Values, flexibility and digitisation

Global HR trends and the Pacific Global trends in human resources and recruitment include a greater focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts, recruiting for skills and adaptability (not just formal

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Labour mobility under research spotlight

When Samoa’s Prime Minister told returning seasonal workers last year, “I want Samoa to be a place where people want to live,” it highlighted the dilemma facing not just Samoa, but a number of other Pacific

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Pacific labour mobility: Weaving Fiji-Marshallese links

After six years in the Marshall Islands, Fijian Verenaisi Bavadra says, “I feel to have contributed to the development of education in the Marshall Islands in my own little field.” The Library Director at College of

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Briefs

American SamoaThe American Samoa government ordered the closure of all day care centres in the territory on June 14, until further notice to curb the spread of a respiratory virus. The closure was approved by Lt. Gov.

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Yoyo Tuki: Proud cultural ambassador of Rapa Nui

Easter Island or Rapa Nui—which lies 3700km from Chile to the east and 4000 from Tahiti to the west—is famous for its ancestral sculptors who created the ancient colossal Moai stone statues. Their progeny, Jorge

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Movers and Shakers

Fiji’s Esala Nayasi is the new Deputy Secretary General – Strategic Policy & Programming at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. He joins the Forum from Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was

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Tourism recovery is going to be harder for Palau

Tourism recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic for Palau will be harder than before due to significant policy changes in some of Palau’s key tourism markets and a more competitive global tourism market. Director Kristy

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MSG a vibrant group despite challenge: Vanuatu Foreign Minister

The fever of the gathering of the Melanesian family through the upcoming 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFEST) began last week with the gathering of Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) foreign Ministers at

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PNG Trade Minister Maru wants Trukai sale probed

The Papua New Guinea Government has directed the Securities Commission of PNG to investigate the sale to an Australian company of a substantial local shareholding in Trukai Industries. International Trade and Investment

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Pentagon ordered to probe undersea mining to counter China

The Metals Company, a mineral explorer of the Pacific Ocean floor, is welcoming United States Congressional efforts to elevate contentious undersea mining to help achieve battery metal independence from

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“Tough” Budget passed in Cook Islands Parliament

Cook Islands Parliament has officially passed the Budget after a grueling two-week session. Prime Minister Mark Brown praised the work of all parliamentarians over the past fortnight. It was the first time the Budget

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Congressmen angry that Bikini islanders’ nuclear trust fund may have been ‘squandered’

Following widespread media coverage of the collapse of what was a more than US$70 million trust fund for Bikini islanders displaced by American nuclear weapons testing, the United States Congress has demanded answers

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Australia appoints first special envoy for the Pacific

A new special envoy role will help Australia strengthen its already strong bond with the Pacific, the federal government says. Ewen McDonald, a senior foreign affairs department official, will take on the inaugural role

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Latin America leads resistance to global shipping emission tax

At crunch talks in London, Latin American nations led by Brazil have fought against a tax on the emissions of the global shipping sector. The media is not allowed to watch the talks, hosted by the United Nation’s

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Gulf oil states on a Pacific charm offensive

Gulf oil states are using their vast wealth to build influence across the far-flung South Pacific, experts have told AFP, tearing a page straight out of China’s Belt and Road playbook. Saudi Arabia and the United

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IAEA chief to visit South Korea, Cook Islands, NZ over Japan’s treated nuclear plant water

The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plans to visit South Korea, the Cook Islands and New Zealand in July, regarding the ocean discharge of treated water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear

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Masiu: Free media must always be the pinnacle of democracy

Papua New Guinea Minister for Communication & Information Technology, Timothy Masiu, has again assured that the anticipated PNG Media Development Policy is not meant to ban or regulate media. His latest comments

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Solomon Islands Maritime Association wants justice on tax levy for shipping industry

Solomon Islands Maritime Association (SIMTA) wants justice in the Solomon Islands Government’s (SIG) tax levy on fares and freights imposed on seafarers and the shipping industry. It was reported the tax levy is very

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IAEA urged not to endorse Japan’s water dumping plan

China urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday not to endorse Japan’s plan to discharge polluted radioactive water from the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific

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CSOs raise concerns over proposed tax hikes, retirement funds

On the eve of the first budget of Fiji’s coalition government, civil society organisations say they are disappointed with World Bank recommendations to phase out support for the sugar sector and increase taxation.

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Jetstar launches new route to Cook Islands

Australian travellers can now pay a stopover-free visit to the Cook Island’s famous turquoise shores with the launch of new direct flights. The new Jetstar service takes off as Pacific Island travel demand spikes in

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Tonga Parliament passes deficit Budget for 2023-2024

Tonga’s parliament passed the national Annual Budget for FY2023-2024 of $784.2 million pa’anga (US$332 million) Wednesday with 14-0 votes. The biggest budget allocation in the Budget Estimates 2023-2024 is for the

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Guam A-G on typhoon recovery: ‘We’ve been living like cave people’

Guam’s Office of the Attorney General is investigating aspects of the government’s typhoon recovery response, including problems with the public water supply after the storm. “This disaster recovery was

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Australia to provide funding support for Solomon Islands election

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had a bilateral meeting with the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Richard Marles Wednesday. The Australian DPM used the official engagement to

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