South Auckland dawn raid criticised by Pacific community leader
Pacific community leader is “appalled” that a Pasifika overstayer was detained in a dawn raid in South Auckland last month. Police showed up at the Tongan national’s home at 5am on 19 April and took him into
U.S. set to open new embassy in Tonga this month
The United States is on track to open a new embassy in Tonga this month, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said on Tuesday, part of efforts to step up its diplomatic presence in the Pacific region to counter China.
World Press Freedom Day: Tell the truth without fear or favour -SG Puna
The 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the role of journalists whose first rule is to uphold the news creed – to tell the truth without fear or favour, to serve the public
PNG hopes to sign defence agreement during Biden visit
Papua New Guinea hopes to sign a defense cooperation agreement with the United States during President Joe Biden’s stop over in the Pacific island nation this month. Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape
Gold Coast to host 2023 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship
Four nations will battle for supremacy in the region’s pinnacle premier women’s rugby competition, the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship. The Gold Coast City Council and Bond University, with support
World Rugby Pacific Challenge ready to return in Apia
Samoa will host a men’s international tournament this week for the first time in 13 years. Returning for the first time since 2020, the Pacific Challenge will pit Manuma Samoa, Fiji Warriors, Tonga A and Junior Japan
World Press Freedom Day: The fight for press freedom is a fight for us all
Newsrooms are still fighting to honour press freedom despite government pressure, competition with social media platforms and declining trust in the media, says Shahirah Hamid. It has been 30 years since the UN General
World Press Freedom Day: When journalists are targets, we all suffer
Autocrats know that controlling the media is the first step in controlling the population. It’s why journalists are increasingly in the firing line, writes Professor Peter Greste. As we mark the 30th anniversary
World Press Freedom Day: The threats astroturfing has on the media’s future
Without relying on the media to put them in good light, politicians are finding ways to influence people through digital astroturfing, says Benjamin YH Loh. In 2022, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr won the
Biden to visit PNG on May 22, says PM Marape
United States President Joe Biden will visit Papua New Guinea on 22 May, says Prime Minister James Marape. Biden will have a meeting with Marape during his three-hour stop-over in Port Moresby. Marape did not say what
Cultural importance behind decision not to restrict kava use in NZ, as Australia tightens rules urgently
A Pacific kava expert has praised the government for not restricting its use, despite the Australian government urgently tightening their rules. Last year, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) agreed to amend
Samoa Health Director confident no repeat of 2019 measles epidemic
The Director General of Health, Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma is confident that Samoa will not see a repetition of the measles crisis of 2019. The Ministry has put in place stringent travel requirements as neighbouring American
China surprised by Fiji move
China was surprised when the new Fijian Government scrapped the deal between the Chinese police and their own police force. Chinese Government Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Qian Bo told the Samoa Observer
Deep-seabed mining is creating a noisy problem for Australia — and it’s only getting louder
Given the exponential threats it poses to the marine environment, deep seabed mining is destined to become a contentious global environmental issue. The risks are significant enough to make a mockery of any
Olympic champion Adams urges Brisbane 2032 to ensure legacy for Oceania
New Zealand’s double Olympic shot put champion Dame Valerie Adams has urged organisers of the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics in Brisbane to ensure the Games benefit the entire Oceania region and not just Australia.
Pro-independence forces win elections on French Polynesia
Pro-independence forces won elections on France’s Pacific territory of French Polynesia, giving them control of affairs on the archipelagos for the next five years and opening the way to a possible referendum on
Australia would be smart to recruit soldiers in the Pacific, former Fijian British Army officer explains
Fiji has a track record of service to the British crown. Travel to Hereford, where the Special Air Service is based, and you will find a statue of Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba, who was one of the 212 Fijians who joined
Suspended PNG Immigration Minister dismissed from office
Suspended Member for Madang and Papua New Guinea Immigration Minister, Bryan Kramer has been dismissed from office Monday by the Leadership Tribunal inquiring in to charges of misconduct in office against him. He has
Vanuatu chief urges countries to clean up climate change mess
“My people have not caused this climate change and we challenge those (countries) that have caused it to clean it up. “I thank Denmark for standing with Vanuatu at the United Nations General Assembly on its
Tax the rich, not the poor: former RBF governor Narube
Unity Party leader, Savenaca Narube, is concerned that proposed goods tax increases punishes the people for the sins of the previous government. The former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji says a proposed
Blues get crucial Fijian Drua win
The Blues have kept pace with the top four with a 30-14 win over the Fijian Drua. It’s the first time the Drua have been defeated at home in 2023 as Leon McDonald’s men get their third win in a row. Both teams
Tonga earn third PacificAus Sports Netball Series title against Malawi
Tonga earned their third PacificAus Sports Netball Series title on the Gold Coast in Australia, beating Malawi by 13 goals in the final. The tournament at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre served as a warm up for
Fijiana Drua stun Waratahs to book place in Super W Final
The fourth-ranked Fijiana Drua scored 20 unanswered points to stun the previous unbeaten Waratahs in a rematch of last year’s final. Centre Vana Arei scored a double, including the match-winner in the 69th minute to
