Reviving Cacao in Fiji: Arif Khan
A founder of an award-winning cacao company in Fiji says more should be done to revive the nation’s cocoa industry. Formerly a real-estate agent, Arif Khan founded Cacao Fiji in the lush hills of Dreketi because he
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Vanuatu ‘snap election timeline’ announced
In Vanuatu, over 300,000 registered voters will go to the polls for a snap election on October 13. The election was triggered after the dissolution of the country’s parliament on August 19 by President Nikenike
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Players to watch in Cape Town
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is almost here. In less than 48 hours, DHL Stadium in Cape Town will be packed full of fans enjoying a unique spectacle. New Zealand arrive as defending champions in both the men’s and
Kiribati’s suspended judges ‘a critical threat’: IBHARI
An international human rights body has condemned the suspension of three senior Court of Appeal judges by the Kiribati government, calling it a “critical threat” to the rule of law. In a statement on Wednesday, the
Designer’s Cook Islands climate crisis plans win two international awards
The first-ever town plan for Cook Islands’ capital, Avarua, has won an International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) award for its response to the climate crisis. The honour, awarded to Auckland/Wânaka
Fabien Galthié in tears as Virimi Vakatawa reveals career-ending heart condition
Coach Fabien Galthié could not hold back tears as Racing 92 confirmed that star centre, Fiji-born Virimi Vakatawa had been forced to end his rugby career “for cardiological reasons”. At an emotional press
Australia offers to fund Solomon Islands elections
But Solomon Islands PM says timing is inappropriate Australia has made an offer to fund Solomon Islands National General Elections. Foreign Minister Penny Wong told the ABC that the offer reflects commitment to
‘Black eye’ for Marshall Islands: Hilda on alleged bribery scandal
The arrest and extradition to the United States last week of two naturalised Marshallese citizens indicted by the Justice Department for allegedly bribing multiple elected leaders is “a big black eye for the
Kiribati govt suspends all Court of Appeal judges
Kiribati’s government has dramatically escalated its campaign against the judiciary reports the ABC, suspending the country’s three remaining senior judges after they blocked the deportation of High Court
Connecting French Polynesia to the world
ICT in French Polynesia will likely see further improvement as the territory’s infrastructure is expected to connect to a new submarine cable. Hawaiki Niu Submarine Cable LP, a subsidiary of BW digital, and Office Des
Rugby Unions meet in Fiji to plan post COVID
Over 24 representatives from member rugby unions across the Pacific, including Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Nauru, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Kiribati are attending a combined 5 day World Rugby and
U.S. extradites naturalised Marshallese citizens in alleged bribery scheme
The United States Justice Department unsealed an indictment Saturday against two naturalised Marshall Islands citizens accused of bribing numerous high-level elected and other officials in the Marshall Islands to gain
Kiribati drought at critical stage says UNICEF
Fears of malnutrition and other illnesses are mounting in Kiribati as the country grapples with an ongoing drought. The Kiribati government in June declared a state of disaster after the discovery of high salinity
Verdict on Vanuatu Dissolution to be declared September 9
The constitutional case to decide whether or not there will be an early election in Vanuatu will not be decided until the end of this week. At Friday’s hearing before Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek, the counsel for the
Pacific Islands Forum re-engages with Kiribati
Fijian Prime Minister and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum Voreqe Bainimarama says Forum Leaders are committed to exploring options for closer diplomatic engagement between Kiribati and the Pacific Islands Forum.
American Samoa: Amata says No to U.S. citizenship
American Samoa Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata supports U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision not to ‘impose’ U.S. citizenship on U.S. nationals in American Samoa. “I am gratified that the Biden
‘If we win, it’s going to be huge!’ : Cook Islands Cricket coach
The Cook Islands national cricket squad departed for Auckland last week to join the other half of their team before going to the East Asia Pacific Sub-Regional Qualifying Tournament in Vanuatu. The national side,
Fiji Tourism looks north
As Fiji reopens to the world, Tourism Fiji’s top priority is securing new markets. “We were very serious about what we were doing over there,” says Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill about Fiji Airways’ recent
Economic diversification is key for Fiji
Fiji’s recovery is good; however it needs to diversify its economy said Dr Kishti Sen, ANZ Pacific Economist, during his visit to Fiji last week. “Our expectations towards the end of last year was that the tourism
Niue premier warns against falsifying travel documents
The Niue government is concerned as allegations emerge of passengers falsifying travel application requirements while the Health Department continues investigations into the origin of the index case of the current
PNG facing downgrade, says Popoitai
Frustrated by the lack of prosecution of financially-motivated crime cases, Bank of PNG has warned that the country’s global standing and cost of banking could be affected as a result. Bank of Papua New Guinea acting
PNG proposed carbon credit law queried
Hiri-Koiari MP Keith Iduhu has asked in Papua New Guinea Parliament for an update on a proposed amendment by the Forestry Authority to include forestry produce under its authority. This would include classifying carbon
Fisheries important to recover Pacific economies
Pacific Fisheries Ministers have identified maximising value from their fisheries as key to supporting the economic recovery from COVID-19. This was raised by delegates at the annual 19th Forum Fisheries Committee
