Time to decolonise international development
The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development is being held at one of the most difficult moments in recent history. At no time in post-Second World War history has the international environment been
Tonga’s new Prime Minister, Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke
Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke was elected Prime Minister of Tonga on 24 December 2024, defeating Dr Viliami Uasike Latu, the other candidate, by 16 votes to 8 in a secret ballot. The election resulted from the shock
Pacific Person of the year: Emmanuel Tjibaou
For Kanak cultural and political leader Emmanuel Tjibaou, 2024 has been quite the year. On 13 May, after months of peaceful protest, New Caledonia erupted in violence as young people rioted across the capital Noumea and
Movers and Shakers
Alex Herman, the Seabed Minerals Commissioner at the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority has resigned. Herman will take up a regional role with the Pacific Community (SPC) in early 2025. Under Herman’s five-year
How Solomon Islands’ donor-funded water plant became a costly failure
A major donor-funded water plant in the capital of Solomon Islands was supposed to fix a clean water crisis. But people involved in the project said it was doomed by the Asian Development Bank’s insistence on taking
Global Development Conference 2024 concludes
The Global Development Conference (GDC) 2024 was hosted by the Global Development Network (GDN) in partnership with the Government of Fiji and The University of the South Pacific (USP) from November 26 to 28, 2024. The
Opinion: Tonga’s PM Hu’akavameiliku throws in the towel
In a highly anticipated session of the Tongan parliament to debate and vote on the second vote of no confidence (VONC) scheduled for Monday 9th December, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku surprised
Kiribati Court of Appeal hears deported Judge Lambourne’s appeal
The Kiribati Court of Appeal on Friday heard an appeal from High Court Judge David Lambourne, who was forced out of the country earlier this year following a dispute with the government. RNZ Pacific reports that
Australian Federal Police incinerates 500kg of cocaine seized after alleged PNG import attempt
Senior police officers from Australia and Papua New Guinea have monitored the destruction of 500kg of cocaine, which was seized by authorities in 2020 after the black flight believed to have been transporting it to
Tuilaepa will contest in 2026 election
In a resolute display of political longevity, veteran parliamentarian and Leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi made it clear that retirement is not on the horizon. At
Rebuilding New Caledonia’s shattered economy
We’re sitting on mats in the garden around a public housing tower in Noumea, as a small group of women and elders listen to updates from independence activists about the ongoing crisis in New Caledonia. Local
