Samoa Court to rule if three resigned MPs need to go back to by-elections
The three former Samoa Opposition MPs, who resigned from Human Rights Political Party (HRPP) last month, will go to court arguing the unconstitutionality of the 2019 Electoral Amendment Act that now stops them from
Alternergy says Palau battery project nearly complete
Renewable energy pioneer Alternergy on Monday said that a solar PV and battery storage project in Palau, which is expected to commence commercial operations by April 2023, was nearing completion. In a statement,
Indonesia president supports plan to scale back troops in Papua
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Monday he supports plans to scale back the presence of troops in the eastern region of Papua, where the country’s military has been accused of human rights abuses in tackling a
COP15: Historic deal to protect a third of the world’s biodiversity
Negotiators reached a landmark agreement Monday at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) to protect 30 percent of the planet’s lands, coastal areas and inland waters by 2030. The Kunming-Montreal Global
Punching above its weight, Pacific pushes for ship polluters to pay
Punching above our weight has been the statement echoed in London this week to describe the tiny Pacific’s bold push against some of the global heavyweights to have polluters (ship) pay-up for their pollution. This
Napier fishing fleet giant off to Kiribati
The biggest trawler fishing out of Napier for most of the last two decades has been sold to a partnership between the government of Kiribati and Auckland business interests. The sale was confirmed to Hawke’s Bay Today
Forum SG ‘remains confident’ in Fiji’s electoral process
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General, Henry Puna says he remains confident in Fiji’s constitutional processes to ensure a peaceful transition towards the formation of a new government. The Secretary-General
Kiribati government looking to get flights back in the air
Kiribati’s transport boss says his ministry aims to re-establish air service connections in the Line Islands. The Minister of Information, Communication and Transport, Tekeeua Tarati, said part of the work is to
Fiji Writ of elections to be returned this afternoon
The Fijian Electoral Commission Chair Mukesh Nand says the General Election was held in a peaceful and environment. The Electoral Commission is now calculating the allocation for the 55 seats in the next Parliament.
SODELPA still pondering coalition
Fiji’s Social Democratic Party (SODELPA) has denied rumours that they have decided who they will support to form the next Fiji government. The SODELPA Party leader, Bill Gavoka, says, “It’s still very much
Seven Vanuatu Opposition MPs defect to Govt side
Vanuatu leader of Opposition, Bob Loughman, has confirmed that the President of the Rural Development Party (RDP), Jay Ngwele, and six Party members are no longer members of the Opposition bloc. This follows on their
While West Papua faces an ‘existential threat’, PNG plans defence pact with Jakarta: Kogoya
“We are part of them and they are part of us,” declared politician Augustine Rapa, founder and president of the PNG Liberal Democratic Party, on the 61st anniversary of the struggle for West Papuan independence
‘No faith’ in vote count after glitch in elections results app: Rabuka
Fiji’s main opposition leader Sitiveni Rabuka says he doesn’t have faith in the vote count underway from Wednesday’s general election, and will complain to the Fijian Elections Office (FEO). Provisional
Be wary of outsiders, says FSM President Panuelo
One of the Pacific’s top leaders has endorsed Australia’s newly inked security treaty with Vanuatu, warning that the Pacific “family” has to make sure outside forces do not come in and disrupt the peace and
France rules out New Caledonia referendums for five years
The French government says it won’t organise another referendum in New Caledonia during the president’s current five-year term. A year ago, then-overseas minister Sebastien Lecornu said he planned to have a
Fiji elections: Polls close, now the wait begins
The polls have closed in Fiji, and citizens have exercised their right to determine which government will rule. While the final results may not be known for some days, it appears voter turnout has been somewhat
Observers Group urges Fijians to vote tomorrow
The Multinational Observer Group (MOG) says it has not observed any irregularities in the electoral steps or significant issues that would prevent registered voters from casting their ballot tomorrow. In a pre-election
Pacific gambit: Inside the Chinese Communist Party and Triad push into Palau
Palau is a key hotspot in the growing rivalry between China and the West. Organised criminals with links to the Chinese Communist Party are trying to find a way in — and many in the local elite have welcomed them,
Australian delegation visits the Pacific amid security concerns
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is this week leading a bi-partisan parliamentary delegation to the Pacific to demonstrate Australia’s unwavering commitment to the region amid growing strategic competition.
Extension of contracts disallowed: Vanuatu Labour Commissioner
Vanuatu’s Department of Labour and Employment Services, through Commissioner Murielle Meltenoven has announced this week their decision to disallow the extension of contracts for Ni-Vanuatu seasonal workers
Fiji election countdown: Blackout period begins
Yesterday banners, billboards and building hoardings bearing the faces of Fiji politicians and electoral candidates dotted Fiji’s landscape. Taxis, market buildings, carparks and private residences displayed
Honolulu-Rarotonga flight to commence in May 2023
Tourism operators now have the North American market in their sights, with the first airfares of the Honolulu-Rarotonga flight going online this week. The flights, in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines, will cost
Samoa and NZ reign in South Africa 7s
After three days of HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series action in Cape Town, Samoa’s men and New Zealand’s women ended the event – and 2022 – in style. Samoa’s men put in a brilliant performance to defeat