by the Middle East conflict.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a snap national cabinet meeting on Thursday to discuss major price shocks and shortages driven by the US-Israel war on Iran.
Former chief executive of the Australian Energy Regulator, Anthea Harris, was announced as the coordinator of the fuel supply taskforce.
“There was a good feeling of common purpose expressed during that meeting,” Albanese told reporters in Hobart.
“I want to assure Australians at this time that Australia is well prepared.
“Our fuel supply is currently secure. However, I want us to be over prepared.”
The announcement came as Australia’s consumer watchdog launched an investigation into each of the major fuel suppliers including Ampol, BP Australia and Mobil Oil over allegations of anti-competitive conduct.
It has received reports relating diesel availability to independent wholesalers and distributors servicing regional and rural communities.
“The ACCC is closely scrutinising all fuel markets during this period … we are therefore investigating these matters urgently,” Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.
The prime minister said it was wrong for any corporation to profiteer off the conflict and pointed to the consumer watchdog examining any abuse of market power.
An agreement to release extra petrol and diesel to regional areas suffering critical shortages was reached between Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Australia’s fuel companies on Wednesday.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said there was a “clear picture” of regional areas that most need fuel stockpiles to flow through, but the scale of the issue was still being worked through.
“We’ve got a clear picture at the moment about where we think it needs to go … but we are … looking and undertaking, as you would expect, due diligence,” she told ABC radio.
The government was still compiling the data but had a list of the most affected regions, Ms Collins said.
State leaders are demanding faster action and a long-term plan from the federal government to deal with fuel shortages.
On top of allowing fuel companies to release a week’s worth of petrol and diesel from their emergency stockpiles, the government has eased quality standards to allow more fuel into the market.
The Australian Trucking Association has called for disaster funding to be provided to transport companies which are dealing with the rising cost of diesel, and a reduction in the road user charge.
Logistics companies have warned they’re under significant pressure from fuel price rises, which will likely be passed on to shoppers…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
The Solomon Islands version: Why there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics
By Ronald Toito’ona
HONIARA, 20 MARCH 2026 (INDEPTH SOLOMONS) — The old maxim of statecraft – “In politics, there are no permanent enemies and no permanent friends; only permanent interests” – is often cited in textbooks, but in the Solomon Islands, it is a lived reality.
The dramatic events of March 2026 in Honiara have turned the “Government for National Unity and Transformation” (GNUT) into a textbook example of how quickly the political floor can liquefy.
For Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, the past three days have been a brutal reminder that a signature on a coalition agreement is often written in disappearing ink.
The Sogavare Pivot: From Rival to Right-Hand Man
Perhaps the most jarring illustration of this rule is the return of Manasseh Sogavare.
In April 2025, Sogavare led a high-profile defection in a calculated attempt to oust Manele from the top job. Today, in a turn of events that would make a gymnast dizzy, Sogavare has been sworn in as Manele’s deputy.
The Interest: For Manele, it is survival; he needs a political heavyweight to anchor a sinking minority government.
* The Irony: The man who tried to end Manele’s prime ministership is now the man tasked with saving it. It proves that in Solomon Islands politics, a “bitter rival” is simply a “partner in waiting” if the price or the portfolio is right.
The Agovaka Paradox: Loyalty vs. Tenability
If Sogavare represents the “enemy turned friend,” former Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka represents the “friend turned predator.”
As a senior strategist for the OUR Party, Agovaka was long considered a pillar of the establishment.
Agovaka returned from overseas on16 March and, within hours, transitioned from the “inner circle” to the “spearhead of the opposition.”
This shift wasn’t driven by a change in ideology, but by a shift in interests.
When the “tenability” of the current leadership came into question, personal loyalty was discarded in favor of political survival.
Why the “Majority Assumption” Failed
Prime Minister Manele’s current crisis stems from a classic miscalculation: assuming that 2024 election numbers would hold firm in 2026.
As noted by his former Health minister, Dr Paul Bosawai, the “internal mistrust” within the GNUT highlights a critical flaw in coalition politics.
“A coalition is only as strong as its smallest member feels valued.”
By sacking two People First Party (PFP) members in February, Manele inadvertently triggered the mass exodus.
The PFP didn’t just leave; they leveraged Section 54 of the Political Parties Integrity Act (PPIA) to bypass the 30-day notice requirement and shatter the government from within.
As a Party, their “interest” wasn’t the government’s 2026 goals, it was about staying together as a government and setting the priorities right as per the coalition agreement that was signed when the GNUT was formed in 2024.
The Permanent Interest: Power and the Pendulum
In the Solomon Islands, power is a pendulum, not a throne. The current 28-MP opposition bloc is a “marriage of convenience” between groups that were bitter rivals just months ago:
*The PFP: The former junior government partner.
* The SIDP, United Party, and Independent MPs: The traditional voices of the opposition.
These groups haven’t suddenly found common ground on policy; they have found a shared adversary.
As the Registrar of Political Parties, Gilson Galo, noted, this new coalition was lodged almost immediately, proving that “enemies” become “partners” the moment a change in leadership becomes more profitable than the status quo.
The Reality of Realpolitik
The “March 15 Cabinet Exodus” serves as a warning to any leader or ordinary Solomon Islander who mistakes a temporary alliance for a permanent bond.
In Solomon Islands politics:
*Trust is a currency that devalues quickly.
*Loyalty is secondary to the “tenability” of the leader.
* The Law (like the PPIA) is often used as a tactical weapon rather than a moral guide.
Until political stability is prioritised over personal positioning, the Solomon Islands will likely remain caught in this cycle where today’s Deputy Prime Minister was yesterday’s greatest threat…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
Aotearoa vs Australia: Do Pacific travellers face same visa hurdles?
By Christine Rovoi
AUCKLAND, 20 MARCH 2026 (PMN) — For many Pacific families, visiting relatives in New Zealand or Australia can mean weeks of planning, paperwork, and expense.
The debate over visa rules for Pacific travellers has now sparked a wider regional discussion: do Pasifika face the same hurdles across the Pacific?
Pacific governments argue that travel within the region should reflect the close cultural and family ties. Fiji, Tonga, and Sāmoa have welcomed recent moves to ease visa restrictions and reduce costs
Officials say such measures help keep families and communities connected.
“This decision acknowledges the reality that most Pacific Islander travel to New Zealand is centred around family connections,” a statement on regional travel policy from Fiji’s Ministry of Finance read.
“Parents visiting their children, grandparents visiting extended families – these visits are at the heart of our Pacific values.”
Pacific leaders and community groups have long pushed for easier travel to Aotearoa, arguing that deep family ties, labour links, and shared histories should allow freer movement across the region.
Advocates in Tonga and Sāmoa have voiced similar support, stressing that mobility is central to cultural and family bonds.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon this week defended keeping visa requirements for Pacific visitors while on a tour of the region.
He said immigration systems still need strong controls.
But while New Zealand remains under pressure to ease travel rules, Australia has taken a slightly different approach. Canberra has introduced special visa pathways aimed specifically at Pacific countries.
So, do visitors still need visas? Like New Zealand, most Pacific Islanders still need to apply for a visa before travelling to Australia.
Tourists normally apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600), which allows short stays for tourism, visiting family, or business purposes.
Applicants usually need to provide travel plans, proof of funds, and evidence they will return home after their visit.
Australia has also introduced several policies aimed at strengthening people‑to‑people links with Pacific countries.
One of the most significant is the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV), which allows selected citizens from Pacific nations and Timor‑Leste to live and work permanently in Australia.
The programme provides up to 3000 visas each year through a ballot system.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the scheme reflects the country’s commitment to boost ties with the region.
Australia’s Immigration Minister Tony Burke has also described the programme as part of the government’s effort to strengthen regional relationships.
Special arrangements for Pacific countries
In some cases, Pacific nationals also receive special treatment under certain visa categories.
For example, the cost of applying for Australia’s Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) recently increased, but passport holders from some Pacific Island countries continue to pay a lower fee under exemptions that reflect “special ties” to the region.
Migration experts say such policies show Australia is increasingly tailoring visa pathways to strengthen links with Pacific neighbours.
“Visa‑free travel would be a cornerstone of such integration,” Fiji’s Finance Ministry says. “A Pacific‑wide visa‑free region would strengthen our cultural solidarity, support our businesses, empower our young people, and enhance regional security.
A growing regional debate
The issue of visas is becoming a bigger political topic across the Pacific as governments focus more on mobility, economic opportunity, and regional cooperation.
Both Aotearoa and Australia rely heavily on their Pacific relationships for trade, labour mobility, and regional security.
Australia’s Pacific Engagement Visa is designed partly to respond to calls from regional governments for greater movement between countries.
As Australia’s Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Pat Conroy, said when launching the initiative in June 2024: “The programme is part of our commitment to listening and delivering on the priorities of our Pacific partners.”
But for many Pacific families, the issue remains simple: how easy is it to travel between countries that often describe each other as family?
As debate over mobility grows, visa policies in both Aotearoa and Australia are likely to remain a major talking point across the region…. PACNEWS
Naidiri Marine Biodiversity Park: A Small Village Making a Big Impact
LABASA, 20 MARCH 2026 (UNDP) — On a quiet afternoon in 2009, after a game of touch rugby, Manoa Duwai sat down to eat. In front of him was a bowl of rice and cup of tea – and no fish. When he later went to the reef along the coastline of Naidiri, all he found was undersized fish struggling to survive. In that moment, he realised something had to change. What followed became the spark for one of Fiji’s most inspiring marine conservation stories.
A Journey Begins
The decline of fish stocks marked a turning point for the village. With their food source and livelihoods at risk, Manoa and community leaders began discussing how to protect their traditional fishing grounds. That same year, they established a small, no‑take area measuring just 1,200m² – an early step toward what would become Naidiri’s Marine Biodiversity Park.
Their efforts soon aligned with the Fiji Ridge to Reef Project implemented by the Government of Fiji and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), with Global Environment Facility (GEF) support, which was working with communities across the country to restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience. For Naidiri, the Ridge to Reef project provided new tools, scientific knowledge, and wider visibility for work the village had already begun.
Growing a Sanctuary
Over the years, the village gradually expanded its protected area. In 2022, the Government of Fiji officially recognised it as the Naidiri Marine Biodiversity Park. By 2024, it had grown to 28,800m² – nearly 24 times its original size.
The park now serves three core purposes:
*To restore and replenish fish stocks in their qoliqoli (traditional fishing grounds) which had been depleted due to overfishing;
* To protect coral reefs rapidly deteriorating due to climate change; and
*To nurture and educate children and young people, encouraging the next generation to reconnect with and care for the natural environment.
Naidiri’s model is often highlighted during national and regional gatherings as a powerful example of local stewardship and sustained commitment.
Youth at the Heart of Conservation
A youth club formed in the village has become one of the park’s strongest pillars. Young people conduct reef monitoring, support coral‑planting work, and help guide visitors from nearby resorts. They also share what Manoa calls their “cool science”: the new knowledge they’ve learned about marine life, climate impacts, and reef restoration.
These experiences have shaped a generation of young leaders deeply connected to their environment and eager to protect it.
Sharing Knowledge, Strengthening Resilience
In February this year, Naidiri hosted a visiting GEF during their regional workshop in Fiji. Visitors joined coral‑planting activities, observed restoration techniques, and learned firsthand how the village has woven science and tradition into its conservation practices.
Manoa shared that the community hopes to open a guesthouse in the coming years, creating jobs for young people and strengthening sustainable tourism around the park. He is now regularly invited to nearby and outer island communities to share Naidiri’s experience.
“Before the establishment of the park in 2009, there were no fish due to overfishing, which motivated us to establish a protected area. When GEF came on board and boosted the park, it gave us new hope – a hope that will last longer than we expected he said.
Community‑Driven Impact
Naidiri’s Turaga ni Koro (village headman), Aisea Vereverelagi, says the marine park has strengthened livelihoods across the village while restoring the health of their fishing grounds.
“Since having the park, we have tourists visiting, which supports our livelihoods. People come for research and cross learning between villages as well. After implementing the park’s tabu area, there has been an abundance of fish,” he said.
The benefits are felt across the community. When visitors arrive, the Naidiri Women’s Club plays a central role in welcoming them. Women from the village organise catering and hospitality for researchers and tourists alike – creating a new source of income while showcasing the village’s culture and hospitality.
For Elenoa Vea, leader of the Women’s Club, the initiative has created opportunities for women to actively contribute to the village’s conservation success.
“When visitors and tourists come to the Naidiri Marine Biodiversity Park, the women of the village come together to provide catering services, which helps generate income for the village,” she said.
A Model for the Future
For partners supporting the initiative, Naidiri represents something larger than a single conservation project.
GEF’s Head of Programming, Dr. Fred Boltz, emphasised that the village reflects the kind of integrated, community driven approach needed to address environmental challenges.
“In Naidiri, we see a blend of marine protection and conservation efforts and how these contribute to community resilience. It reflects how we want to advance GEF going forward – to address the spectrum of environmental issues communities are facing.”
UNDP Pacific Office Deputy Resident Representative Abduvakkos Abdurahmanov noted that the village’s achievements show how local action can support national and global environmental goals.
UNDP Pacific Office Deputy Resident Representative, Abduvakkos Abdurahmanov said: “Naidiri’s achievements reflect the strength of community action in advancing Fiji’s national conservation priorities and global environmental commitments. Their Marine Biodiversity Park is a testament to what is possible when people come together with vision, dedication, and a deep respect for nature. UNDP remains committed to working alongside communities like Naidiri to protect biodiversity and build climate‑resilient livelihoods.”
Looking Ahead
Naidiri’s story proves that meaningful change often begins with small steps and with people who care deeply for their home. From a simple meal without fish in 2009 to a thriving conservation model recognised across Fiji, the village has shown what is possible when a community commits to protecting its ocean.
And they are not done yet. With growing youth leadership, plans for sustainable tourism, and a future‑focused vision, Naidiri is charting its own path – one that will carry its marine legacy forward for generations to come…. PACNEWS