The clock ticks: Five years on, Bougainville waits
Bougainville voted for independence from Papua New Guinea in an overwhelming referendum in 2019. Five years have passed, and little progress has been made towards severing ties with Port Moresby. Former freedom fighter,
Eyes on the prize: Will Trump take Toroama’s bait?
Under the rich, black soil of Bougainville lie copper deposits worth close to US$60 billion. It’s enough copper to create over 4000 jobs in an economy desperate to be free of Papua New Guinea and propel the world’s
Trump withdraws from Paris Agreement on day one
US President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders on his first day in office on 20 January that will impact Pacific Island nations – including the planned deportation of irregular migrants from the United
Trump and Pacific Island States: New possibilities
Leaders across the Pacific Island states are ready for the return to Oval Office by President Donald Trump. They are both anxious and hopeful. There is turbulence ahead in the Pacific Island States and the US
Take them off: Concern over teen social media use
Australia’s bold move to ban social media for children under 16 years, a world-first law, has sparked a global debate. The policy is now a topic of conversation and consideration in many countries, including those in
Information and Empathy
Cook Islands was the first Pacific nation to pass laws relating to right to information, but Ombudsman Niki Rattle says it may be time to review it and “have a look and see how we can do things better”. The Freedom
It’s DO or DIE: Fiame fights for survival
Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has fought all her life. That’s not surprising, given that she was born in 1957, on the cusp of Samoa regaining its independence from New Zealand in 1962, due in part to the efforts of freedom
Whispers
Law and disorderSo, what happened to the Pacific police academy which was to have been built at Wainadoi on the road between Fiji’s capital, Suva, and its international airport in Nadi? Under the Bainimarama
An uneasy crown: King Tupou VI seeks greater role
For 15 years, the Kingdom of Tonga has gone through a political experiment that was supposed to make the governance system “more democratic”. This was the declared will of the former Monarch, King George Tupou V,
We say: Faith must find voice
When Mariann Budde, Episcopalian Bishop of Washington, addressed United States President, Donald Trump, about national unity, prayer, and action, she must have expected to be belittled, criticised andattacked. In a
Guided by the stars: Kakala Tevi dares to save the ocean
The sun climbs gently into the sky as the ocean-going canoe Uto Ni Yalo ploughs towards Vava’u through a surging swell. About 200 metres to the stern, the first rays of the sun glint off the back of a large, black
Fiji tourism’s rough patch
The warmth of Fijian hospitality is an important part of the tourism industry’s brand, a quality that sets it apart from many other destinations. But two incidents have rocked the industry over the busy Christmas and
Briefs
American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s Department of Health has announced an increase in respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the flu. The Department of Health is urging people to
Thanks Dad: Samoan thrower’s tribute
The 2024 Paris Olympics brought out some of the best sporting stories and accolades in the Pacific region. One in particular is the story of Alexander Rose who represented Samoa in the discus throw and became the first
Movers and Shakers
Aisake Eke is Tonga’s new Prime Minister, after the shock resignation of Siaosi Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku, just before the latter faced a discussion and ballot on a Vote of No Confidence in his government. Dr Eke is
Pacific Person of the year: Emmanuel Tjibaou
For Kanak cultural and political leader Emmanuel Tjibaou, 2024 has been quite the year. On 13 May, after months of peaceful protest, New Caledonia erupted in violence as young people rioted across the capital Noumea and
Hope Lives: Leaders behind the scenes
In every Pacific nation, people contribute in meaningful ways to the lives of their people. We have highlighted some of that work in the pages of Islands Business, our sister publication, Fiji Traveller, or through
Taking climate activism to the ICJ
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has heard the largest case in its history: to clarify what countries are legally required to do to combat climate change. The case saw 96 countries and 11 international
We say: Religious Tolerance
Misinformation, disinformation and ignorance are what you might describe as the unholy trinity of religious intolerance. They are the keys to religious fundamentalism around the world. The conflict between Palestinians
Indo-Pacific Trumps Blue Pacific
On 20 January, US President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office. The US Republican leader has pledged engagement with island states, particularly in the northern Pacific. But at a time of heightened US-China
Indigenous knowledge overlooked in climate resilience talks
“Indigenous people have been practicing sustainability and resilience for thousands of years, but this knowledge is often overlooked.” These were the words of Simione Sevudrere, a prominent advocate for indigenous
Saving the village one root at a time
Deep in the Rewa Delta on Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu, the river gradually clawed away at the banks, finding its way into the villages, destroying food gardens and threatening local homes. For the villagers of
USP Leader signals plan to resign
University of the South Pacific (USP) Council members meeting in Cook Islands in late November heard Vice Chancellor and President (VCP) Pal Ahluwalia state his intention to resign, and that he wanted to negotiate the
