In the midst of neocolonialism – What are the threats to Pacific solidarity?
The state of Pacific island solidarity in the midst of a serious crisis pertaining to climate change and the strategic competition between the United States and China seems to be weak. At a time when solidarity may be
Chinese aid to the Pacific: decreasing, but not disappearing
Chinese engagement in the Pacific regularly hit the headlines in 2022, sometimes with dire warnings. The recent China–Solomon Islands security agreement sent shock waves across the region. Concern reached new highs
Thirty years of the Vanuatu Women’s Centre: Her Story
On 30 August 1992, three ni-Vanuatu women were on a plane back home to Port Vila, after attending a workshop in Suva with grassroots women from across the Pacific region. Three days later, the Vanuatu Women’s Centre
Marshall Islands could receive billions in U.S. assistance
U.S. negotiators have agreed to drastically increase funding for the Marshall Islands as part of ongoing efforts to renegotiate for a third time the terms of a decades-old treaty between the two nations. The talks are
Opinion: Fiji’s fragile new coalition needs the support of Australia
Sitiveni Rabuka is Fiji’s prime minister again after assembling last month a coalition with a majority of three seats, ending Frank Bainimarama’s 16 years in power. Like Gaul, the new coalition government of
An update on the “good governance coup”: political will and corruption in Fiji
In 2006 Fiji’s current prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, seized power from a government that had been elected only seven months earlier. Named the “good governance coup”, the takeover was justified by concerns
Opinion: Towards a new Australian development policy
This is an edited extract from the opening address delivered by the Hon Pat Conroy MP at the Australasian AID Conference (AAC2022) on Tuesday 29 November. This conference has grown into a pre-eminent fixture on
Fiji lawyer found guilty of contempt
A prominent Fiji lawyer, Richard Naidu, has been found guilty of contempt and scandalising the court by the country’s High Court, in a case that has attracted international scrutiny. Judge Justice Jude Nanayakkara
Opinion: The “polycrisis” and global devt finance: options and dilemmas
With a worsening hunger crisis spurred by food and fuel inflation, war in Europe, slowing global growth and rising debt distress, ongoing COVID-related supply chain disruptions, an unfolding climate change reckoning,
Small island, big ocean: Niue makes its entire EEZ a marine park
When Niueans are babies, their parents traditionally take them down to the seashore and throw them in the water so they learn to swim, Mona Ainu’u told Mongabay. That’s more important in Niue than most places. The
Opinion: Bribe or gift … which one is it?
Much has been written and even more has been talked about on the “coconut wireless” in recent years about attempted bribes and other forms of corruption throughout these islands. Money and all-expenses-paid trips to
