Funeral Farce
Half-hearted attempt falls flat THERE was genuine surprise when the Fijian government declared it would hold a State Funeral for Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi – chief, statesman and judge. In December 2006 he was
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Moana – An Ocean of Reform
SIX Pacific singers, one goal – to sing about the plight of people who face injustice and to reconcile the world with its inhabitants after years of abuse. Call it fate, a fluke of nature or just the unseen hand
Win-win-win for Samoa SOE reform
REFORMS to state owned enterprises (SOEs) can unleash productivity and efficiencies in an economy. However, such reforms can bring pain and controversy—so-called “adjustment costs”. These costs were evident in the
Who should decide New Caledonia’s future
WITH New Caledonia scheduled to hold a referendum on self-determination in late 2018, there is a looming crisis over who will be eligible to vote. More than 25,000 Kanaks are not properly registered on the French
The bu boss
How the bu changed one man’s life WHEN the entrepreneurial bug bit Inia Komaicawalevu in 2000, he didn’t realise he was to be more than his own boss. He quit his job of 10 years at the Public Works
Sign of CONFIDENCE
PAPUA New Guinea has been a major investor in the Fijian market in recent years with around $FJD174 million investments. Since 2010, a total 14 investment projects were registered by Papua New Guinea citizens or
Clark is out
UN appoints former Portugese PM WHEN the United Nations General Assembly formally acclaimed Portugese diplomat, Antonio Guterres, as secretary general there was disappointment in many communities. New Zealand and its
Cooks hauls in fish dollars
Korea, Kiribati pay for services PURSE seining revenue has accounted for the majority of fisheries revenue collected by the Cook Islands since 2014. According to Cooks Islands Fisheries Ministry submission to the
Support for purse seiners
Agency monitors bigeye stocks THE Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) is highly supportive of the Cook Islands endeavours to increase its participation in the tropical purse seine fishery, according to
Trouble in paradise
Pagopago canneries close PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (Invictus News) – American Samoan tuna workers took a huge blow last month when processors suspended operations. Pago Pago-based Starkist – the
How sustainable is Pacific tourism?
FOR sometime now, sustainability has been the buzzword in development circles. We have the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs that Pacific member countries of the UN have adopted and are working
Rebuilding a stronger Ha’apai
CYCLONE Ian, the most powerful storm ever recorded in Tonga, struck the Ha’apai Islands on January 02, 2014, destroying or severely damaging nearly a thousand houses and public buildings. World Bank funding of
Fighting corruption
Asset declaration is the key UNDERSTANDING the roots of corruption in society will help communities address the issue. And parliamentarians must understand their roles in stopping corruption through their oversight of
Vanuatu continues to lead the kava market
Danger lies within VANUATU has always taken great pride in the varieties of kava cultivated locally. As long ago as 2002 the International Kava Executive Council was formed and Vanuatu saw fit to start to introduce
The FUTURE of kava
Yoshida looks to Ovalau as market key OVALAU, Fiji (Invictus News Service) – In the sleepy little town of Ovalau, once capital of Fiji and a pivotal Pacific port, an ancient crop is emerging as a potential game
Whispers
Hospital moves WORD on the streets of Fiji’s capital is that a new private hospital is about to open its doors. This time a group of doctors at the current private treatment place close to the Colonial War
A call to renewal
A TERRIBLE, unjust system – indentured labour – was ended in Fiji 100 years ago this month. Known as girmit, the practice of recruiting labourers in India to work for a pittance on farms in Fiji lasted an
Movers & Shakers
Bishops speak on Papua CATHOLIC bishops from across the Pacific region have declared support for West Papua to have a greater international voice. Dignity for West Papuans was a focus issue for the executive committee
Proceed with caution
THE inclusion of New Caledonia and French Polynesia in the Pacific Islands Forum raises some interesting questions for regional relationships and independence. These French territories have autonomous legislative
North Pacific opens
New Guinea’s bird spreads its wings TRAVEL to the Northern Pacific has opened further with new schedules released by Air Niugini. Beginning in December, Papua New Guinea’s national carrier will fly to Chuuk
Beyond a culture of silence
THE apparent absence of debate, particularly among the Taukei, is attributed by commentators to ‘a culture of silence’. Open, vigorous public discourse is not yet a feature of Taukei or Fijian society at
Lessons learnt from Winston
“THE fluttering of the tent in the wind just takes me back to that night,” said Eta Tuvuki, 37-year-old single mum. Her story is just one reminder that the recovery following Tropical Cyclone (TC) Winston is
Detentions widen political gulf
RECENT events in Fiji point to a widening gulf that has developed between Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s Fiji First Party- led government and the country’s Opposition political parties. Six prominent