Milk goats and soaps
From her garage-turned-lab, entrepreneur Beatrice Nast is creating Fiji’s first soap made from pure goat milk. The current president of the Society of Fiji Travel Associates, Nast has worn many hats during her tourism
Kite Pareti
Movers and Shakers
NASFUND PNG’s longest serving CEO Ian Tarutia has announced his retirement in March 2023. For almost 35 years, Tarutia has served the fund and its predecessor, the National Provident Fund. Fiji-born Lisa Tai has
Former Fiji opposition leader Jai Ram Reddy dies
Former Fiji leader of the opposition, judge and political trailblazer, Jai Ram Reddy has died. Reddy, 85, passed away in Auckland on Monday night. He was born in Lautoka in 1937 and had a long and illustrious career as
Indonesian fishing boat captain shooting in PNG to be investigated
Indonesia has lodged a diplomatic protest with Papua New Guinea after the alleged shooting of an Indonesian fishing boat captain last week. Indonesian Ambassador to PNG, Adriana Suprandy confirmed this last night and
Pacific fisheries observers deployment to resume in January 2023
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) said that it will lift the moratorium on the fisheries observer coverage in the region by January 2023. In a Circular Memo in June, WCPFC stated that the
Kina Bank PNG announced a K45.6 million profit
Papua New Guinea’s Kina Bank has announced a K45.6 million (US$12.9 million) net profit after tax, as of August 29, 2022. The Board said that this is an increase of 15%, compared to the prior corresponding period
Opinion: Solomon Islands, a blueprint to stop a cycle of strife
Allowing more power for the provinces under a decentralised system of governance will be a step towards stability. In November last year, Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara erupted into three days of riots, resulting in
Kiribati govt labels NZ judges ‘very biased’ over Lambourne case
Three New Zealand judges have been branded “very biased” by the Kiribati government, after a dramatic attempt to deport a fellow judge failed. In July, Kiribati suspended Judge Bill Hastings, a New Zealand judge
USP Emalus Campus to resolve internet problem
The Director of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Emalus Campus, Dr Andrew McKenzie, believes that a stable and effective contract with the Vanuatu government is the way forward to avoid the ongoing internet
Marshall Islands praised for ‘unprecedented’ COVID response
United States-based medical doctors praised the Marshall Islands for an “unprecedented” response to its first COVID outbreak, as the positive case numbers declined dramatically this week after a record-setting first
New financial solution to strengthen accountability and service delivery in Kiribati
A new Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) for Kiribati is expected to usher in a new era of efficiency in public service delivery and accountability for the island nation. Specifically
Guam governor Guerrero wins primary election
The incumbent team of Lou Leon Guerrero and Josh Tenorio captured 54% of the total votes cast for both Democratic and Republican candidates in Saturday’s gubernatorial primary election in Guam. Voter turnout was a
Vanuatu Dissolution to be contested September 2
The constitutional case filed by 27 former Vanuatu Members of Parliament (MPs) challenging the legality of the Council of Minister’s (COM) advice for Parliament dissolution, is now set for hearing next Friday.
The Pacific e-commerce portal: Getting Pacific businesses online
A new Pacific e-commerce portal has been launched to help businesses transition from purely physical operation to online trading. The portal was launched by the Pacific Islands Forum yesterday, and includes
More Pacific collaboration to address tax challenges: PITAA
Gender inclusion, climate change and little capacity to digitalise processes are some emerging tax challenges faced in the Asia-Pacific region, heads of tax administrations have heard. Delegates to the Pacific Islands
No need for public consultation over Bougainville: Masatt
The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has rejected a suggestion by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape that a nationwide consultation be held regarding the outcome of Bougainville’s 2019 Referendum
Dr Mitchell to get top ANOC role in October
Fijian official and Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) president, Dr Robin Mitchell is set to be elected the president of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) in October. Dr Mitchell is the sole
MSG PM Cup will still be held in Vanuatu
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Prime Ministers Cup organising committee has confirmed that its upcoming event scheduled for September 17-30 in Vanuatu will go ahead, despite the dissolution of parliament. Acting
USP wins award at Robot Contest in New Delhi
Fijian students from the University of the South Pacific (USP) took home the Tokyo Electron Award at the ABU Asia-Pacific Robot Contest (ABU Robocon) 2022, held in New Delhi, India. The four students are in the School
Vailima production may remain in Samoa
Vailima beer and other Vailima products may continue to be produced in Samoa after all. Samoa Breweries Ltd (SBL) Tuesday announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been reached with Charlie Va’ai and
China to build PNG anti-narcotics lab to test drugs
The Chinese government has pledged to build a national anti-narcotics laboratory in the country to boost the capability of the Royal PNG Constabulary amidst growing transnational organised criminal activities in the
PNG: Cabinet announced, 242 election-related crimes alleged
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has announced his cabinet line-up. PM Marape has put together a 33-member cabinet, with the Minister of Bougainville Affairs yet to be named. Among the key appointments are
Sogavare govt “furious” over Australian media report
The Solomon Islands government has hauled in Australia’s High Commissioner to complain after the ABC’s Four Corners programme aired an episode exploring how China has been rapidly building commercial and security
