Fiji calls for sea-bed mining moratorium as Nautilus restructures
By Nic Maclellan in Funafuti, Tuvalu Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has again called for a 10-year moratorium on sea-bed mining, at a time that many Pacific island nations are preparing for new frontiers of
Island leaders says new climate funds don’t let Australia off the hook
By Nic Maclellan in Funafuti, Tuvalu As Prime Minister Scott Morrison heads to this week’s 50th Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu, Australia has announced that it will commit new climate funding to the Pacific. Morrison
Swimming in rising waters
By Nic Maclellan (Islands Business magazine) in Funafuti, Tuvalu As Pacific leaders and officials begin arriving for the 50th Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu, they’re greeted by Tuvaluan children waving flags. But the
Pacific islands ramp up engagement with United Nations
By Nic Maclellan (Islands Business magazine) in Funafuti, Tuvalu Under “the New Pacific Diplomacy”, Pacific island governments are looking to international arenas to advance their regional agenda. Following
Tuvalu prepares for Forum meeting
By Nic Maclellan in Funafuti A giant crane hoists the flagpoles into place outside Funafuti’s Sir Tomasi Puapua Convention Centre. Four go up, with another fourteen to go. Tuvalu is getting ready to host the 18 member
FLNKS holds steady in Congress polls
By Nic Maclellan in Noumea, New Caledonia The conservative coalition Avenir en Confiance (The future with confidence) has won a significant victory in New Caledonia’s elections, increasing its role in the Southern
New Caledonians decide to stay with France – for now
By Nic Maclellan in Noumea, New Caledonia Voters in New Caledonia have voted against independence in Sunday’s referendum on self-determination. Turning out in unprecedented numbers, a majority of voters decided to
Wise elders call for peaceful referendum
By Nic Maclellan in Noumea, New Caledonia Jean Leques, the former President of New Caledonia and mayor of Noumea, wants everyone to calm down. “The French Prime Minister asked that the referendum campaign proceed in a
Maohi support for Kanak independence struggle
By Nic Maclellan in Ponerihouen, New Caledonia In a show of support for the Kanak independence movement, Maohi leader Oscar Manutahi Temaru has joined the campaign trail in New Caledonia, urging voters to support a Yes
Ouvea – looking back, looking forward
By Nic Maclellan in Fayaoue, Ouvea, New Caledonia My legs haven’t seen much sun after a long Melbourne winter. So it’s always dangerous to end up on an atoll like Iaai (Ouvea), one of four making up New
Marching and singing for independence
By Nic Maclellan in Noumea, New Caledonia A small but vibrant group of women marched through the streets of downtown Noumea on Saturday, calling for a ‘Yes’ vote in New Caledonia’s referendum on
