Eroni Leilua, the Samoan Olympian
Having qualified for his second Olympic Games in Paris this year, Samoa’s sailing champion Eroni Leilua recalls how it all started for him while growing up in the village of Vaivase Uta in Upolu, Samoa. “Growing up
2024
Lifting through his struggles: Taniela Rainibogi
Fiji’s new-found weightlifting sensation, Taniela Rainibogi, is powering his way to becoming one of the biggest names in Pacific sports, after becoming the first weightlifter from his country to win a medal in a
Briefs
American Samoa American Samoa’s government has passed a bill that will prohibit the use of polystyrene foam containers, with fines of up to US$1000 for its importing, sale, and use. In 2019, a bill was drafted to
Movers and Shakers
Si'alei Van Toor is New Zealand's new High Commissioner to Samoa. She is the first person of Samoan heritage to take up the role and is accredited as New Zealand's Consul-General to American Samoa. Elizabeth Genia
The 2024 Pacific Forecast: A Turn for the Worse?
It’s 2024. Heading towards the halfway mark of this decade, the Pacific’s landscape is vastly different from four years ago, gripped in a steadily escalating set of challenges that may well define what the next
Forging Australian priorities for the region
US President Joe Biden designated former Ambassador Frankie Reed as the first-ever US Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum in 2022. Beijing appointed Qian Bo in February 2023 as Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries
Opinion: One year down, a mixed bag of results for Fiji’s coalition
When Sitiveni Rabuka narrowly won the parliamentary vote to become Fiji Prime Minister a year ago on Christmas Eve 2022, his position looked extremely precarious. With only a one-seat majority, the new coalition
Opinion: COP28 marks the end of business as usual for the Blue Pacific
The United Nations climate talks (COP28) concluded in Dubai delivered a mixed bag of outcomes for the Pacific. An early highlight during these annual talks was the agreement to operationalise a loss and damage
COP28: Short of the finish line
After almost 30 years of haggling over the planet’s future at COP meetings, climate activists descended on COP28 in Dubai in December, intent on achieving the phasing out of fossil fuels. Instead, the meeting approved
Scaling up renewable energy in the Pacific
A rural electrification project launched in Fiji last month will take electricity to almost 200 households from renewable energy sources, with project lead, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) highlighting the increasing
Whispers
Which way after Tuvalu?So, what’s next for Australia’s strategy in the region, after the Falepili agreement with Tuvalu? There are noises there could be another such agreement in the works with Fiji, while the
Briefs
American SamoaThe American Samoa government has announced that foreigners can now acquire or start a new limited liability company (LLC) in the territory. The announcement opens up opportunities for foreign
Fighting their way to the top of the rugby world
Concerns about the need to create more opportunities to involve women in the administration of rugby in the Pacific Islands and provide a better support system to develop a safe and professional environment for the
Sending back the rubbish to keep Kiribati beautiful
'Kiribati Te Boboto' means Kiribati the beautiful. It’s a slogan you see almost everywhere on South Tarawa—Kiribati’s administrative capital—where solid waste management used to be a problem that had no real
Melodownz wins big at Pacific Music Awards
Avondale-born artist, Melodownz took out three awards at last month’s annual Pacific Music Awards in Manukau, New Zealand: Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Pacific Music Video, and Best Pacific Music Album Award
Movers and Shakers
Marshall Islands has elected Dr Hilda Heine as its 10th President. Dr Heine previously served as President from 2016-2020. She replaces David Kabua. Rev. Elder Dr Leatulagi Faalevao has been elected moderator of the
Galoa women turning trash to cash
In Fiji, a group of 15 dedicated women has been doing their part to create a circular economy by turning plastic trash into cash for the last four years. Based in the coastal village of Galoa, the Bulikula Women’s