A first for Tokelau as all three atolls vote in same electoral process
Tokelau, with a population of about 1400, went to the polls today across four electoral locations. Voting opened at 9am and closed at 2pm according to a government spokesperson. Stations were set up at the three atolls
West Papua: Army major faces life imprisonment
The Indonesian military says a tribunal has sentenced an army major to life in prison for his involvement in the murder of four Papuan civilians. Their mutilated bodies were found in the restive region in August. Benar
Solomon Islands not ready to graduate from LDC status
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister, Jeremiah Manele says his country is not ready to graduate from its least developed country status. The Minister met with a team from the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Support for
Officials apply to have Marquesas Islands a World Heritage Site
French Polynesia has filed an application to make the Marquesas Islands a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Speaking in Paris, the culture minister Heremoana Maamaatuaiahutapu said the bid is the most complicated ever
Cook Islands govt pays Air NZ US$3.5 million in tax
The Cook Islands government has paid $5.4 million (US$3.5 million) to Air New Zealand following a High Court case in Rarotonga. The Court ruled in the airline’s favour and said Air New Zealand taxes should be paid
2023 HSBC Sydney Sevens kicks off tomorrow
The world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge provided the backdrop as captains of the 28 men’s and women’s teams gathered ahead of the HSBC Sydney Sevens which kicks off on January 27. The high speed, all action event
Genia is Bank of PNG’s new acting governor
The Government of PNG has appointed Elizabeth Genia as new acting Governor for the Bank of Papua New Guinea. Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey said Genia has nearly four decades of experience working in PNG’s Central Bank
PNG MP condemns arrest of West Papua governor
Papua New Guinea’s Vanimo-Green River MP Belden Namah has condemned the manner in which West Papua Governor Lucas Enembe was arrested and detained by the Indonesian government. Namah, whose electorate borders the
Cabinet approves establishment of Samoa Export Authority
Samoa’s Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Samoa Export Authority (SEA). This was confirmed by the Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio. He said export development was one of the
PNG building becomes first in Pacific to achieve EDGE certification
A landmark building in Papua New Guinea’s capital has undergone an environmentally-friendly retrofit that has seen the property become the first real estate project in the South Pacific to be accredited under one of
Ardern farewells supporters on final day as Aotearoa’s PM
Jacinda Ardern has bid an emotional farewell on her last day as prime minister, speaking of the kindness and empathy New Zealanders have shown her, but saying she is ready to be a sister and a mother. Days after
Nauru’s Dame caught in alleged corruption in Bangkok
The Bangkok home of a former Nauru diplomat, Onassis Dame has been raised by Thai police in connection with an alleged scheme to forge Chinese and Nauru passports. According to media reports, the residence was used as a
Solomon Islands ratifies Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
Solomon Islands has ratified the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) last Friday, 20 January 2023 – the 14th Pacific Island nation to join. The ratification was marked with a ceremony at United
Australia to fast-track purchase of ‘smart sea mines’ to protect maritime routes
Australia will accelerate plans to buy advanced sea mines to protect its maritime routes and ports from “potential aggressors” amid China’s growing influence in the Pacific region. The so-called smart
Cooks’ PM vows to change law as parliament delayed by petitions
The new Cook Islands Parliament has still not held a sitting, despite its general election taking place more than five months ago. It will not sit until March at the earliest. The country is waiting for the outcome of
Five months of Vanuatu court data lost in ransomware attack
2022 was a solid year for the Vanuatu Courts, but the unexpected ransomware attack on the Vanuatu Government network impacted the courts and other government agencies, preventing access to their systems over two months
Fiji, Kiribati restore ‘trust, respect and understanding’
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s state visit to Kiribati yesterday started with a handshake with Kiribati President, Taneti Maamau, and ended with an embrace. This morning Rabuka described the visit, his first
Rabuka to visit Kiribati in a bid to heal family relations
Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka flies to Kiribati on Friday morning to meet with President Taneti Maamau and discuss Kiribati’s membership of the Pacific Islands Forum, amongst other issues. The visit is
Jacinda Ardern announces resignation as prime minister
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today has announced her resignation stating she will not be seeking re-election this year and her last day as prime minister is February 7. Ardern said she reflected over the
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to New Zealand
The world’s best men’s and women’s rugby sevens players will return to action in New Zealand for the first time in 1,091 days following a three-year absence as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 continues in
China builds stadium for Pacific Games 2023
Papua New Guinea’s commitment of K50 million (US$14.2 million) towards assisting with the 2023 Pacific Games infrastructure has not been honoured according to the Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s Office. Despite not
Japan offers to meet Pacific leaders over ocean dumping plan
A month away from the expected discharge of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean, Japan has offered to meet a high-level delegation from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in its attempt to assure that the
PNG: Election of Governor-General will be held today
Papua New Guinea’s election of a new Governor-General will be held in Parliament today, with three candidates including a woman in the running. They are the incumbent Sir Bob Dadae, lawyer Stephen Pokawin and
