Two Kiribati fishermen successfully rescued at sea
The Royal New Zealand Air Force has successfully located two Kiribati fishermen who had been missing at sea for six days. The two men, according to a brief statement, were found in their dinghy shortly after arriving in
Over half-a-million tickets sold for FIFA Women’s World Cup
As preparations for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand reach their final stages, FIFA has announced that more than 500,000 tickets have already been sold — but don’t fear, more are on
Australia is finalising a new security pact with PNG
The leaders of Australia and neighboring Papua New Guinea said last Thursday they are finalising a new security treaty — a move that comes as a challenge to China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Last year,
Pacific leaders to identify the next PIF Secretary General soon
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) says it will continue to ‘offer an olive branch to Kiribati’ as the five-member Micronesia nation grouping prepares to name a candidate to replace Henry Puna as Secretary
The late Brij Lal to finally return home
After 12 years in exile, the late Professor Brij Vilash Lal is returning home to Tabia in the Fijian province of Macuata on Saturday, February 25. Funeral rituals will be held at Tabia Sanatan College from 12.30-2pm
The power of one vote: Fiji PM Rabuka
Fiji’s new Prime Minister visited parliament in his new capacity this week. “The Honourable Speaker and I were both voted into office by the power of one vote,” he reminded parliamentary staff. “When you
Owen soars high with Solomon Airlines
Solomon Airlines has promoted one of its female pilots to Captain the national carrier’s largest domestic aircraft – Dash 8. Lyndah Tito Owen was Dash 8 First Officer before officially receiving her Captain’s
Fiji Votes For Change
On Christmas Eve, Fijians at home and abroad paused in their Christmas preparations to watch the country’s newly-minted parliamentarians vote for their new Prime Minister. It followed days of delicate negotiations
Fiji votes: MOG explains limits of its mandate
The Multinational Observer Group (MOG) monitoring the Fiji election says it did not observe any significant irregularities or issues during pre-polling, postal voting or election day voting. However, some political
Whispers
RSE scrutiny In New Zealand, a report by Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo into the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme has prompted the country’s immigration
Pacific People 2022: Dr Robin Mitchell
The confirmation of Dr Robin Mitchell as President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) was a huge achievement not only for his homeland of Fiji and the island of Rotuma, but for the wider Pacific
Pacific People 2022: Women At The Helm
The three key Pacific Islands fisheries organisations head into 2023 with competent, charismatic women at the helm. Rhea Moss-Christian of the Republic of the Marshall Islands now heads the Western and Central Pacific
CNMI elects first Independent Governor and Lt. Governor
This January, the Northern Mariana Islands will welcome its first independent governor and lieutenant governor, after a heated gubernatorial runoff election between Governor Ralph DLG Torres and his former running mate,
Scientists challenge Japan ocean dumping plan
In early 2023, Japan plans to begin dumping 1.3 million tonnes of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear reactor into the Pacific Ocean. Fiercely opposed by local fishermen, seaweed farmers and
Fukushima and Fish
Time stands still in the Pacific - it's what attracts tourists. But in December 2022, the clock is ticking towards Japan's planned release of more than 1.2 million tonnes of radioactive cooling water into the Pacific
Opinion: Fijian fish workers in foreign owned fishing boats
In the Pacific Island countries including of course Fiji, fishing plays a critical role in people’s livelihoods. Fisherfolks, be they subsistence fishers, artisan fishers, or workers in commercial and industrial
Ovalau Agro PV Project: A model for Fiji
Four more Agrophotovoltaic (APV) projects are planned for Fiji, according to the developer of the Ovalau APV, which is currently in the final stages of negotiations, with construction planned for early next year. “We
Turning the camera on Life On The Rock
Niuean Jerrard Hekau is bringing life on ‘the Rock’ to the world through his growing YouTube channel, ‘Life on the Rock – Niue Island’. Through clips and videos he narrates, Hekau gives insights into farming,
Briefs
American SamoaA new submarine cable between Samoa and American Samoa has been agreed, to further enhance Internet and communications connectivity. The MOU states that the cable will run between Upolu and Tutuila and
Opinion: Republic of Korea-Pacific Islands relations step up
The Republic of Korea (ROK) and 12 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) opted to step-up their relations after the fifth meeting of their respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs that was held in Busan, ROK, last October.
Movers and Shakers
Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu is the World Health Organisation’s new Chief Nursing Officer. In 2019, Dr Tuipulotu became Tonga’s first female Minister for Health, and has been a member of the WHO Executive
Race for PNG head of state
Papua New Guinea is on the cusp of voting in their first female Governor General (GG) after nominations for the post lapsed on Tuesday afternoon. In the running are only three familiar names. Former PNG High
FijiFirst clarifies it’s still in govt until election of PM
FijiFirst General Secretary, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has spoken out for the first time after the result of the election was made public on Sunday – clarifying that Voreqe Bainimarama and his cabinet remain in government
