Supply chain chaos and cooperation
Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers and officials have been advised to consider reviewing export taxes and tax credits to stimulate trade in the region. A review commissioned by the Forum says all sectors,
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Aging ports infrastructure under scrutiny
The shared challenge of aging ports infrastructure will be one of the key issues discussed at the upcoming Association of Pacific Ports annual conference in Saipan next month. Ports authorities recognise it is time to
Jaro Local takes Pacific and the world by storm
Award-winning Solomon Islands singer/songwriter, Jaro Local, is a soaring star around the Pacific, making waves internationally with his unique blend of contemporary island, R&B, pop and reggae music. Jaro is
Opening the window
Vanuatu is leading the region in the use of an Electronic Single Window System to ensure trade documentation is organised in a more efficient and transparent way. The manager for the Electronic Single Window Project,
New parametric insurance products launched
In early August, Salaseini Koroi, a schoolteacher turned cane farmer, sent two tonnes of harvested cane to Lautoka mill. It was the culmination of a year’s hard work in the fields of Lautoka, in Fiji’s western
Photo exhibit challenges anti-Micronesian attitudes in Hawaii
A photography exhibit by veteran Pacific journalist Floyd K. Takeuchi opens in Honolulu on September 1 with the explicit purpose of challenging local negative stereotypes about the state’s small but highly visible
Milk goats and soaps
From her garage-turned-lab, entrepreneur Beatrice Nast is creating Fiji’s first soap made from pure goat milk. The current president of the Society of Fiji Travel Associates, Nast has worn many hats during her tourism
Movers and Shakers
NASFUND PNG’s longest serving CEO Ian Tarutia has announced his retirement in March 2023. For almost 35 years, Tarutia has served the fund and its predecessor, the National Provident Fund. Fiji-born Lisa Tai has
Forum stabilises, but hard problems remain
It was a busy time in Suva this month, as Presidents and Prime Ministers arrived in the Fijian capital for the 51st Pacific Islands Forum. Well, most of them – the absence of key Micronesian leaders and the withdrawal
Whispers
Communique semantics New Caledonia's delegation to the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting was not impressed when Australian officials tried to water down a resolution at the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting,
“We want to engage with our neighbours”
New Caledonia at the Pacific Islands Forum “The future of New Caledonia is not in Europe – the future of New Caledonia is in the Pacific region.” That’s President Louis Mapou, the first pro-independence Kanak
PNG’s election woes
PNG: As Papua New Guineans followed the counting for the Port Moresby Northwest Seat this week, they were shocked to see a video of a machete-wielding mob attacking two men across the road from the counting centre.
Pirate Queens
The Seaka II pioneers When the ‘Seaka Pirates’ all-female deck crew cast off on their first fishing trip on a tuna longline vessel last month, they were fulfilling the ambitions of a program devised by the Pacific
A new chapter for tuna treaty
The United States has pledged to almost triple its funding to the region under the South Pacific Tuna Treaty. “I feel excited,” said Forum Fisheries Agency Director General, Dr Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen,
Skilled workers shortage worry
A growing shortage of skilled workers in Fiji is causing concern among members of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), and they want Government to increase the number of countries covered under its
No justice for West Papua at PIF
The plight of West Papuans received little focus at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting this year, however independence leader, Benny Wenda remains confident their time will come. London-based Wenda recently
PICTA in the slow lane
My article published in this magazine in June 2021 was entitled ‘Fast-tracking PICTA’. This was a reference to the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement, a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) intended for the Pacific
Courage and impact
Lagipoiva honoured for climate coverage The editor of Pacific Environment Weekly in Samoa, Dr. Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, became the first Pacific Island journalist to receive a ‘Journalists of Courage and
Commonwealth Games chances
South Pacific islands will be proudly represented at this month’s Commonwealth Games in the city of Birmingham. Yes, we have the usual rugby stars from Fiji who are still targeting their first Commonwealth Games gold
Precise Digital signs big Pacific names
New Zealand based company Precise Digital - a digital and online music distribution and publishing company - is concentrating on helping Polynesian and international artists to get full value from digital distribution
Movers and Shakers
Pacific health expert and Niue national Dr Collin Tukuitonga has been recognised with the Knight Companion of the New Zealand order of Merit in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours. Dr Tukuitonga said: “It’s
“I thought there was a war happening”
A tsunami that swept over the Lauan island of Moce following a volcanic eruption in Tonga in January left villagers in wonder. As Nasau villager Cama Uluilakeba said: "At first I thought there was a war happening when I
Is Lau the Next Galapagos?
A huge conservation effort that could be the South Pacific's answer to the wildlife park-island of Galapagos is gaining momentum in Fiji. Under the Lau Seascape initiative, nearly 336,000 square kilometres of land and