Movers and Shakers
Vanuatu has sworn in its 13th parliament. Ishmael Kalsakau is the country’s newly elected Prime Minister with Sato Kilman appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Lands. Other cabinet ministers include: John
Kite Pareti
70 percent of Govt servers recovered: PM Kalsakau
Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau confirmed Wednesday afternoon that 70 percent of the Government servers have been recovered. Partial access to government systems have been restored and that includes; government
Wellington happy to help Cook Islands join UN
The New Zealand government says the country will offer assistance if the Cook Islands bids to join the United Nations. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has previously said his country could pursue UN membership to
USD$100m needed to achieve Samoa’s renewable energy goals
Samoa needs approximately another USD$100 million in capital to achieve its goal of generating 70 percent of its energy needs by renewable energy sources by 2030. This is according to the Chief Engineer of the Electric
MOG will judge if Fijians can vote ‘freely and easily’: Wojciechowski
But won’t rule on ‘fairness’, as this is ‘highly subjective’ The Coordinator of the Multinational Observer Group (MOG) observing Fiji’s elections, Australian Paul Wojciechowski, says modern observer missions
Opinion: Towards a new Australian development policy
This is an edited extract from the opening address delivered by the Hon Pat Conroy MP at the Australasian AID Conference (AAC2022) on Tuesday 29 November. This conference has grown into a pre-eminent fixture on
Low measles immunisation in Pacific, WHO warns
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it’s working with local and international consultants to promote Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccines in the Pacific. Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage
Commercial banks in PNG oppose new increase in tax
Two major commercial banks in Papua New Guinea have opposed the 45 percent tax on the banking sector to come into effect next year. BSP Financial Group Limited chief executive officer, Robin Fleming said as BSP
PNG Govt pass US$6.8 billion budget
Another year, another record deficit budget for Papua New Guinea. On Tuesday, Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey presented his long awaited 2023 money plan to Parliament – with a price tag of K24 billion (US$6.8 billion).
Final defects programme to ‘complete’ US$56m Raratonga project
The final defects programme for the Rarotonga water project should be completed in December, bringing an end to the “nearly” $90 million (US$56 million) project. Financial secretary Garth Henderson told Cook Islands
Fiji 2022 elections: Pre-Poll voting begins December 5th
The Fijian Elections Office has announced today Pre-Poll Voting for the 2022 Fiji General Election begins from Monday, December 5, 2022. Fiji’s Electoral Act allows for votes to be cast early in remote locations
Australia’s Team Up expanding to Pacific Games host city
A sports development programme, ran by the Australian Government, is expanding to the Solomon Islands prior to the 2023 Pacific Games. Team Up, comprising of more than 30 partnerships across the Asia-Pacific, aims to
PNG Parliament to consider use of three main languages
The National Parliament will consider allowing the translation of parliamentary proceedings, Assistant Speaker Agena Gamai said. Gamai said in response to questions without notice from Morobe Governor Luther Wenge to
StarKist Samoa to hire Samoan graduates
Starkist Samoa is targeting students graduating from Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) at the National University of Samoa (NUS). Samoa’s government owned newspaper reported that a partnership to
Mauna Loa: World’s largest active volcano erupts in Hawaii
The world’s largest active volcano, Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, has erupted for the first time in almost 40 years. The lava flow is mostly contained within the summit, but residents have been placed on alert and
Pacific Tuna fisheries may lose certification, MSC warns
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has warned 33 MSC-certified tuna fisheries in the region may lose certification if the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) fails to adopt management measures of
Damages from Solomon Islands earthquake reach US$223,858
The 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands last Tuesday has left an estimated total loss of roughly around $1.85 million (US$223,858.48) from damages it caused to buildings in Honiara. This
Niue Premier indicates an early general election in 2023
Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi has indicated his preference for an early election in the first quarter of next year. Speaking on News of the Week programme on Friday, Premier Tagelagi said he intends to invoke article 26
WCPFC meet after three years due to COVID-19
The Executive Director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Feleti Teo says the Commission was severely challenged to adapt and to adjust to a new working environment dictated by the
Vanuatu Citizenship programme under investigation
New locks have been installed on doors at the Citizenship Office in Port Vila as the Vanuatu Government initiates an investigation into the lucrative Citizenship Programme. This was disclosed by Prime Minister Ishmael
Marstella Jack is PIANGO’s New Board Chair
The Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisation (PIANGO) convened its Council after it was delayed from 2019 due to COVID-19 threats. Twenty of the 24-member country representatives of PIANGO network
Samoan weightlifters smash Oceania records
Two Samoan weightlifters have set new Oceania records at the New Zealand national championships in Mt Maunganui. Don Opeloge, who is the 2022 Commonwealth Games Gold medalist in the men’s 96kg class, set three new
Bi-partisan Parliament committee to better PNG electoral process
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape wants a bi-partisan parliamentary committee to work immediately on a submission to go before cabinet next year 2023, on how to improve the country’s electoral process. With
