In this bulletin:
1. COOKS — Cook Islands and New Zealand sign defence and security pact, $29.8m funding resumes
2. AUST — Australia panel backs defence pact with PNG, moves to formal alliance
3. FIJI — Fiji Government sets aside $1.96m for potential evacuation of Fijians in Middle East
4. PACIFIC — Cook Islands Foreign Affairs secretary undertakes first courtesy call on the Pacific Islands Forum
5. VAN — Vanuatu Indigenous leaders raise concerns over plans to build resort for cruise tourists
6. COOKS — Cook Islands welcomes appointment of Fiji honorary Consul
7. PNG — UN SG appoints new Resident Coordinator for Papua New Guinea
8. FIJI — Fiji journalists respond to criticism by citing difficulties with information access
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Long, bumpy road ahead for fuel crisis, Australian PM warns nation
10. PACNEWS BIZ — PNG tax holidays for extractive industry a ‘no-no’
11. PACNEWS BIZ — PNG economist says new tax act needs clarification
12. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — The last voices: the urgent race to save a piece of pacific heritage
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — Old-age pensions in the Pacific: ensuring dignity in later life
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — Tonga launches Ridge to Reef community grants to drivelocal action for a resilient future
COOKS – DIPLOMACY: COOK ISLANDS NEWS PACNEWS 2: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Cook Islands and New Zealand sign defence and security pact, $29.8m funding resumes
RAROTONGA, 02 APRIL 2026 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS)—Cook Islands and New Zealand have today signed a Declaration on Defence and Security, setting out a clear and practical framework for how the two countries will work together in areas of defence and security.
The signing of the Declaration enables the relationship to move forward, including the resumption of New Zealand’s Core Sector Support and Public Sector Strengthening funding, totalling NZD$29.8 million (US$16.62 million), the Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement.
Cook Islands and New Zealand have been at loggerheads in a diplomatic row dating back to late 2024. This initially concerned the now-abandoned Cook Islands passport proposal and the operations of the country’s shipping registry.
Tensions intensified in February last year when PM Brown visited China to oversee the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership and other agreements – a move that concerned New Zealand due to a “lack of proper consultation”. Subsequently, New Zealand paused $29.8 million ((US$16.62 million) in direct budget payments to the Cook Islands Government, covering the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years.
In a statement, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said the agreement addresses a breakdown that had led Wellington to pause parts of its financial support.
“It’s no secret that our two governments have had a series of serious disagreements since late 2024.
“As we debated how to get past these disagreements, it became clear that one of their root causes was the lack of a shared understanding about the requirements of our special constitutional relationship – especially as it pertained to defence and security matters and the extent of the consultation required between us,” said Peters.
According to the OPM, the Declaration reflects a relationship grounded in mutual respect, shared values and a long history of partnership. It brings greater clarity to how both governments will cooperate, communicate and consult on matters of shared interest.
Prime Minister Mark Brown said this moment represents a steady and considered step forward for the Cook Islands.
“Key moments in the journey of a nation arrive through clear thinking, steady navigation, and a commitment to the values that define us. Today, we have arrived at such a moment.”
The Declaration is non-legally binding and does not change the constitutional arrangements between the Cook Islands and New Zealand.
It reaffirms the Cook Islands as a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, while setting out how consultation will continue in practice.
“The Declaration before us affirms the Cook Islands executive authority over our islands and Exclusive Economic Zone, that the Cook Islands conducts its international relations in its own right, and that our ongoing consultation reflects the depth of our regard for one another as a practice of partnership, not a condition of it.”
It also outlines areas of prioritised cooperation, including national security, policing, maritime security, cyber security, and humanitarian response, while strengthening expectations around timely and transparent communication between both governments.
The Prime Minister emphasised that this work has been carried out with openness and in the interests of the Cook Islands people.
“Good relationships require an honest reading of where we are, so we can chart the course ahead with confidence. That is what both our governments have done, in good faith.”
Brown said the Declaration is ultimately about strengthening the country’s position and future.
“To the people of the Cook Islands, this moment is yours. This Declaration is a
constructive step to align with our long-term national goals and your future.”
The Government remains focused on ensuring strong, stable relationships that support national development and deliver for Cook Islanders….PACNEWS
AUST – DIPLOMACY/SECURITY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 2: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Australia panel backs defence pact with PNG, moves to formal alliance
CANBERRA, 02 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS)—A key committee of the Parliament of Australia has recommended ratifying a new defence treaty with Papua New Guinea, a move that would elevate the relationship to a formal alliance.
The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) tabled its report backing the Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty, known as the Pukpuk Treaty, describing it as a major step in strengthening ties between the two countries.
“The Pukpuk Treaty marks a significant achievement in Australia’s relationship with Papua New Guinea. This Treaty ties our two countries closer together and enables enhanced diplomatic and defence coordination and collaboration,” said Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters.
“Papua New Guinea is one of Australia’s most important partners and we are proud to call them our ally,” she said.
Once ratified, the treaty will become Australia’s third formal alliance, following the long-standing ANZUS Treaty signed more than 70 years ago.
The committee said the agreement will deepen defence cooperation, including joint training and skills exchange between the two countries’ militaries.
During its inquiry, the committee heard evidence highlighting mutual benefits such as specialised jungle warfare training and improved interoperability between forces.
The report found the treaty aligns with Australia’s broader strategic focus in the Pacific, particularly in strengthening partnerships, supporting regional stability and reinforcing sovereignty.
If approved, the Pukpuk Treaty is expected to significantly expand defence and security cooperation between Australia and Papua New Guinea, marking a new phase in their bilateral relationship…..PACNEWS
FIJI- DIPLOMACY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 2: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Fiji Government sets aside $1.96m for potential evacuation of Fijians in Middle East
SUVA, 02 APRIL 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—Fiji Government has approved a contingency fund of $1.96 million(US$869,670) to support the possible evacuation of Fijian nationals from the Middle East as tensions in the region continue.
The decision was endorsed by Cabinet in response to the ongoing 2026 Middle East conflict, with authorities preparing for a worst-case scenario should conditions deteriorate further.
According to Government, there are currently 751 Fijians residing across the Middle East and surrounding regions, including in United Arab Emirates, Qatar, as well as those serving in Fiji’s military deployments in Sinai and the Golan Heights.
Officials have confirmed that all Fijian nationals in these areas have been accounted for and are safe at this stage.
The contingency funding will be used to facilitate evacuation logistics if required, including transport, coordination and emergency support.
Government said it remains committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of all Fijians abroad and will continue to monitor developments closely….PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: COOK ISLANDS NEWS PACNEWS 2: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Cook Islands Foreign Affairs secretary undertakes first courtesy call on the Pacific Islands Forum
SUVA, 02 APRIL 2026 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS) —The Cook Islands secretary for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Elizabeth Wright Koteka, paid her first official courtesy call on the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in Suva, Fiji, this week, marking the beginning of her engagements with key regional institutions and partners.
Secretary Wright‑Koteka met with Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa, for an introductory exchange reflecting on the Cook Islands’ long-standing partnership within the Forum family and its commitment to strengthening Pacific regionalism.
She expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to the regional agenda in her new role, noting the enduring ties that unite Forum Members in collective purpose.
“In today’s fast‑changing development landscape, where partnerships are constantly being redefined, regional unity through the Forum is essential,” said Wright-Koteka.
Following her courtesy call, Wright‑Koteka received a detailed briefing from Forum Deputy Secretary General, Esala Nayasi, and the Secretariat’s Senior Management Team.
The discussions covered the regional priorities guiding this year’s Leaders’ agenda, institutional developments within the Secretariat, and current strategic issues, including the implications of international tensions, such as the ongoing Iran conflict, on Pacific security and stability.
During her visit, the Secretary also formally deposited the Cook Islands’ Instrument of Ratification for the Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), signed by Forum Leaders in Honiara.
The Cook Islands is now the sixth Forum Member to complete ratification. Under the PRF Treaty, eight ratifications are required to convene the inaugural PRF Council meeting, expected to take place during the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) in the Marshall Islands this June.
“The Pacific Resilience Facility is about investing in ourselves – in our communities, our infrastructure, and our future resilience,” said Wright‑Koteka.
“Our Cabinet’s endorsement of this ratification demonstrates the Cook Islands’ confidence in a Pacific‑designed solution to strengthen preparedness and adaptive capacity across our region.”
She reaffirmed that the Cook Islands’ engagement in regional processes is focused on delivering clear value and results for Members.
She underscored the importance of ensuring the Forum system provides practical benefits, particularly for the Smaller Island States (SIS) group, where dedicated and sustained delivery is critical.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau, she noted that the Cook Islands remains committed to working constructively with Members and partners to advance priorities that strengthen capability, resilience, and stability across the Pacific….PACNEWS
VAN – RESORT: THE GUARDIAN PACNEWS 2: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Vanuatu Indigenous leaders raise concerns over plans to build resort for cruise tourists
PORT VILA, 02 APRIL 2026 (THE GUARDIAN) —-Indigenous community leaders in Vanuatu have raised concerns over plans by the cruise operator Royal Caribbean to build a private beach club on the island of Lelepa, arguing environmental impact assessments by the company are “incomplete” and “misleading”.
The community leaders outlined the issues in a letter sent to Royal Caribbean on 26 February, which has been seen by the Guardian. The leaders also said the development could harm fragile ecosystems and a nearby Unesco world heritage site.
Royal Caribbean has leased parts of Lelepa, a 5km-long island home to about 500 people in Vanuatu – to develop a resort capable of hosting up to 5,000 visitors a day. The project is due to open in 2027. Cruise ships will take passengers from Australia to the resort in Lelepa, as part of a tour of the Pacific.
Construction has not yet commenced, but Royal Caribbean’s promotional material said the development will have 10 bars, two eateries and two private beach resorts, including an adults-only area.
“There needs to be lots of consultation so every person here understands what they are doing and can approve the work to go ahead,” Lelepa’s paramount chief Ruben Natamatewia III said. Natamatewia III is the highest-ranking customary leader on the island and a signatory to the letter.
In the letter, Lelepa’s council of chiefs, which represents several customary landowners on the island, criticised an environmental impact assessment (EIA) commissioned by Royal Caribbean. They said the report was inadequate and local communities had not been properly consulted as part of the process.
“The current EIA is incomplete, misleading, and does not meet the standards required under Vanuatu law,” the letter said.
The chiefs are calling for construction work not to go ahead until outstanding assessments and consultations are accepted by the chiefs and customary owners, the letter states.
The council has also called for a cultural heritage assessment to ensure customary sites are not affected by Royal Caribbean’s plans. Chiefs raised concerns with the Guardian about Fels Cave, a culturally significant world heritage site to the island’s south that contains ancient rock art.
Natamatewia III said the Royal Caribbean project was “a good thing”, but worried the environmental assessment was not “realistic”.
“There needs to be more consultation with the communities,” he told the Guardian.
Natamatewia said he was unhappy that the island had been advertised as a private beach resort despite these outstanding issues.
Chief Tungulman Albert Solomon Peter Manaure, an Australia-based representative of the council, said while landowners broadly supported tourism development many remained concerned about the potential impact of the resort on turtle nesting sites and fishing grounds.
Manaure, who also owns a tourism business on Lelepa, said: “The ocean and the land are our bank – that’s where we harvest our resources, where we turn it into food or into cash.
“If Royal Caribbean wants to do this project on Lelepa, we want to make sure it is done in the right way, with the environment properly protected,” he said.
In response to questions from the Guardian, Royal Caribbean initially said it had submitted its EIA and “ensured it complies with Vanuatu environmental regulations”, adding that its development was “at the opposite end of the world heritage site”.
After further questions, Royal Caribbean said it was still incorporating feedback from public consultation “into the final EIA ahead of submission”, and that this would include “matters related to environmental protection and waste management”.
“Royal Caribbean is progressing all necessary permits in relation to the EIA to support and advance the Royal Beach Club Lelepa development,” a spokesperson said.
The company said it was working with government, chiefs, environmental organisations and local people to “ensure the natural environment is protected”. Royal Caribbean said it would “prioritise the protection of Lelepa’s natural ecosystems”, and that it worked closely with the government and custom landowners to secure leases for the development.
Lelepa has been a regular stop-off port for Royal Caribbean cruise ships, with passengers ferried ashore to take part in beach visits, hikes and cultural activities as part of its Pacific tour. The company has been in discussions with local landowners since at least 2018 about establishing this permanent tourism facility on the island, similar to its exclusive beach clubs in the Bahamas.
Vanuatu’s government was contacted for comment but did not respond to the Guardian’s questions.
The environmental impact of cruise ship travel has come under greater scrutiny in recent years, with several European port cities introducing restrictions on cruise ships amid concerns over pollution and overtourism. Nevertheless, the sector is booming, with more Americans travelling on cruise ships in 2025 than in any other year on record.
Joseph Cheer, a professor of sustainable tourism and heritage at Western Sydney University, said developments of this scale often highlight the tension small island nations face between attracting tourism and protecting local environments and communities.
“Cruise tourism is often criticised for its adverse environmental impacts, questionable economic impacts and the way it wields power and influence over small island countries,” Cheer said.
“With good governance of the sector, it is possible to overcome evident friction points,” he said ……PACNEWS
COOKS – DIPLOMACY: COOK ISLANDS GOVT PACNEWS 2: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Cook Islands welcomes appointment of Fiji honorary Consul
RAROTONGA, 02 APRIL 2026 (COOK ISLANDS GOVT) — Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), has welcomed the Government of Fiji’s appointment of Wayne Insimo as the Honorary Consul of Fiji to the Cook Islands.
This designation marks an important milestone in the relationship between the Cook Islands and Fiji, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and expanding practical cooperation across a range of areas of mutual interest.
While the Cook Islands has long hosted Honorary Consuls from a number of partner countries, including France, Spain, and Germany, this is Fiji’s first such representation in the Cook Islands.
This development builds on a strong foundation of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. In 2022, the Cook Islands established its High Commission in Suva, Fiji, followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Development Cooperation in 2023, which provides a framework for collaboration across a range of priority areas.
Insimo’s appointment reflects the confidence of the Government of Fiji in his ability to represent its interests and support its nationals in the Cook Islands, while contributing to closer relations between the two countries.
MFAI acknowledges the presence of Eileen Pickering, First Secretary at Fiji’s High Commission in New Zealand, who attended the occasion, underscoring the importance Fiji places on this designation and its relationship with the Cook Islands.
Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Teuru Passfield, welcomed the appointment, stating: “The appointment of Fiji’s first Honorary Consul to the Cook Islands reflects the strong and enduring relationship between our two countries. It demonstrates the Fiji Government’s confidence in Wayne Insimo, and the trust and partnership we share as Pacific neighbours. This will further strengthen people-to-people ties between our countries, as well as regional cooperation.”
Insimo’s role is expected to enhance consular assistance for Fijian nationals in the Cook Islands, while also facilitating greater engagement between our governments, private sector, and communities.
As Pacific neighbours with longstanding cultural and regional ties, the Cook Islands and Fiji share a vision of a connected, resilient, and prosperous region. The Cook Islands Government looks forward to building on this partnership with Fiji and deepening cooperation for the benefit of both countries and their people…..PACNEWS
PNG – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS/UN PACNEWS 2: Thu 02 Apr 2026
UN SG appoints new Resident Coordinator for Papua New Guinea
NEW YORK/PORT MORESBY, 02 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS/UN) — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Shalini Bahuguna of India as the new United Nations Resident Coordinator in Papua New Guinea, with the host government’s approval.
Bahuguna officially takes up her post on April 1, bringing more than two decades of experience across development, humanitarian and peacebuilding work in Asia and Africa.
She took up her post on Wednesday, 01 April.
She most recently worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund, where she helped develop its Artificial Intelligence strategy in partnership with Accenture.
Bahuguna has also served as UNICEF Representative in Tanzania, overseeing programmes aligned with national development priorities and strengthening partnerships to advance child rights.
Her previous roles include Deputy Representative positions in Ethiopia and Myanmar, as well as Chief of Social Policy and Gender with UNICEF Nigeria.
Before joining the United Nations, she worked with the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development across India, China, Indonesia and Afghanistan, focusing on aid management and social development.
She began her career in India’s water and sanitation sector and later contributed to government and World Bank-supported reforms in the sector.
Bahuguna holds a master’s degree in development economics and international development from the University of Swansea.
Her appointment comes as the United Nations continues to support Papua New Guinea’s development priorities, humanitarian efforts and sustainable growth agenda….PACNEWS
FIJI – MEDIA: ABC PACIFIC PACNEWS 2: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Fiji journalists respond to criticism by citing difficulties with information access
PORT MORESBY, 02 APRIL 2026 (ABC PACIFIC) —The media in Fiji continue to face criticism over a lack of in-depth stories and investigative reporting.
But journalists have hit back saying the situation is down to limited access to information and not a lack of effort on their part.
That debate has taken on a new urgency after the Fijian government moved to withdraw a proposed Access to Information Bill from parliament, before later holding off on that decision.
For the first time, that bill would legally require government agencies to respond to information requests, a move which Felix Chaudhry, head of news at the Fiji Brodcasting Corporation says could transform the way journalists operate.
“While we do have access to the annual reports that are made public on the Parliament website and there’s other sources, you know, a lot of the information that we need is not there,” Chaudry said……PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
AUST – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: AAP PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 02 Apr 2026
Long, bumpy road ahead for fuel crisis, Australian PM warns nation
CANBERRA, 02 APRIL 2026 (AAP)—Australian prime minister is warning of difficult months ahead as the Middle East oil crisis threatens to escalate, urging Australians to think of farmers, miners and tradies when filling up their car.
In a rare prime-time address to the nation, Anthony Albanese has asked people to consider getting public transport to work and not to take more fuel than they need as part of the government’s efforts to conserve petrol and diesel.
“The months ahead may not be easy. I want to be upfront about that,” he said in a speech broadcast on all major TV and radio networks.
“No government can promise to eliminate the pressures that this war is causing.
“These are uncertain times. But I am absolutely sure of this. We will deal with these global challenges the Australian way: working together, and looking after each other.”
A simultaneous broadcast address to the nation has not been delivered since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the Easter long weekend approaches, Albanese said motorists should fill up as they usually would.
“If you’re hitting the road, don’t take more fuel than you need,” he said.
“Over coming weeks, if you can switch to catching the train or bus or tram to work, do so.
“That builds our reserves and it saves fuel for people who have no choice but to drive: farmers and miners and tradies who need diesel, every single day.
“And all those shift workers and nurses, who do so much for our country.”
The speech coincides with a temporary halving of the fuel excise, shaving 26.3c (US$0.18) per litre off wholesale petrol and diesel prices.
At the same time, WA Premier Roger Cook announced on Thursday the state would take immediate measures to activate emergency powers to compel industry to provide information on fuel supply chains.
The move would allow ministerial powers to compel suppliers to provide the data and information needed to ensure fuel is sent where it is needed most.
Cook said despite assurances from major suppliers that fuel shipments were expected to continue to arrive in April at normal levels, the ongoing conflict had impacted the distribution of fuel in key regional areas and resulted in some mining and agricultural businesses experiencing shortages.
“I have been clear that I will put Western Australians’ interests first to make sure fuel is flowing where it is needed most,” he said.
“We have had success in ensuring fuel is reaching our regions, but our efforts are being hampered by not having full visibility of the fuel supply chain.”
The NSW government’s FuelCheck website showed average prices for E10 unleaded petrol had dropped more than 14c(US$0.09) on Wednesday, the first day of the excise cut.
Diesel prices were down a more modest 6c(US$0.04), with many service stations experiencing shortages.
Regional service stations were unlikely to introduce lower prices for a couple of weeks as they needed to sell their older, higher-taxed stock before bringing in cheaper fuel, NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury told AAP.
That process would likely take anything from a day or two for high-turnover metro stations to two or more weeks for some regional sites, he said.
“Once they buy new fuel, they will pass the discount on at that point.”
Data from the Tourism and Transport Forum compiled in late March found 41 percent of Australians had cancelled or scaled back their Easter travel plans during the fuel crisis.
“Measures like the fuel excise cut are designed to ease pressure and we’ll see over the coming days how much that shifts behaviour,” forum chief executive Margy Osmond said.
“What we do know is that most Australians aren’t giving up on holidays. They’re adapting to make them work,” Osmond said…. PACNEWS
PNG – EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 02 Apr 2026
PNG tax holidays for extractive industry a ‘no-no’
PORT MORESBY, 02 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—Tax holidays should be a “no-no”, especially for extractive industries, says Papua New Guinea Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker.
Barker said the extractive sector by their nature had significant social and environmental impacts “and authorised, therefore, for substantially their revenue generating role”.
“Offering major concessions for extractive projects in the form of tax concessions, major use of overseas employees and other dispensation over labour or environmental standards, especially in a country dependent upon its land, healthy rivers and seas for its population’s livelihood, should be off-limits,” he said
“Generally, standard (but well-researched and competitive) fiscal conditions should be applied on projects, including ring fencing of them from subsequent prospective projects, rather than the State getting embroiled in individual project negotiations, for which the State is ill-prepared, in contrast with multinational companies operating in multiple jurisdictions.”
Barker said the aim should be, as far as possible, have a standard tax regime which was universally applied, fair and competitive, encouraging investment, but also ensuring a reasonable share and preferably relatively stable revenue flow for the State, even if there were specific conditions for certain industries.
“For example, oil and gas, mining, which are fundamentally revenue raising industries, as opposed to more concessional conditions for agriculture and tourism and associated value adding, plus energy generation and transport (especially rural aviation and shipping), which are fundamentally universal job creating industries or service and support industries.”
Barker said tax concessions for extractive activities with high emissions, such as cement manufacture, which overseas would be liable to carbon taxes, would also seem illogical……PACNEWS
PNG – INCOME TAX: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Thu 02 Apr 2026
PNG economist says new tax act needs clarification
PORT MORESBY, 02 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL) —The new Papua New Guinea Income Tax Act 2025 to be implemented from Wednesday needs some clarifications which Treasury and the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) must address, says an economist.
Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker said although there had been some consultations, clarifications were still overdue.
“Some areas where simplification or rationalisation of the new tax provisions would be valuable, and reduce areas of confusion and unnecessary cost and time consuming paperwork for taxpayers,” he said.
“These changes may increase the wages tax paid by many Papua New Guineans each fortnight – those who receive benefits such as a company motor vehicle, staff loans at no interest, medical insurance and company provided transport (drop-offs/pickups).”
According to the IRC, to facilitate a smooth transition and ensure seamless implementation, the application of the new tax legislation was deferred from January this year to today because of the lack of detailed explanations for application and relevant associated regulations.
“Although, depending upon the reading of the new law, there may be concessions and some savings to be made for employees, including for medical insurance, meals or staff meal vouchers,” he said.
“With the requirements for motor vehicle provision, the IRC could secure the same amount of revenue, with much less unnecessary red tape (record keeping and inspecting on the taxpayers/companies and IRC itself) with a simplified system.
“The expiry of the 90-day grace period also impacts employers and employees with salary sacrifice arrangements.
“Effective 01 April, all salary packaging arrangements for salary sacrifices now require IRC approval, which again is highly demanding upon employers but also an overburdened tax office.
“So a transition process would be more practical, and avoid unnecessarily putting taxpayers and companies into default.”
Barker suggested that it would therefore be practical for the Government to extend the grace period further, and to provide the regulation, clear instructions and preferably review, and to revise some provisions.
“Business needs clarity and predictability as does the Government for effective administration of the taxes, and to secure forecast revenue,” he said.
“The IRC need its capacity enhanced, as with Customs, to be able to effectively apply the new tax provisions and to ensure effective and universal; application of tax and customs requirements, including for IRC to be responsive, including to be able to handle the outstanding issues, which are a major burden on businesses, such as GST credits.
“This would enhance business confidence, encourage investment and enhance revenue and revenue stability.”
“Generally, standard (but well-researched and competitive) fiscal conditions should be applied on projects, including ring fencing of them from subsequent prospective projects, rather than the State getting embroiled in individual project negotiations, for which the State is ill-prepared, in contrast with multinational companies operating in multiple jurisdictions.”
Barker said the aim should be, as far as possible, have a standard tax regime which was universally applied, fair and competitive, encouraging investment, but also ensuring a reasonable share and preferably relatively stable revenue flow for the State, even if there were specific conditions for certain industries.
“For example, oil and gas, mining, which are fundamentally revenue raising industries, as opposed to more concessional conditions for agriculture and tourism and associated value adding, plus energy generation and transport (especially rural aviation and shipping), which are fundamentally universal job creating industries or service and support industries.”
Barker said tax concessions for extractive activities with high emissions, such as cement manufacture, which overseas would be liable to carbon taxes, would also seem illogical…..PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
The last voices: the urgent race to save a piece of pacific heritage
PORT VILA, 02 APRIL 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) —In the archives of the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, thousands of magnetic tapes are slowly deteriorating into dust. Two men are racing against time—and the tropics—to rescue them before the silence becomes permanent.
The tapes are dying.
You can’t see it from the outside. They sit in neat rows on metal shelving, their plastic cases brittle with age, their labels handwritten in fading ink. But inside each one, the magnetic particles that hold a grandmother’s lullaby, a chief’s genealogy, a ceremony from a village that no longer exists—those particles are shedding, flaking, falling away.
In the tropics, decay happens fast. Humidity eats tape from the inside out. Mould blooms in the darkness. And every year, another machine that can play these recordings breaks beyond repair.
“The National Film and Sound Archive in Australia has said that by 2025, it’ll be near-impossible to find functioning equipment to play back these tapes,” says Nick Thieberger, a linguist from the University of Melbourne.
That deadline has passed. And there are still hundreds of tapes waiting.
A country of 130 languages, and counting
Vanuatu is the most linguistically dense place on Earth. In this archipelago of 80 islands, more than 130 languages are spoken—some by only a few hundred people. Many have never been written down. Their only record exists on these tapes: field recordings made by researchers over the past six decades, capturing songs, stories, ceremonies, and conversations that might otherwise have vanished entirely.
But for years, those recordings sat in two places: overseas archives in Australia and elsewhere, inaccessible to the people who had gifted their voices; or here, in Port Vila, slowly degrading in tropical conditions, the tapes were never designed to withstand.
“We have our own archive—thousands of tapes—and many of them are beginning to degrade,” says Ambong Thompson, Manager of Film, Sound and Audio at the Vanuatu Cultural Centre. “We needed help.”
The scale of the problem is staggering. Each tape is unique. Each represents hours of recording. Each contains voices that cannot be replaced.
‘One box in. One box out.’
The solution they devised was simple, improvised, and dependent on the baggage allowance of one Australian academic.
Nick would arrive in Vanuatu with digitised recordings from Australian archives—songs and stories that had been sitting in university libraries for decades, finally coming home. He’d hand them over to Ambong. And then he’d fill his empty suitcase with original tapes from the Cultural Centre’s collection, carrying them back to Australia for digitisation.
For nearly three decades, this ad-hoc system has been able to preserve of hours of recordings. So far, 350 tapes have been digitised. But hundreds more haven’t been done.
“We’ve talked about trying to get proper funding,” Ambong says, “so we’re not just sending tapes in Nick’s suitcase. We want to do this properly, on a large scale. Because the burden is growing. And the time is running out.”
The machines are dying.
The tapes aren’t the only things disappearing. The machines that play them are vanishing, too.
Reel-to-reel tape recorders haven’t been manufactured in decades. Cassette decks are increasingly rare. Parts are hard to find. The people who know how to repair them when they break down are aging out of the workforce.
“We’ve kept some machines, but they’re dying off one by one,” Nick explains. “And if we wait too long, the recordings will die with them.”
It’s not just the hardware. It’s the knowledge in the tapes themselves. Many recordings are unlabelled or poorly documented. Figuring out what language is being spoken, who the speakers are, and what ceremony is being performed—that requires expertise that’s also becoming scarce.
“You might have a tape that just says ‘Malekula, 1972,’” Nick says. “That could be any of a dozen languages. Without someone who knows, that recording is almost useless.”
‘This is the only place these voices live now’
For Ambong, the work is close to home. He’s from Southwest Bay in Malekula, one of the islands where many recordings were made. When he hears the voices on these tapes, he hears his own heritage.
“I always say, if we don’t look after the kastom stories, who will?” he asks. “This is the only place these voices live now.”
He’s spent nearly 50 years in public service—in government, in radio, now at the Cultural Centre. But this work, he says, feels the most important.
“These are not just recordings. These are our grandfathers. Our grandmothers. Our ceremonies. Our ways of knowing the world. When a tape degrades beyond playback, we don’t just lose sound. We lose memory.”
The justice question
For Nick, the project has always been about more than preservation. It’s about access. It’s about justice.
“When I started, the researchers who collected these recordings kept them in Australia,” he says. “If you wanted to hear your grandfather’s voice, you had to fly to a university library and ask. That’s not fair.”
The recordings were made possible by the participation of Ni-Vanuatu communities. People gave their time, their knowledge, their voices. And then those voices were locked away on the other side of the world.
“As researchers, we shouldn’t be keeping recordings in filing cabinets in Sydney. They belong to the people. This whole project is just us doing what feels right, bringing those voices home.”
The digitised files are now stored with PARADISEC—the Pacific and Regional Archive for Digital Sources in Endangered Cultures, which Nick co-founded—but with protocols that allow Vanuatu communities to access them. The vision is bigger: a searchable system at the Cultural Centre where anyone can look up their family history and hear their own culture.
The suitcase method, and beyond
This month, another 130 tapes will make the journey home. PARADISEC is returning them to the Cultural Centre, digitised and preserved. It’s the latest batch in a long procession.
But the suitcase method has limits. Nick can only carry so much. The digitisation equipment is expensive. The work is painstaking. And the tapes won’t wait.
PARADISEC has done similar work across the Pacific—with the Yap State Archives, the Solomon Islands National Museum, language academies in New Caledonia and French Polynesia. But the Vanuatu partnership remains one of its deepest, built on nearly three decades of trust and shared purpose.
“We need proper funding,” Ambong emphasises. “We need to do this at scale. Because the burden is growing.”
‘When that day comes, I’ll know it was worth it’
Ambong imagines a future he may not live to see.
“One day, I hope someone can walk into the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, touch a screen, and hear their grandfather singing a kastom song from the 1960s.”
He pauses. The Cultural Centre around him is quiet, but the shelves are full. More tapes wait their turn.
“When that day comes, I’ll know: Yes, this work—it was worth it.”
Outside, the tropical air is thick with humidity. Inside, the tapes keep degrading. And two men keep carrying boxes. …PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Old-age pensions in the Pacific: ensuring dignity in later life
By Karishma Huda, Eseta Nadakuitavuki and Philip O’Keefe
SUVA/SYDNEY, 02 APRIL 2026 (DEVPOLICY.ORG)—In Fiji, the Social Pension Scheme pension is having a huge impact on reducing poverty, with analysis suggesting poverty among older persons would be around 40% higher without the scheme.
The pension supports more than 58,000 older people and, for many households, this support is essential. A recent community-level survey of 1,365 pension recipients found that 72% are the sole income earners within their households.
At the household level, the impacts are tangible.
“The pension enables recipients to transition into more private, secure and improved living arrangements, improve sanitation and improve access to more reliable water sources,” said Eseta Nadakuitavuki, former Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection in Fiji.
“The allowance primarily supports essential household needs, health and social responsibilities, reflecting how the pension enhances the well-being of recipients and their families.”
Supporting older people is an increasing priority for many Pacific Island countries.
While the region has a youth bulge, its population is gradually ageing due to people living longer and declining fertility rates.
People aged 60 years and over are expected to increase from 18% of the region’s population in 2022 to 24% by 2050, according to the UN Asia-Pacific Report on Population Ageing 2022.
“Ageing has implications for growth, public finances and living standards,” said Philip O’Keefe, Professor of Practice, Centre for Population Ageing Research at the University of New South Wales.
“The risks of financial insecurity in old age are really significant.”
“Informal sources of support for older people are also coming under strain due to falling fertility, migration and shifting social norms.”
This highlights the importance of government mechanisms to improve the financial security of old-age populations, including a mix of social pensions and contributory schemes.
With a social pension, governments provide regular and predictable monthly cash transfers to older people using general government revenues (funded collectively through taxes). This differs from contributory pensions, which are financed by contributions from employers and employees, mainly benefitting those in formal employment.
In the Pacific, contributory pensions often fail to reach those who need them most. High levels of informal employment, particularly among women, mean that many people are excluded from these schemes altogether. Even for those covered by such schemes, contributions may be irregular and liberal early withdrawal rules mean many reach retirement age with low accumulations. These are largely paid as lump sums which are exhausted well before advanced age.
Coverage rates are very low in most Pacific Island countries, such as Papua New Guinea (3 percent), Kiribati (15 percent), Solomon Islands (16 percent) and Samoa (25 percent), leaving most of the population without sufficient income support in old age. This particularly affects women, who have lower labour force participation compared to men and are more likely to work in the informal sector. This is further compounded by the fact that women who obtain formal employment tend to earn less than men and have more employment breaks due to child-rearing responsibilities.
“High labour market informality complicates the challenge of building robust pension systems which can promote financial security in old age,” said O’Keefe.
Social pensions are therefore critical for filling this gap.
Pacific governments are already investing in social pensions.
The most common approach is universal social pensions, which are offered to all citizens who meet the eligibility age, typically between 60 and 67 years in the Pacific.
Many countries across the region — including Kiribati, Cook Islands and Nauru — provide social pensions with benefit levels exceeding the recommended benchmark of 15 percent of GDP per capita, reflecting strong commitments to income security in old age according to Development Pathways’ research on tax-financed pensions in the Asia-Pacific.
As a result, pension systems within these countries now reach over 90% of people aged 65 years and over, which is mainly attributable to their sizeable investment in social pensions.
Evidence shows social pensions are redistributive and pro-poor, with benefits extending beyond individuals to households and communities. Incomes are much higher for those benefitting from a social pension (for example, in Korea, India and Brazil) and they help mitigate inequality, as well as improving physical and cognitive health, well-being and life satisfaction among recipients (for example, in Cook Islands, China and Singapore). Social pensions also have positive spillover effects, with pensioners seen to invest more in the health, education and nutrition of their grandchildren (for example, in China, Cook Islands and Thailand).
Achieving high coverage while ensuring benefit adequacy and fiscal sustainability is complex.
“A pension should reach a country’s full elderly population and be set at a high enough amount to have an impact on wellbeing,” said Karishma Huda, Team Leader, Partnerships for Social Protection.
“The cost for the government also needs to be affordable, especially as populations age.”
Gradual expansion has proven to be an effective strategy for several Pacific Island countries to ensure that social pension investments are fiscally sustainable.
“One option for countries is to slowly reduce the age of eligibility, as many countries have done globally. Kiribati and Tuvalu, for example, started with an eligibility age of 70 and decreased it over time to 60 years,” said Huda.
Fiji’s experience shows a social pension works best when it is part of a broader support system.
In Fiji, the Social Pension Scheme sits alongside the Transport Assistance Scheme, (contributory) provident fund, Golden Age Homes, assistive devices for elderly people with disabilities, and a free medicine scheme for social welfare recipients.
“We’re working to further integrate contributory and non-contributory schemes to strengthen the multi-tiered nature of the system,” said Nadakuitavuki.
Inclusion does not end with providing cash support.
“The operational processes for implementing and managing the social pension scheme are critical for ensuring inclusion,” she said.
“Dignity, rights and equity are at the heart of service delivery.”
Fiji has also used its social protection systems to respond quickly in times of crisis. During Tropical Cyclone Winston and COVID-19, the government delivered emergency cash top-ups to pension recipients. After Cyclone Winston, $300(US$150 million) payments reached pensioners within one month.
As the Pacific’s population ages, well-designed social pensions will continue playing a critical role in reducing poverty and ensuring dignity in later life.
This article is based on a panel discussion, The economics of ageing: coverage, costs and impacts of pensions, at the 2025 Australasian AID Conference on 4 December 2025….PACNEWS
Karishma Huda is Team Leader for Partnerships for Social Protection.
Eseta Nadakuitavuki is currently working for the Fiji Government as Permanent Secretary for Information. She was previously Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Social Protection.
Philip O’Keefe is Professor of Practice at UNSW and Director of the Ageing Asia Research Hub at Centre for Population Ageing Research. He previously worked as a World Bank economist from 1993-2021.
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Tonga launches Ridge to Reef community grants to drivelocal action for a resilient future
NUKU’ALOFA, 02 APRIL 2026 (UNDP)—The Government of Tonga today officially launched the Ridge to Reef (R2R) Community Grants Initiative, marking a significant step in translating national climate and environmental priorities into community‑led action across the country.
The initiative forms part of Tonga’s national Ridge to Reef programme, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It applies an integrated approach that links land, coastal and marine ecosystems, recognising that Tonga’s environment, livelihoods and culture are deeply connected from ridge to reef.
Through the Community Grants Initiative, USD$570,000 is being invested directly into communities across 33 communities in total – 26 in Tongatapu and 7 in Vava‘u. The initiative empowers civil society organisations, women and young people to lead practical solutions in climate resilience, ecosystem restoration and sustainable livelihoods, while strengthening national delivery under the Prime Minister’s 100‑Day Plan and the Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2035.
Implementation is led by four national civil society organisations, each bringing complementary strengths at the community level. Langafonua ‘a Fafine Tonga will support women‑led sustainable livelihoods and environmental stewardship, including a South–South learning exchange with women’s groups from Lau, Fiji. The Civil Society Forum of Tonga will strengthen community governance, coordination and accountability. The Tonga National Youth Congress will mobilise young people to support community action and data collection, while Coastal Green Initiative will lead mangrove restoration and coastal ecosystem protection to strengthen resilience along Tonga’s shores.
Speaking at today’s national launch, Sione ‘Akau‘ola, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), said the initiative reflects a shift from policy and planning into delivery on the ground:
“This initiative places trust and resources directly in the hands of communities and civil society. By working together across government, communities, women and youth, we are strengthening livelihoods, restoring ecosystems and building long‑term resilience in a way that is inclusive, coordinated and nationally owned.”
The Prime Minister and Minister for MEIDECC, Lord Fakafanua, said the initiative demonstrates Tonga’s commitment to whole‑of‑society action in addressing climate and environmental challenges:
“From our land to our oceans, our natural resources sustain our livelihoods, our culture and our identity. The Ridge to Reef programme brings together government, communities, civil society and development partners under a shared vision of a resilient Tonga, where communities are not just beneficiaries, but leaders of change.”
Looking ahead, the Community Grants Initiative will contribute directly to Tonga’s second Voluntary National Review and strengthen national monitoring through the MEIDECC Dashboard and the National Monitoring System, supporting evidence‑based decision‑making and accountability. The initiative will also help position Tonga’s Ridge to Reef approach on the regional and global stage, including at upcoming pre‑COP and COP meetings, as an example of integrated, community‑led climate and environmental action.
As implementation moves forward, the Government of Tonga, with support from UNDP and the GEF, will continue to build partnerships, scale community impact and mobilise future investment to protect Tonga’s environment and secure a resilient future for generations to come…..PACNEWS
For more information contact: Nick Turner | Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships Specialist, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | nicholas.turner@undp.org