Tonga’s $899.2 million budget for 2024-25
A draft budget of TOP$899.2 million (US$381 million) for the year 2024/25 was announced by the Government of Tonga, stating that it is the first balanced budget proposed by government to parliament since 2019/2020. The
EU pushes for suspension of Vanuatu visa-waiver programme
An advisor to the Vanuatu government says the European Commission is pushing through with a suspension of its visa-waiver programme with the Pacific country despite concessions made by the government. The European
Hokule’a’s babies: Cook Islands master navigator credits pioneers
In 2024 in Honolulu, the most venerated participants of the 13th Festpac are the voyagers who have arrived by reading the stars, the waves and winds, to close the circle begun by Hawaii’s Hokule’a canoe in the mid
King Charles aims to defy health challenges to attend crucial Commonwealth meeting
King Charles will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa on October 21 and embark on a tour of Australia later this year. According to the Daily Express, Buckingham Palace officials are
Opinion: The real cost of mining in Solomon Islands
The Rennell landowners are questioning the government again about the status of their royalty payments for the 33 bauxite shipments worth millions and their compensation claims for the Kangava Bay oil spill in 2018.
Vanuatu voters support constitutional change to end political instability
Vanuatu has voted to change its constitution in a bid to end years of political instability, results of the Pacific nation’s first national referendum showed on Wednesday. A grassroots push to alter the
Solomon Islands arts and crafts fascinate FestPAC visitors
Solomon Islands traditional and contemporary arts and craft displays have captivated the hearts and curiosity of festival visitors heralding the originality, creativity and uniqueness of our arts industry. Despite
FestPAC gathering strengthens Pacific identity
As the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) enters its second week, Cook Islands Consul General in Aotearoa New Zealand, Keu Mataroa, expresses his deep appreciation for the rich cultural artistry and
Fiji, PNG call for UN decolonisation mission to riot-struck New Caledonia
Fiji and Papua New Guinea have urged the UN’s decolonisation committee to expedite a visit to the French-controlled Pacific territory of New Caledonia following its pro-independence riots last month. Nine people have
NRL insists competitiveness part of PNG criteria
Andrew Abdo has emphasised the NRL must believe a Papua New Guinea team can be genuinely competitive before it is given the green light to enter an expanded competition. The league will take the next step towards
Opinion: Private sector can play a vital role in tackling plastic tsunami
The Pacific Islands, among the most picturesque yet vulnerable regions in the world, are facing an escalating crisis: plastic pollution. The initiation of a global plastics treaty, underpinned by initiatives such as the
FestPAC 2024: ‘Fight against the extinction of Pacific people’
The world’s largest event celebrating Pacific culture has united thousands of delegates, leaders, performers and spectators through uplifting marginalised indigenous groups fighting extinction and the right to
Nine dead since start of New Caledonia unrest
A man in his thirties who was shot amongst the New Caledonia rioting has died of his wounds. He was allegedly shot by a gendarme who responded after being targeted, according to initial investigations, the public
Solomon Islands Finance Minister Sogavare identifies revenue leakages
Solomon Islands Minister of Finance and Treasury, Manasseh Sogavare, has emphasised the ministry’s commitment to addressing significant revenue leakages within various government departments. Sogavare candidly
Census ready to roll-out after 13 years
The 2024 Papua New Guinea National Population Census is on track and ready to kick-off next week Monday, 17 June 2024. The minister for Administrative Services Richard Masere and the stakeholders of the National
Fiji Navy’s new Patrol Boat RFNS Puamau runs aground on Fulaga Island reef
Fiji’s newly commissioned Guardian-class patrol boat, RFNS Puamau, ran aground on a reef at Fulaga Island in the Lau group on Sunday. RFNS Puamau was provided by Australia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement
PNG Opposition files vote of no confidence case in court
Papua New Guinea Opposition has filed its Supreme Court reference Tuesday. They are basically seeking an interpretation of Speaker Job Pomat’s decision on the motion of a vote of no confidence (VoNC). Among
FestPAC 2024: ‘One body, one people, one ocean, one Pacific’
“One body, one people, one ocean, one Pacific”, was was Samoa’s powerful statement during the parade of nations at the official opening of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC). It was
Marine species disappear amid dredging works
As dredging works moved downstream in the Sigatoka River, Kulukukulu Village headman Christopher Herbert Work watched as the machines heading towards them dug up the river and spewed out sand and gravel to the
Shadowy exotic pet trade thrives in Pacific island nation
The Pacific’s Solomon Islands has become a key player in the global live animal trade, with foreign collectors sourcing exotic species including some subject to trade bans, an AFP investigation has found.
New Caledonia reels as President Macron dissolves French parliament
Despite weeks of rioting and clashes between police and protestors in New Caledonia, French authorities in Noumea decided to proceed with elections for the European Parliament on Sunday, a poll open to all French
A message to Macron: “You can’t negotiate with a gun to your head”
Political, church and community leaders from New Caledonia have called on French President Emmanuel Macron to fully withdraw a controversial constitutional amendment on voting rights – the trigger for recent riots and
Opinion: FestPAC: Protecting Oceania and charting future voyages
It’s the first time the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, which starts Thursday, will be held in Hawaii. The Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture is the world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific