Australia and NZ sending cyclone relief to Vanuatu

Australia and New Zealand are sending humanitarian supplies to Vanuatu after the nation was hit by two cyclones within days of each other. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced the departure of a Royal New

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Historic deal to protect high seas finally reached at UN

It has been almost two decades in the making but on Saturday night in New York, after days of gruelling round-the-clock talks, UN member states finally agreed on a treaty to protect the high seas. A full day after the

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Physicality, comradery and challenge: Liz Patu

Liz Patu is a former Australia Wallaroos captain and the most- capped Test player in the team’s history, with 33 international Test matches. The tight-head prop shares some highlights of her journey as she paved the

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PNG Hunters overcome Kaiviti Silktails in first Melanesian Bowl

A second half hat-trick by front-rower Junior Rop underpinned the PNG Hunters’ strong 26-12 win over the Kaiviti Silktails to claim the inaugural Melanesian Bowl at Fiji’s Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka on Saturday. The

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Countering China’s Pacific Ambitions

Like empires past, Xi Jinping’s China seeks three grand prizes in the Pacific: wealth, control and presence. Australia and other Pacific nations have recognised the nature and scope of this neocolonial ambition and

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Briefs

American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s criminal justice planning agency has been awarded US$431,794 in federal funds for crisis intervention and drug control efforts. Earlier this month, Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs,

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Movers and Shakers

The Oceania Customs Organisation has appointed Nancy Tati Oraka-Pomoso to be its Head of Secretariat, who becomes the first female Papua New Guinean to lead the organisation in its 24-year history. She replaces Richard

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Palau organisation makes support go a long way

The people of Palau are still picking up the pieces that Super Typhoon Surigae left behind in 2021. Coupled with the impacts of climate change, including ocean acidification, flooding, and coastal erosion, the longer

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Honouring the water: Vanuatu’s water drummers

In the land where there are hundreds of indigenous languages, one stands out, the unique language of women’s water drumming, or Ëtëtung.  Sandy Sur, manager of the Leweton Culture Village & Magical Water

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IHG set to open new hotel in Palau

IHG Hotels & Resorts on Monday signed a management agreement with Palau Coral Club to open a new hotel on Malakal Island. The proposed Hotel Indigo Palau is targeted for opening either in late 2024 or early 2025. 

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Additional $252m needed to resuscitate economy, says Tonga PM

Tonga’s Prime Minister acknowledged the strong commitment of Tonga’s development partners and donors and said financial assistance is still needed to ensure a prosperous Tonga, on opening the Development

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Indonesia vows restraint as troops surround rebels holding NZ pilot

Security forces in Indonesia’s restive Papua region have surrounded separatists holding captive a New Zealand pilot, but will exercise restraint while negotiations for his release continue, a top security official

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UN head says high seas treaty must be ‘ambitious’

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres urged countries Wednesday to agree a “robust and ambitious” treaty to protect the high seas, as time starts to run out for negotiators. After 15 years of formal and informal

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Kina Bank recorded net profit of K106 million last year

Papua New Guinea’s Kina Bank recorded a net profit of K106.1 million (US$30.1 million) last year — an increase of 11 percent compared to the previous corresponding period. Managing director and chief executive

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CEO Alabaster exits Air Niugini

Papua New Guinea’s national airline company Air Niugini Limited’s chief executive officer Bruce Alabaster has stepped down from his position. Air Niugini chairman Sir Kostas Contantinou announced that Alabaster

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Establishment of Cook Islands Human Rights Institute gains momentum

Cook Islands Ombudsman Niki Rattle has returned from a conference in Fiji with fresh ideas as the office looks to establish a Human Rights Institute for the Cook Islands. The Pacific Regional Forum on National Human

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New Pacific air route lands in Palau

There is excitement in the air in Palau as the first flight of a weekly service from Australia kicks off. Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr said flights connecting Brisbane to Palau through PNG began on

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Suspended PNG MP Kramer found guilty for alleged misconduct

The Papua New Guinea leadership tribunal inquiring into misconduct allegations against suspended Madang MP Bryan Kramer today found Kramer guilty on seven of the 12 allegations of misconduct against him. Initially,

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Impressive results excite new BSP boss

New BSP Financial Group chief executive officer, Mark Robinson is impressed with steady results produced by BSP Group, not just for one year but for a longer period of time. He said the result does not only reflect a

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PNG, Australia sign agreement to review forestry sector

Papua New Guinea’s Forest Authority (PNGFA) has successfully signed a cooperative memorandum of understanding with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to review and reform the forestry

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Ocean Summit aims to secure pledges

Experts, ministers and philanthropists from around the world are meeting in Panama this Thursday and Friday in search of funding and new commitments to promote the “blue” economy, expand marine protected areas and

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K100,000 paid for trio’s release: Tsiamalili MP

A ransom of K100,000 (US$28,000) was paid to armed bandits to secure the release of Australian-based Professor Bryce Barker and two local female researchers on Sunday, says Papua New Guinea Internal Security Minister

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UN sets date for loss and damage talks

The United Nations has set a date for crunch talks over funding for climate victims despite Asia-Pacific developing countries’ failure to nominate their two representatives. The move piles pressure on the block to

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Cyclone Judy lashes Vanuatu as residents hunker down

Residents of Vanuatu are hunkering down as a cyclone barrels through the Pacific island nation. Authorities said there were power outages in some areas and many fallen trees and branches, but it was too early to assess

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