Rare cultural display in Melanesian Festival
2000 take part in traditional extravaganza The true spirit of Melanesian cultural identity has again been invigorated, fostered and enhanced at the 5th Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture staged from 28th June to
A piece of Lau in Atafu
Google Earth says Vanuabalavu Island in Fiji’s northeast lies 1400 km southwest of Atafu, one of three inhabited atolls of Tokelau. And while separated by the vast Pacific Ocean, the two islands share a common
Protecting young people’s sexual health and well-being
Young Pacific people, including those on Tokelau, have high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned teenage pregnancies. Youth and population level surveys conducted by Pacific Ministries of Health
Pacific Islands Forum Meeting – of people and power
Every six years Pacific leaders meet at their annual summit to discuss who will win the lottery and get the six figure job of Secretary General of the Forum. It is quite literarily the lottery as the first Secretary
Fiji prepares for first poll under new constitution
The countdown to Fiji’s first General Election under its new Constitution is well underway with the country’s long-established political parties vying to out-maneuver 2006 coup leader, and incumbent Prime
More US immigration woes for the Northern Marianas
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has received a five-year extension of a critical programme allowing it continued access to some 10,000 foreign workers up to 2019 for its recovering economy. But it still
Fiji fears force deal with EU to save sugar industry
Viability hangs on interim EPA Fears of the collapse of Fiji’s multi-million dollar sugar industry prompted its government late last month to opt for an Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (IEPA) with the
Three rapes a week in Vanuatu cause uproar
Women condemn police reaction The spectre of rape has clouded the halo of happiness in Vanuatu in recent months and led to robust debate about women’s place in society. Late in June police issued a media release
Pacific rugby celebrates major breakthroughs
Regional powers qualify for World Cup Exciting times for Pacific rugby. The world champion New Zealand All Blacks will finally end their long hiatus of having never played on Samoan soil with an historic test in Apia
Enforce ocean-wide ban
At the tenth annual Ministerial Forum Fisheries Committee meeting on Atafu Atoll in Tokelau early last month Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director General James Movick said progress had been made towards a declaration
Debate over Samoan head of state title
Constitution amendment sparks discussion An amendment to Samoa’s Constitution that will see the government of the day select a Head of State is genrating much debate in the island state. With one more reading
Whispers
Twenty-two thousand dollar charter … At least one Cook Islander was the least impressed when caretaker Prime Minister and of all probability the one that would continue on as Prime Minister Henry Puna (top left)
Pacific looks to yams as survival food for region
Botanist pollinates 8000 hybrid varieties AN indian botanist left Vanuatu at the end of June a proud scientist after a successful pollination and breeding programme on yams. Dr Kuttolarnadathil Abraham, 60, pollinated
Secret letter at centre of O’Neill AU$30m payments
The simmering political tensions created by the attempted arrest of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill by police over alleged corruption allegations have cooled – at least for the time being.
A Fijian Memoir
Footprints of a Girmitya’s Grandson Quite often prominent people are encouraged by their family and friends to write their book, tell their stories, document their rise or fall. More often than not it is not so
Puna back as Cook Islands Prime Minister?
Pending any successful petition against winning candidates in last month’s general elections in the Cook Islands, incumbent Prime Minister Henry Puna (pictured) and his Cook Islands Party are poised for another
Youth our greatest resource
As I contemplated writing this article for International Youth Day this year, I was struck by the number of confident, articulate and passionate young people I have met whilst at SPREP. Many of these young people hold
Solomon goes to the poll under the weight of mounting debt
As Solomon Islands gears up for its national general election later this year troubling signs of corruption, economic woes and mounting debts are overshadowing preparations. No one really knows the exact date for the
Tuna access in doubt after talks fail to seal fisheries deal
Fishing for 40 United States-flagged purse seiners is in jeopardy for 2015 after negotiations between the US and Pacific nations last month failed to seal an access treaty. Although agreement was reached two years ago
Tokelau energy options
With almost all their electricity supply sourced from the sun, the 1,400 islanders of Tokelau are a living testament to what the Germanborn but English economist the late E F Schumacher advocated in his book ‘Small is
Global mobile phone giant enters PNG, Solomons partnership
Bmobile Vodafone opened for business in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on July 16, days after Vodafone announced its expansion to PNG and the Solomon Islands in a non-equity arrangement with local partners. Group
Archbishop legacy of hope
Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Fiji’s capital, Suva, last month to farewell the late head of the Roman Catholic Church, Archbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca. In a ceremony full of the pomp and ritual of
Mobile companies reinforce presence in Fiji
Leading mobile phone companies announced major developments recently with Vodafone Fiji now fully Fijian owned while its rival Digicel rolled out a massive AU$40.4 million expansion of its Fiji operations. Digicel
