NZ intercepts US$315m worth of cocaine floating in Pacific Ocean
New Zealand authorities have found a record-breaking amount of cocaine floating in Pacific waters, which they say was bound for Australia and would have been enough to supply the country for a year. The 3.2-tonne haul
Improve PNG trade standards: Minister Maru
More effort and focus need to be put into improving standards and requirements for PNG products to be sold on international markets, says International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru. Maru was comparing
Vanuatu hopes to rebuild parliament of chiefs
Vanuatu’s government has vowed to rebuild the paramount meeting place of the country’s chiefs before the Pacific island nation hosts a Melanesian arts festival in July. The structure, known as Malvatumauri Nakamal,
Napat wants ‘yes or no’ answer on West Papua application
Vanuatu’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jotham Napat, said he is considering visiting Suva, Honiara and Port Moresby to personally get a “yes or no” answer on application by the United Liberation Movement of West
Parties to the Nauru Agreement set to open new HQ in Majuro
The capital of the Marshall Islands, Majuro, will host the first in-person annual meeting of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) since 2019 when the powerful fisheries organisation convenes on Monday. To coincide
PNG MP Duma wins second massive defamation law suit
An Australian media company, Fairfax Media Publications, has again been ordered to pay a Papua New Guinean MP a massive AUD$545,000 (US$379,235) as damages for defamatory articles that were published in its newspaper
UN House will bolster Fiji’s image as hub of the Pacific: Vosarogo
The construction of a United Nations House in Fiji will bolster our image as the hub of the South Pacific, says Filimoni Vosarogo, Fiji’s Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources. Vosarogo made these remarks
Tonga MPs debate on domestic airline licensing
A heated discussion between members of Tongan parliament over a request of endorsement from REALTonga Airlines went nowhere on Monday this week. The discussion began when Tongatapu 5 People’s Representative, Hon. Dr
Air Kiribati to purchase Twin Otter in a US$6.5 million deal
The Kiribati Government Tuesday signed a US$6.5million deal with AEVEX Aerospace – IKHANA Aircraft Services for the purchase of a Twin Otter (MSN 718). Kiribati Minister for Information, Communication,
Fijian Drua winger Habosi’s contract terminated
The Fijian Drua have terminated the contract of superstar winger Vinaya Habosi, effective immediately. Habosi was the breakout star of Super Rugby Pacific, with the 23-year-old’s lighting pace on the wing
PNG population outgrows job market: Barker
Papua New Guinea’s population has outgrown the number of jobs in the formal employment space, according to the country’s Institute of National Affairs (INA) executive director, Paul Barker. Barker said the
USP Cook Islands director welcomes Fiji funding
University of the South Pacific (USP) Cook Islands Director Dr Debi Futter-Puati is pleased to hear the newly elected Fiji Government will release funds to the institution. Dr Futter-Puati said the impact of the
Fijian Drua centre signs premiership rugby deal
Premiership rugby club Bristol Bears has signed Fijian Drua centre Kalaveti Ravouvou ahead of the 2023/24 season. Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam has secured the signature of one of Super Rugby Pacific’s
Pacific leaders address wastewater plan in Japan this week
Pacific leaders are in Japan this week meeting with their Japanese counterparts on the Fukushima wastewater plans. Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and Marshall
Transparency has eased Fukushima water concerns: Panuelo
Micronesian President David Panuelo said Friday that Japan’s “transparency” over its intention to release treated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean has helped ease the Pacific
Military exercises to take place in Pacific amid security concerns
Approximately 1,000 U.S. airmen, marines and sailors will train alongside 1,000 combined Japan Air Self-Defence Force, Royal Australian Air Force and French Air and Space Force service members in Cope North 2023, which
Greens push for immediate evacuation of refugees in Nauru and PNG
The Greens will use the first day of Australian parliament to introduce a bill that would offer immediate evacuation to asylum seekers and refugees who remain in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. The bill would offer roughly
Cook Islands PM welcomes Kiribati back into the Forum
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is welcoming Kiribati back into the fold of the Pacific Islands Forum. The Micronesian nation pulled out of the Forum in Fiji last year in protest of the appointment of former Cook
Tongans have a place to call home after volcanic eruption
After the Tongan volcanic eruption and tsunami of January 2022, Mango Island was destroyed, making it uninhabitable for the residents. A new community has been established in ‘Eua, south-east of Tonga’s main
Samoa’s RSE Scheme resumes with 1,200 workers this month
Samoa Cabinet has endorsed new policy guidelines for the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme and 1,200 workers will depart to work in New Zealand and Australia at the end of this month. The New Samoa National
Prioritise recruitment of skilled Melanesians: Vanuatu PM
Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau, who is also chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat has stressed any future employment within the MSG Secretariat must be sourced from MSG member countries.
Australia funds athletes’ accommodation for Pacific Games 2023
Work is underway to create accommodation for athletes competing at this year’s Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands thanks to financial support from the Australian Government. The Solomon Islands 2023 Steering
West Papua delegation seeks support on MSG membership
A West Papua Delegation led by United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) Interim President, Benny Wenda has had discussions with the Leader of Opposition, Bob Loughman, on the ULMWP Application to Vanuatu as the
