Bainimarama storms home with massive victory
Party wins political fight with rugby campaign-style approach Voting in Fiji’s 2014 General Election signaled overwhelming public support for incumbent Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and gave legitimacy
Bainimarama offers more of the same
If the people of Fiji had expected a smooth, less confrontational political life after the September elections, they will be disappointed. One day after being sworn in as Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama was at his
China lifts freeze to allow flagship PNG port project
Common service facility for region Work on the flagship project of Papua New Guinea’s fisheries industry, the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ) in Madang will start after the China Export and Import (Exim)
Flosse loses power in French Polynesia
Conviction drives veteran politician out After exhausting all avenues of appeal, President Gaston Flosse of French Polynesia has been removed from office following his conviction for misappropriation of public funds.
Pacific voice grows in NZ
Islanders influence election outcome Auckland: Over 330,000 Pacific people living in New Zealand now have a bigger voice in parliament following September’s General Election which saw the National Party re-elected
World Bank leads charge for reform
Plans attempt to lift lifestyle Imagine a region where mobile phones and internet access are as common as public buses. Also for a moment picture a region where words like obesity, poverty, illiteracy and gender
Vulnerable states qualify for special privileges
Assistance packages support lending rates Graduation of least developed countries is no conspiracy by bigger and wealthier developed states to absolve them from helping countries that are in need of special assistance,
Affordability raises tertiary student numbers
Affordability of university education in terms of fees and easy access are a key objective of three universities in the Pacific. Already, all three universities based in Fiji – the Fiji National University
University makes its mark at regional showcase
The University of the South Pacific is clearly making its mark in the development of the region across all aspects ranging from Education, Renewable Energy, Research, Pacific Cultures, Agriculture, Learning and Teaching
Kanak warrior home from Paris museum
After 136 years, the skull of chief Ataï has come home. In a moving ceremony in Paris, the remains of this 19th century Kanak warrior have been returned to New Caledonia. On August 28, France’s Overseas Minister
Sandalwood Blood: A tiny glimpse of history
The sandalwood trade flourished in Fiji in the 19th century with China being one of the main recipients of the much desired wood. But business back then was not as straightforward as one would have hoped and given the
New Dynamics in Regional Politics
One of the stand out features of this year’s Forum Leaders Summit in Palau was the decision to appoint Meg Taylor, a female to head the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. It is not ground breaking though in so far
Reflecting on the Third United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States
Samoa showcased to the world a people united when they hosted over 4,000 delegates to the Third United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Hailed as the best United Nations conference ever, UN
Marshalls will showcase power plant energy savings
W hen over a hundred Pacific island power utility officials meet for their annual conference in Majuro next year, they will see new heat recovery generators in action at the capital city’s power plant. Majuro is
Forum debates fisheries management
At the Pacific Islands Forum, regional leaders adopted a new agreement to strengthen enforcement and surveillance over the region’s fisheries. In a ceremony during last month’s meeting in Palau, New Zealand
Samoa rolls out red carpet to the world
Proud moment for donors’ darling It’s Samoa’s biggest moment on the global stage. The third United Nations Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) Conference that gets under way on September 1 is
Clearer skies ahead for economy
With its high dependency on tourism and agriculture, the Samoan economy is severely affected by natural disasters. In December 2012, Tropical Cyclone Evan is estimated to have caused damage of more than S$400 million
Thirty nine years of independent Papua New Guinea
Thirty nine years this month a proud independent nation, Papua New Guinea is starting at last to box its weight as a real regional force as well. At last month’s Pacific Islands Forum summit in Palau, Prime
Leadership choice crucial to Fiji poll result
Fiji’s September 17 General Election will be decided primarily on the quality of political leadership on offer rather than on political platforms and manifestos. Media-driven interviews and general political
US seeks dismissal as nuke lawsuit gains support
Islanders’ justice bill nears US$2.3 billion When the Marshall Islands filed legal action in late April against nine nuclear nations at the International Court of Justice and against the United States in federal
Time runs out for Samoan airline
Board decides against extension request Fiji’s Air Transport Licensing Board has made a startling revelation surrounding American Samoa based airline Inter Island Airways’ much awaited entry into
Weightlifters bring home the medals in Glasgow
Pacific’s athletes brace for ANZAC invasion As predicted in our January 2014 edition, weightlifters proved to be the Pacific’s most successful athletes at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. They accounted for all
The PIDF Comes of Age
The second Summit of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) was held on Fiji’s Denarau Island from June 18 to 20. Over 400 delegates from the region and beyond were in attendance and keynote presentations