American Samoa
A runoff election is set for the American Samoa gubernatorial race after no candidate secured the required 50% majority. The team of Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Pulu Ae Ae Jr led with 42.4% of votes (4284), followed by incumbents Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Lt Governor Laapui Talauega Eleasalo Ale with 36.2% (3660). In congressional results, incumbent Aumua Amata won re-election with 74.8% of votes. The House of Representatives will see four new faces replacing incumbents, including two women: Vaasa Simanu and Trude Ledoux Sunia.
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands has implemented a temporary ban on poultry and egg imports from Hawaii following the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The Division of Animal Health maintains its existing ban on US mainland poultry imports. Officials urge residents to monitor their flocks closely and report any unusual symptoms or deaths immediately.
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands government has signed a superannuation agreement with Australia, enabling Cook Islanders to transfer their retirement savings between the two countries. The memorandum of understanding allows those who move to the Cook Islands permanently to transfer their superannuation to the Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund, while workers with accumulated retirement savings in the Cook Islands can move their savings to Australia upon permanent migration.
Federated States of Micronesia
FSM President Wesley W. Simina marked the nation’s 38th Independence Day by announcing the signing of a Presidential Proclamation formally recognising ‘Kamorale’ as the national greeting. President Simina noted: “Kamorale brings together the greetings from all four of our states—Kaselehlie, Mogethin, Ran Annim, and Lenwo—into one unifying expression of our identity as Micronesians. It is not just a collection of words; it is an embodiment of who we are as a people, a daily reminder that though we come from different islands and cultures, we stand as one nation.”
Fiji
The Pacific Specialist Healthcare Hospital in Fiji has completed its first open-heart surgery, marking a significant step toward establishing the country as a health tourism destination. The successful coronary artery bypass graft procedure was performed on a 61-year-old patient from Lautoka. Deputy Prime Minister, Viliame Gavoka, highlighted this as a key development in Fiji’s healthcare infrastructure, with the government offering incentives for private healthcare investment.
French Polynesia
French Polynesian MP Tepuaraurii Teriitahii has expressed concerns about the potential impact of Donald Trump’s reelection on tourism and the environment. Teriitahii, from the Tapura Huiraatira party, noted particular worry about American tourism, suggesting political uncertainty could affect US visitors’ travel decisions.
Guam
Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz is prepared to begin receiving up to 5000 Marines relocating from Okinawa. The first small detachment is expected to arrive “as soon as practicable”, with the main force following in coming years. The base has invested nearly US$1 billion in Navy family housing improvements around the island. The relocation aims to create a more geographically distributed, operationally resilient US Marine Corps presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Kiribati
Adapting to a sea level rise of up to 0.5 metres will cost the three most vulnerable Pacific atoll nations nearly $US10 billion—equivalent to about 20 years of gross domestic product—according to the World Bank. In the case of Kiribati, the cost of physical adaptation, by building seawalls in urban centres, house raising and inland relocation, for a sea level rise of up to 0.5 metres, is estimated at $US3.7 billion.
Marshall Islands
More than 50 Marshallese workers at the US Army Garrison- Kwajalein Atoll held a two-day strike in early November, the Marshall Islands Journal reports. As a result, two civilian American supervisors at the missile range have been dismissed. The workers alleged violations of human rights and racial discrimination and petitioned for adjustments in local workers compensation.
Nauru
Around 30 asylum seekers recently released from detention on Nauru are facing severe hardship, with inadequate living allowances and restricted freedoms. Released from detention last month, they receive AU$230 fortnightly from the Australian government, which barely covers basic necessities due to high island prices. They are prohibited from working or leaving Nauru, and most await refugee status determination with no clear timeline.
New Caledonia
Two major pro-independence parties, UPM and PALIKA, have announced their withdrawal from the FLNKS independence movement umbrella organisation. Both moderate parties support independence talks aimed at establishing a partnership with France but cite dissatisfaction with FLNKS’s current operations. The development comes six months after riots in the French Pacific territory.
Niue
Niue’s Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi has announced a reshuffle to the government’s ministerial portfolios following the public referendum on constitutional amendments held in August last year. The Prime Minister will now be responsible for the Department of Taoga Niue. Associate ministers will now apply to the four current members of Cabinet, with the Prime Minister and the three ministers assisting with each other’s portfolios. The PM also flagged impending changes to state-owned enterprises to be presented to the Assembly over the coming months.
Palau
Palau’s President alleges Chinese vessels are working in its territorial waters ‘uninvited’. President Surangel Whipps Jr says Chinese officials earlier this year named two underwater mountains already claimed by Palau. He made the claims following his recent re-election. Under Whipps Jr, Palau is one of very few countries that recognised Taiwan’s claims to statehood.
Papua New Guinea
Indonesia’s planned conversion of over 5 million acres of conservation and indigenous lands into agriculture along its border with Papua New Guinea has raised environmental concerns. The project, affecting the TransFly region shared with PNG, could cause significant environmental damage and indigenous conflict according to a feasibility study by Sucofindo.
Samoa
New Zealand’s Parliament has passed a bill that restores a pathway to NZ citizenship for a group of Samoans whose citizenship was stripped away decades ago. Parliamentarians say anyone born in Samoa between 1924 and 1948 will be eligible to apply for citizenship. The bill was passed unanimously and will affect some 3500 people, aged 76 to 100.
Solomon Islands
Scientists have discovered the world’s largest coral in the Solomon Islands’ waters. The mega coral, measuring 34 metres wide, 32 metres long, and 5.5 metres high, could be over 300 years old. Climate Minister Trevor Manemahaga emphasised the coral’s importance to the nation’s economy and marine resources, calling for its protection amid climate change challenges.
Tonga
Scientific findings continue to emerge as experts study the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption of January 2022. A team from the University of Tokyo has uncovered a geological “whisper” about 15 minutes before the volcano’s explosion, a new journal article reveals. Scientists say that the detection of such signals could provide a crucial early warning system prior to such eruptions, especially in remote areas.
Tuvalu
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and Tuvalu government have signed an MOU to support Tuvalu’s green growth and climate resilience efforts on the sidelines of COP29. The partnership will focus on strengthening green growth frameworks, increasing green investments, promoting South-South cooperation, and addressing climate challenges.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu’s parliament has passed an amendment to its Marriage Act, explicitly defining marriage as a union between a male and female. Internal Affairs Minister Andrew Napuat announced that same-sex marriages cannot be registered, and officiants conducting non-compliant ceremonies risk licence revocation. The government is also establishing a committee to draft a policy banning LGBTQIA+ advocacy
