Movers and Shakers
Si'alei Van Toor is New Zealand's new High Commissioner to Samoa. She is the first person of Samoan heritage to take up the role and is accredited as New Zealand's Consul-General to American Samoa. Elizabeth Genia
Latest Magazine Articles
The 2024 Pacific Forecast: A Turn for the Worse?
It’s 2024. Heading towards the halfway mark of this decade, the Pacific’s landscape is vastly different from four years ago, gripped in a steadily escalating set of challenges that may well define what the next
Forging Australian priorities for the region
US President Joe Biden designated former Ambassador Frankie Reed as the first-ever US Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum in 2022. Beijing appointed Qian Bo in February 2023 as Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries
Opinion: One year down, a mixed bag of results for Fiji’s coalition
When Sitiveni Rabuka narrowly won the parliamentary vote to become Fiji Prime Minister a year ago on Christmas Eve 2022, his position looked extremely precarious. With only a one-seat majority, the new coalition
Opinion: COP28 marks the end of business as usual for the Blue Pacific
The United Nations climate talks (COP28) concluded in Dubai delivered a mixed bag of outcomes for the Pacific. An early highlight during these annual talks was the agreement to operationalise a loss and damage
COP28: Short of the finish line
After almost 30 years of haggling over the planet’s future at COP meetings, climate activists descended on COP28 in Dubai in December, intent on achieving the phasing out of fossil fuels. Instead, the meeting approved
Scaling up renewable energy in the Pacific
A rural electrification project launched in Fiji last month will take electricity to almost 200 households from renewable energy sources, with project lead, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) highlighting the increasing
Whispers
Which way after Tuvalu?So, what’s next for Australia’s strategy in the region, after the Falepili agreement with Tuvalu? There are noises there could be another such agreement in the works with Fiji, while the
Briefs
American SamoaThe American Samoa government has announced that foreigners can now acquire or start a new limited liability company (LLC) in the territory. The announcement opens up opportunities for foreign
Fighting their way to the top of the rugby world
Concerns about the need to create more opportunities to involve women in the administration of rugby in the Pacific Islands and provide a better support system to develop a safe and professional environment for the
Sending back the rubbish to keep Kiribati beautiful
'Kiribati Te Boboto' means Kiribati the beautiful. It’s a slogan you see almost everywhere on South Tarawa—Kiribati’s administrative capital—where solid waste management used to be a problem that had no real
Melodownz wins big at Pacific Music Awards
Avondale-born artist, Melodownz took out three awards at last month’s annual Pacific Music Awards in Manukau, New Zealand: Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Pacific Music Video, and Best Pacific Music Album Award
Movers and Shakers
Marshall Islands has elected Dr Hilda Heine as its 10th President. Dr Heine previously served as President from 2016-2020. She replaces David Kabua. Rev. Elder Dr Leatulagi Faalevao has been elected moderator of the
Galoa women turning trash to cash
In Fiji, a group of 15 dedicated women has been doing their part to create a circular economy by turning plastic trash into cash for the last four years. Based in the coastal village of Galoa, the Bulikula Women’s
Pragmatist, Puppetmaster or Puppet?
“Tonight we take the first step in telling our story to the whole world.” That was Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s declaration when opening the region’s premier sporting competition, the
Spirituality in action
The glitter of the family name, the association with one of Fiji’s biggest business houses, the label of international performing artist and the presence on some of the world’s largest entertainment stages. It all
Westpac stays, so what’s next?
Westpac’s October announcement that it no longer planned to sell its remaining businesses in Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and its statement to the Australian Stock Exchange that it would increase investment in its
Whispers
Uni’s rough start The news on the newest regional university is not good. Launched at an ecumenical gathering in New Caledonia early this month, its application for funding has been rejected by two banks. The
Amidst HIV surge, solidarity is key
Ten years ago, Christopher Lutukivuya was diagnosed as HIV-positive. “I actually didn't tell anyone about my status,” he recalls. “I went home, placed my medication on the shelves, and I asked my mother, ‘You
Briefs
American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s newest park is being developed on eight acres of government land in the village of Vaitogi. The Talanei reported that $839,340 has been spent on the project. It will include a 27-hole
Opinion: The Fiji Military and the 2013 Constitution
The view that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) plays an important and necessary role as the guardian of the 2013 Constitution and as a keeper of the peace within Fiji has recently been expressed by several
“We are facing Goliath” – West Papuan church leaders call for solidarity
“We are facing Goliath, or even the Pharaoh,” says West Papua church leader Rode Wanimbo, “but we still have to speak out strong.” Wanimbo is coordinator of the Women’s Department of the Evangelical Christian
