In this bulletin:
1. A/SAMOA — The U.S plans to auction off sections of water around American Samoa in a push for deep-sea mining
2. PACIFIC — U.S moves ahead with American Samoa seabed mining plan amid Pacific concerns
3. PACIFIC — U.S says it is ‘deeply concerned’ by PNG closure of Taiwan office
4. PAC — Taipei reassesses ties with PNG after office closure
5. VAN — “We Have No Reason to Apologise; We Followed Every Diplomatic Process” – PM Napat
6. FIJI — Military rivalry deepens Pacific divide – PANG
7. PAC — Samoa, Australia strengthen ties with climate and security commitments
8. FIJI — Fiji reaffirms independent foreign policy towards China
9. FIJI — Fiji’s money laundering risk is high: Report
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Images show gruesome extent of illegal Pacific fishing
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Air Niugini confirms return of direct Auckland flights after 28 years
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Refurbished Samoa Airways Twin Otter returns after major overhaul in Canada
13. PACNEWS BIZ — Central Bank warns budget delays could slow Samoa’s economic recovery
14. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Airways explores local carbon projects
15. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Deficits, debt and the fiscal reckoning ahead
16. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Can we have peace in a sea of Pacific security pacts?
17. PACNEWS DIGEST — Lethal sea drones strike for real and rehearsal
A/SAMOA – DEEPSEA MINING: AP PACNEWS 2: Mon 20 Jul 2026
The U.S plans to auction off sections of water around American Samoa in a push for deep-sea mining
PAGO PAGO, 20 JULY 2026 (AP) — The U.S government plans to auction off massive sections of water surrounding American Samoa for potential deep-sea mining in an unprecedented move that is expected to draw criticism from many countries.
The area of the water surface planned to be auctioned off covers a total of 33 million acres (about 51,560 square miles).
The proposed leasing notice was published on Friday as U.S President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to expedite mining permits despite growing environmental concerns.
The unilateral U.S move is also a departure from previous administrations that have respected the rules of the International Seabed Authority, a Jamaica-based UN body, which oversees deep international waters and has been debating mining rules for years.
More than 43 countries have called for a moratorium or ban on deep sea mining, which scientists have warned could unleash noise, light and suffocating dust storms and affect fragile marine life.
But the U.S and others are eager to mine the seafloor for copper, iron, zinc and other minerals that are in demand for technology, military use and electric vehicles.
“Critical minerals have become a strategic asset in global competition, and China’s dominance in the supply of many of these materials creates unacceptable risks for America’s energy, defence and manufacturing sectors,” Matt Giacona, acting director of the U.S Marine Minerals Administration, said in a statement Thursday.
In a statement to The Associated Press, the International Seabed Authority said it cannot comment as it has no jurisdiction over the area, which falls within the U.S. exclusive economic zone — meaning the U.S has the sovereign authority to exploit and manage the waters and the seabed there.
Seumalu Elora Raymond, a spokesperson for Fa’asao Amerika Samoa, a community group, said in a statement that the U.S government’s fast-tracking of the lease sale is “ignoring the voices of the very people whose waters, traditions, and livelihoods are on the line.”
“We will not stand by while an untested industry threatens to destroy American Samoa’s environment and cultural heritage for corporate profit,” she said.
The government of American Samoa, which has banned deep-sea mining in local waters, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Earthjustice, a nonprofit legal organisation, accused the U.S of bulldozing American Samoan outcry against deep-sea mining.
“The Trump administration continues to bow to this untested, extractive industry and seeks to make American Samoa one of the first test sites,” said Earthjustice attorney J.V. Langkilde.
The U.S Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said in a July environmental assessment report that the area proposed for lease sales has water depths ranging from 4,600 to 20,000 feet (1,400 to 6,000 metre). The area is located 57 miles (92 kilometres) from the Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.
The bureau envisions issuing up to two commercial leases of nearly 17 million acres (67, 000 square kilometres) each, solely for preliminary activities. These would include geophysical surveys, biological sampling and oceanographic measurements.
“Offering large lease areas provides flexibility for environmental and technical exclusions,” the bureau said in its report.
It alternatively proposed issuing five leases covering nearly 7 million acres (26,800 square kilometres) each. The bureau noted that any future mining would require a submission and its approval of a plan subject to an environmental review.
The report of the U.S Bureau of Ocean Energy Management stated that “some uncertainty remains regarding the potential for indirect or accidental impacts, particularly in deepwater and pelagic zones” near Rose Atoll and several national marine sanctuaries.
It asserted that there are no expected impacts to nearshore environments and no substantial adverse impacts to offshore habitats. The bureau, however, acknowledged data gaps, especially in the area’s deeper waters, “where biodiversity, ecological function, and baseline conditions remain poorly characterised.”
The bureau stated in its report that because the U.S has not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration regulates U.S exploration and commercial recovery of minerals.
NOAA announced in January that companies could apply for an exploration license and commercial operations at the same time, scrapping what used to be a two-step process. In April, Trump signed an executive order directing NOAA to expedite the permitting process for seafloor mining.
Meanwhile, the International Seabed Authority has authorised exploration licenses for 22 contractors, but it has not allowed any commercial mining.
Much of the ongoing exploration is centred in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, which covers 1.7 million square miles (4.5 million square kilometres) between Hawaii and Mexico. It is occurring at depths ranging from 13,000 to 19,000 feet (4,000 to 6,000 metres) …. PACNEWS
PACIFIC – DEEPSEA MINING: SAMOA OBSERVER PACNEWS 2: Mon 20 Jul 2026
U.S moves ahead with American Samoa seabed mining plan amid Pacific concerns
PAGO PAGO, 20 JULY 2026 (SAMOA OBSERVER) — The United States has taken a major step toward deep-sea mining near American Samoa, proposing the lease of more than 31 million acres of federal waters for the extraction of critical minerals used in electric vehicles, electronics, and defense technologies.
The move is part of President Donald Trump’s broader push to expand U.S. production of critical minerals and reduce reliance on overseas supplies.
Announced by the U.S Interior Department’s Marine Minerals Administration (MMA) on 17 July, the plan would open two offshore blocks east of Taʻū Island for potential mining development. An auction is scheduled for 19 November, with minimum bids set at US$3 million.
The proposed lease covers two areas totaling more than 31 million acres of seabed believed to contain polymetallic nodules rich in minerals used in electric vehicles, electronics, and defense technologies.
Acting MMA Director Matt Giacona said the proposal was an important step toward securing domestic supplies of critical minerals needed for America’s energy, defense, and manufacturing sectors.
American Samoa Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula has 60 days to respond to the proposal before a final notice is expected in October.
The proposal comes amid concerns previously raised in Samoa about the potential environmental impacts of deep-sea mining in the Pacific.
In a recent report by the Samoa Observer, research prepared by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) warned that deep-sea mining near American Samoa could have far-reaching consequences for marine ecosystems across the region.
Samoa, which is close to American Samoa, could be affected by environmental impacts from any future mining operations in the area.
The report said mineral extraction could destroy seabed habitats, threaten rare and unknown species, and create sediment plumes that spread beyond mining sites. It also warned that noise, light, pollution, and toxic metals could affect midwater species, including tuna, with potential impacts on fisheries and seafood safety.
Samoa Conservation Society Executive Board Member, James Atherton, previously warned that seabed mining in American Samoa could affect Samoa’s marine environment, saying Pacific ecosystems are already under pressure from climate change, overfishing, and pollution…. PACNEWS
PACIFIC – POLITICS: REUTERS PACNEWS 2: Mon 20 Jul 2026
U.S says it is ‘deeply concerned’ by PNG closure of Taiwan office
TAIPEI, 20 JULY 2026 (REUTERS) — The United States is “deeply concerned” by reports that Papua New Guinea has ordered the closure of Taiwan’s representative office in the country, the State Department said on Friday, adding it was part of Beijing’s intimidation campaign.
The Pacific has long been an area for diplomatic competition between China and Taiwan, which Beijing views as its own territory with no right to the trappings of a state. The democratically ruled island rejects China’s sovereignty claims.
Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said on Thursday that Taiwan’s office would be closed, drawing praise from Beijing and condemnation from Taipei. Papua New Guinea, like most countries, only has formal ties with China, not Taiwan.
“We are deeply concerned by reports that the Government of Papua New Guinea has unilaterally ordered the closure of the Taipei Economic Office in Port Moresby,” a State Department spokesperson said in a statement.
Taiwan is a reliable, democratic partner, and its relationships around the world provide “significant benefits” to the citizens of those countries, including Papua New Guinea, the spokesperson added.
“This is yet another example of Beijing’s intimidation campaign against Taiwan and its supporters around the world, which undermines the sovereign decisions of countries choosing to partner with Taiwan and threatens international peace and prosperity.”
The Papua New Guinea foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Earlier on Friday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson reiterated that the government “highly commends” Papua New Guinea’s decision.
Speaking in Taipei the same day, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said Taiwan faces an extremely difficult diplomatic situation because China is suppressing the island “everywhere”.
Only 12 countries now maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, three of which are in the Pacific – Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement that it was aware of Papua New Guinea’s announcement about the closure of Taiwan’s office.
“We will seek further information about this decision in due course,” it added, without elaborating…. PACNEWS
PAC – POLITICS/DIPLOMACY: TAIPEI TIMES/CNA/REUTERS PACNEWS 2: Mon 20 Jul 2026
Taipei reassesses ties with PNG after office closure
TAIPEI, 20 JULY 2026 (TAIPEI TIMES/CNA/REUTERS) — Taiwan is reassessing its economic ties with Papua New Guinea (PNG) after the Pacific nation on Wednesday unexpectedly ordered the immediate closure of Taipei’s representative office in Port Moresby, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung said Saturday.
The ministry convened a meeting to discuss potential responses, which included reviewing Taiwan’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases from Papua New Guinea, Lin said, adding that the nation’s imports of about 1.2 million tonnes of LNG annually accounted for about one-third of the Pacific nation’s LNG exports and were a major source of revenue for the country.
In 2024, Papua New Guinea exported US$5.36 billion worth of LNG, making it the world’s ninth-largest LNG exporter.
Its top markets were Taiwan, Japan, China, South Korea and Malaysia, the Observatory of Economic Complexity said.
LNG accounts for more than 40 percent of the Pacific nation’s total exports, Papua New Guinea’s National Statistical Office data showed.
Taiwan’s technical missions in Papua New Guinea focused on agriculture and fisheries and have created jobs and contributed to economic development, Lin said.
Papua New Guinea Minister of Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko on Wednesday said the government had ordered the immediate closure of Taiwan’s representative office, in line with the country’s commitment to its “one China” policy.
Taipei rejects Port Moresby’s unilateral decision and has lodged a protest and pledged to keep its office operating as normal, Lin said.
He attributed the decision to Beijing’s political and economic coercion.
The U.S Department of State said Washington was “deeply concerned” by Papua New Guinea’s decision and called it part of Beijing’s intimidation campaign.
Taiwan is a reliable democratic partner, and its relationships around the world provide “significant benefits” to the citizens of those countries, including Papua New Guinea, a department spokesperson said.
“This is yet another example of Beijing’s intimidation campaign against Taiwan and its supporters around the world, which undermines the sovereign decisions of countries choosing to partner with Taiwan and threatens international peace and prosperity,” they added.
Lin expressed his gratitude to the US for voicing support for Taiwan, while Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said Taiwan faces an extremely difficult diplomatic situation because China is suppressing the nation “everywhere.”
Papua New Guinea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said that the government “highly commends” Papua New Guinea’s decision.
Taiwan’s representative office in Port Moresby was established in 1990 after a trade agreement was signed the previous year, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties…. PACNEWS
VAN – POLITICS: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS 2: Mon 20 Jul 2026
“We have no reason to apologise, we followed every diplomatic process” PM Napat
PORT VILA, 20 JULY 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat has rejected the Opposition’s demand for an apology over its handling of negotiations with France on the sovereignty of Matthew and Hunter Islands, saying the Government followed every required diplomatic process and has no reason to apologise.
Responding to concerns raised by Opposition Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Port Vila, Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau, Napat said the Government had undertaken all necessary work, exhausted every available avenue of negotiation, and could now consider taking the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“I do not see any reason why the Government should apologise,” Napat said.
He said the Government had acted in accordance with established diplomatic procedures throughout the negotiations.
The PM said he was encouraged by the united support shown by the people of Tafea Province, the country’s independence pioneers and founding fathers, all of whom had expressed support for Vanuatu’s efforts to reclaim sovereignty over Matthew and Hunter Islands.
Napat said he was surprised by the Opposition Leader’s criticism of the Government’s approach.
“If he is truly a Ni-Vanuatu, then we must stand united. We must make a strong statement in support of bringing these islands back. We should not be divided on issues of sovereignty,” he said.
He described the Opposition’s public criticism as disappointing, arguing that national unity was essential on matters relating to Vanuatu’s territorial sovereignty.
PM Napat said the Matthew and Hunter issue had remained a national priority since Vanuatu gained independence, with successive governments continuing diplomatic efforts through various levels of negotiations.
He acknowledged that negotiations with France had always been expected to be difficult.
“We anticipated from the beginning that this would not be an easy journey, given France’s position. We knew negotiations would be challenging,” he said.
The PM explained that a significant milestone occurred in 2023 during the administration of then PM Kalsakau, now Leader of the Opposition, when French President Emmanuel Macron visited Vanuatu.
According to Napat, that visit marked the first time the Matthew and Hunter issue was elevated from discussions among officials to direct talks between political leaders.
He noted that during those discussions, New Caledonian representatives acknowledged that the islands belong to Vanuatu. Napat said President Macron subsequently proposed that formal negotiations begin immediately and suggested December 2023 as the initial timeframe.
However, those talks did not proceed because of political instability in Vanuatu at the time.
Despite the delay, Napat said dialogue with France continued.
Following his election as PM, his office formally requested another high-level meeting with President Macron.
France accepted the request, leading to a bilateral meeting in July 2025 attended by PM Napat and Deputy PM Johnny Koanapo.
Napat said that during the meeting, both leaders agreed that future negotiations should be conducted at the ministerial level.
He said this decision was made jointly by himself and President Macron and was later endorsed by Vanuatu’s Council of Ministers.
As a result, Deputy PM Koanapo was officially mandated to lead subsequent negotiations on behalf of the Government.
The PM rejected claims by the Opposition that Deputy PM Koanapo lacked the standing or authority to lead negotiations.
He said the appointment was formally approved by the Council of Ministers and reflected an agreed diplomatic process between both governments.
Napat also dismissed suggestions that Koanapo’s origins from southern Tanna created any conflict of interest.
“He is a diplomat, he has the capacity to negotiate at that level, and the Council of Ministers gave him the mandate to represent the Government and the people of Vanuatu,” Napat said.
Napat said international legal procedures require countries to exhaust all diplomatic avenues before taking a dispute to the ICJ.
He said Vanuatu had now completed that process.
“The path we have followed means that every available avenue of negotiation has been exhausted. Only then can we move towards the ICJ,” he said.
He added that the Council of Ministers had also authorised Deputy PM Koanapo to undertake a second round of negotiations before the Government proceeds with its next course of action.
Napat appealed to all political leaders and citizens to set aside political differences when dealing with matters of national sovereignty.
“When it comes to issues of sovereignty, Vanuatu must stand together. We must put politics aside and speak with one voice,” he said.
The PM noted that during a recent sitting of Parliament, Opposition Leader Kalsakau had expressed support for referring the dispute to the International Court of Justice if negotiations failed.
Napat said this was precisely the course the Government is now pursuing.
“It is disappointing that we are united inside Parliament but present different positions outside Parliament on such an important national issue,” he said.
He called on MPs, the Opposition and all citizens to support the Government’s efforts to defend Vanuatu’s sovereignty over Matthew and Hunter Islands.
Napat said his remarks were intended to correct what he described as inaccurate statements made by the Opposition regarding the Government’s handling of the negotiations…. PACNEWS
FIJI – SECURITY/DEFENCE: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 2: Mon 20 Jul 2026
Military rivalry deepens Pacific divide – PANG
SUVA, 20 JULY 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) coordinator Joey Tau says China’s recent missile test reflects the increasingly contested nature of the Pacific, where major powers are competing for influence through military, security and economic partnerships.
Speaking to The Fiji Times, Tau said China’s missile launch should not be viewed in isolation, but as part of a broader trend of external powers expanding their strategic footprint across the region.
He said countries such as the United States, Australia and China were all pursuing security interests in the Pacific, raising questions about who was shaping the region’s security agenda.
“The recent move by China speaks to the current context of the geopolitics in our region,” he said.
Tau said PANG condemned China’s missile test, but stressed its concerns were not directed at Beijing alone. He said the organisation opposed military activities by any external country that heightened tensions or shifted the region’s priorities away from those of Pacific people.
“As a regional non-governmental organisation, we condemn the actions by China, and this also extends to other external parties who have ongoing interest in the region.”
He said the growing number of defence arrangements, trade agreements and diplomatic initiatives across the Pacific suggested security cooperation was increasingly being pursued through economic and political partnerships.
According to Tau, trade agreements, sports diplomacy and bilateral partnerships were no longer separate from security discussions, with many becoming pathways to deeper strategic engagement.
“The recent regional initiatives, the Nakamal Agreement in Vanuatu, the Puk Puk Treaty in Papua New Guinea, the Vuvale partnership and the Solomon Islands’ proposal for a regional compact are examples of how security considerations are becoming intertwined with other forms of cooperation.”
Tau said Pacific governments needed to carefully assess these agreements to ensure they served regional interests rather than those of outside powers.
He warned that while bilateral agreements could provide economic opportunities, they also had the potential to weaken regional unity if they were driven primarily by the strategic objectives of larger countries.
“The fear is that they don’t inform and build that regional consensus to push the agenda of an external party,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: SAMOA OBSERVER PACNEWS 2: Mon 20 Jul 2026
Samoa, Australia strengthen ties with climate and security commitments
APIA, 20 JULY 2026 (SAMOA OBSERVER) — Samoa and Australia have reaffirmed their long-standing partnership, highlighting progress on a WST$20 million (US$7.35 million) climate initiative and agreeing to deepen cooperation across security, governance, labour mobility and economic development.
The commitments were made during the biennial Australia-Samoa Senior Officials Talks held in Apia, where officials from both countries reviewed progress under the Australia-Samoa Bilateral Partnership Arrangement, Ole Fala Folasia I Lo Ta Va.
The talks also reaffirmed both governments’ shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific region.
Officials welcomed progress on the WST$20 million bilateral climate partnership announced by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in February 2026 and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness and emergency response.
For the first time, the talks included dedicated Economic Cooperation and Strategic Cooperation Dialogues, reflecting the expanding scope of the bilateral relationship.
Discussions covered regional and global developments, socio-economic priorities and ways to strengthen national resilience in line with Samoa’s recently announced Pathway for the Development of Samoa.
Both sides reaffirmed their support for Pacific regionalism through the Pacific Islands Forum and emphasised the importance of Pacific-led solutions to regional challenges.
Officials also discussed regional security, including the growing threat of transnational organised crime and illicit drugs, and highlighted the need for a coordinated Pacific response. They acknowledged Samoa’s Regional Centre of Excellence under the Pacific Policing Initiative for its role in strengthening policing capability across the region.
The two countries also welcomed continued cooperation in climate action, health, education, governance, economic development, security and people-to-people links.
Officials agreed to extend the Tautai – Governance for Economic Growth Programme for a further four years, through to 2030, and to continue negotiations on an updated Labour Mobility Memorandum of Understanding.
Samoa’s delegation was led by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Chief Executive Officer Peseta Noumea Simi, while Australia’s delegation was led by First Assistant Secretary Mark Tattersall and included Australian High Commissioner Will Robinson…. PACNEWS
FIJI – POLITICS: FBC NEWS PACNEWS 2: Mon 20 Jul 2026
Fiji reaffirms independent foreign policy towards China
SUVA, 20 JULY 2026 (FBC NEWS) — Fiji has reaffirmed that its foreign policy remains independent as it continues to strengthen defence cooperation with China.
Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua says the country will not define its international relationships through geopolitical rivalry.
Speaking at the 99th anniversary commemoration of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in Suva last night, Tikoduadua says Fiji’s growing partnership with China is guided by its longstanding principles of sovereignty, dialogue and respect for international law.
“Fiji’s foreign policy is independent. We do not define our friendships by reference to anyone else.”
He adds that Fiji also rejects the notion that the Pacific should be viewed solely through the lens of strategic competition.
Tikoduadua states China has been a longstanding partner of Fiji, with cooperation expanding across trade, infrastructure, education, health, development and, increasingly, defence.
He has had discussions with Chinese defence representatives over the past year had been conducted with openness and mutual respect.
“That is how serious partnerships should operate. They should be able to discuss areas of common interest honestly and address differences respectfully.”
While reaffirming Fiji’s commitment to strengthening ties with China, Tikoduadua stresses that the country’s approach to international engagement remains grounded in peaceful dialogue and respect for sovereignty.
“We have always believed that dialogue is more durable than coercion, and that trust is built through consistency rather than rhetoric. Those principles shape our relationship with China.”
Tikoduadua acknowledged the increasingly complex global security environment, citing major power competition, rapid advances in military technology, climate change, cyber threats, natural disasters and transnational crime as challenges facing all nations.
He said these developments reinforced rather than altered Fiji’s foreign policy principles.
He also said Fiji remains committed to the Pacific Islands Forum’s vision of an “Ocean of Peace” and warned against allowing geopolitical competition to overshadow regional cooperation.
Tikoduadua notes Fiji welcomed defence cooperation that strengthens humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security, peacekeeping, military education and professional development.
The minister expressed hope that Fiji and China would continue expanding practical cooperation in areas that make the Pacific “safer, more resilient and better prepared for the challenges ahead.” …. PACNEWS
FIJI – MONEY LAUNDERING: FBC NEWS PACNEWS 2: Mon 20 Jul 2026
Fiji’s money laundering risk is high: Report
SUVA, 20 JULY 2026 (FBC NEWS) — The Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit’s 2025 National Risk Assessment (NRA) report has identified and assessed the country’s money laundering risk as ‘high.’
According to the FIU’s 2025 Annual Report, the assessment revealed that the key criminal threats contributing to the high money laundering risk are narcotics-related offences, organised crime and racketeering, taxation and customs-related crimes including smuggling, environmental crimes and bribery and corruption.
The NRA examined 25 sectors within Fiji and identified five sectors as being highly vulnerable to money laundering risks.
These are commercial banks, foreign exchange dealers and money changers, payment service providers, legal practitioners and real estate agents.
The assessment was carried out by an NRA Working Group made up of representatives from relevant government agencies…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – FISHERIES: AAP PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 20 Jul 2026
Images show gruesome extent of illegal Pacific fishing
FUNAFUTI, 20 JULY 2026 (AAP) — The interception of a Chinese vessel accused of illegal fishing highlights the technical lengths many use to remain undetected across millions of square kilometres of open ocean.
Tuvalu Police operating on a Sea Shepard patrol boat boarded and arrested a Chinese longliner, the Lu Rong Yuan Yu 138, on 09 July for allegedly illegally operating within the small South Pacific nation’s waters.
The vessel was allegedly running with its navigation light turned off and transmitting false data showing it to be in different area – an increasingly common practice known as “spoofing”.
After boarding the ship, officers found it did not hold a valid permit to fish the area, detaining the vessel and escorting it to the Port of Funafuti for further investigation.
Sea Shepherd Australia chair Peter Hammarstedt said illegal fishers were increasingly “going dark” by switching off their automatic identification systems or using them to broadcast false information.
“It’s very common practice, especially in the Pacific Ocean, for Chinese fishing vessels to transmit false positions,” Hammarstedt told AAP.
“If you go onto some vessel tracking software websites, you’ll see some Chinese fishing vessels appear on land, like in the Mongolian desert, for example.
“Obviously the fishing vessel isn’t there but is operating elsewhere and simply inputting false data to mislead investigators.”
In the case of the Lu Rong Yuan Yu 138, it was allegedly transmitting a location that put it squarely on the equator at 0 degrees, raising the suspicions of investigators.
Sea Shepherd has partnered with Tuvalu Police for the past two years, since the nation’s only operational patrol boat was damaged in a cyclone.
The small island nation monitors a marine domain covering 750,000 sq km, with limited assets to keep an eye on such a large area, meaning most illegal fishing operations go undetected.
“The fishing vessels that do this kind of behaviour operate under the expectation that they’re just not going to get caught,” Hammarstedt said.
Australia and Pacific nations have recently ramped up efforts to clamp down on illegal fishing under the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency Fishing Authorisation.
“The Tuvaluans live by the sea, with the sea, and have done so for hundreds and hundreds of years,” Hammarstedt said.
“When I see illegal fishing on an industrial scale happening in the Tuvaluan waters, I see this as theft from the Tuvaluans,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – AIRLINE: STUFF NZ PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 20 Jul 2026
Air Niugini confirms return of direct Auckland flights after 28 years
AUCKLAND, 20 JULY 2026 (STUFF NZ) — Papua New Guinea’s national carrier, Air Niugini, has officially confirmed it will launch a direct, non-stop service between Auckland and Port Moresby starting 17 November 2026.
Operating three times a week, the route marks the airline’s historic return to New Zealand skies, restoring a regular connection that has been absent since 1998.
Stuff reported in March that flights were coming after the airline teased them on its social media.
Flights will depart Auckland on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 9am, arriving in Port Moresby at 12pm.
The schedule is specifically optimised to feed into Air Niugini’s international network, offering New Zealand travellers same-day connections out of Port Moresby to Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong, Singapore and Manila.
The service will initially operate using Boeing 737-800 aircraft before transitioning to Air Niugini’s new, next-generation Airbus A220 fleet in 2027.
This fleet modernisation, which includes an order for 11 A220s, is part of what chairman Karl Yalo previously described as “one of the most significant transformations in the airline’s history,” overseen by recently re-appointed chief executive Alan Milne.
Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker welcomed the official launch, noting that restoring the direct link puts a vital Pacific connection back on the map.
“It will make it easier for families to spend time together, businesses to build relationships, students and seasonal workers to travel, and visitors to experience more of Papua New Guinea and New Zealand,” Tasker said.
The direct flights will provide immediate efficiency for local employers.
Personnel arriving under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme accounted for 22 percent of all arrivals from Papua New Guinea in the 2023/24 year, following a 158 percent surge in growth for the program.
The route also unlocks easy access to Papua New Guinea’s eco-tourism and adventure sectors, including the Kokoda Track and world-class World War II wreck diving sites.
Between 1982 and 1985, the airline participated in a unique weekly tripartite service with Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand, with each airline taking turns to operate flights on the Auckland–Port Moresby–Hong Kong route.
The airline later operated its own direct services to Auckland until 1998, when operations ceased because of economic pressures arising from the Asian financial crisis…. PACNEWS
SAMOA – AIRCRAFT: SAMOA OBSERVER PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 20 Jul 2026
Refurbished Samoa Airways Twin Otter returns after major overhaul in Canada
APIA, 20 JULY 2026 (SAMOA OBSERVER) — A Samoa Airways Twin Otter has returned to Samoa after undergoing a major structural overhaul and refurbishment in Canada.
It is the second Samoa Airways Twin Otter to undergo a complete refurbishment by Unity Aviation Canada. Aircraft 5W-FAW returned to Samoa in March 2025 after undergoing similar work.
Aircraft 5W-FAY was sent to Canada in September 2025 for work on its airframe and major components, according to a speech delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo at a welcoming ceremony on Friday night.
The refurbishment of both aircraft cost about SAT$22 million (US$8.09 million), according to Mulipola. The work was funded from Samoa Airways’ revenue “without the need for borrowing.”
The aircraft was built in Canada in 1980 and acquired by Samoa Airways in 1998. It is the oldest of the airline’s three Twin Otters and has served the national carrier for 28 years. Mulipola said the refurbishment was expected to extend the aircraft’s operational life by another 30 years.
The project took longer and cost more than originally planned after inspections in Canada identified additional parts that needed to be replaced.
“Although this resulted in additional time and expense, the decision was made to proceed so that the aircraft’s airframe and systems could be fully restored to the standard required,” Mulipola said.
She said the investment was intended to improve the safety and reliability of Samoa Airways’ services, as well as passenger comfort.
The Government also expects the refurbished aircraft to support tourism, trade and access to overseas markets while providing local aviation workers with further practical experience.
Mulipola thanked Samoa Airways for upgrading its fleet and Unity Aviation Canada for carrying out the work. A team from Unity Aviation Canada Ltd. travelled to Samoa for the event. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Cabinet ministers, the Samoa Airways chairperson, board members, chief executive officer, management and staff were also present.
Samoa Airways operates its Twin Otters on domestic and short regional routes…. PACNEWS
SAMOA – ECONOMY: SAMOA OBSERVER PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 20 Jul 2026
Central Bank warns budget delays could slow Samoa’s economic recovery
APIA, 20 JULY 2026 (SAMOA OBSERVER) — Delays in implementing the Government’s planned $1.5 billion (US$552.24 million) budget could slow Samoa’s economic recovery, the Central Bank of Samoa has warned.
In its 2026/2027 Monetary Policy Statement, the Central Bank forecasts economic growth of 2.7 per cent this financial year, following an expected contraction of 0.7 per cent in 2025/2026.
Government spending, remittances and tourism earnings are expected to support businesses and broader economic activity.
However, the bank said the previous budget had experienced “delays and slow implementation due to various challenges.”
The report did not explain what those challenges were or identify the projects affected.
“In the event there is slow or low implementation of planned Budget expenditure and projects, this is expected to lead [to] a lower real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 2.0 per cent,” the report said.
The report presents two different estimates for this scenario. A forecast table projects growth of 1.7 per cent, while the accompanying analysis estimates 2 per cent. Both are below the bank’s baseline forecast of 2.7 per cent.
The Central Bank left monetary policy unchanged, maintaining its current approach to managing inflation and liquidity in the banking system.
Inflation is forecast to rise from 1 per cent in May 2026 to 3.8 per cent by June 2027, slightly above the bank’s medium-term target of 3 per cent. The increase is expected to be driven by higher international oil prices.
The bank expects inflation to fall below its target in the following financial year, although international conflicts and fluctuations in commodity prices remain key risks.
Samoa’s foreign reserves are forecast to remain at about $1.7 billion (US$625.92 million), enough to cover 15.7 months of imports, well above the Central Bank’s minimum target of four months.
The Government’s 2026/2027 Budget projects a deficit of $215.9 million (US$79.49 million), with planned expenditure of $1.5 billion (US$552.24 million), about $215.9 million (US$79.49 million) more than expected revenue…. PACNEWS
FIJI – AIRLINE: FBC NEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 20 Jul 2026
Fiji Airways explores local carbon projects
SUVA, 20 JULY 2026 (FBC NEWS) — Under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, airlines including Fiji Airways must offset emissions on eligible international routes.
Rather than purchasing credits from overseas markets, Fiji Airways is exploring whether high-integrity, local carbon projects can meet CORSIA’s requirements to keep the economic and environmental benefits at home.
Fiji’s First Aviation-Focused Carbon Market Training to build this local capability, Fiji Airways hosted an IATA-led Carbon Market Training at the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy.
The training was designed to build a shared understanding across regulators and the industry.
This initiative falls under the airline’s Maroroya (meaning “to protect” in Fijian) Sustainability Strategy, which explores how carbon markets can expand the airline’s broader conservation efforts.
Fiji Airways Chief Executive Paul Scurrah says this training is about making sure Fiji isn’t just meeting an international obligation but building the local capability to shape how that obligation is met through projects that protect our environment and benefit our communities at the same time.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Apisai Rinamalo says Fiji has already generated high-integrity emission reduction units through the National Emission Reduction Programme.
He added that a carbon trading partnership would enable the forestry sector to directly support aviation’s Net Zero ambitions while promoting sustainable forest management.
Participants will work closely with government ministries to develop CORSIA-eligible carbon projects within Fiji…. PACNEWS
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Deficits, debt and the fiscal reckoning ahead
By Satish Chand
SUVA, 20 JULY 2026 (DEVPOLICY.ORG) — The 2026–27 Budget tabled in Fiji’s Parliament last month projects total government expenditure of $4.9 billion (US$2.45 billion) against revenues of $3.8 billion (US$1.9 billion), leaving a net deficit of approximately $1 billion (US$500 million). Including debt repayments pushes the overall financing gap to around $1.5 billion (US$750 million). This shortfall is expected to be financed through domestic borrowing of $854 million (US$427 million) and foreign borrowing of $628 million (US$314 million).
By this time next year, public debt is projected to exceed $12 billion (US$6 billion) — three times its level a decade ago — and debt-servicing costs alone will amount to $436 million (US$218 million). Debt repayments now constitute the government’s third-largest expenditure item after education and health. Public debt is set to reach 85 percent of GDP. As Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel recently noted, it costs around $9 million (US$4.5 million) every day simply to keep government services operating.
The uncomfortable truth is that deficits and debt are not going away. The challenge is not whether they can be eliminated overnight, but whether their growth can be contained before markets impose the adjustment for us. Such restraint is rarely achievable on the eve of national elections, but the government that emerges from the polls will face difficult choices. If those choices are postponed, they will eventually be made by creditors, investors and economic realities. The purpose of this article is to offer a warning — to both policymakers and the public — about the fiscal pressures building beneath the surface.
The problem is that there is very little room to reduce spending. Indeed, expenditure demands are likely to intensify, while debt-servicing costs will continue to rise as borrowing accumulates. Without a significant increase in government revenue, Fiji is heading towards not only a fiscal crisis but potentially a balance-of-payments crisis as well. It is always preferable to heed the warning signs than to wait for the crisis itself.
The momentum behind public spending growth is likely to persist for many years. All of the $708 million (US$354 million) allocated to the Ministry of Education — about 14 percent of total expenditure — is devoted to operating costs. These expenses represent commitments that will endure for decades. The same pattern is evident in health, where $477 million (US$238.5 million) has been allocated, around 95 percent of it for recurrent expenditures. The Fiji Police Force receives $226 million (US$113 million), entirely for operating costs, while the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection receives $211 million (US$105.5 million), again largely for ongoing commitments.
These expenditures are politically and socially difficult to reduce. Children will remain in schools, teachers will continue to draw salaries, social welfare recipients — numbering some 130,000 — will depend on public support, and demand for public services will not diminish. Any government attempting to make substantial cuts in these areas would face an immediate political backlash.
At the same time, pressure for additional spending continues to mount. The healthcare system remains under-resourced, and the government has already committed itself to the construction of new hospitals, ports, bridges and associated infrastructure. Concerns over law and order have intensified, particularly about drug abuse, generating calls for increased policing and enforcement. Sugarcane farmers are seeking greater subsidies, public servants are demanding higher wages, and advocates for low-income workers are pushing for increases in the minimum wage. Meeting even a fraction of these demands would push total expenditure above the budgeted $4.9 billion (US$2.45 billion).
Revenue growth, meanwhile, remains uncertain. Economic activity is vulnerable to adverse international developments and weather-related shocks, including the forecast El Niño event. The principal revenue measure announced in the budget is the new 5 percent tourism services tax to be paid by hotel and cruise operators for the next 12 months with turnover exceeding $2 million (US$1 million), the proceeds of which will help support Fiji Airways. The rationale is understandable: tourism remains the backbone of the economy, and Fiji Airways serves as a critical link to international visitors who underpin much of the country’s economic activity.
Yet the tax highlights the dangers of seeking revenue through narrowly targeted measures. Taxing tourists may appear politically attractive because tourists do not vote. What is often overlooked, however, is that they can choose alternative destinations. Hotel operators argue that they will bear much of the burden of the tax, and there is merit in their concern.
Consider the arithmetic. An exceptionally profitable business may earn a profit margin of 20 cents (US$0.10c) for every dollar of turnover, while a more typical business may earn only 10 cents (US$0.05c). A turnover tax of five cents per dollar, therefore, represents a tax equal to 25 percent of profits for the highly profitable operator and 50 percent for the less profitable one. Combined with Fiji’s company tax rate of 25 percent, the effective tax burden can become exceptionally high, particularly for businesses operating on thin margins. The result is that turnover taxes tend to penalise less profitable firms disproportionately and can discourage investment and expansion.
Existing hotel operators may have little choice but to absorb the additional burden, but prospective investors can simply postpone or redirect their capital elsewhere. Although the government has described the tax as temporary, experience suggests that temporary taxes often outlive their original justification. Investors are aware of this risk, and it inevitably affects investment decisions.
The reality is that the long-term solution lies elsewhere. Some savings may eventually be achieved through better targeting of pensions, transfers and subsidies, although significant reform is unlikely before the election. On the revenue side, there is scope to broaden the tax base and potentially increase VAT, though neither option is politically attractive in an election year.
The greatest untapped source of revenue, however, may lie in personal income taxation. At present, only around 10,000 people out of an estimated 400,000 wage and salary earners pay income tax. This outcome stems from Fiji’s tax-free threshold of $30,000 (US$15,000) — more than twice the country’s per capita GDP. By international standards, this threshold is unusually high. In Australia, for example, the tax-free threshold is one-quarter of per capita GDP, while marginal income tax rates are generally higher than those prevailing in Fiji.
Broadening the income tax base would not only strengthen revenue collections but also improve public accountability. Citizens who contribute directly to government revenues tend to take a greater interest in how those revenues are spent. Wider participation in the tax system can therefore strengthen democratic scrutiny and improve governance.
Budget deficits and rising public debt will remain features of Fiji’s fiscal landscape for the foreseeable future. The country’s capacity to borrow more is increasingly constrained, leaving only two sustainable options: moderate the growth of public expenditure or generate additional revenue.
Neither path will be painless. The next government is likely to confront a much tighter fiscal environment than the current one. Future budgets may require difficult expenditure restraint, politically unpopular tax reforms, or some combination of both. Delaying these choices will not make them easier. It will only increase the likelihood that Fiji faces a far more painful fiscal reckoning in the years ahead…. PACNEWS
Satish Chand was the Chair of the National Security and Defence Review Taskforce for the Fijian Government. He is a Professor of Economics at the University of New South Wales, specialising in public finance, governance and economic development.
PACNEWS In Focus
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Can we have peace in a sea of Pacific security pacts?
As Australian security pacts multiply across the Pacific, the peace priorities of island nations are being left adrift.
By Anouk Ride and Tania Miletic
CANBERRA, 20 JULY 2026 (THE INTERPRETER) — Pacts between Australia and Pacific Islands nations are multiplying, as is the practice of Australia rolling together aid and security in its negotiations that become binding “peace” or “security” agreements – or both.
Everyone acknowledges Australian interests in these pacts – Australia sees China as a threat and seeks to establish itself as the main security partner with Pacific countries, particularly for anything police or military related. Pacts include “mutual agreement” on security matters involving third parties (Tuvalu and Nauru) to “consultation” (Vanuatu) to allyship (Papua New Guinea and Fiji).
Pacific interests for peace and security are broader and how to get it may be more contested. Peace in the Pacific Islands is less about whose side you are on in geopolitical contests and more about coordinated efforts towards addressing structural causes of violence – which in the Pacific includes colonialism, militarisation and inequality (Opens in new window). The regional Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration (Opens in new window) positions peace and security as broader in both conception and practice: in the “Pacific worldview, where peace, security and development are interconnected and mutually reinforcing”. Security threats mentioned here are not China but byproducts of power plays and economic exploitation: coercion, nuclear weapons, environmental degradation, climate change, internal conflict and social exclusion, technological change and failure of donors to fund meaningful development.
Conversely, peaceful ways forward are suggested in the “Pacific Way” of resolving disputes through respect and dialogue, with the relational over the transactional supporting decision-making between trusted partners. Regional cooperation in the declaration is to address interlinked climate action, nuclear-free status, healthy oceans and international law, while nationally there is a need for inclusive governance, and local rather than external agendas for development.
Regional security pacts could be helpful for peace if focused on demilitarisation and denuclearisation, but as the Chinese missile test underlined, could escalate geopolitical conflict if the pact is perceived as a threat. Such escalations may not be limited to weaponry but may extend to influence campaigns and instability in Pacific politics.
Heightened interest by Australian political leaders in security pacts has given Pacific Islands leverage to request new and different forms of assistance but this has rarely translated into shifting agendas to addressing local causes of conflict. As defined by the National Security Strategy, Papua New Guinea’s key conflict risks are tribal fighting in the highlands, crime – including transnational crime such as drugs and gun smuggling – border security and cybersecurity as well as violence against women, corruption, resource conflicts and health, climate change or disaster related issues.
However, the inordinate focus of the new PukPuk pact on defence, and very limited public consultations, means both reduced attention on internal security issues, and high risks (Opens in new window) of defence resources reinforcing violent actors, gun violence and use of force against dissent. The pact is light on how peace and security arrangements support the ongoing political process between Bougainville and PNG – and has raised questions about what role Australia plays in relation to PNG and Indonesia.
The latest security pact (Opens in new window), between Fiji and Australia also makes mention of peace in the title and UN norms of seeking peaceful settlements to disputes but does not explain what peace is and how it might be achieved. Like PNG, the pact will bring greater police and military cooperation. How the pacts will lead to the strengthening of relational frameworks that enable the Declaration’s vision of inclusive and consensus-orientated decision making, with involvement not just of elites, but civil society and others, remains to be seen. This may be critical internally in Fiji which has a history of military coups and entanglement with political power (Opens in new window).
As pacts are launched around the Pacific, with big spends and a hectic pace, there is often little public consultation.
Vanuatu’s National Security Strategy sets out its key problems as crimes related to foreign fishing and transnational crime, cybersecurity, border security (including biosecurity as critical to people’s main income through agriculture) and climate change and natural disasters. Yet the Nakamal Agreement (Opens in new window) with Australia delivers little to change these conditions. The agreement lacks substance (Opens in new window) and reaffirms Australia’s already given commitment to net zero and climate adaptation and adding a mixed bag of clauses on migration, blackbirding, private sector linkages and “budget support” for “fiscal certainty”.
Arguably, the smallest nation to sign a security pact with Australia, Tuvalu has had the most success in obtaining an agreement that addresses its core security threats. While monitoring, control and surveillance for its Exclusive Economic Zone is a concern, its biggest threat is climate change. Being small low-lying islands, Tuvalu is affected by a range of climate threats (Opens in new window), and prospects of climate migration. The Australia-Tuvalu pact (Opens in new window) addresses that head on by providing for migration pathways to Australia, coastal protection and climate adaptation and support for Tuvalu sovereignty over resources and culture (including through digital sovereignty).
So, what will Solomon Islands new government, led by Prime Minister Matthew Wale do in negotiating a pact? His predecessor was focused on police capacity and unrest following a disastrous riot in November 2021(Opens in new window) and citing this as a rationale for the controversial China-Solomon security pact in 2022. Wale has already indicated a focus on the structures of power causing conflict – reviewing lost revenue from extractive industries, closing loopholes for minerals to be sent overseas without proper regulation, prioritising indigenous business in government contracts and seeking support to expand job and educational opportunities for its young population. The country’s national security strategy retains a focus on social cohesion and peacebuilding given the country’s post-conflict status, as well as corruption, crime, border and maritime security, environmental security and climate change, and cybersecurity.
The Australia-Solomon Islands pact will be an interesting case to see whether new pacts are actually about local peace and security priorities, or just bilateral aid negotiations by another means, with a side serving of Australia’s strategic denial. As pacts are launched around the Pacific, with big spends and a hectic pace (Opens in new window), there is often little public consultation. We are yet to see serious review of whether previous arrangements with Australia helped address security threats in the islands. Such reviews would be wise for Pacific countries engaging in such pacts, while Australia has opportunities to ask what the pacts could be if peace and security are foregrounded.
Security for Pacific Islands is unlikely if peace is left adrift in a sea of pacts…. PACNEWS
Dr Anouk Ride is a sociologist with an interest in development and peace and conflict in the Pacific Islands region. She was based in Solomon Islands for two decades doing policy orientated research and has managed over 20 projects with Pacific governments, media, police and correctional services, regional organisations and universities.
Dr Tania Miletic is the Co Director of the University of Melbourne’s Initiative for Peacebuilding, working to promote multidisciplinary research, teaching and policy development that supports effective engagement in conflict prevention and peacebuilding in the Indo Pacific region.
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Lethal sea drones strike for real and rehearsal
WELLINGTON, 20 JULY 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — New Zealand’s main military partners are weaponising sea drones and using them in actual attacks – video has captured the moment three uncrewed boats hit a naval pier in Iran on Monday in what was the United States’ first-ever attack using sea drones.
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) meantime has been testing drones to spot vessels off Fiji and the Coromandel coast, and its drone spending in Budget 2026 and upcoming experiments with new sea drones are focused on surveillance not combat.
Yet it says it wants to “fully exploit” all types of drones. Critics say it should not even be trying to get in step with the lethal push as that would only spread weaponised sea drones into the Pacific.
The push includes Australia last year moving to put $2 billion (US$1.39 billion) into a fleet of Ghost Shark armed underwater drones, and in recent weeks announcing a new project to weaponise subsea drones to patrol seafloor data cables – the first “signature” project of AUKUS Pillar Two involving also the U.S and UK. New Zealand has considered joining Pillar Two for several years but not done so.
Increasingly, navies globally are switching spending from manned to unmanned weapon systems on the surface or undersea, though it is intensely debated just how much drones can do versus regular ships.
Follow the money
Canberra has boasted it is “leading the world in terms of autonomous underwater military capabilities”.
One of the NZDF’s top priorities is to show by next year it is able to fight alongside Australia in a near-future conflict across multiple domains (sea, air, land, space, cyber). Its top priority is to become more combat-ready and lethal – yet internal documents say its depleted workforce is a big barrier to that.
While Budgets 2025 and 2026 put the bulk of maritime taxpayer funding into keeping ships afloat and renewing the fleet in years ahead, NZDF has pledged “significant” new investments in lethality and uncrewed systems without disclosing just how much.
Its science section is known to be working with the Australians on the emerging tech, and the Ministry of Defence recently told MPs while it was not buying any fully autonomous weapons systems that did not preclude human-guided ones.
Asked about this, the ministry told RNZ, “New Zealand has and will continue to purchase and operate non-lethal systems (eg drones for the purposes of intelligence, surveillance or reconnaissance) and is considering procuring lethal but non-autonomous systems (such as strike drones under human control) in the future.”
NZDF recently signed up for some sea drones described as “combat-proven” by local manufacturer Syos – its SM300 drones are used by Britain’s navy in straits around Greenland – and it has also been looking at integrating drones with a firing control system. These are still being fitted out by Syos.
NZDF said it would use them to explore how the tech could support maritime awareness, surveillance and support activities.
Ukraine which has scored huge wins over the Russian conventional navy using sea drones, has offered to join New Zealand in a dronemaking joint venture, but the government has not taken it up on that.
NZDF told RNZ on Friday the focus was on putting missiles on ships, planes or vehicles.
“Future refreshes will consider expanding strike capability to other assets,” it said when asked how lethal sea drones fit in.
Pacific historian and AUT law school lecturer Dr Marco de Jong said this was going the wrong way.
“Rather than buying into a spiralling arms race that we lack the industrial base to win, creating a regional non-proliferation regime would help to insulate New Zealand, and disincentivise major powers from deploying their military assets to our near region,” said de Jong on Friday.
Rehearsals for sinkings
The NZDF’s only known exposure to lethal sea drones is at recent U.S-led exercises.
The NZDF had 70 troops at exercise Balikatan in May where U.S-Filipino special forces sank an old ship using sea drones. It had an observer at NATO’s Dynamic Messenger 2025 exercise that used Magura V7 drones like those that have hobbled Russia’s Black Sea fleet in its war on Ukraine, to simulate the sinking of an alliance frigate. And the navy currently has 280 personnel at the world’s largest maritime exercise, RIMPAC.
RIMPAC is running live firing against a moving target from a missile launcher on a sea drone, as well as the largest delivery ever of parts by autonomous drones to 3D manufacturing plants aboard ships.
“This is exactly why I joined the Navy,” 22-year-old able electronic technician Serenity Olive was quoted in navy PR speaking of RIMPAC.
Other wargames overseas – by desktop – have modelled how a “hedge” of sea drones could conduct distant anti-submarine warfare, offensive counter-air operations and anti-surface warfare to prevent threats from approaching Australia.
Another modelled an attack by China on Japan as part of a Taiwan invasion where Japanese sea drones struck at and distracted Chinese ships.
“Their use alongside more traditional weapons such as missiles meant the Japanese military still had more than half of its navy and aircraft several weeks into the conflict despite China’s much larger force,” said a commentary in Bloomberg.
China’s ‘swarm’
China is conducting its own sea drone exercises.
In March the People’s Liberation Army was reported for the first time to have tested a “swarm” of sea drones off Guangdong – a video shows three small crewless boats said to share “collective intelligence”.
The US is doubling down on drones as a whole, sea drones among them.
Last month the U.S set up a new Robotic and Autonomous Systems Combatant Command and a new drone-buying office with a budget over $90 billion (US$62.86 billion) to counter what President Donald Trump said was “millions” of drones being produced by adversaries each year. Uncrewed sea drones make up a quarter of its programmes.
The Trump directive behind all this is titled ‘Unleashing American Drone Dominance’ and states,
“Drones and autonomous systems are the most consequential battlefield innovation of this generation. The [Department of War] must move at the speed this moment demands.”
Sizing things up
Against Iran, small lethal sea drones were used by the U.S on Monday against what it said were military targets. However, civilian infrastructure is not exempt from the threat.
Ukraine this week used navy drones to hit scores of vessels including tankers in the Sea of Azov aiming, it said, to disable not sink them, to disrupt Russia’s oil exports and supply lines.
Not all sea drones that support warfighting are lethal themselves – the US Navy recently signed on seven companies including one that makes a transport sea drone, the Marauder, over 40m long.
Surveillance or survey can be another dual-purpose use. The Bluebottle drones the NZDF used last year to survey off Fiji in part achieved “proof of utility of uncrewed systems for Maritime Domain Awareness within the Pacific region” through “layered surveillance, over a prolonged period”, a defence document said.
The two Bluebottles observed almost 250 vessels in 41 days at sea each.
Rules not drones
De Jong said proponents of lethal sea drones will say that New Zealand has a large Exclusive Economic Zone in the ocean and relies on seaborne trade so must enhance its naval capabilities to keep pace.
But “the pressing interest is in establishing rules”, he said, and the foundation for that was in the country’s coastal state rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The choice was rules, not weapons.
“No Pacific Islands country currently operates lethal autonomous sea drones, nor would they seek to.”
The rules-based approach was behind the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone that became the Treaty of Rarotonga that outlaws nuclear weapons in the South Pacific and removed the region for Cold War geopolitical contests, he said.
He also cited the September 2025 Ocean of Peace Declaration of the Pacific Islands Forum that called on all states to promote “responsible use of technology and innovation”.
“The instrument exists and there is a window of opportunity here.”
Defence Minister Chris Penk told RNZ on Wednesday NZDF had to be able to support Pacific neighbours and “contribute to upholding the existing international rules-based order”.
“New Zealand has long been supportive of a Pacific-led response to regional security issues and it is with that in mind we are exploring joining the recently announced Fiji-Australia Ocean of Peace alliance – which is a logical extension to what we already do,” Penk said…. PACNEWS
