Maori King Tuheitia dies after heart surgery
New Zealand’s Maori King, Kiingi Tuheitia, has died aged 69, just days after the celebration of his 18th year on the throne. The death was confirmed by the Kiingitanga’s social media early on Friday.
AAP/ Pacnews
Tonga’s Finance Minister urges Pacific unity to increase Resilience Fund
Tonga’s Finance Minister, Tiofilusi Tiueti, has urged Pacific nations and their partners to rally behind the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), calling it a “bold step” towards a more resilient and sustainable
Solomon Water removed from SOE Standing
The Government today announced the removal of the Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA), which is trading as Solomon Water from its position as a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE). The Cabinet decision became effective on
Govt. waiting on crash report
The Government through the Minister of Finance has expressed its condolences to the families of seasonal workers who died in a tragic car accident in New Zealand earlier this week. Minister of Finance, Lautimuia
Court of Arbitration of Sport dismisses appeal brought by Lee Harmon, former President of the Cook Islands Football Association , against OFC Appeal Committee decision.
The Court of Arbitration of Sport has dismissed an appeal brought by Lee Harmon against a decision issued by the OFC Appeal Committee on 21 May 2024. The OFC Appeal Committee found Harmon had breached the OFC Code of
EU Commissioner Urpilainen calls on OACPS members to settle dues
European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, Wednesday expressed serious concerns over the financial health of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), warning
Kiribati says travel ban will stop ‘chequebook diplomacy’ during elections
A ban on diplomatic visits to Kiribati during elections will safeguard against undue foreign influence during the formation of government, the head of its delegation at the Pacific Island Forum leaders meeting said.
Pacific faces health emergency, WHO Pacific director urges Forum Leaders to act now or face devastating consequences
The newly appointed World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, has called on Forum Leaders to confront the region’s most critical health challenges with urgency
Regional Kava Strategy launched: Tonga’s Princess urges protection against cultural misappropriation
Tongan Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho has issued a passionate call for the protection of kava’s cultural and economic value at the launch of the Regional Kava Development Strategy on Wednesday, emphasising
Kurt Campbell pledges support for Forum, as US mobilises across the north Pacific
“Across the board, if you look at the nature of our step up in every arena, it is unmistakable, it is fulsome, it is deliberate and it will continue.” `-Kurt Campbell As Pacific leaders gather in the Kingdom of
Marshall Islands wants Forum support on nuclear legacies and human rights
For twelve years after the Second World War, the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests on Bikini and Enewetak atolls in the Marshall Islands. Today, the government and people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
Opinion: Travel recovery in the Pacific: worrying signs
As the pandemic recedes and gradually fades from people’s memories, travel in the Pacific is rebounding. However, the Pacific’s travel recovery is highly variable. Comparing visitor arrivals in 2023 with those in
Opinion: As Western banks leave the Pacific, a new player emerges
Australian banks are gradually withdrawing from the Pacific Islands, leaving the region at risk of being totally disconnected from the global banking system. Bendigo Bank is exiting Nauru, while Westpac has floated
BPNG to continue Kina intervention
The Bank of PNG says to ensure a gradual and stable adjustment of the nominal exchange rate over time, it will continue to intervene to support the crawl-rate and reduce outstanding orders in the foreign exchange
Kiribati ‘feel sorry’ for barring diplomats but it ‘makes sense’, minister says
The head of the Kiribati government delegation at the Pacific leaders’ summit in Tonga has played down the “viral” news of the Micronesian nation closing its border to “diplomatic visits” until the end
French Polynesia hits Paris approach to New Caledonia
French Polynesia says France failed to heed warnings of unrest in New Caledonia and Paris needs to soften its diplomacy in the crisis-hit Pacific territory. The future of New Caledonia is a hot topic at the Pacific
Forum opens with songs of resilience, followed by earthquake
As delegates gathered in Nuku’alofa for the annual Pacific Islands Forum, the new Indoor Stadium at Tonga High School resonated with song from hundreds of school students, at Monday’s official opening. Soon after
French Special Envoy urges Pacific preparation for UN Ocean conference
An international conference about ocean protection is incomplete without the voices of the Pacific region, says Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, Ambassador in charge of Poles and Maritime issues, Special Envoy of the French
Arkansas lawmakers approve emergency rule to grant SNAP benefits to Marshallese migrants
A legislative subcommittee on Thursday approved an emergency rule to comply with a new U.S federal law that extends certain public assistance programme benefits to migrants from the Marshall Islands. Arkansas is home to
Rural electrification is still a challenge in Papua New Guinea
The establishment of rural electrification around Papua New Guinea is hindered by various challenges, putting a halt in its progress as stated in a research paper in the 2024 PNG Update. The challenges range from
Refugee numbers rising in Papua New Guinea
A silent refugee emergency has been gathering force with every human conflict, every natural disaster and even major project developments in the country. So much so that over the last four years 1,600,000 have been
Ban on journalist during PNG visit by Indonesia’s Prabowo condemned
Papua New Guinea’s media council has condemned as “concerning” and “shameful” the exclusion of a BenarNews journalist from media events during a visit by Indonesia’s President-elect to the capital Port
Another lay day called for WSL’s Fiji Pro
The race to lock away a World Surf League finals berth will have to wait a little bit longer after the Fiji Pro was put on hold for a second consecutive day. Poor conditions convinced organisers to call a lay day for
