No “Ocean Super-Year” without marine regions
This new decade starts at a critical moment for the future of the ocean. There is strong agreement among experts that decisions taken in the next ten years will be critical for the future of the ocean. The current
What has trade protection done for PNG manufacturing?
2019 was meant to mark the end of the PNG government’s 20-year Tariff Reduction Program (TRP), introduced in 1999 and designed to reduce tariffs gradually to a uniform 10% across the different tariff categories. In
“We are the niche”: Tourism Solomons CEO
Late last month, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare praised Tourism Solomons for its “relentless effort” to consistently grow visitor arrivals. PM Sogavare also expressed optimism about the
Fiji on Cloud 9 at the Sydney 7s
Fiji has won the Sydney 7s for the first time ever, defeating old rivals South Africa in a thrilling match last night. Both teams were out for redemption having not progressed past the pool stages last week. It was a
Fiji upsets All Blacks in Sydney
By Alipate Pareti Fiji has had a tremendous start to the Sydney 7s, winning against Kenya and surprising the All Blacks. Fiji beat Kenya 28 – 14 then went on to tumble last week champions New Zealand 26 – 5.
Kokomo resort lays off staff
Reports have emerged from Kokomo Island resort that 60 staff have been laid off. Kokomo General Manager Martin Persson says the workforce had been at an augmented (enlarged) level to support “development, construction
Coronavirus: a Pacific wrap-up
An outbreak of a new coronavirus has killed at least 106 people in China, and has spread to some of the Pacific’s close neighbours, including Australia (with five cases) and Malaysia (with four). The United States,
Disappointment for Fiji in Hamilton 7s
The Fiji 7s Men’s team was disappointed yesterday in Hamilton despite its strong performance in day one of the competition, but is now looking to the Sydney leg of the competition. While disappointed with their
Fijiana create history despite not progressing in Hamilton 7s
The Fijiana 7s team created history by defeated England in their first pool match at the Hamilton 7s tournament yesterday. The English women were caught napping on most occasions as the Pacific Island players
Fiji makes a good start in Hamilton
Pacific Island teams hope to make the crowd go wild again at the Hamilton 7s this weekend. It’s that time of the year when New Zealand rugby fans, especially Pacific Islanders, cram the stands of FMG
Tuvalu to declare state of emergency
Tuvalu looks set to declare a state of emergency due to the level of destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Tino last week. A full assessment of the extent of damage is still unclear, however reports emerged as TC Tino
The Batlow bushfire and Pacific seasonal workers
In January at the height of the Australian bushfires, I received a message from James Walau, a ni-Vanuatu Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) team leader, informing me that he and his team of 47 had left Batlow due to the
Pacific predictions: 2020
As we enter not only a new year but a new decade, there is much to anticipate in the Pacific islands region. Elections and domestic politics A number of countries in the region will have elections during 2020: Kiribati,
Tropical depression moves toward Fiji
Rotuma can expect damaging winds and heavy rain from tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon as a Tropical Depression moves slowly east towards Fiji. Located about 1000 km west of Rotuma at 6am today, TDF04 has winds of between
Vanuatu on watch for floods
Vanuatu’s northern and central regions have been warned to expect heavy rain and flash flooding as a severe weather system closes in from the north-west. Isolated heavy rainfall with thunder and winds of up to 46
All eyes on weather system
A significant weather system has developed north-west of Vanuatu and is moving south-east towards New Caledonia and Fiji. The Joint Typhoon Warning Centre at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, placed the system near 12.05 South
Over 360 people in Fiji evacuation centres
In Fiji, 361 evacuees are now taking shelter at evacuation centers around the country as Tropical Cyclone Sarai continues to move through the group. 15 evacuation centres country-wide have now been activated and a storm
Long walk to freedom
By Netani Rika THERE was always only going to be one outcome when the people of Bougainville were given their inalienable right to choose the political future of the island chain. Independence. With an overwhelming 97.7
Bougainvilleans vote for independence
Bougainvilleans have voted overwhelmingly for independence in referendum results released this evening. The Bougainville Referendum Commission led by former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, announced that 176,928 of a
Pacific stumbles on tuna targets
By NETANI RIKA in Port Moresby AS Pacific fishing nations end their first week of discussions on tuna, the question of Target Reference Points loom large on the agenda. What indicators establish the target fishery state
CSOs want limits to tuna fishing
By NETANI RIKA, Port Moresby CIVIL society groups have called for limits to tuna caught in the Pacific and better regulations around fish management. In a joint submission to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries
Pacific Trade Invest: 40 years in the Pacific
By Caleb Jarvis As a young boy growing up in Papua New Guinea (PNG), every Saturday Dad would drive up a windy road that overlooked 2-Mile settlement in Port Moresby, where people went about their daily lives. Looking
Small states push for climate change resolution at fisheries meet
By NETANI RIKA in Port Moresby THE world has gathered in Madrid, Spain to discuss the existential threat which climate change presents to the environment through rising temperatures and melting ice. Halfway across the
