2025 Vanuatu official election results: Solitary woman elected to 52-member parliament
Against all odds one woman has secured a seat in Vanuatu’s 52-member parliament. Marie Louis Paulette Milne, one of only seven women among 216 election candidates, secured 1227 votes to pip her closest rival Tony
Opinion: Deadline needed to end foreign exchange shortages in PNG
Businesses, individuals and governments have faced difficulties obtaining foreign exchange (FX) in PNG over the last decade. Over this period, businesses have frequently listed this as the top constraint they are
New Tonga PM unveils Cabinet
Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr ‘Aisake Eke, has announced a new Cabinet which includes four unelected representatives. According to the constitution, the Prime Minister can nominate no more than four unelected
Trump’s strict foreign funding freeze sparks panic among international aid groups
Internal communications reviewed by ABC News show that the Trump administration plans to strictly implement an executive order from the president mandating a 90-day freeze on almost all U.S foreign aid amid a review, a
PX, PNG Air ‘owe K150 million’
Papua New Guinea Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Walter Schnaubelt says Air Niugini owes the National Airports Corporation (NAC) more than K120 million (US$29.92 million), and PNG Air owes K30 million (US$7.38
PNG Media Policy ready for enactment
The cabinet has officially given the green light to the PNG media policy, which will soon be presented to Parliament for formal enactment. Minister for Information and Communication Technology [ICT] Timothy Masiu,
Five political parties sign agreement to form the next government
Leaders of five major political parties in Vanuatu — the Leaders Party, Graon mo Jastis Party (GJP), Vanua’aku Party (VP), Iauko Group, and the Reunification Movement for Change (RMC) have come together to sign an
Reviving indigenous foodways to combat health issues in the Pacific
A discussion on Indigenous foodways and community-based approaches to healthy eating solutions has heard of the need for more significant research into the composition of local foods. Experts convened at the University
Fuel removed from Manawanui as government declares no backup for stricken ship
The initial phase of fuel removal from the Royal New Zealand Navy vessel Manawanui, which sank off the southwestern coast of Upolu in Sāmoa in October, has been completed. The HMNZS Manawanui (A09) ran aground on the
No changes to Tonga cabinet – PM
Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr Aisake Eke, has announced that his new Cabinet will comprise the same ministers from the previous administration until his new ministers are officially appointed. Eke was officially
Vanuatu: public frustrated over political situation as after-shocks continue
Frustration is growing in Vanuatu over the snap election, with claims the government has put politics before people. Radio New Zealand reports that ballot boxes are still arriving in Port Vila and official counting is
Health and education important, not aircraft: Samoa’s PM
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has reiterated that the idea of Samoa operating its national carrier is not a government priority right now. In a statement made during Parliament deliberations on Wednesday,
Solomon Airlines to start Australia-NZ flights
Solomon Islands national carrier – Solomon Airlines – will begin operating an Auckland -Brisbane route from 21 February 2025. The airline will use an A320-200 to operate the weekly roundtrip. “While we expect
Vanuatu faces possible return to all-male parliament after snap election
Vanuatu’s only incumbent female parliamentarian has lost her seat in a snap election leaving only one-woman candidate in contention after an unofficial vote count. The unofficial counting at polling locations
Samoa PM addresses parliament amid political turmoil
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has apologised to the country for the division within the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party with confidence in her leadership central to the divisions. Her apology was
Samoa political saga: Challenge to party removal reported
Samoa’s prime minister and the five other ousted members of the ruling FAST Party are reportedly challenging their removal. FAST chairman La’auli Leuatea Schmidt on Wednesday announced the removal of the
Coalition government likely in Vanuatu
Unofficial results in the Vanuatu election show another rainbow coalition is likely, with voters again sending a potpourri of parties to parliament. AAP reports that Vanuatu went to the polls on Thursday in a snap
Historic gains for women as Palau’s 12th National Government takes office
The 12th Palau National Government has been officially installed, marking a peaceful transition of power with a mix of returning and new leaders signaling potential shifts from the past four years. In the Senate,
US provides seed fund to establish Micronesian Islands Forum Secretariat in Palau
The US Department of the Interior has announced a grant to fund the establishment of the Micronesian Islands Forum (MIF) Secretariat office in Palau. Carmen Cantor, assistant secretary for Insular and International
Time to decolonise international development
The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development is being held at one of the most difficult moments in recent history. At no time in post-Second World War history has the international environment been
Tonga’s new Prime Minister, Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke
Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke was elected Prime Minister of Tonga on 24 December 2024, defeating Dr Viliami Uasike Latu, the other candidate, by 16 votes to 8 in a secret ballot. The election resulted from the shock
Alcide Ponga elected as President of New Caledonia
Alcide Ponga, president of the anti-independence party Rassemblement-Les Républicains, has been elected as the new President of New Caledonia. Ponga replaces outgoing President Louis Mapou of the Parti de Libération
A new era for Levuka: University of Fiji opens office and Peace Garden
The University of Fiji has officially opened its office in Nasova, Levuka, in an effort to offer high-quality higher education to Fiji’s maritime regions. This move not only makes education more accessible to maritime
