ASPA’s new broom
But regional airline challenges remain David Tohi is a new broom at the Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA). While he takes over from Fiji’s George Faktaufon, who spent more than 30 years as ASPA Chief
Fiji Airways’ A350-degree turn
Fiji Airways’ Executive Manager Global Sales expects the airline will carry one million passengers on its flights this year. Akuila Batiweti says while this is the airline’s 2024 target, he is optimistic
How are Pacific government-owned airlines performing?
Throwing good money after bad? An expert on State Owned Enterprises with the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Private Sector Development Initiative, Christopher Russell says the Samoan government’s experience with
Widen tax base, spend more efficiently
World Bank's Advice to 9 Pacific Economies The World Bank says six Pacific Island countries are at high risk of debt distress, and that gradual cuts to government spending are vital for balancing budgets and avoiding
Digitising without data
Pacific policy makers need support A recent United Nations report on the Digital Economy has recommended the formation of an ‘Institute for Pacific Digital Economies’ in one of the region’s universities to track
Briefs
American SamoaAmerican Samoa wants associate member status of the Pacific Islands Forum, after being an observer since 2011. Governor Lemanu Peleti Maunga said it was crucial for American Samoa to push for greater
Movers and Shakers
Viranria Brown is the first woman to be appointed as Vanuatu’s High Commissioner to Fiji since independence. She previously served as the First Secretary to the Vanuatu High Commission in Suva from 2020 to 2023. Fiji
Opinion: Keeping small islands financially afloat
The international community has recognised the special circumstances facing small island developing states, but has done little more to help. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the global financial system, where SIDS
American Idol: First Pacific winner pays tribute to dad and heritage
Hawai’ian student Iam Tongi has dedicated his historic win at the American Idol to his late father and the Pacific whānau. Tongi, 18, became the first Pasifika to win the international show after performing his
Argentina win in London 7s
Argentina won their third gold medal of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023, beating Fiji 35-14 in the Cup final at Twickenham on Sunday. Fiji opened the scoring in the final but lost Josese Batirerega to a
Aaron Mauger resigns as Moana Pasifika coach
Aaron Mauger has resigned as head coach of Moana Pasifika after two years in the job. Mauger had signed a contract in October 2021 to coach Moana Pasifika for three years, but Stuff NZ understands Mauger informed the
