Whispers
Fisheries dramas The head of a major fisheries agency has survived a move to stop her from sitting a second term. The move was driven by New Zealand, with the support of Cook Islands, who wanted the membership to accept
January
Outlook 2022: The year in Pacific politics
By Sadhana Sen For the third year running, COVID-19 is defining and disrupting life, leadership and governance in the Pacific. Compounded by climate change-related flooding and the devastating
Tonga’s recovery effort
“The volcanic ash has settled into every crevice our lives and we still sleep in fear of another eruption. Yet through the ash, panic and chaos, I saw hope.” That was the testimony of Hon. Frederica Tuita, who
Solomon Islands’ juggling act
By Georgina Kekea Solomon Islands was COVID-19 free until December 2021. Despite recording positive cases in isolation centres, the spread to the community was avoided. It was not until January 2022 that Prime Minister
Low vax rates threaten PNG economy
By Kevin McQuillan COVID-19 will remain a threat to the Papua New Guinea economy throughout 2022, due to the low rate of vaccination and poor health infrastructure, compounded by a lacklustre foreign investment climate.
Class dismissed? Keeping Pacific classrooms open in 2022
Will Pacific Island school children get an uninterrupted year of face-to-face learning in 2022? Governments and their partners are working hard to open classrooms, and keep them open, but the spread of the Omicron
The tweeting teacher
Fijian teacher and storyteller Joji Raqio has provided some powerful insights into teaching in rural Fiji during the pandemic. His Twitter feed has entertained and educated people across the nation. Here he tells his
The classroom of the future may be truly global
By Yong Zhao School education has for a long time been one size fits all, criticised for its inability to meet the needs of all students. Reform measures have generally failed to improve learning in even the most basic
COVID closures and Fiji schools
By Epeli Krishan Sen Vakalalabure and Lotarakuita Anand Sen Saurara Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series notes that time is a mysterious thing and, when meddled with, could have severe
Colin Philp: Conservationist, businessman, sailor
By Netani Rika Just before Christmas, 20 Fijian children spent a week of the school holidays learning how to sail in the waters of Laucala Bay. Under the watchful eyes of the Uto Ni Yalo Trust volunteers, they learned
US labels Pacific Islands a climate ‘region of concern’
By Nic Maclellan A major assessment by US intelligence agencies lists the Pacific islands as one of two “regions of great concern” in the world, because of the adverse effects of climate change. The assessment of
Pacific Islands in the wake of AUKUS
By Kaliopate Tavola Australia also needs to temper its geopolitics under Indo-Pacific/AUKUS to allow breathing space for PICs to determine their respective China, et al, policies. This would necessarily mean a
Hashing for fun, well-being and harmony
By Jason Jett “…You don’t know where you’re going, and where this adventure will lead you.” “There is no racism in hash,” said David Jamieson, owner of Yacht Help Fiji, while welcoming into the fold this
Stan and the Earth Force talk Vanuatu music
By Rowena Singh Stan Antas, founder and lead singer of Vanuatu’s Stan & the Earth Force, says music has always been part of his life, and part of Vanuatu’s culture. “We're big on reggae here and our local
Movers and Shakers
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has reshuffled his cabinet with the return of Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce and Industry Minister Sam Basil and Defence Minister Solan Mirisim to full office. Basil