In this bulletin:
1. FIJI — Rewa high chief warns Fiji ‘undermining our own diplomats’ in foreign policy failure
2. NIUE — The cost of living crisis shapes Niue election as voters seek economic relief at the polls
3. SOL — Solomon Islands appoints Police Chief who was investigated over missing drugs
4. PACIFIC — Marshall Islands steps up as Co-chair of global coalition to phase out fossil fuel subsidies as gulf crisis exposes cost of oil and gas dependence
5. SOL — Solomon Islands PM welcomes newly sworn-in Minister
6. PACIFIC — No single government can handle hybrid threats alone
7. PACIFIC— Australia’s lucrative drug market is fuelling a wave of narco subs crossing the Pacific
8. PACNEWS BIZ — National court revokes Ombudsman Commission’s directive to stop Starlink operating in PNG
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Parliament expected to vote on 20 percent pay cut
10. PACNEWS BIZ — How one of the world’s smallest countries is feeling the fuel crisis
11. PACNEWS BIZ — IMO joins Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies annual meeting
12. PACNEWSBIZ — Fiji fuel payout steady: Reserve Bank of Fiji
13. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — The unusual ways Fijians predict when a cyclone is approaching
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — No diesel, no power: why the global oil shock is hitting NZ’s small Pacific neighbours hard
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — Workshop helps untie knots of power, protection and representation
FIJI – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Mon 27 Apr 2026
Rewa high chief warns Fiji ‘undermining our own diplomats’ in foreign policy failure
By Pita Ligaiula
SUVA, 27 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS)—A former United Nations security executive and Rewa High Chief Ro Naulu Mataitini has issued a blunt warning that Fiji is weakening its own foreign policy by sidelining its diplomats and allowing foreign influence to dominate decision-making.
In a strongly worded social media statement, Mataitinji said political behaviour and poor strategic focus are eroding Fiji’s ability to defend its national interests.
“There is something about politicians. To get elected, they will promise anything. But once inside Parliament, too many follow their worst instincts. They convince themselves they are better than everyone else.”
“Why? They succumb to ceremonial glorification from within—learning highfalutin words, seeing themselves as the enlightened, new ‘chiefly’ establishment. And from without, they are courted by flattery and glamour. They come to believe they know more than anyone else. It is a delusion embraced without self-awareness—until the damage to their reputation, their party, and the government becomes impossible to ignore. If they were honest, they would realise that we, the voters, see straight through them,” he wrote.
Mataitini said Fiji’s foreign policy has suffered for years as global powers increase their presence in the region.
“For many years Fiji’s foreign policy suffered.”
“Other countries are establishing a presence in Fiji at an accelerating pace. Not consular offices. Not protocol posts. Their presence is strategic – designed to advance their national interests in a region that is becoming increasingly important to global geopolitics.”
“New embassies are opening. Non-resident ambassadors are flocking to Suva. They see Fiji as a platform for influence in the Pasifika. They send their best people. They resource them properly,” he said.
Mataitini questioned whether Fiji is matching that effort abroad.
“Now ask yourself: how are we responding? Do we place the same priority on our ambassadors in Canberra, Beijing, Wellington or Washington? The honest answer is no.”
“Are we resourcing our embassies to advance and defend Fiji’s interests? Or are we reducing them to protocol and consular offices? Are we leveraging the insights of our Heads of Missions (HOMs)? Or are we allowing foreign envoys in Suva – with unfettered access to our ministers – to shape our policy to their advantage?”
“These questions go to the heart of why our foreign policy engagement is ready for a strategic reset, especially now!”
The Rewa chief singled out Australia as a key example of imbalance.
“Take the case of Australia. We have now had three Australian High Commissioners who exerted and continue to exert enormous influence over our government. The current HC is selling Australia’s interests brilliantly. His success is built on our political gullibility.”
“Now ask: how are we advancing Fiji’s interests in Canberra? Are we shaping Australian policy, or just following it? The answer is uncomfortable. We are reactive, not proactive. We respond to Australian initiatives rather than shaping them. Our HC in Canberra has the insights and relationships to advance our interests – but does anyone in Suva listen? Or do our full line of ministers prefer the Australian envoy in their office?,” he asked.
Mataitini said the situation with China is even more concerning.
“The pattern with China is even worse. For years, our relationship was shaped not by our Ambassador in Beijing, but by Chinese ambassadors in Suva and their proximity to our politicians and fixers. They identified who was receptive. They cultivated those relationships. They bypassed the foreign ministry channels, it was easier and more effective for them,” he said.
He also criticised past structural arrangements that split Fiji’s overseas representation.
“We also created the fertile ground for this by splitting our overseas representation into two ministries—Foreign Affairs managing ambassadors, a separate ministry managing trade commissions and consulates. Two missions in China. Two agendas. Chinese officials and fixers played one against the other.”
Mataitini acknowledged recent reforms but said more needs to be done.
“The Prime Minister has taken a necessary step by bringing all under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One mission. One leader. One line of accountability.”
“Nowhere is this more needed than in China, Australia, Aotearoa and North America where split functions undermined our HOMs for years.”
The Rewa chief said current global tensions make reform urgent.
“The new Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade has an opportunity to make his mark, especially in these challenging times of oil and shipping embargoes, trade frictions, and new geopolitical alliances.”
He criticised how diplomatic performance is measured.
“For too long, we have measured our diplomats by handshakes, smiling photo-ops, and event attendance. These are empty metrics. They measure activity, not achievement. Being present is not the objective of diplomacy. Advancing and defending our national interest is.”
“KPIs must measure real outcomes: market access secured, investment attracted, policy influenced, resources obtained. Handshakes do not count.”
Mataitini said diplomats must focus on tangible national gains.
“Our diplomats must work to make Fiji prosper. They must secure investment, technology, climate finance, supply chain certainty, and people-to-people exchange. No amount of receptions attended changes that.”
He also questioned the trust placed in foreign diplomats over Fiji’s own representatives.
“Why do our politicians trust Suva-based foreign diplomats more than our own ambassadors abroad? Is it incompetence? Arrogance? Whatever the reason, the consequence is clear: our missions are treated as protocol offices. Their strategic counsel is ignored. Our foreign policy suffers.”
Mataitini called for immediate changes in how government engages with foreign missions.
“This must change.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade must be in the loop whenever foreign missions engage with our ministers. Cabinet must agree and the PM must issue a directive, instructing ministers accordingly. The Foreign Minister must stand behind our HOMs.”
He said Fiji must match the strategic investment other countries are making in the region.
“Other countries invest in their presence in Fiji because they understand the strategic importance of the Pasifika. We must invest in our presence abroad with the same understanding.”
“Our diplomats need empowerment and resourcing. They need the authority to act. They need the support of Suva to establish Fiji’s place in a competitive world. They must work to secure resources for Fiji. They must work to make Fiji prosper.”
The Rewa chief has also issued a direct challenge to government leadership.
“Minister of Foreign Affairs Sakeasi Ditoka has a chance to make his mark. He must resource our missions. He must empower our diplomats. He must hold them accountable for real outcomes—not just photo-op handshakes. And he must ensure that foreign envoys in Suva no longer have unfettered access to shape our policy. Our diplomats must work for Fiji,” said Mataitini…..PACNEWS
NIUE – ELECTION/POLITICS: PMN PACNEWS 1: Mon 27 Apr 2026
The cost of living crisis shapes Niue election as voters seek economic relief at the polls
ALOFI, 27 APRIL 2206 (PMN)—Expensive groceries, rising fuel prices, and frequent electricity outages are the primary concerns for Niuean voters as they prepare to head to the polls on 02 May.
Niue, with a population of less than 2000 people, has been self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974.
Voters will decide the makeup of the 20 member Legislative Assembly, choosing six common roll members and 14 village representatives.
Competition is fierce for the common roll seats, where 18 candidates are vying for just six positions.
In four villages, Alofi North, Hakupu, Namuku, and Waia, candidates have already been elected unopposed, while the remaining 10 villages will head to the polls.
At the heart of the campaign is the rising cost of living, which voters say is now part of daily life on the island.
Speaking on Pacific Mornings, Inagaro Vakaafi from PMN Niue, says economic pressure is the main concern.
“For many voters, it comes back to the day-to-day. The cost of living, that’s a big thing. If you travel to Niue, the cost of goods is high but the salaries… don’t compare,” Vakaafi said.
“There’s freight costs, food prices and now the recent fuel crisis. Then we’ve got the utilities on the island with frequent power cuts.
“The most immediate concern would be Niue remaining economically resilient and being able to support itself in the years ahead.”
Vakaafi’s comments reflect concern across the island where global price pressures are hitting small, remote communities harder than most.
According to the Niue Statistics Office, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reached 131.6 points in the March 2026 quarter, with annual inflation at 2.80 per ent.
Food prices rose sharply, with a 3.47 per cent increase in the food index over the quarter.
This pressure was compounded on 06 April 2026, when petrol prices rose to NZ$3.80(US$2.23) per litre while diesel reached NZ$4.00(US$2.35) per litre.
In a Facebook post, the Niue government says it held prices steady for six months to support households, but the adjustment was necessary to ensure supply stability.
Meanwhile, Vakaafi says the political mood on the island is active with campaigning taking place through village meetings where candidates are directly questioned by voters.
Vakaafi also says the outcome is far from certain, including for current Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi.
“We don’t have a party system so it comes down to your ability to provide or offer something to the other 19 members to convince them to nominate you as the prime minister,” she says.
“[Tagelagi] has had two terms in government as the leader of the country to show what he can offer. But there are a lot of contenders and at this moment, I can’t say for sure whether anyone is safe.”
Tagelagi, who has led the country since June 2020, is contesting his village seat of Alofi South. He has acknowledged the challenges facing Niue.
Speaking on PMN, Tagelagi said this term would likely be his final one described it as an “implementation phase” for major infrastructure projects delayed by Covid-19.
These projects include a new justice building in Alofi, supported by New Zealand, set to begin construction in mid-2027.
Tagelagi also confirmed a $9 million (US$5.28 million) Asian Development Bank (ADB) project to expand aged care into a retirement village. Feasibility studies continue for wharf upgrades and a disaster response warehouse.
“New Zealand has supported our shortfall of the deficit from last year, the same as the year before,” the prime minister said.
These are not easy negotiations and discussions, but I’m pleased that we got to the point that they understand our position and especially our isolation.”
As election day approaches, voters in Niue are weighing immediate pressures against long-term promises, with cost of living at the centre of a closely watched political contest….PACNEWS
SOL – POLICE CHIEFS: OCCRP PACNEWS 1: Mon 27 Apr 2026
Solomon Islands appoints Police Chief who was investigated over missing drugs
HONIARA, 27 APRIL 2026 (OCCRP)—Solomon Islands has appointed a new national police chief, elevating a top commander just weeks after it was revealed that prosecutors had recommended charging him for improperly destroying seized methamphetamine.
Ian Vaevaso was officially sworn in as commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force last Friday.
The appointment unfolded against the backdrop of a separate political crisis threatening to topple the government of Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, furthering political divisions in the Pacific nation.
Vaevaso, formerly a deputy commissioner, has denied wrongdoing regarding an episode in early 2024 when he allegedly broke protocol by ordering subordinates to hand over confiscated methamphetamine, which he then dumped into the sea. An internal police investigation found evidence that he had improperly destroyed the drugs, intimidated dissenting officers, and lied to investigators.
The police force defended its new chief, dismissing the allegations as “misleading and fabricated” and characterizing them as part of an “ongoing propaganda campaign” aimed at fracturing the department. Vaevaso could not be reached for comment.
The swearing-in occurred less than a month after a joint investigation by OCCRP and our local member centre In-depth Solomons reported that the case against Vaevaso had been derailed by a bureaucratic standoff.
According to an internal memo from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Andrew Kelesi, obtained by In-depth Solomons, legal staff concluded there was “sufficient evidence to establish the criminal offence of abuse of office” and recommended that Vaevaso be suspended and criminally charged.
Kelesi subsequently issued a confidential report recommending that Vaevaso be formally interviewed before a final charging decision was made. The prosecutor told reporters he had also advised suspending the commander.
Yet Vaevaso was never interviewed, suspended, or charged. The case stalled amid an impasse between the prosecutor, the police department, and a police oversight commission.
The decision to instead promote him to lead the 3,000-officer force drew immediate condemnation.
Matthew Wale, the opposition leader in Parliament, called the appointment a “gross failure of judgment” that severely undermined public trust and accountability.
Wale noted that the Attorney General’s Office had recently dismissed the evidence against Vaevaso as insufficient and recommended closing the file, clearing the commander’s path to the top job.
The Attorney General’s Office could not be immediately reached for comment regarding the status of the case.
“No one under active investigation should be elevated to the top of law enforcement until the truth is fully established,” Wale said in a statement.
Transparency advocates echoed those concerns, pointing to a breakdown in institutional safeguards. Ruth Liloqula, the head of Transparency Solomon Islands, questioned the integrity of the vetting process that allowed Vaevaso to remain eligible for the role.
“If the DPP and RSIPF offices had evidence, he should have been charged last year,” Liloqula said. “Now, he’s in charge.”
The leadership controversy arrives at a perilous moment for law enforcement in the Pacific, which is experiencing a steep increase in transnational drug trafficking. Small island states like the Solomons have increasingly become transit hubs for narcotics bound for lucrative shores in Australia and New Zealand.
The influx of cheap methamphetamine has also begun driving a domestic addiction crisis in several Pacific island countries. Highlighting the scale and sophistication of the illicit trade, at least seven so-called narco-submarines have reportedly been discovered in the region over the past two years — four of them in the Solomon Islands…..PACNEWS
PAC – FOSSIL FUEL TREATY MEET: ISSD PACNEWS 1: Mon 27 Apr 2026
Marshall Islands steps up as Co-chair of global coalition to phase out fossil fuel subsidies as gulf crisis exposes cost of oil and gas dependence
SANTA MARTA, 27 APRIL 2026 (IISD)—The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has become co-chair of the Coalition on Phasing Out Fossil Fuel Incentives Including Subsidies (COFFIS), bringing Pacific Island leadership into the heart of the coalition’s governance as its members gather in Santa Marta for the First International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels.
The announcement marks a significant step for a coalition that has grown to 17 nations since its launch at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in Dubai.
The announcement comes as a deepening energy crisis lays bare the cost of the world’s continued dependence on fossil fuels. Energy markets have been upended by conflict in the Gulf, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz causing the largest disruption in global oil supply in living memory, pushing Brent crude prices above USD$100 per barrel.
Fuel, heating, and food costs have surged simultaneously, and millions of households—many already stretched by years of economic pressure—are facing bills they cannot afford.
“The Republic of the Marshall Islands joined COFFIS last year because we believe that keeping the promises made in Dubai—to transition away from fossil fuels and the subsidies that prop them up—is not optional. It is a matter of survival for countries like ours,” said Tina Stege, Climate Envoy for the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
“We are stepping into the role of co-chair at a moment when the human cost of fossil fuel dependence is being felt in homes and communities around the world. Last month RMI declared a 90-day state of economic emergency as fuel prices hit USD$8 a gallon, and as part of a wider Response Plan we were forced to bring in temporary support measures. These are subsidies we cannot afford and don’t want to pay. That’s why the work of this coalition is vital preparation for getting us all off the fossil fuel rollercoaster before the next supply shock hits,” she said.
COFFIS members recognise the gravity of what people are going through. Governments everywhere, including coalition members, have faced immense pressure to shield their populations from immediate hardship, with some introducing temporary emergency measures in response to spiking prices.
However, several have chosen not to introduce new fossil fuel subsidies even under pressure, demonstrating that governments can use alternative policy options to respond more selectively and effectively when prices spike.
The Netherlands, for instance, announced a EUR 967 million (US$1.13 billion support package, centred on targeted relief rather than fuel price cuts: direct support for low-income households facing high energy bills, an increased tax-free travel allowance for commuters, and structural investment in home retrofits, heat pumps, and energy efficiency.
New Zealand opted for cash transfers to low-income households, while France combined energy vouchers for 3.8 million low-income households with a doubling of electrification support to EUR10 billion (US$7.13 billion) annually by 2030, explicitly linking short-term relief to reducing fossil fuel dependence.
Blanket fossil fuel subsidies are highly ineffective tools to protect people from price shocks.
In middle-income countries, the top earning 20 percent of the population receives 11 times the level of subsidies compared to the lowest, IMF data shows—with the bulk flowing to those who consume the most energy, not those who most need relief.
Direct, targeted support, combined with electrification and improved energy efficiency measures, offers consumers more durable protection. More fundamentally, stopping the flow of public money to fossil fuels is the first concrete step any government must take if its transition plans are to be credible. This is why COFFIS members argue that subsidy reform belongs at the centre of every national transition roadmap being discussed here in Santa Marta.
Stientje van Veldhoven, Minister of Climate and Green Growth of the Netherlands and co-chair of COFFIS, said: “We warmly welcome the Marshall Islands as co-chair of this coalition. Their leadership reflects what this work is truly about—energy security, economic resilience, and a fair transition for communities on the frontlines. The current situation in global energy markets is a serious reminder of the costs of dependence on fossil fuels, and of why the work of COFFIS members matters. We also extend an open invitation to the governments gathered here in Santa Marta: phasing out fossil fuel subsidies is a vital part of delivering on the promise of a just transition. We encourage all willing countries to join us.”
Progress within COFFIS reflects real commitment in practice. Eight members—Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom—have now published fossil fuel subsidy inventories, a foundational step toward reform, with more expected in 2026. The Netherlands has published a national phase-out plan, and all other founding members are continuing to develop their own—a process that, as members have acknowledged, is technically and politically complex and takes time to do well….PACNEWS
SOL – POLITICS: SOL GOVT PACNEWS 1: Mon 27 Apr 2026
Solomon Islands PM welcomes newly sworn-in Minister
HONIARA, 27 APRIL 2026 (SOL GOVT)—Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has welcomed the appointment of Hon. David Gina, Member of Parliament for South New Georgia Rendova and Tetepare Constituency, who was officially sworn-in by the Governor General .
David Gina was sworn-in as the Minister for Rural Development.
Prime Minister Manele congratulated Minister Gina on his appointment, noting that his presence ensures the Cabinet remains functional and focused on its objectives.
“This appointment is a vital step in ensuring we remain on track to complete the work of the 12th Parliament. I have every confidence in the Minister’s commitment to seeing through our remaining legislative priorities and delivering on the Government’s 2026 national goals for the people of Solomon Islands” the Prime Minister said……PACNEWS
PAC – HYBRID WARFARE: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 1: Mon 27 Apr 2026
No single government can handle hybrid threats alone
NADI, 27 APRIL 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS)–Cyber threats during natural disasters are a growing concern that can worsen humanitarian crises and cyberattacks on critical infrastructure during natural disasters pose the biggest emerging risk.
“GPS interference can misdirect relief efforts, delaying aid delivery,” said Dr Carlo Masala, Professor from the University of Munich, Federal Republic of Germany.
“Power outages caused by cyberattacks can endanger lives in hospitals and emergency services, and these attacks require specialised cyber defences aligned with disaster response plans.
“The interconnectedness of digital systems increases vulnerability to such attacks.”
He said small Pacific nations must prioritise cyber resilience as part of disaster preparedness.
“Cyber vulnerabilities can amplify the damage caused by natural disasters, and Investment in cybersecurity infrastructure is essential for protecting health and safety services,’’ Masala said.
“Awareness of these risks must be raised among decision-makers in the region.”
Masala concluded that regional collaboration is essential for effective hybrid threat defence, as no single government can address them alone due to their transnational nature.
‘Hybrid campaigns and cyberattacks can originate globally and target any country. Closer cooperation among Pacific nations can pool resources and intelligence.”
The NATO Centre for Hybrid Warfare was cited as a successful model of regional support, and joint teams and shared expertise improve the ability to counter misinformation and cyber interference.
Regional alliances enhance resilience and rapid-response capabilities, while collaborative efforts enable faster detection and mitigation of threats.
“Partnerships can provide technical assistance during elections or crises, and this approach helps smaller nations overcome resource limitations,” Masala said.
“Cooperation also strengthens political unity against external interference,” he said…PACNEWS
PAC – DRUGS FIGHT: ABC PACIFIC PACNEWS 1: Mon 27 Apr 2026
Australia’s lucrative drug market is fuelling a wave of narco subs crossing the Pacific
HONIARA/SYDNEY, 27 APRIL 2026 (ABC PACIFIC)–Drug cartels don’t typically have a “lost and found” department, and in the Solomon Islands, the saying in pijin goes: “sapos yu faendim yu keepim”, which basically means “finders keepers”.
So when a narco sub — a custom-made, semi-submersible designed to carry tonnes of drugs — washed up near the tiny, remote village of Fourau last year, it’s perhaps unsurprising it became a permanent fixture at the shoreline here.
Tied to the mangroves at the village’s edge, the locals who found it wouldn’t even let the police take it away.
Narco subs are designed to transport drugs, fuel and a small crew across vast distances while evading detection.
This particular model is 17.5 metres long and has space for at least two outboard motors on the back.
Experts describe this type of narco sub as a “low-profile vessel” because, when it’s fully loaded, everything except the very top of the vessel and the pilot station is submerged, so it’s hard to detect even from sea level.
The top is painted dark green, so it’s camouflaged against the ocean from the sky.
Stepping inside is a claustrophobic experience.
Even when it’s not jam-packed with drugs, there’s not a lot of room for people — it’s hard to imagine where anyone would sleep, let alone how. It gets very hot, very quickly.
Making a voyage across the Pacific Ocean would only be seen from the vantage point of the tiny windows at the very top of vessel.
When this narco sub washed up in October, there was no sign of its crew or its cargo.
Only a handful of plastic bottles remained inside, grim relics of its last voyage.
Getting a look inside is a unique experience because most narco subs — if detected at all — are seized by navy, scuttled at sea, or are too remote to reach.
For a “low-profile” vessel, this particular narco sub has garnered a lot of attention.
Solomon Islands Police came to inspect it — twice — taking the steering wheel, gears and some of the plastic bottles.
We’re the first foreign news crew to make the trek here, and the next wave of visitors might be entrepreneurs: the locals who found the narco sub want to sell it.
The asking price is AUD$27,000 (US$19,281, a bargain considering they can cost up to $1 million (US$700,00) to build.
Not many people visit Fourau, located in Malaita province.
To get here from Solomon Islands’ capital, Honiara, involves a three-hour ferry, a five-hour drive and a final stretch by banana boat.
Home to about 2,000 people living a traditional and subsistence lifestyle, there’s an innocence that’s under threat by the presence of drug trafficking that’s become rampant in the South Pacific.
Robinson Fugui and his cousin Martin discovered the narco sub one Saturday morning as they were getting ready to go to market when a glint of light reflecting off the pilot station windows, about 5 kilometres offshore, caught their eye.
“It is first time in life we see this kind,” Robinson said.
Scared there might be a person — even an animal — inside, Martin took out a small knife and volunteered to go inside the mysterious vessel.
With no-one aboard and with no owner in sight, they towed it back to the village, thinking a fibreglass vessel may be of value in these islands.
But their feelings about it staying here are mixed.
“It’s no good. I heard that [it was a drug smuggling boat] and I didn’t feel good. It’s a bad boat,” Martin says.
The cousins have no idea what happened to the crew or cargo, nor who made the vessel or where it came from.
But there is one clue. On the woven PVC hose running from the reserve fuel tank is an inscription in Spanish.
It reads: “Made in Colombia”.
Many narco subs are built in clandestine jungle shipyards in the wilds along Colombia’s Pacific coast, more than 10,000km from Solomon Islands.
Most of the world’s cocaine is produced in Colombia and the navy there, La Armada Nacional, has been seizing these vessels ferrying drugs up the coast of the Americas since at least 1994.
At the navy’s base in Buenaventura, just near the edge of the water, they have a unique collection of them in the Semi-Submersibles Museum of the Pacific Naval Force — essentially a narco sub graveyard.
The early models were crude — just a container that would be attached underneath a bigger ship, referred to as a “parasite”, according to Chief Officer Oscar Moisés Lucheta.
Now, narco subs have become more advanced.
Some are fully submersible, while one has been discovered that was being piloted autonomously (without crew) via a Starlink device attached to the top.
The volume of drugs that some can carry is now as much as nine tonnes.
“We have this electric type, which when found had a battery bank of 24 batteries, two stabilising fins, and a radar so the crew would not need to surface,” he says.
The distance these narco subs can travel has also changed dramatically — the Colombian Navy says it’s intercepted three headed directly for Australia, a journey which they estimate would take about 35 days.
One of those — intercepted in February 2024 by the Colombian Navy — had four tonnes of cocaine on board, four crew, and maps showing the route to Australia.
Since then, two more have been discovered, one carrying more than five tonnes of cocaine.
Despite the distance, Pacific Coast Guard commander Captain Fernando Duran says the profit margin on offer in Australia makes it an irresistible market for cartels, given drug users here pay five to ten times more for cocaine than the rest of the world.
“We are talking about a tonne of cocaine delivered in Australia generates these illegal groups close to US$150 million,” he said.
Given the logistics and cost involved, he says transnational criminal syndicates have been opting for fewer trips with a larger cargo haul.
Looking at photos of the 17.5-metre narco sub that washed up in Fourau village, he estimates it would’ve had a transport capacity of one to two tonnes.
“It looks like it was abandoned,” he says. “Most likely the cause of the abandonment is some failure with its equipment or that the substances on board were transferred to another type of vessel to be taken to the mainland.”
Four narco subs have been discovered in the Solomon Islands in the space of about 18 months.
All abandoned, one did contain a clue as to the origins of the crew. Locals found an Ecuadorian voter ID card belonging to a man named Jose Bryan Mina Velez.
Working with journalists in Ecuador, Foreign Correspondent ascertained that Velez was a fisherman, last seen in the coastal province of the Esmeraldas — a notoriously violent region bordering Colombia where fishermen are routinely reported missing or murdered.
In August 2021, he went on a fishing trip and was never seen or heard from again.
Family members and the Ecuadorian Navy conducted a search and a judicial inquiry remains open.
The two other men who went on the fishing trip with him later turned up imprisoned elsewhere in Latin America, but it is unclear exactly where, or why.
Lidia Rueda, from the Association of Relatives and Friends of Missing Persons in Ecuador, says artisanal fishermen are frequently coerced — or forced — by criminal syndicates into transporting drugs.
“Our people in this country are good, they are hardworking, and in the face of need it’s very possible they are forced by being told they will be paid more for doing things like this,” she told Foreign Correspondent from her office in the Ecuadorian capital Quito.
“In other cases, if you don’t cooperate, ‘You have a family?’ Yes. There are always threats, and those threats are the ones that often make them disappear and we don’t know where they are.”
When our local colleagues pressed further about Velez and whether he may have been either recruited or forced into drug trafficking, they were threatened and told to leave it alone.
The connection between narco subs in the Pacific and Ecuadorian crew is not a one-off.
In January, Fiji police caught four Ecuadorian men allegedly importing 2.6 tonnes of cocaine into the island nation.
They allegedly told investigators they brought it on a narco sub, which they scuttled at sea after transferring the cargo to a boat and bringing it ashore in Vatia.
It’s the largest cocaine seizure in the country.
The investigation there has expanded to include human trafficking after the Ecuadorian men told investigators they had been forced into transporting the cocaine shipment.
When authorities in Fiji seized the drugs, some of which had been disguised as chocolate bars, they argued it was ultimately destined for Australia.
NSW Police says it is not aware of any narco subs successfully landing their payload in the state yet but admits they could have done so without detection.
Narco subs are among a number of ways drug smugglers are evolving to get large quantities of drugs into the lucrative Australian market and evade efforts by law enforcement to stop them.
Since January, authorities across the South Pacific have seized 16 tonnes of cocaine in different consignments, including two that involved ships with specially designed hidden compartments.
One was the MV Raider, first intercepted by French authorities in French Polynesia in January, who after 48 hours of searching discovered 4.8 tonnes of cocaine in specially welded compartments.
They threw the drugs overboard before letting the crew members and the ship continue their passage to Australia, where state and federal authorities monitored the vessel.
In early March, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) received intelligence there may have been more cocaine concealed on board.
By mid-March the AFP suspected some of it could have been transferred to another vessel at sea, and possibly made landfall, but were unable to confirm it at the time.
The ABC understands investigators suspected the crew could have also dumped some cocaine at sea as they ran out of supplies and needed to make a distress call, which they did on 12 March.
They came into port in Sydney and were taken to immigration detention, where their phones and devices were seized and analysed, allegedly providing confirmation there was at least one drop-off of drugs within Australian waters.
Later that month, the AFP arrested six crew members and charged them with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs.
Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook says NSW Police only learned of the drugs being transferred at sea when the AFP advised it was charging the crew.
“We’re working now very hard to understand what’s happened to that particular 1.1 tonnes of drugs, which is now flowing through the New South Wales and probably Australian networks. It may well be too late. It’s very unfortunate how that played out,” he says.
When asked if it would have helped if the AFP had told them sooner, he said “it would be useful”.
The AFP told the ABC the matter was a multi-agency operation that was currently before the courts.
In a statement it said, “the AFP works collaboratively with a number of agencies to disrupt, target and charge offenders who traffic drugs to Australia, and through the Pacific”.
It underscores the message from police forces across the region — timely intelligence sharing is key to fighting the scourge of drugs passing through the Pacific bound for Australia.
But as drug cartels and criminal syndicates become more creative and brazen, authorities are direct about where the fault lies.
“Every drug user in Australia who is consuming cocaine and meth particularly is absolutely fuelling organised crime in Australia, but also in the Pacific and in other parts of the world, to be frank,” said NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook.
In Solomon Islands, the challenge of fighting the threat of ruthless, well-resourced organised crime syndicates is not lost on Police Assistant Commissioner Patricia Leta.
She concedes they’ve only been able to inspect two of the four narco subs that have washed up in the remote parts of her country.
“We have transport difficulties,” she admits.
She’s unsure if the two that they’ve not inspected — one in the remote atoll of Ontong Java and the other in Makira Province — contained any cargo when they arrived, that by now could have made its way into the community.
Asked if she fears her country is at risk of becoming a drug smugglers’ paradise, she is surprisingly honest.
“Yes, I am also worried about that,” she says.
In the idyllic and otherwise untouched environment in Fourau, the insidious world of transnational drug crime should feel like an alternate reality, but it’s one that’s closing in on this piece of paradise.
The presence of the narco sub in the village has forced the global nature of drug trafficking and potential impact on South Pacific communities into focus.
“The lesson we’ve learned from this is that the new drugs they manufacture, they are crossing the world now,” says Fourau community leader Robinson Fugui.
“So each family must try to protect the kids from the drugs, the new drugs. Because we see, this narco sub, is here now. So this means this problem is close to us now.”
It is a problem, but one that for now has a silver lining.
While Robinson awaits a buyer for his narco sub, the vessel has been put to work in a different way: instead of ferrying tonnes of drugs across oceans, it now serves as a diving board for the village children…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PNG – COURTS/STARLINK: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 27 Apr 2026
National court revokes Ombudsman Commission’s directive to stop Starlink operating in PNG
PORT MORESBY, 27 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—The Papua New Guinea National Court has quashed a directive by the Ombudsman Commission (OC) to revoke Starlink’s operating licence in the country.
The court upheld National Information and Communications Technology Authority’s (Nicta) judicial review in Waigani.
National Court judge Oagile Dingake, who delivered the judgment on behalf of the presiding judge Susan Purdon-Sully, said OC’s directive to Nicta to revoke Starlink Internet Services (PNG) Ltd’s licence was “ultra vires and consequently null and void”.
“The court finds the direction an arbitrary and unconstitutional exercise of power issued without proper regard to the constitutional limits on the exercise of section 27(4) power, rendering it an excess of jurisdiction, liable to be quashed,” judge Purdon-Sully ruled.
The Ombudsman Commission on 27 February, 2024, directed Nicta not to grant an operating network licence to Starlink.
Nicta sought judicial review which took almost two years for a decision to be made.
Nicta chief executive officer Lume Polume outside court said “the decision by the court appreciates the importance of connectivity.
“It relives the geographical constraints we face in PNG.
“This is an important milestone and with that court decision, it gives Nicta the opportunity to continue to discharge our mandate,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ivan Pomaleu, PNG Chief Secretary to Government, has called on the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) to fast-track final approval for Starlink, following a major regulatory break-through.
The push comes after the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) announced a landmark decision – clearing the way for satellite broadband licensing in Papua New Guinea.
The move paves the way for Starlink to enter the local market and expand connectivity.
The Chief Secretary welcomed the decision made by the Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Peter Tsiamalili Jr.
He said the win is a win for national connectivity, disaster resilience, and the digital economy.
The chief secretary urged all the operators to comply with Papua New Guinea’s legal and regulatory frameworks.
He called on the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) to fast-track final approval for Starlink to operate at the local market.
“This out-come of court battle affirms Papua New Guinea’s commitment to a transparent, rules-based regulatory environment,” Pomaleu said.
“Our people in remote and undeserved communities cannot afford to wait for the benefits of high-speed and reliable internet.”
Several challenging areas where expedited satellite will make tremendous impact:
• Disaster preparedness: Provide a critical communication lifeline during national disaster, when terrestrial networks may fail;
• Bridging the Digital Divide: Reach dispersed population across PNG’s challengeable terrains;
• Government Coordination: Support first respondent and ensure continuity of essential service in remote districts; and,
• Economic Growth: Enhance inclusive digital access to fuel innovation and local entrepreneurship.
The chief secretary reaffirmed that the entry of global innovator such as Starlink as a strategic opportunity.
“This is a strong signal that PNG is open for innovation,” he said.
Pomaleu also emphasised the obvious need to facilitate responsible investment.
“We remain committed to working constructively with Starlink and other Internet providers, however, what matters now is the speed,” Pomaleu admitted.
Meanwhile, Pomaleu reiterated that while speed is essential, the integrity of the regulatory system remains paramount to ensure fair competition and consumer protection….PACNEWS
FIJI – PAY CUTS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 27 Apr 2026
Fiji Parliament expected to vote on 20 percent pay cut
SUVA, 27 APRIL 2026 (FIJI SUN)—-As the April sitting of parliament begins today, all eyes will be on Parliament as members are expected to deliberate on a proposed 20 per cent pay cut for all MPs, amid the ongoing fuel supply crisis affecting the country.
The move follows an earlier announcement by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who signalled that elected representatives should take a reduction in pay as part of broader national efforts to respond to rising fuel costs and economic pressure.
The proposed cut is expected to be tabled for discussion and voting as Parliament convenes this week, with the decision likely to draw significant public and political attention.
Rabuka had indicated that the measure was aimed at demonstrating leadership and shared sacrifice, as Government rolls out support measures to cushion the impact of the fuel crisis on ordinary Fijians.
The fuel supply situation has already prompted a range of interventions, including financial assistance packages and subsidies to maintain essential services.
Debate in the House is expected to focus on the implications of the pay cut, with MPs weighing in on its effectiveness and symbolic value during a period of economic strain.
A final decision is expected following deliberations in Parliament….PACNEWS
TUVALU – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: THE FINANCIAL TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 27 Apr 2026
How one of the world’s smallest countries is feeling the fuel crisis
FUNAFUTI, 27 APRIL 2206 (THE FINANCIAL TIMES)—As a climate activist, Richard Gokrun has long worried his island home of Tuvalu would disappear as sea levels rise. Over the past six weeks, as war in the Middle East has choked up the strategic Strait of Hormuz, he has had a more urgent concern: will there be enough fuel to cook?
“If power generation is totally cut off because of no fuel, that’s a really big crisis for the people here in Tuvalu,” said Gokrun, 43, who runs a barbecue restaurant and is one of the lucky few with a backup generator. “We’re a small country so we have to be prepared.”
The country of about 11,000 people, nine islands and 10 square miles located in the Pacific between Australia and Hawaii, may be a world away from Iran but the fuel crisis that is rippling through global supply chains is being felt on its shores.
On Friday, Tuvalu’s government said in a statement that fuel supply was “stable for now” with a delivery expected to arrive next month. It said efforts continued to ensure supply and “prepare for any worst-case fuel shortage scenario”. A government minister had earlier said it does not have guarantees of consistent supply “beyond June”.
Tuvalu, best known for its vulnerability to rising sea levels and for its landmark climate visa agreement with Australia, is already grappling with power cuts that predate the conflict and that are linked to its ageing generators and grid system.
The Pacific region as a whole is vulnerable. It depends on imported fuel for about 80 per cent of its energy, according to research group Zero Carbon Analytics.
“Without fuel, the Pacific stops,” said José Luis Sousa-Santos, associate professor at the University of Canterbury’s Pacific Regional Security Hub in New Zealand.
The crisis threatens to increase tension in a region that has already become a flashpoint between China and western nations such as the U.S, Australia and New Zealand.
Pacific countries had made it “very clear” they wanted a regional approach to the energy crisis that could involve working with Australia and New Zealand to secure fuel, said Sousa-Santos.
“If [they] don’t assist . . . then we know which country will come to the Pacific and target certain Pacific states in which they have strategic interests. China will come in,” he said. On Friday, the government of Tuvalu said Australia was helping it strengthen fuel storage capacity.
With fuel imports representing up to a quarter of total imports in the region, “governments with already stretched fiscal positions have very little room to cushion the blow”, said Munkhtuya Altangerel, the UN Development Programme representative for the Pacific.
In Tuvalu, energy minister Simon Kofe this month warned of disruptions from its sole contractor that sources its fuel from the refining hubs of Singapore and South Korea.
“We’re quite worried that countries like Tuvalu and other small island nations may not be a priority for some of these bigger countries, so we need to prepare now and have storage in place before that time arrives,” he told regional media after a two-week state of emergency was declared.
The Tuvaluan government did not respond directly to a request for comment on the latest fuel situation.
Diesel and petrol prices have risen 40 per cent and 30 per cent since the crisis began, Kofe said. Petrol stations, where the capital’s ubiquitous, mostly Chinese-made scooters pull up to refill by the roadside, sell unleaded petrol for as high as AUD$2.70 (US$1.92) a litre and diesel for up to AUD$3.40(US$2.42) a litre.
“It’s too expensive,” said Frank PMuller, 43, a fisherman and owner of a shop that sells ice cream and cold drinks in the sweltering capital where temperatures are near 30C all year round. “When everything is going up, like the fuel, that’s when we start to suffer . . . we can’t really afford [it].”
Like many in Tuvalu, he depends on fishing to make a living and has passed on rising costs to consumers. Prices for some freshly caught fish, a staple cited by locals as a sign of inflation, have risen from about AUD$6(US$4.29) to AUD$7(US$5) a kilogramme.
“It’s becoming more expensive to take the boat out, so of course it’s a worry for the business,” said one fisherman, who declined to be named, as he cleaned and cut his catch for the day on a beach.
Even small shifts can hurt households in one of the world’s smallest economies, where fishing accounts for nearly half of GDP. The rest comes from its leasing of the “.tv” internet domain, used by tech streaming company Twitch and others, as well as its sovereign wealth fund and remittances.
Tuvalu’s remoteness adds to its challenges.
Only a few flights a week land on the airstrip that doubles as a running track, volleyball court and general hub of the community.
More crucially, the capital of Funafuti, where two-thirds of the population live, delivers supplies to the other eight islands by boat. “That’s the only way to get all the food from the main island . . . to those people living on the outer islands who don’t have anything else,” said petrol station worker Fokiga Vakatapu, 26.
Michael Copage, founder of climate and security advisory CoTerran, said the crunch also put into focus the dependence on fossil fuels ahead of this year’s pre-COP meetings on climate, which will be held in Fiji and Tuvalu.
“The longer-term question is whether we are witnessing an inflection moment that will translate into accelerated transition to renewables and local energy storage — or if near-term fuel pressure responses sap momentum for those longer-term investments.”
Pacific countries have made progress in adopting renewable energy. Tuvalu, one of the few nations to recognise Taiwan diplomatically, also boasts Taiwanese solar panels. Others in the Pacific, however, are more eager to seek Beijing’s expertise in renewables.
The UNDP’s Altangerel argued that “the transition to renewable, community-owned energy systems is the single most effective hedge available against this kind of external shock”.
For now, although the prices may weigh heavily on Tuvaluan wallets, some in the capital are unbothered by the prospect of shortages. “It’s a small country; we can walk,” one said….PACNEWS
PACIFIC – SHIPPING: IMO PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 27 Apr 2026
IMO joins Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies annual meeting
HONIARA, 27 APRIL 2026 (IMO)—IMO has updated members of the Asia and Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) on ongoing regional activities, including regulatory updates, during the annual APHoMSA meeting, which took place in Honiara, Solomon Islands (14-16 April).
The meeting brought together representatives from 20 countries and six observer organisations from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss topics including women in maritime, safety at sea and seafarer welfare, marine environment protection, maritime incident response, and improving regional cooperation.
In his opening remarks via recorded message, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez reflected on the launch of the Regional Presence Office for the Pacific (in Fiji) as a centre of coordination, knowledge and technical expertise, directly supporting the Pacific Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
The Secretary-General also highlighted the critical role of the APHOMSA in translating policy into practical action and turning global commitments into real outcomes that complement IMO’s ongoing work.
IMO’s Jean Ver Pia, Technical Cooperation and Implementation Division, provided updates on marine environment protection and technical cooperation support in the region.
This included support for the ratification and implementation of MARPOL Annex V & the London Protocol and technical cooperation support in the Asia and Pacific Islands region for regulating dumping of waste into the ocean and IMO’s OceanLitter Programme. Key details included development of national action plans on marine plastic litter from ships; legal reforms; enhancing port state control; and advancing expertise of the key national authorities involved in the decision making and management of sea-based marine plastic litter at a national and regional level.
Ver Pia provided an update on developments under the IMO Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) thematic restructuring, improvements to the TC Request Management System and the TC Dashboard, and encouraged APHOMSA Members to promote the 2026-2027 World Maritime Day Theme: “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence” in the implementation of their activities.
In his opening remarks, the Chair, Thierry Nervale, Director, Solomon Islands Maritime Authority, reflected on the Middle East crisis and the impact on the Pacific region and invited APHoMSA members to support the call of IMO Secretary-General on all Parties to respect the rights and freedoms of navigation and the paramount importance of protecting the safety and wellbeing of seafarers.
The 26th session of APHoMSA will be hosted by Canada in Vancouver in 2027…..PACNEWS
FIJI – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 1: Mon 27 Apr 2026
Fiji fuel payout steady: Reserve Bank of Fiji
SUVA, 27 APRIL 2026 (FIJI TIMES) —All of Fiji’s fuel import payments have continued without disruption despite ongoing global uncertainties, according to the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF).
Governor Ariff Ali said the country’s external payment systems remained stable.
“To date all import payment obligations including those for fuel, have been met in a timely and orderly manner,” he said.
He said that fuel supply challenges were often driven by factors beyond Fiji’s control.
“It is also important to recognise that fuel availability is shaped by global factors beyond Fiji’s control.
“This includes international oil prices, refinery capacity, shipping availability and logistical constraints, which can affect supply regardless of domestic foreign reserve levels.”
Ali said broader economic adjustments were already taking place.
“In this environment, adjustment across the economy is expected as households, businesses, and policymakers respond to higher global costs, with many already adapting spending patterns and improving efficiency to manage cost pressures and support overall economic resilience.”
He said the Reserve Bank would remain vigilant.
“The Reserve Bank will continue to monitor all these developments closely and act, as needed, in a measured and well-calibrated manner to maintain confidence, support stability and ensure that the economy continues to function smoothly.” …. PACNEWS
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
The unusual ways Fijians predict when a cyclone is approaching
By Frankie Adkins
LABASA, 27 APRIL 2026 (BBC NEWS) —Creeping yams and bees behaving strangely – in Fiji, farmers read nature’s warning signs to predict hurricane season.
It’s July, a month when Fijian farmers begin watching wild yams closely. “If they see wild yam vines creeping along the ground, there’s going to be a hurricane in between November and April – the hurricane season,” says farmer Marika Radua. If the vines shoot upwards, it’s unlikely a hurricane will hit, he says.
In the dense jungle on Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island, Radua’s farm is a riot of green. Every plant has its place – from rows of delicate lettuce, to sturdy taro and cassava. For years, Radua has read the signs in nature to know when, and where, to plant his crops to ensure they thrive each season.
Yam vines are natural indicators of extreme weather, according to Fijian traditional ecological knowledge. This environmental knowledge comprises ancient traditions held and practiced by indigenous peoples. When the vines hug the ground, “they are already trying to protect themselves from the wind. It’s nature,” Radua says.
Many Fijians – especially those from older generations who are more likely to use traditional farming methods – believe other organisms act as natural weather forecasts, such as bananas, bees and breadfruit.
Before modern technology, environmental indicators like these were used across the world to predict natural disasters. But in the last century, data from satellites, weather radars and computers has provided increasingly precise monitoring and forecasting.
In the Pacific, communities are returning to ancient wisdom to anticipate extreme weather, to enhance modern methods. Scientific studies and Fiji’s meteorological service are recording these local “early warning signs” of tropical cyclones and flooding. As climate-change-driven disasters pick up pace in the Pacific, traditional knowledge might buy communities more time to prepare.
A total package
In 2024, the Fijian Meteorological Service announced it would integrate traditional environmental knowledge into its scientific forecasting – describing the pair as “a total package”.
Fiji follows in the footsteps of Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Niue and the Solomon Islands – Pacific nations participating in an ongoing project to integrate traditional knowledge in their early-warning systems.
Siosinamele Lui, the climate traditional knowledge officer at Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), an intergovernmental body, says natural indicators are key to helping remote communities can prepare for weather events.
“In most parts of the world, traditional knowledge and national services are not mentioned in the same sentence,” says Lui. “But in the Pacific, it’s now becoming the go to. It’s normal practice.”
Since 2016, the SPREP project has been researching natural indicators, with Pacific islanders reporting early warning signs directly to the Pacific Meteorological Desk via calls, messages, social media or local climate centres.
Vanuatu is “leading the way” with an app named ClimateWatch, says Lui. The app has a database of crowd-sourced natural indicators – for example, green turtles nesting further inland suggests a cyclone may be approaching.
However, using traditional knowledge to preempt weather events is not an instant process, says Lui.
“You cannot integrate a data set that’s only five years old with a data set that’s 100 years old. At the moment, most of our monitoring data is not old enough for us to build it into the climate forecast,” she adds. Therefore, the government is studying the correlation of traditional indicators with weather events, before building this into their climate forecasting model.
However Lui says that promoting traditional weather knowledge can help people in secluded areas.
“To put it in context, you’re looking at the biggest ocean in the world, and you have thousands of islands that are widespread. You don’t have monitoring equipment on every island,” says Lui. This technology is expensive and sparsely located, leading to gaps in meteorological data, she adds.
Not everyone will be able to get critical warning information on time, if at all. “That’s where this programme comes in,” says Lui. “Whether it’s from the Meteorological Service or whether it’s traditional warning systems. The goal is for people to respond and be prepared,” she says.
Listening to the land
For Fijian people, traditional knowledge such as how the seasons change isn’t “black and white”, Radua says. “We don’t write things down – they are translated from one generation to the next through stories, songs, dances and idioms,” he says.
Radua, who is a climate resilience expert on Vanua Levu, began compiling this cultural wisdom into a seasonal calendar available for farmers on the island. Many farms, both commercial and family-run, in Fiji have converted to modern ways of farming – for example monoculture, planting and cultivating a singular crop. Radua teaches subsistence farmers how to return to traditional agricultural methods, such as planting multiple crops at different times of the year.
Not only is this better for nature, but it means farmers can listen to the land for early warning signs, says Radua. “The trees will tell them, when something flowers, it tells them,” he says, explaining how farmers keep an eye on shifts beyond normal seasonal patterns. “That’s preparedness and resilience,” he adds.
It’s not just about traditional knowledge, it’s about living in harmony with nature – Marika Radua
For Pacific communities, the need to buffer against extreme weather is more urgent than ever. Radua recalls Cyclone Winston, which caused widespread damage, costing Fiji’s agricultural sector over $2m (£1.5m). “Most of us lost all of our crops,” he says.
According to a 2025 report that assessed the country’s climate risk – ranking Fiji 103 out of 190 countries – tropical cyclones are predicted to increase in severity in Fiji. Pacific Island countries need around $1bn (£730m) for climate adaptation investments, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Although several ideas are being considered to increase the country’s climate resilience – from seawalls to climate migration – integrating ancient wisdom is being proposed as a low-cost part of the solution in Fiji.
“Almost everything about mitigating climate change is pointing back to traditional knowledge,” says Radua.
Buying time
Some Fijian communities reported that traditional signs were the first and most reliable way of being alerted that Cyclone Winston was approaching.
In a coastal village in the Province of Tailevu, on the southeastern fringe of Vitu Levu, Fiji’s main island, villagers noticed nature reacting in uncharacteristic ways up to four months before the cyclone.
In a 2025 report, published by independent think tank the International Institute for Sustainable Development, 10 villagers in Tailevu recalled witnessing a spectrum of signs, that have been previously seen happening prior to cyclones.
Around three to four months prior to the cyclone, hornets nested close to the ground, five or more breadfruit grew on one stalk and the central shoots of plantain plants curled instead of growing straight. One month before the cyclone, fishers noticed the sea felt hotter, while small fish were found dead on the shorelines. One week before the cyclone, seabirds flew towards land, swooping lower than usual. (Read more about how seabirds predict tropical cyclones.)
The report suggests that tracking natural indicators gives communities more time to prepare prior to a disaster. With greater warning, villagers could stock up on food and fresh water, reinforce their houses and move farm animals to sheltered spaces.
“Faced with escalating climate risks and climate impacts, mounting costs and overstretched budgets, local and national governments are looking for ways to address the climate crisis in a cost-effective way,” says Alec Crawford, the director of nature for resilience at the International Institute for Sustainable Development.
But nature-based solutions grounded in traditional ecological knowledge goes beyond their cost effectiveness. “They are the most well-suited adaptation actions to implement, because local communities are the ones who know best how to adapt to their changing environment,” adds Crawford.
Coping mechanisms
Joeli Veityaki, a climate scientist from the University of the South Pacific, says traditional indicators were developed centuries ago as important “coping mechanisms”. “There are examples that our technology is just as good as tech in other parts of the world that are so dominant,” he says.
Patrick Nunn, a professor of geography from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, says we have hardly “scratched the surface” of traditional ecological knowledge.
“In places like Fiji, all of its traditional knowledge is empirical based – people see something and they infer an association,” he says. Nunn gives the example of when black birds fly over the land, and people deduce that a cyclone is on its way.
“This knowledge has already been validated simply by the fact that they’ve been shown to work over long periods of time. If the sighting of black birds over the land is not a reliable indicator of an approaching tropical cyclone, then people wouldn’t have retained that knowledge for so long,” he adds.
Nunn refers to oral stories from the Pacific that describe ant behaviour, which aligns with scientific observations. For example, leaf-cutter ants appear to detect subtle environmental changes that signal impending rain, prompting adaptive responses. While this does not constitute scientific proof that ants can predict tropical cyclones days in advance, it does suggest that their behaviour may be predictive in ways consistent with Pacific traditional ecological knowledge.
The idea that Pacific Islands are inherently “vulnerable” or “lack resilience” is misguided, says Nunn. “People arrived in the Western Pacific more than 3,000 years ago, and they’ve been there ever since. They didn’t survive by luck – they survived by design.”
This doesn’t mean the region is without challenges, or that climate change isn’t reshaping traditional ways of life. Between 1999 and 2018, Fiji ranked as the 13th country most affected by extreme weather events.
“But there is a formidable body of traditional local knowledge in every Pacific Island community that is able to assist in developing strategies for coping with future climate change,” says Nunn.
Back on his farm in Vanua Levu, Radua echoes a similar sentiment. “Knowledge evolves with time, but it’s not just about traditional knowledge,” he says. “It’s about living in harmony with nature,” he said…. PACNEWS
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
No diesel, no power: why the global oil shock is hitting NZ’s small Pacific neighbours hard
By Sione Fanga Taufa
AUCKLAND, 27 APRIL 2026 (THE CONVERSATION)—When Tuvalu recently moved to declare a state of emergency, it laid bare a major vulnerability long faced by New Zealand’s small and far-flung Pacific neighbours.
That is their heavy reliance on imported fuel – delivered through long and often fragile supply chains – to power electricity, transport and other essential services.
With a population of just over 10,600, Tuvalu spends roughly one quarter of its GDP on imported petroleum. With limited storage capacity and few alternatives, it requires regular diesel shipments to keep the lights on and services running.
In a country where fuel is already an expensive commodity, the crisis in the Middle East has sent local prices surging even higher, with diesel up 40 percent and petrol about 30 percent.
The situation may yet grow worse, with the possibility of no consistent shipments beyond June. By declaring a two-week state of emergency, Tuvalu’s government has granted itself special powers to ration supplies and manage services.
While this may ease immediate pressures, it won’t resolve those deeper, structural problems with the wider region’s fuel security.
For New Zealand, which recently took these worries to the White House, this moment presents an important opportunity to help its old Pacific allies finally overcome their energy hurdles and become more resilient.
A region under strain
Tuvalu’s case may be extreme, but is by no means isolated. Many other small Pacific nations have similar economies that rely on limited shipping connections. Some receive as few as 40 to 50 container ship calls a year.
This pushes up costs, as fuel and other imports must pass through multiple ports and intermediaries before reaching their destination.
Tuvalu also isn’t the only state to have taken drastic measures in response to the oil shock.
The Marshall Islands earlier declared a 90-day economic state of emergency. Its non-essential public offices have been closing at mid-afternoon, while strict requirements have been imposed to reduce electricity use.
Other Pacific governments are meanwhile taking stock of their fuel situations.
The Solomon Islands has reported holding between 40 and 50 days of fuel in-country, while Vanuatu has warned of rising electricity prices for residents. Palau, Nauru and Kiribati are also mulling their own responses.
If the global energy crisis worsens, some Pacific governments may be forced to subsidise fuel and power, squeezing vital spending on health, education and climate adaptation. A drop in tourist revenue, due to fuel prices making airfares more expensive, will be adding further pressure.
Such is the strain on the region that its Pacific Islands Forum has reportedly agreed to invoke the Biketawa Declaration – its highest crisis response measure.
This places countries on a high-alert footing as they prepare for potential fuel shortages. Proposals such as pooled fuel procurement and shared contingency planning are also being explored.
Navigating the road to resilience
Importantly, these developments are unfolding against a shifting geopolitical backdrop, as the Pacific attracts growing attention from traditonal partners such as New Zealand and Australia, but also increasingly influential actors such as China.
Investment by these larger regional players in aid such as infrastructure, energy and connectivity has been recently accelerating, driven by a mix of strategic competition, economic interests and diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties.
In this context, the Pacific’s fuel and energy security becomes much more than a logistical issue, but one that places its nations at the centre of geopolitical tensions.
But with this complexity comes opportunity.
Partnerships with these greater countries can help fund renewable energy, storage and infrastructure, gradually reducing their dependence on imported fuel. Even so, it is important that Pacific governments keep control over decisions to ensure that supported projects reflect local needs and priorities.
For New Zealand, which has invested billions of dollars in aid and trade across the Pacific, there is an obvious role to play.
Its foreign affairs minister, Winston Peters, notably used a recent trip to Washington DC to raise concerns about the Pacific’s fuel vulnerability and explore potential support from the United States.
Being so closely connected to the Pacific through geography, history and people, New Zealand’s interest in the region’s energy security goes beyond foreign policy, to shared wellbeing and stability.
Building resilience will inevitably take time and much coordination. Among the most important steps will be expanding local renewable energy infrastructure, and other joint fuel security measures like those in the Biketawa framework.
Ultimately, the question that Tuvalu and other Pacific economies must reckon with is not whether more oil shocks lie beyond the horizon, but how much longer should stay so exposed to them…..PACNEWS
Sione Fanga Taufa is Associate Dean Pacific and Professional Teaching Fellow, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Workshop helps untie knots of power, protection and representation
MELBOURNE, 27 APRIL 2026 (PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA) —Women members of parliament from Bougainville, Nauru and Vanuatu joined their counterparts from Victoria and New South Wales for a Women’s Talanoa Workshop, to share lessons on representation, media and staying safe online.
“Talanoa” is a Pacific term for inclusive, transparent and participatory dialogue, often defined as storytelling or sharing ideas to build trust and empathy. It combines “Tala” (to talk) and “Noa” (void or untie), representing the opening of, or untying, knots to connect.
The three-day workshop (supported by the the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Gender Strengthening Fund and the UNDP Pacific Office) untied knots through conversation and practical skills-building, with the parliamentarians comparing notes on what it takes to lead, especially when you are outnumbered.
Marie Louise Milne is the only woman elected to Vanuatu’s 52 seat parliament.
“Being here with my sister MPs, it gives me more strength, more motivation to break the barriers that we women and girls are facing,” she said.
The workshop, she said, was a reminder that visibility matters.
“What I think we should do is to promote more leadership, women in leadership, show to the Pacific communities that yes, women are capable, women can lead, women manage the home so they can lead also,” she said.
Nauru MP Charmaine Eraidinomo Scotty said one of the most striking takeaways was how familiar the challenges sounded, regardless of population size or resources.
“Even bigger countries have the same problems as us,” she said.
Sessions on digital safety were especially relevant for participants, who described online harassment as a barrier that can shrink women’s public presence and deter newcomers from entering politics in the Pacific.
Bougainville MP Amanda Masono said the workshop’s online safety discussions focused on “dealing with how to protect ourselves when it comes to when we’re targeted as women in parliament”.
“Because what we’ve learned is online harassment and online cyberbullying is more targeted towards women, most often, and not males or men in Parliament,” she said.
She said MPs need the skills to communicate clearly while cutting through misinformation.
“Often the information that is put out on social media is not credible,” she said.
“I believe as women MPs it’s very critical to learn how to be able to take advantage of how to communicate and “own” social media when it comes to trying to filter out what is useful information,” she said.
The programme was developed by a coordinating committee led by Victorian MPs Juliana Addison, Cindy McLeish and Anasina Gray-Barberio.
Beyond security, the workshop also drilled into everyday tools of political work, including techniques to engage with constituents, shape a core message and build relationships that turn advocacy into action.
Charmaine Eraidinomo Scotty said she valued the chance to learn media-handling skills in a different environment.
“I’m really enjoying getting tips on how to deal with media, especially because we don’t really have aggressive media in Nauru,” she said.
Marie Louise Milne said she would take home a renewed focus on communication, particularly the role of media in lifting women’s leadership.
“So here we have learned that we can use media to make sure that women are heard, women are not invisible and women can do actions and women can do change, make a difference for the future generations of the Pacific Islands,” she said.
“But we need more women in the Parliament of Vanuatu so that we can sit at the table and and share what we are living because we women are living with the communities and we are seeing the realities, what happens, and so that we can take the right decision for the benefits of everyone,” she said……PACNEWS
