Fiji’s living tradition and a call to unity
ACROSS Fiji, tribes take great pride in mats, which are endemic to their community. The story behind the mats, the materials used, and the skills needed to weave them are often closely guarded secrets passed down
Blue Pacific: Partnerships for tomorrow
AS a member of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Fiji plays a strategic and progressive role that extends far beyond its historical
Tapestry of joy and concern: Vosayaco reflects on 55 years of independence
FOR 79-year-old Tokasa Vosayaco, Fiji’s journey to nationhood is not just a chapter in a history book; it is the story of her life, woven with threads of joy, trepidation, and an enduring faith in
Free to dream: A young voice on Fiji’s future
AS Fiji celebrates 55 years of independence, the significance of this milestone resonates deeply with its youth, who see it not just as a historical marker but as a living
It’s not a myth: Student journalists speak out
THE climate crisis is having an alarming impact on the Pacific region, with women, children, and marginalised communities being disproportionately
Children’s health at risk from climate change
ONE in three Melanesian children experiences malnutrition (such as stunting, micronutrient deficiency, or obesity) while growing up on the front line of the climate
Mental health: a rising tide
THE growing urgency of climate change affects mental health, placing social workers at a critical crossroads as advocates and support systems for individuals and communities facing the psychological impact of
An Ocean of Peace – and justice?
AT September’s Pacific Islands Forum in Honiara, leaders launched the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration. Forum leaders agreed to “embed the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace as a cornerstone of future national and
Movers and Shakers
TULAGA Kevin Magalei has been appointed Athletics Director for the American Samoa Department of Education (ASDOE). In this role, Magalei will oversee all athletic programs for students across the territory. He brings a
Briefs
American Samoa IN a significant move aimed at environmental protection, American Samoa has formally opposed deep-sea mining in its
Shut the gate! Need for regional response to AIDS and drugs
THE scourge of drugs and its evil twin—HIV—remain possibly the region’s greatest security risk at this
Whispers
Ruffled feathers WE set the cat among the pigeons last month with our Whispers item about appointments within a CROP agency. Apparently, there was a lot of running around in various institutions with people trying to
FAST triumphs without Iron Lady
SAMOA’S August election has resulted in an emphatic victory for the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party. With 30 of the 51 seats, FAST has a comfortable
Falaeo champions inclusive democracy
TO reshape New Caledonia’s political landscape, Veylma Falaeo, President of the Congress of New Caledonia, is advancing a bold agenda centered on participatory democracy, government accountability, and
Spanish ships break Pacific laws
EARLY in March 2024, two crew of a Spanish longliner at the door of the Fiji-based Human Dignity Group (HDG) after three months at
Kiap – mobile government
THEY were called kiap – young, physically fit officers who walked the length and breadth of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, representing the government.
Among the stars: PNG saint from Rakanui
PETER To Rot will be canonized a saint 50 years after his country, Papua New Guinea (PNG), regained independence from Australia, the guardian of colonial power.
Voices rise for PNG
AS Papua New Guinea (PNG) prepares to mark another year of independence, many are reflecting on how far the country has come and where it is headed
Golden era: Land of hope and possibility
ON September 16, Papua New Guinea will mark 50 years of independence – a milestone that highlights the pride of
Ensuring a bright future
AS the nation commemorates its coming of age, the tendency can be to measure progress in the visible: new infrastructure, thriving businesses, and community
Where’s the Pacific? PNG’s potential in a new world order
TWO important meetings have taken place within the past 12 months. The first was in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, where BRICS nations met; the second was the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin,