Pragmatist, Puppetmaster or Puppet?
“Tonight we take the first step in telling our story to the whole world.” That was Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s declaration when opening the region’s premier sporting competition, the
2023
Spirituality in action
The glitter of the family name, the association with one of Fiji’s biggest business houses, the label of international performing artist and the presence on some of the world’s largest entertainment stages. It all
Westpac stays, so what’s next?
Westpac’s October announcement that it no longer planned to sell its remaining businesses in Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and its statement to the Australian Stock Exchange that it would increase investment in its
Whispers
Uni’s rough start The news on the newest regional university is not good. Launched at an ecumenical gathering in New Caledonia early this month, its application for funding has been rejected by two banks. The
Amidst HIV surge, solidarity is key
Ten years ago, Christopher Lutukivuya was diagnosed as HIV-positive. “I actually didn't tell anyone about my status,” he recalls. “I went home, placed my medication on the shelves, and I asked my mother, ‘You
Briefs
American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s newest park is being developed on eight acres of government land in the village of Vaitogi. The Talanei reported that $839,340 has been spent on the project. It will include a 27-hole
Opinion: The Fiji Military and the 2013 Constitution
The view that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) plays an important and necessary role as the guardian of the 2013 Constitution and as a keeper of the peace within Fiji has recently been expressed by several
“We are facing Goliath” – West Papuan church leaders call for solidarity
“We are facing Goliath, or even the Pharaoh,” says West Papua church leader Rode Wanimbo, “but we still have to speak out strong.” Wanimbo is coordinator of the Women’s Department of the Evangelical Christian
Aboard the Run Da vessels
A warning for Pacific crew Sometime in 2018, a Fiji policewoman told us an incredible story about a young Fijian fellow who had been a deckhand crew member on the Run Da 5, a Chinese longline vessel licensed to fish in
Movers and Shakers
The Pacific Community (SPC) has appointed a new Micronesia Director based in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. William Kostka has decades of environmental, community and development expertise across the North
Fiji’s national living treasure: Dr Dick Watling
Dr Dick Watling believes that for conservation programmes to be successful, they must “place resource owners and their needs and aspirations at their centre and train people to implement them.” Dr Watling makes his
The long, hard road to climate finance
It’s the classic Catch-22. Pacific and other small island developing states desperately need to access climate finance to survive the growing impacts of climate change. That much is well known. And the
Two-headed Monster, or Myth?
As the United States of America’s westernmost territory, Guam employs the unofficial but frequently used motto, "Where America's Day Begins", referring to the island's proximity to the International Date Line. A
Whose rule is it?
One month short of its first anniversary, Fiji’s three-party governing coalition is in disarray. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has topped off a series of bungled appointments by recanting on a major Cabinet reshuffle
Strengthening the Pacific’s nukes-free zone
A challenge for leaders in Rarotonga In August 1985, the Pacific Islands Forum held its annual summit in Cook Islands and adopted the Treaty of Rarotonga for a South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone (SPNFZ). Created at the
Whispers
DJ Albo On his recent trip to the United States, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was hosted at a state dinner in the White House. Some bright spark proposed that the 1970s band, The B-52s, perform at the
Pacific prepares for El Niño
As the Pacific approaches its cyclone season, Pacific Island countries are also preparing themselves for warmer and wetter conditions caused by an El Niño. In July, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Water shocks impact the food chain
“We often think of buckets for food security. But in the Pacific, it means water security,” said Dave Hebblethwaite, the Pacific Community’s Water Security and Governance Coordinator. To illustrate his
Tuvalu’s floating solar panels
In Funafuti, a small pond bordered by pig pens is now home to an innovative renewable energy pilot program, floating solar panels. Tuvalu Energy Corporation General Manager, Mafalu Lotolua says the project is a response
OTEC: Challenging the status quo
The proponents of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) are hoping that the technology will finally get a foothold in the Pacific, following their recent mission to Fiji. A Regional Energy and Transport Ministers’
Trends in food and beverage manufacturing
A global view Consumer concerns over cost, health and environmental sustainability are driving innovation in the global food and beverage manufacturing sector. Supply chains are being influenced by shortages of raw