Migrant workers feeling the impact of New Zealand’s economic crisis
Hundreds of jobs in the New Zealand meat sector have been “discreetly” lost over the last 18 months and this is due to a decline in livestock breeding numbers, industry officials say. In January last year, the
More gold to be mined, says PM Marape
Papua New Guinea has an estimated 100 million ounces of gold that is yet to be mined, says Prime Minister James Marape. Marape said this when closing the three-day Geoscience, Exploration and Extraction Conference 2024
Guam and American Samoa poised for Forum Associate membership
The Pacific Islands Forum is set to welcome Guam and American Samoa as Associate Members, following a strong recommendation from the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting Friday. Incumbent Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime
Mercury spill on Air Niugini aircraft investigated
The PNG Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) is probing a mercury spill from a package aboard an Air Niugini aircraft at the Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby last month. AIC Chief Commissioner Maryanne
Forum Troika set for high-stakes New Caledonia mission
Incumbent Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has confirmed that a high-level Troika delegation will visit New Caledonia before the end of August. The mission, which has received
Weightlifter Cikamatana in tears after finishing fourth
Eileen Cikamatana was in tears and her coach Paul Coffa is reconsidering retirement after she fell short of their lofty Olympic weightlifting goals. Coffa had confidently predicted the 24-year-old would win a medal, but
Opinion: Is the time ripe for constitutional change in Fiji?
The liquidation of the former governing party, FijiFirst, has opened up debate about an amendment to the 2013 constitution or its complete replacement. FijiFirst was the party led by former military commander and 2006
Economic diplomacy: Banking on the Pacific
Rebuilding regional banking is unlikely to pay dividends without an underlying business revival. Australia’s oldest bank changed its name from the Bank of New South Wales to Westpac in 1982, reflecting apparent
Key UN report lends weight to Pacific plan for shipping emissions levy
Pacific governments say an official UN report shows their push for a levy on all shipping emissions – with the revenues redistributed to poorer nations – is fairer, cheaper and more effective than other green
Pacific resilience fund needs US$380m in two years’ to reach half-billion goal
Tonga has the backing of Pacific economic ministers to host the regional community resilience financing facility. The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) was endorsed by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders to
Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces meet in Tonga, sharing knowledge for security
The South West Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces (SWPHMF) met Wednesday in an exclusive meeting in Nuku’alofa, held at the Leadership Centre, Masefield Naval Base. “This meeting is a chance for the heads of
Maprik town burns
Maprik town in East Sepik was set ablaze over two days, beginning Monday between 3pm and 4pm and spilling into early Tuesday morning. Police have confirmed the arrest of at least 189 suspects. A special court hearing
Fiji Airways launches new flights to Dallas
Fiji Airways is spreading its wings to Texas with the launch of flights to Dallas Fort Worth from December 2024. Dallas Fort Worth (also known as DFW) is the headquarters and mega-hub of American Airlines, whose
Indonesian forces retrieve New Zealand pilot’s body in Papua
The body of a New Zealand helicopter pilot shot dead by rebels in eastern Indonesia’s restive Papua region has been retrieved, the joint task force of police and soldiers leading the search said on Monday. Glen
Financial crisis looms over OACPS, SG Chikoti urges immediate action
The Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) faces significant financial challenges that threaten its operations, said Secretary-General Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti at the 117th Session of the
Vava’u and Ha’apai communications services survive on backup satellites as cable awaits repair
Tonga’s local telephone and internet service providers, Tonga Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Digicel are using satellite links to restore their services to the two outer islands groups, with hopes that
Samoa rugby facing ‘significant financial challenges’, withdraws from Europe tour
The national rugby team of Samoa has pulled out of its Northern Hemisphere tour due to “significant financial challenges” and to “avoid embarrassment of being the first small union to go
French Polynesian Kauli Vaast win gold at Paris Olympics Teahupo’o surfing
A day etched into Tahitian history thanks to the will and drive of 22-year-old, Kauli Vaast. No longer just a local hero – but as of now, an Olympic surfing champion. The hometown boy carried the dreams of the
U.S Military eyes Australian Island for Pacific Deterrence Initiative
The Cocos Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste are among a handful of locations outlined in a new Pacific Deterrence Initiative multiple award construction contract published by the U.S Navy. The contract,
ULMWP condemns killing of NZ pilot, blames Indonesia for danger
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has condemned the reported killing of New Zealand helicopter pilot Glen Malcolm Conning in Alama, Mimika Regency “If true, I condemn this killing in the
A Lawsuit Promises Justice for Rio Tinto’s Mining Disaster in Bougainville. Some Say It’s Nothing But a Cash Grab.
The Panguna mine made a fortune but left war and pollution in its wake. A new lawsuit backed by anonymous investors is now seeking billions in compensation – and raising concerns about who stands to benefit. High in
Women flourish when they have networks of support: US Ambassador to Fiji
Women flourish when they have networks of support, says Marie C. Damour, the United States Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu. The U.S Embassy, along with its implementing partners, the Women
Diplomat reflects on Vanuatu independence and future
More than 500 Vanuatu citizens in Fiji, comprising mainly tertiary students gathered at the High Commissioner’s residence in Suva this week to commemorate their country’s 44th independence anniversary. Vanuatu’s
