PACNEWS THREE 23 JULY 2026

In this bulletin:

1. VAN — Malvatumauri demands revocation of Dr Naupa’s MSG DG appointment by 30 July
2. VAN — Vanuatu Government demands apology over criticism of MSG DG appointment
3. PACIFIC — Backlash heightens: U.S lawmaker asked to ditch proposal to end birthright citizenship in U.S territories
4. ISRAEL — OIC strongly condemns Nauru’s decision to open an embassy to Israel in occupied Jerusalem
5. TONGA — Tongan women taken to China for marriage triggers police investigation
6. PACIFIC — UN warns Pacific faces growing threat from global scam syndicates
7. FIJI — Former DPP Pryde rejects FICAC claims, says he never evaded service of court documents
8. PACNEWS BIZ — RSE scheme misconceptions pose big challenge for Fijians workers in New Zealand
9. PACNEWS BIZ — ‘Relief on paper, not relief in reality:’ Soon-to-expire Jones Act waiver too short to make a difference for Guam
10. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Japan and Australia are critical partners in the Pacific
11. PACNEWS DIGEST — Teachers in Kiribati are preparing students for a digital future
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — UNESCO supports Nauru in completing its first World Heritage International assistance Project

VAN – MSG DG: VANUATU DAILY POST        PACNEWS 3: Thu 23 Jul 2026

Malvatumauri demands revocation of Dr Naupa’s MSG DG appointment by 30 July

PORT VILA, 23 JULY 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — The Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs has issued an ultimatum to Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat, demanding the immediate revocation of Dr Anna Naupa’s appointment as Director General (DG) of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). 

The Council warned that if the government fails to rescind the appointment by 30 July 2026, traditional leaders across the country will initiate customary actions to challenge the decision.

The controversy stems from the recent appointment of Dr Naupa, who is currently based in Australia for six months, while MSG Acting DG Ilan Kiloe oversees daily operations in Port Vila.

The formal letter of concern was addressed to the Prime Minister’s Office on 06 January 2026, where the then Acting President of the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs, Chief George Bumseng, outlined four key reasons why he believed the post should be held by a male officer.

Chief Bumseng is also chairman of the Malmemeli Ambrym Council of Chiefs.

In his letter to MP Napat, he cited four reasons why a female candidate should not be appointed to the position of MSG DG.

He said that, according to Vanuatu customs and traditional beliefs, only men are entitled to perform certain types of customary ceremonies.

Chief Bumseng said these ceremonies are fundamental to the process of becoming chiefs and customary leaders who represent their tribes.

Chief Bumseng said in his letter that as MSG shortlisted candidates for interviews for the position of MSG DG, it was the Council’s respectful view that the appointment should align with the nation’s traditions. He encouraged the office of the Prime Minister to consider appointing a male candidate to the position.

While acknowledging Dr Naupa’s qualifications, the Ambrym chief said the appointment of a female candidate to the position could risk undermining the respect accorded to customs and traditional values.

Chief Bumseng said the MSG Secretariat has already initiated groundwork for the establishment of the MSG Council of Chiefs, a body envisioned to uphold and safeguard traditional leadership structures in Melanesia.

He said this process is deeply rooted in customary formalities and protocols, which emphasise the role of male chiefs as custodians of tradition. He said appointing a female DG at this stage could risk undermining the cultural legitimacy of the council’s formation.

In a statement released Wednesday, Chief Bumseng said the letter was issued before the appointment of Dr Naupa as the new MSG DG and accused PM Napat of turning a blind eye to the chiefs’ concerns.

Chief Bumseng said the Council maintained that under Vanuatu’s custom (kastom), specific ceremonial obligations and chieftainship protocols are reserved for men.

“While recognising Naupa’s professional qualifications, the chiefs argued that appointing a female candidate to the highest administrative office of the MSG risks undermining the traditional respect accorded to customary values. The Council emphasised that the MSG Secretariat is not merely a bureaucratic body, but a symbolic pillar of Melanesian identity that must reflect customary governance,” he said.

Chief Bumseng said Malvatumauri’s intervention relies heavily on the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu, which recognises traditional values, customary law and the Council of Chiefs as key advisory pillars on matters of culture and heritage.

“Ignoring the Council’s role risks undermining the constitutional recognition of custom, cultural continuity, and the delicate balance between modern governance and traditional structures.” he said.

Chief Bumseng said that by setting a deadline of 30 July, the chiefs have placed pressure on the government to reconcile regional diplomatic commitments with customary principles.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the PMO, Kiery Manassah, pointed out that the appointment was not a decision made by PM Napat because it was separate from the government.

“The government has never had any say in these appointments. It is a Melanesian institution with its own process,” the PRO said.

Meanwhile, the MSG does not specify any gender requirement for the position of DG of the organisation.

When there is a vacancy in the office, the MSG Secretariat invokes its recruitment process, beginning with the advertisement of the position, followed by shortlisting of candidates and the formal interview process.

Article 14 of the MSG Agreement states: “The Director General shall be appointed by the Leaders’ Summit under such terms and conditions as the Leaders may decide…. PACNEWS

VAN – POLITICS: VANUATU DAILY POST        PACNEWS 3: Thu 23 Jul 2026

Vanuatu Government demands apology over criticism of MSG DG appointment

PORT VILA, 23 JULY 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Vanuatu Government has condemned the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs over its criticism of the appointment of Dr Anna Naupa as the new Director-General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), describing the stance as discriminatory and calling for a public apology.

In a statement, the government said it was “deeply disappointed” by a front-page article published in the Daily Post that featured the Malvatumauri’s opposition to Dr Naupa’s appointment.

The government stressed that the appointment was made through an independent regional process.

“Let us be absolutely clear: this appointment is not a Vanuatu Government appointment. Dr Anna Naupa was selected through a rigorous, independent MSG panel process involving all MSG member countries. She was chosen on merit. She is the most qualified candidate for the position.”

The government said the Malvatumauri’s criticism undermined that process.

“For the Malvatumauri to attempt to undermine that process, and to do so on the basis of gender, is regressive, divisive, and an embarrassment to the very values of wisdom, unity and leadership our chiefs are meant to uphold.”

It said the council’s position reflected poorly on the country.

“By dragging the entire nation into this stance, the Malvatumauri has done a disservice to Vanuatu. At a time when Vanuatu is being recognised internationally for leadership on climate justice, and on regional solidarity, this act seeks to drag our country backward.”

The government also highlighted to what it described as an inconsistency in the council’s position.

“It is also deeply ironic. This is the same Malvatumauri office that in 2025 publicly considered establishing a Nakamal for women in Vanuatu. Today’s statement betrays that original position.”

The statement also criticised the Daily Post for its coverage.

“We also condemn the Daily Post for giving prominence to views that have no place in 2026. Journalism carries responsibility. To platform and amplify misogyny without context or challenge is to normalise it. Our media must lift the standard of national discourse, not lower it.”

The Office of the Prime Minister called on the Malvatumauri to apologise.

“The Office of the Prime Minister therefore demands an immediate and unqualified public apology from the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs to Dr Anna Naupa, to the women of Vanuatu, and to the people of the MSG region”.

The government reaffirmed its support for Dr Naupa.

“Vanuatu’s future depends on unity, on merit, and on respect. We will not allow outdated and discriminatory attitudes to define us on the regional or world stage.”

“The Government stands firmly behind Dr Anna Naupa and her appointment. We wish her every success as she leads the MSG at this critical time for Melanesia, said the government statement…. PACNEWS

PAC – BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES   PACNEWS 3: Thu 23 Jul 2026

Backlash heightens: U.S lawmaker asked to ditch proposal to end birthright citizenship in U.S territories

HAGATNA/SAIPAN, 23 JULY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — Guam and CNMI leaders called on U.S Rep. Morgan Griffith of Virginia to withdraw his bill proposing the termination of birthright citizenship in U.S territories, a measure that seeks to clamp down on birth tourism.

Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero said H.R. 9724, titled the End Birthright Citizenship for Territories Act, “does not address a narrow problem with a narrow solution.”

Instead, she warned that the bill would only create a scenario in which a child born under the American flag ends up becoming a stateless citizen.

“The appropriate response to immigration fraud is better enforcement, stronger screening, prosecution of those who organise or profit from illegal schemes, and closer federal coordination with territorial governments,” Leon Guerrero said.

“It should not be the prospective removal of a right that has defined generations of American families in Guam.”

CNMI Governor David Apatang noted that Section 303 of the Covenant provides for birthright citizenship in the CNMI, which mirrors the Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment, a principle recently upheld by the U.S Supreme Court.

He emphasised that the federal government cannot unilaterally amend the Covenant, pointing out that any changes to the agreement require mutual consent.

Although Griffith said his bill would not affect the citizenship of a child born to a U.S citizen or green card holder, Apatang cautioned that the legislation contains no such limiting language.

“That is, if this bill is enacted, the Covenant would be amended such that it would appear on its face to state that children born in the CNMI from Jan 1, 2027, onward are not guaranteed U.S. citizenship, full stop,” he added.

Leon Guerrero warned that the bill fails to clearly establish the legal status of other children born on Guam soil after the cutoff, creating a dangerous legal vacuum.

The bill covers Guam, the CNMI, the U.S Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. It excludes American Samoa, where birthright citizenship is not automatically granted. American Samoans are considered U.S “nationals” but not U.S “citizens.”

Griffith said his bill is intended to combat “birth tourism,” a trend involving pregnant foreign nationals coming to U.S territories on tourist visas to give birth there.

Birth tourism was once a thriving underground industry in the CNMI, with pregnant Chinese women flocking to Saipan to give birth that automatically provides U.S. citizenship to their newborn child. It has allegedly become a lucrative business in China, where travel agencies reportedly even offered tour packages to Saipan. 

Apatang said the CNMI takes the birth tourism issue very seriously. 

A local bill, called “BIRTH Act,” has already been introduced in the CNMI Legislature to combat commercial birth tourism businesses, he added.

Dr Thomas Shieh said birth tourism still exists in Guam. While it may be small in number, the practice cannot be ignored. “It’s like human trafficking,” he said.

Guam Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio said Griffith’s H.R. 9724 “should be condemned,” noting that it was announced on the eve of Guam Liberation Day, which he said showed “the ultimate example of how disjointed federal policy can be in these initiatives.”

“This is really a matter of showing that there’s a need to educate members of Congress about what the law is and really what the experience living in the territories,” Tenorio said. “I thought it was very insensitive. I think it underscores the need to be very, very astute and have a very strong posture on federal territorial relations.”

Leon Guerrero noted “the bitter irony of a bill” that seeks to make the citizenship of future children born on Guam less secure than that of children born in the mainland United States.

Guam Delegate James Moylan said the bill sends the wrong message that American citizenship in U.S. territories is conditional.

He said he is working with House leaders to make sure H.R. 9724 does not advance.

Speaker Frank Blas, Jr of the Guam Legislature said H.R. 9724 exposes a troubling reality for the territories—the lack of full voting representation in the U.S Congress—and relies on outdated legal doctrines that have historically treated territorial Americans as second-class citizens.

Vice Speaker Tony Ada wants the bill’s author, Rep. H. Morgan Griffith (R-Virginia), to visit Guam and hear directly from residents, local leaders, and stakeholders about the island’s concerns, including the protection of citizenship rights.

Right now, website GovTrack.us, which tracks bills introduced in the U.S Congress, gives H.R. 9724 only a 2-percent chance of being enacted and a 5-percent chance of getting past the committee level.

The bill is now with both the House Natural Resources and House Judiciary committees.

“This legislation sets a dangerous precedent by suggesting that the citizenship of Americans born in the territories can be revisited whenever broader national policy debates arise,” Moylan said.

Blas said he supports efforts to secure the nation’s borders and prosecute anyone who deliberately abuses the immigration system for personal gain, but “we must distinguish between addressing illegal activity and preserving the constitutional rights and equal dignity of American citizens who lawfully possess them.”

“Securing our nation and protecting the rights of its citizens are not competing principles but are complementary obligations that strengthen our republic,” he added.

Ada has formally invited Griffith to visit Guam and hear from residents about their concerns about H.R. 9724. Inviting Griffith to visit Guam and talk to its people will ensure Guam’s people are seen, heard and respected, he added.

Ada said Guam must have a meaningful opportunity to be heard when Congress considers policies that could affect the rights and legal status of people in Guam.

“Whenever federal policies may affect our rights, our families, or our future, decision-makers should understand the realities of our island firsthand,” he added.

Ada said Griffith holds an influential position in Congress, and a visit to Guam would help strengthen understanding, build trust and ensure that Guam’s concerns are part of the national conversation…. PACNEWS

ISRAEL – DIPLOMACY: WAFA NEWS AGENCY       PACNEWS 3: Thu 23 Jul 2026

OIC strongly condemns Nauru’s decision to open an embassy to Israel in occupied Jerusalem

JEDDAH, 23 JULY  2026 (WAFA NEWS AGENCY) — The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday expressed its strong condemnation of the decision by Nauru to open an embassy with the Israeli occupying authorities in the occupied city of Jerusalem.

The OIC General Secretariat considered that this step constitutes a violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, and undermines international efforts aimed at achieving peace based on the two-state solution.

It reaffirmed its rejection of this unlawful decision, considering it a flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, in particular Resolutions 476 (1980) and 478 (1980), which affirm the nullity of all Israeli measures aimed at altering the character, legal status and demographic composition of the city of Jerusalem, and call upon States to refrain from establishing diplomatic missions in the city and to withdraw any existing missions from it.

It called on the Government of Nauru to reverse this decision, to abide by its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations and relevant UN resolutions, and to support international efforts aimed at ending the occupation and achieving a just and comprehensive peace in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative…. PACNEWS

TONGA – TRAFFICKING: ABC PACIFIC          PACNEWS 3: Thu 23 Jul 2026

Tongan women taken to China for marriage triggers police investigation

NUKU’ALOFA, 23 JULY 2026 (ABC PACIFIC) —Lisa grew up in a small rural village in Tonga.   

Her family are farmers and the 23-year-old lived a simple life. 

But she always dreamed of something bigger. 

So, when a Tongan woman living in China contacted her through a family member with an offer of a better life, she was intrigued.    

“She told me there was an opportunity in China if I was willing to get married,” she told the ABC.  

“She sent me photos of two Chinese men. One worked in a restaurant; the other owned a car business. She told me [if] I married one of them, I wouldn’t have to pay for anything, and I’d be able to send money home every month.

“I agreed because I believed it was an opportunity that would allow me to support my family and improve my own life.”

Lisa, who asked to be de-identified to protect her family, packed her bags. 

She boarded a flight — her first time travelling alone and first time flying overseas — and arrived in China in October last year. 

But things soon turned sour.

“The situation in China turned out to be completely different from what I had been told in Tonga. 

“I felt as though I [was] something that had been bought and sold.” 

Little did she know she had inadvertently been drawn into an arranged marriage syndicate that has enticed multiple Tongan women to China — a syndicate now being investigated by Tongan police.

When Lisa arrived in China, she was taken to Fujian province and introduced to the people who helped organise her trip.

Days later she was introduced to several different men — different to the photos she was originally shown — and was told to “marry” and then “show affection” to one of them.   

Tapenisa Mahe, a Tongan woman studying in Fujian province who came to translate and support Lisa, was there when that happened.    

She said it was like they were “auctioning her off”. 

“Different families came to look at her and decide whether they wanted her,” she said.

“I began to feel very uneasy. I wondered whether this was somehow normal in China.”

Mahe was told by the people who organised Lisa’s trip — and who asked her to help translate — that she had come “to try to build a better life”. 

“I only agreed to help because I wanted to help another Tongan,” she said. 

But she said she quickly became “seriously concerned”.    

“The man’s family started talking about money that had been paid to the matchmakers. 

“That’s when I realised something much bigger was happening.” 

The ABC has confirmed Lisa’s trip to China was organised by Maata Aso, a Tongan woman living in China, and a Chinese national called Auntie Shulan Fang, better known as “Auntie Julie”.  

Aso, who has lived in China for more than a decade, rejected claims that women were mistreated after arriving in China.

She said there were many Tongan women happily married there.

“The reasons Tongan women come to China are different,” she told the ABC.

“Some come to get married, some come because they’re poor, and some come looking for a better life.”

She also rejected claims she was paid.

“The claims that people are making about money are false,” she said.   

“I’ve never told anyone that I receive money. They [the women] themselves told me they wanted to come.” 

The ABC has seen WeChat conversations that discuss payments of about $20,000(US$13,980) linked to the marriages; however, it is unclear who receives money and what it is used for.   

Aso said the arrangement between the families in China was organised by “Auntie Julie” 

“The agreement was that Auntie would cover the costs first, and the family would repay her later,” Ms Aso said. 

“I don’t know whether they [Lisa’s former husband in China] repaid her or not. All I know is that all the expenses were paid by Auntie”.

The ABC has contacted Auntie Julie and Lisa’s former husband in China for comment.     

Lisa said despite communication difficulties, at first, her new husband and the family were supportive and kind.

But she said that all changed when she pushed back on the family’s pressure to “make a baby”. 

“They took my passport,” she said. “The family then began pressuring me to work, but I refused because I didn’t have a work visa”. 

Months later, with conditions worsening, Lisa asked her husband for a divorce.

“The family began neglecting me,” she said. “I was moved into a separate room in the house.

“There were times when I became so hungry that I drank water from the bathroom just to stay alive.

“There were moments when I felt completely hopeless”. 

Tapenisa Mahe later provided a safe house for Lisa. She says she helped her escape and organised help to get her back to Tonga.   

Last week, after nine months in China, Lisa returned home.  

The allegations about a human trafficking syndicate involving Tongan women in China began to spread on social media last month.

Facing a public backlash, the Chinese embassy in Tonga released two public statements, describing the issue as a “transnational marriage dispute”.

It said with “assistance from Chinese police, the Tongan embassy and students in China” it helped Lisa and another woman return home from China.

“Transnational marriages face gaps in language, culture and lifestyle,” it said.

Acting Tonga Police Commissioner Tevita Vailea said police quickly learned that more young women were preparing to leave Tonga in organised trips and advised the women to rethink their plans. 

The ABC has spoken to one of them. The 20-year-old said she cancelled her trip to China, organised by Auntie Julie and Mataa Aso, after the allegations emerged on social media. 

Like Lisa, she was told all expenses would be paid by her prospective husband and had been sold the idea of “a better life”.       

At the time of ABC’s interview, Commissioner Vailea said two more women were due to return to Tonga from China, and police were prioritising their safety before continuing the investigation.

He said they have not yet determined whether the case involved criminal human trafficking. 

“We have seen some areas of interest to focus on,” Vailea said. “But it is still in the early stages of our investigation.” 

According to ʻOfa Likiliki from Tonga’s Women and Children Crisis Centre, the situation is simple.      

“Based on what the young women who have courageously sought our services have disclosed to us, we have identified indicators that are consistent with internationally recognised indicators of human trafficking,” she said.

She said they have supported a number of other young women who have returned to Tonga after travelling to China.

“Our immediate focus has been making sure the young women are safe and protected.” 

Lisa, now home with her family, decided to speak out to ensure other young Tongan women contemplating travelling to China were aware of what is going on.  

She said it was an experience she never wanted to relive.

“I simply hope no one else goes through what I went through,” she said. 

“I believed I was travelling for a better future. Instead, I found myself in a situation I never expected,” she said…. PACNEWS

PAC – SCAMS: PMN                                      PACNEWS 3: Thu 23 Jul 2026

UN warns Pacific faces growing threat from global scam syndicates

BANGKOK, 23 JULY 2026 (PMN) — Pacific communities are increasingly in the sights of global scam networks as the United Nations warns criminal groups are using technology, artificial intelligence and social media to exploit vulnerable people.

A new assessment from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says scam operations across the Asia-Pacific region stole between US$88.3 billion and US$114.1 billion in 2025.

The report, An Interconnected Criminal Ecosystem: Transnational Organised Crime Threat Assessment for Southeast Asia 2026, warns that as authorities increase pressure on scam networks operating in parts of Southeast Asia, criminal groups are looking for new locations with weaker regulations and enforcement including Pacific Island countries.

Delphine Schantz, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said organised crime groups were no longer operating as separate criminal operations.

“Their operating model looks like corporate franchising: imagine specialised departments for laundering money, trafficking people, smuggling migrants, and harvesting data, all plugged into the same, service-based interconnected network,” she said at the launch in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday.

The warning comes as Pacific countries report growing cases of online fraud, financial scams and exploitation linked to digital platforms.

Delphine Schantz says organised crime groups are operating like corporate franchises.

In Tonga, young women have been targeted through online relationship schemes with some lured overseas by promises of marriage, financial security and support for their families.

In an exclusive two-part investigation by TVNZ 1News and Tagata Pasifika, Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver reported that two survivors Ana and Peti (not their real names) said they were approached through social media by people involved in organised marriage recruitment networks.

After travelling to China, both women said they experienced exploitation, isolation and abuse.

One survivor described the trauma she faced after being separated from support networks and controlled by others. “In the end I thought it would be better if I was dead.”

Advocates say at least six young Tongan women have been targeted through similar recruitment networks operating through social media.

In Fiji, authorities are also warning about the growing impact of online financial scams.

Speaking at the launch of Anti-Scam Awareness Week, Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu said people had lost more than FJD$1.3 million (US$650,000 through 1672 reported scam cases since 2017. He said many cases are still under investigation.

Authorities say scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence, fake social media accounts and impersonation to gain people’s trust.

Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Fiji, John Cavanagh, warned criminal groups were using AI and deepfake technology to make scams more convincing.

The Consumer Council of Fiji has also warned that digital fraud should be treated as a serious national issue.

Seema Shandil, the council chief executive, is urging communities not to blame victims who are targeted by increasingly sophisticated methods.

UNODC lead analyst Inshik Sim said governments needed to act quickly as criminal networks continued to evolve.

“The scale and complexity of this expanding organised crime economy are outpacing existing responses, which were not structured to address such sophisticated criminal activity,” he said in the report.

The UNODC findings show scam groups are increasingly using shared technology, money laundering systems and recruitment networks to expand across borders.

The UN says the report highlights the need for stronger digital protections, greater public awareness and closer regional cooperation as organised crime networks look for new opportunities across the Pacific…. PACNEWS

FIJI – ANTI CORRUPTION: FIJI TIMES               PACNEWS 3: Thu 23 Jul 2026

Former DPP Pryde rejects FICAC claims, says he never evaded service of court documents

SUVA, 23 JULY 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Former Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde has rejected the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption’s claim that he evaded service of court documents, following the discontinuance of the criminal case against him.

In a statement issued after FICAC filed a nolle prosequi in the Magistrates’ Court, Pryde said he had been informed that the charges against him had been dropped and media reports had confirmed the development.

He disputed FICAC’s explanation that the case was discontinued because he was overseas and could not be served.

“This is untrue. FICAC and the Fijian government had my home address and have had multiple opportunities over the past year to serve me.”

Pryde alleged that staff from the Fiji High Commission in Wellington had visited his home and questioned his neighbours about his whereabouts while he was attending his mother’s funeral. He also claimed the Prime Minister had been informed of the incident.

He further said a process server had visited his home without identifying himself.

He also said that an appointment he had made to swear documents not related to this case at the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo was cancelled at short notice.

“Therefore, the claim by FICAC that I have evaded service is false.”

Pryde also denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the payments at the centre of the charges were administrative decisions involving the Judicial Services Commission and other senior officials.

“FICAC and the Attorney-General’s Office did nothing to expedite the matter until this morning when the charges were dropped, three years after the plan to remove me was first hatched by the current government.”

Despite his criticism of the handling of the matter, Pryde thanked Fijians for their support and reflected positively on his years of service.

“These Fijians are hard-working, highly competent, and unquestionably ethical. They represent the best Fiji has to offer.”

Pryde served as Fiji’s Director of Public Prosecutions for 18 years before leaving the civil service earlier this year…. PACNEWS

PACNEWS BIZ

NZ – RSE SCHEME: RNZ PACIFIC                  PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 23 Jul 2026

RSE scheme misconceptions pose big challenge for Fijians workers in New Zealand

WELLINGTON, 23 JULY 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — Misconceptions about the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in New Zealand is one of the biggest challenges facing Fijian workers, the country’s diplomatic coordinator says.

Fiji’s RSE scheme country liaison officer Greg Traill told RNZ Pacific these false impressions lead to confusions about worker rights, health and wellbeing, as well as the duration of their short-term work contracts.

However, Traill, who was appointed to the position in December 2025, said despite the challenges, there have been positive feedback from both local employers and the workers themselves during his visits to sites throughout Aotearoa.

Traill said he has heard from around 460 RSE workers in New Zealand during his visitations over the past six months – and that number is expected to grow to about 1000 over summer.

“I must say I’m very happy with the way our RSE workers have conducted themselves in this scheme, in regard to work productivity and commitment to saving money for their families back home in Fiji,” he said.

He thanked the New Zealand employers who he said, “are looking after our workers overall, which is a good thing to see”.

“I’m not saying there aren’t issues and some of the issues that I’ve experienced from my time visiting the workers is a lot of misconceptions about the RSE scheme from the Fijian diaspora and my job is to look after and advocate for the workers to ensure worker rights are well looked after.”

Traill is based in Auckland with the Fiji Trade Mission, which will convert into the new Fiji Consul Office from October.

He said health and wellbeing issues have been one of the areas that attracted a lot of queries from the Fijian workers, especially knowing their rights about working conditions, accommodation and working hours.

“Sometimes there’s questions about the pay and the working hours,” he said.

Traill said workers understanding that in New Zealand they are guaranteed a minimum of 30 hours weekly work was important for him to clarify every time the issue was raised.

“That is guaranteed perk hours, which is New Zealand labour law, especially for the RSE scheme.

“They are guaranteed 30 hours per week over the month of four weeks, which means they are guaranteed 120 hours paid, whether they work or not because it is seasonal work.”

Questions have also been raised about income tax returns, compared to those working under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

Traill said many workers believed they were entitled to tax returns.

“In the RSE scheme, our workers only pay a 10.5 percent rate, which is much lower than our ordinary New Zealanders, and they take much more money back home to Fiji, so they are not entitled to tax returns,” he said.

“That’s a recurring question that I encounter from all the groups that I visit.”

He said Fijian RSE workers have generally been good ambassadors for the country and their families, with dedication and commitment to their work, especially under the challenging winter weather conditions they are facing currently.

“I take my hat off to our Fijian workers in the regions from Northland down to Marlborough in the South Island, and up to Motuweka, who work tirelessly in the cold, especially in this New Zealand winter, which has been harsh this season,” he said.

“They have worked hard to save and send money back home to their families in Fiji and build a better life for themselves.”

However, there also some workers who tend to challenge the system and try to take the law into their own hands.

Traill said workers should use the support networks in place when they face challenges or are uncertain about issues.

“Within each RSE group of workers, there are team leaders and a pastoral care manager who look after the welfare of the workers,” he said.

“My advice is to seek advice early and do not let it fester. Contact me as your country liaison officer, as well as your team leader and pastoral care manager within the companies, so that we can attend to the issues that the workers are facing.”

He also expressed gratitude that workers are not absconding, as has been the base with some Fijian workers under the PALM scheme in Australia, adding that over the years there have been three or four cases of abscondment.

“We are very well behaved and stay within our conditions of a contract,” he added.

Traill said Fijians back in Fiji who plan to take up RSE work must bear in mind that it is seasonal work.

“It can vary from three months up to seven to nine months, compared to Australia, which is three to four years.

“So, within those time series, you’re expected to save money as much as you can, work hard and make your families proud, and look after them while you’re here.”

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Horticulture Conference 2026 will be held in Wellington from 27 to 29 July.

The conference will discuss the RSE scheme, kicking off with the Pre-RSE Conference on 27 July, and includes discussions on ‘Safeguading RSE’ and ‘RSE in Practice: Wellbeing, Partnerships and the Future of the Scheme’ on 28 July.

Workers will also be part of the conference, presenting their voices in a 29-morning session on ‘Voices of the Scheme: Workers and Employers’…. PACNEWS

GUAM – JONES ACT WAIVER: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES   PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 23 Jul 2026

‘Relief on paper, not relief in reality:’ Soon-to-expire Jones Act waiver too short to make a difference for Guam

HONOLULU, 23 JULY 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — U.S Rep Ed Case is seeking a new extension of the Jones Act waiver, which is set to expire on 15 August, citing continued global shipping disruptions, constrained fuel supply chains and spiking energy costs due to unabated conflict between the U.S and Iran.

“The waiver should be extended now rather than on the current expiration because contracts for the acquisition and shipping of fossil fuel products to U.S ports are signed well in advance of shipping and delivery,” the lawmaker from Hawaii said in a letter to President Trump.

While supporting Case’s proposed extension, Guam Sen. William Parkinson said the territory “does not appear to have received any meaningful benefit” from the current Jones Act suspension. 

“It was too short for suppliers to restructure contracts, charter vessels and move U.S fuel across the Pacific,” Parkinson said. 

“Temporary waivers are not the real solution. Guam and the territories should be permanently exempt from the Jones Act.”

Trump initially issued a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act on March 15, allowing foreign-flagged vessels to transport certain types of cargo between U.S. ports under specific conditions.  After expiring on 17 May, the waiver was extended for another 90 days.

“A waiver that expires before the fuel can reach Guam is relief on paper, not relief in reality,” Parkinson said. “We need an extended waiver or a permanent waiver that our utilities and local businesses can plan around and count on.”

An industry insider said the current waiver did not bring any additional shipping traffic to Guam, nor did it ease local energy prices given that the island sources most of its fuel from Asia. 

“For any impact to be realised, there should be a permanent waiver and a revamp to how fuel flows to the island” the source told the Pacific Island Times.

Economists warn of shrinking global oil reserves and spiraling prices if the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most vital artery for tanker traffic, remains

Parkinson said the territory would need every possible supply option if the Guam Power Authority could no longer import power plant fuel from Asia.

“We may have to turn to the Gulf of Mexico,” he said. “The Jones Act should not block Guam from accessing American fuel in an emergency.”

Also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, the Jones Act regulates maritime commerce in U.S waters and between U.S ports, restricting the transportation of goods to U.S-flagged vessels that are built domestically and manned by U.S crew.

“The Jones Act is one of the clearest economic disadvantages of Guam’s political status. It raises costs, limits competition and weakens our energy security,” Parkinson said.

In Washington, Case argued that the 1920 maritime law severely limits shipping options despite the widespread availability of shipping in the international markets.

For U.S jurisdictions separated from the U.S mainland, the restrictions result in costly shipping.

Case said the current waiver operates nationally to mitigate the effects of market disruption on energy availability and pricing.

However, he warned that failure to clarify the waiver’s time frame would seriously disrupt shipping options and prices with wide-ranging effects.

Case maintained that the waiver is especially needed in Hawai ‘i and other non-contiguous jurisdictions, which are largely reliant on external fossil fuel-based products for energy, agriculture, transportation and other key needs.

Case also highlighted to the president the extensive military presence in Hawai ‘i, which is largely dependent on the same sources of energy, fuel and other fossil fuel products as the civilian population. 

“The military in Hawai ‘i also depends on this same fuel network. Hawai ‘i is the Indo-Pacific home to every service: the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Space Force, along with a significant presence of our nation’s intelligence community,” Case said…. PACNEWS

PACNEWS In Focus

The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS

Japan and Australia are critical partners in the Pacific

By Derek Grossman

CANBERRA/TOKYO, 23 JULY 2026 (THE STRATEGIST) — Just hours after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Fiji on 6 July to agree enhance cooperation with the island state, Beijing fired a ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean.

Australia swiftly deplored the ‘provocative act’, and leaders of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea subsequently urged global superpowers to respect those who live in the Pacific and to refrain from threatening behaviour.

China’s growing assertiveness in the Pacific is clearly destabilising. And while the test was perhaps not as threatening to Australia as it was for the island states, Beijing’s actions serve as a reminder of why Australia must continue investing in its relationships with regional partners.

According to the Lowy Institute, Australia accounts for 38 percent of total aid flow to Pacific Island states over the past 15 years, dwarfing any other single donor. China’s 9 percent contribution certainly pales in comparison.

But Canberra is clear-eyed about the limits of aid alone. And, as Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy said in 2024, Canberra must move beyond the patron-client relationship it has at times defaulted to.

The significance of this shift should not be understated. China’s engagement with the islands has become increasingly transactional, while the Trump administration’s fixation on hard power has eroded the normative foundations underpinning frameworks like the Pacific Island Forum’s 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy.

Canberra’s approach offers a viable option for the Pacific islands, providing investment without the political baggage that has come to define the alternatives.

Canberra and Port Vila signed the Nakamal agreement on 29 June, which bars foreign military bases being set up in Vanuatu. The deal is the latest in a string of Australian bilateral agreements that includes the Vuvale Partnership with Fiji and earlier agreements with Nauru and Tuvalu.

But while this deepening relationship is a positive step, China is barrelling towards a 435-ship fleet by 2030 and shows no signs of curtailing its push into the Pacific.

For the Pacific islands, Australia is not the only partner offering a credible alternative. Japan, too, has sought to engage with the islands on a more equal footing.

Tokyo hosted the Japan-Pacific Islands Defence Dialogue in February, where Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called for the strengthening of the region’s interconnectivity. Four months later, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi affirmed at a summit in Tokyo that Japan would support island states in addressing climate risks. This is evidence of Japan using its growing diplomatic weight in the region.

Australia and Japan are already working together on one of the Pacific islands’ most pressing governance challenges. In the Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation, Canberra and Tokyo pledged to support Pacific Island countries in combatting money laundering through capacity-building initiatives.

But the alignment between the countries runs deeper. At a leaders’ summit in May, Takaichi and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed to elevating the bilateral security partnership to an even higher level, for example by pursuing closer defence cooperation and securing shared access to critical minerals.

Tokyo, for its part, has consistently championed its vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. First envisioned more than a decade ago, this ideal seeks to uphold the rule of law and prevent coercion in the Indo-Pacific region, goals that align squarely with Canberra’s.

During a trip to Vietnam in May, Takaichi committed Japan to playing a ‘more proactive role than ever before’ in supporting an international order based on the principle of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Koizumi echoed this sentiment at the Shangri-La Dialogue, where he unveiled a revised vision of the concept founded on trust, transparency and dialogue.

But securing that vision carries hard costs. Under Takaichi, Tokyo’s defence budget has exceeded AUD$78 billion (US$54.51 billion) for the first time. The expedited revision of Japan’s three strategic documents and Tokyo’s participation in the multinational Balikatan military exercise further signal to Australia and other partners that Japan is committed to upholding the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

In recognition of the increasingly important security partnership with Tokyo, Australia’s 2024 National Defence Strategy identified Japan as an ‘indispensable partner for achieving regional peace and prosperity’.

But deterring China in the region and upholding the principle of sovereignty throughout the Indo-Pacific will require continued and expanded collaboration.

In particular, sea lines of communication are likely to remain hotly contested. And while Australia and New Zealand are expected to play a leading role in providing training focused on protecting those lines, Japan is geographically and technically well placed to support.

Every partner Canberra brings into the fold reinforces the strength of the rules-based international order against an increasingly assertive Beijing that is looking to expand military activities even further into the Pacific.

Japan and Australia already enjoy a relationship built on decades of trust and partnership, but bilateral cooperation can be taken further. In the Pacific, this will be critical to defending Pacific Island sovereignty and upholding a regional framework based on mutual prosperity and security…. PACNEWS

Derek Grossman is founder and chief analyst of Indo-Pacific Solutions, a consulting firm that covers regional geopolitics. He is a professor of the practice of political science and international relations at the University of Southern California and an expert on U.S–China competition.

PACNEWS DIGEST

The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS

Teachers in Kiribati are preparing students for a digital future

TARAWA, 23 JULY 2026 (UNESCO) — Inside a year 8 classroom at TUC 1 Junior Secondary School in South Tarawa, teacher Aroito Tetuai explains technologies his students have never had the opportunity to use.

Like many teachers across Kiribati, he has long relied on textbooks, diagrams and imagination to explain concepts such as satellites, computers and digital communication. Across the island nation, limited infrastructure, unreliable electricity and weak internet connectivity have made access to digital learning a challenge for many schools.

Community studies, one of the few subjects at junior secondary level where technology is formally introduced, covers topics ranging from satellites and communication systems to digital tools and community development. Yet without devices, internet access or practical resources, lessons can only go so far and teachers like Aroito have had to find creative ways to bring technology lessons to life.

“We explain satellites without photos, videos or real tools,” said fellow year 8 teacher Raen Bwauro. “”But students develop their knowledge by seeing real things and using real tools.”

Dreaming of the future

Teina*, a 13-year-old student at TUC 1 Junior Secondary School, listened with fascination as Aroito explained how technology connects people and communities across great distances—concepts she understood in theory but had never experienced herself. Like many of her classmates, she had never used a computer at school.

When asked what she hoped to become one day, she answered without hesitation: “A nurse.” Would knowing how to use a computer help her achieve that dream? She smiled and nodded. “Yes. Because in the hospital, they use computers for everything.”

For Teina, the connection was clear. Digital skills were not simply about technology; they were part of the future she hoped to build.

Her classmates shared dreams of becoming pilots, doctors, police officers and teachers. They were eager, curious and ready to learn, yet their school had not yet given them the opportunity to develop the digital skills they knew they would need. 

“Most of the students enjoy learning about technology,” Aroito said. “Maybe at home they see computers from their parents, or brothers and sisters. But they don’t have practice in school.”

Turning ambition into opportunity

That is something TUC 1 is hoping to change. The school is one of ten schools across Kiribati selected as model schools under the Kiribati ICT Transformation of Education Systems (KITES) project—a US$2.5 million system transformation grant funded by GPE. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) serves as the coordinating agency, while UNESCO is implementing the project in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

“When I heard the school was selected, I felt hopeful,” Aroito said. “I thought maybe our students will finally get to use these tools themselves.”

For students like Teina, KITES means access to ICT devices, reliable internet connectivity and solar-powered infrastructure. For teachers, it means dedicated support through the Kiribati Teachers College to build their digital skills and bring technology confidently into everyday lessons. 

For the Ministry of Education, it means better data on schools, students and what is working, so that decisions about resources and support are grounded in evidence. 

The project’s ambition extends beyond a single school. The model school approach is designed to generate practical lessons that can be adapted and scaled across Kiribati, including in some of the country’s most remote communities, where access to even basic learning resources cannot be taken for granted. What works at TUC 1 is intended to help shape the future of the wider education system.

For teachers like Aroito, the significance goes beyond equipment and connectivity. It is about giving students the chance to learn through experience and helping them believe that the futures they imagine are within reach.

“I know that helping the students in this situation is very hard,” he reflected. “But you need a good heart that can bring our children to a better future.”

For Teina, sitting quietly in a classroom in South Tarawa, pen in hand and dreaming of becoming a nurse, things may soon change. Instead of only learning about technology, she may soon have the chance to use it for the first time…. PACNEWS

PACNEWS DIGEST

The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS

UNESCO supports Nauru in completing its first World Heritage International Assistance Project

YAREN, 23 JULY 2026 (UNESCO) — UNESCO has supported the successful completion of the Republic of Nauru’s first International Assistance project under the World Heritage Convention, marking a significant milestone for the Pacific Small Island Developing State (SIDS) following its accession to the Convention in 2024.

Supported through the World Heritage Fund, the project has strengthened national capacities for implementing the World Heritage Convention by enhancing the understanding of its principles and mechanisms among national stakeholders, fostering dialogue and collaboration across government institutions, and establishing a stronger foundation for the identification, protection and sustainable management of Nauru’s cultural and natural heritage.

The project also resulted in an assessment of priority heritage sites and recommendations towards potential World Heritage nomination, recommendations to strengthen the national heritage framework, and the preparation of a draft five-year workplan for heritage conservation, which provides a practical roadmap for future action. The plan outlines priority measures such as the systematic documentation of heritage sites, the establishment of a National Heritage Committee, the strengthening of the national legislative framework, public awareness and interpretation initiatives, the integration of heritage into school curricula, and greater community engagement and partnerships to support the long-term conservation of Nauru’s cultural and natural heritage.

This project builds on the significant progress achieved since Nauru became the 196th State Party to the World Heritage Convention in July 2024. Following the approval of its first International Assistance request in February 2025, UNESCO supported the first national consultation meeting on the World Heritage Convention in May 2025, which introduced the Convention and the International Assistance project to national stakeholders and established a roadmap for its implementation. The successful completion of this project marks a further step in consolidating Nauru’s efforts to strengthen the conservation and management of its rich cultural and natural heritage.

Implemented by the Naoero Museum under the Department of National Heritage, with the technical support of UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific States in Apia, as well as international experts, the project included a seven-day field mission to Nauru in February 2026. Experts conducted site inspections of potential cultural and natural heritage sites across the island, held consultations and workshops with government agencies, community representatives and other stakeholders, reviewed the National Heritage Act and related legislation and developed recommendations to strengthen the national heritage framework.

As a Pacific Small Island Developing State, Nauru faces unique opportunities and challenges in safeguarding its rich cultural and natural heritage. UNESCO remains committed to supporting Nauru as it implements the World Heritage Convention through continued technical cooperation, capacity building and international partnerships. Building on the achievements of this first International Assistance project, UNESCO will continue to work closely with the Government of Nauru and national stakeholders to strengthen heritage conservation, promote the sustainable management of cultural and natural heritage, and support the country’s future engagement with the World Heritage Convention…. PACNEWS