World Press Freedom Day: Advancing Pacific anti-corruption efforts through Teieniwa Vision
Being an anti-corruption partner is a long-time commitment, just like the Teieniwa Vision, says Kiribati investigative journalist Rimon Rimon. In February 2020, the inaugural Pacific Leaders Regional Anti-Corruption
How Tonga strikes a balance between king and democracy
The Pacific’s last remaining monarchy has taken a unique approach to balancing executive powers between the king and the parliament, Mele Tupou Vaitohi reveals. Tonga knows how to do coronations. When the current
World Press Freedom Day: Fiji success leads celebrations in 2023
The human rights context of journalism is essential for realising all other rights, and is a timely theme for the WPFD annual celebrations, says Pacific watchdog, the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF). Speaking on this
Suidani ousted from post ‘after turning down Chinese bribes’
Daniel Suidani, an outspoken critic of the Solomon Islands’ closer ties with China, was ousted as premier of Malaita in early February after refusing “huge” bribes from Chinese businesses who threatened to have
75 percent of overdrawn BSP accounts settled in PNG
BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) group chief executive officer Mark Robinson, says as of Mondays the bank has recouped 75 percent of funds that were overdrawn in April, with an outstanding balance of less than K2
PNGX to adopt new listing rules and increase standard
Papua New Guinea’s national stock exchange (PNGX) will adopt new listing rules from 03 July. Chairman David Lawrence said the new listing rules were a key step towards the development of a more effective secondary
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
