Strengthening the Pacific’s nukes-free zone
A challenge for leaders in Rarotonga In August 1985, the Pacific Islands Forum held its annual summit in Cook Islands and adopted the Treaty of Rarotonga for a South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone (SPNFZ). Created at the
Ana Ellison-Lupena: Showing up for her heritage
In this second part of Islands Business’ preview of the Pacific Games in Honiara later this month, correspondent Alipate Pareti focuses on Ana Ellison-Lupena, who, at 16, is the youngest athlete representing the Cook
First war cry for Team Fiji, CNMI swimmers looking to make big splash at Pacific Games
For the first time in Team Fiji history, they’ll have a war cry. Fans will witness it for the first time at the upcoming Pacific Games in Solomon Islands. Team Fiji athletes and officials will present the war cry to
Melanesian delegations meet in Rarotonga
As this week’s program kicks off in Rarotonga, member states of the Pacific Island Forum have held sub-regional caucuses, to prepare for the week’s wide-ranging agenda. Leaders and delegates from Melanesia,
Preaching partnership in the Pacific islands
As the Pacific Islands Forum holds its 52nd meeting in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, leaders are eager for international delegations to focus on Pacific agendas and priorities, exemplified by the 2050 Strategy for a Blue
Forum wants action on climate finance and Loss and Damage
RAROTONGA/PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM 2023: As the region faces an El Nino summer and Vanuatu reels from the devastation of Cyclone Lola – the third Category 5 cyclone to hit the nation in seven months – it’s no
Challenging times for regionalism in Rarotonga
Pacific Islands Forum 2023: Every September, the opening of the United Nations General Assembly provides an opportunity for presidents, prime ministers and heads of states to highlight their views on global challenges.
Christopher Luxon won’t attend Pacific Islands Forum in order to form government
New Zealand Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon will not attend next week’s Pacific Islands Forum because he will be busy forming the next Government. Luxon made the call during a media stand-up in Auckland today,
Cook Islands’ Albert Henry pardoned
The first Cook Islands Premier the late Albert Henry, who was stripped of his knighthood and found guilty of election fraud, has been given a formal pardon by the King’s Representative Sir Tom Marsters in Rarotonga
NIWA warns of stronger cyclones in the Pacific
Stronger tropical cyclones and more of them are forecast for the upcoming South Pacific season which runs from November to April. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) in New Zealand expects
COP28: Boiling Point
It’s taken 70 years but some of the life is slowly coming back around Bikini atoll, ravaged by the United States’ nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands immediately after World War Two. For a team from the
The science we need for the ocean we want
Ocean scientists, technical experts, policymakers, donor agencies, traditional knowledge holders, and young people gathered at the Pacific Islands Conference on Ocean Science and Ocean Management in Fiji last
Careers in ocean science beckons to young Pacific women
Pacific young women are taking a greater interest in protecting our oceans for the future. At last week’s inaugural conference on ocean science and ocean management in Nadi, Fiji, Tanga Morris Jnr, 26, said that
Battling the stigma of mental health across the Pacific
Mental health remains a stigma in the Pacific, but there might be some good news out of the Cook Islands. About 600 doctors, nurses and health professionals have made the trip across the region to attend the Pasifika
Don’t capitulate to foreign interests, Puna tells Foreign Ministers
The Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum has sounded a strongly worded call for greater regionalism in the Pacific by urging Foreign Ministers of the 18-member Forum meeting in Fiji today, not to capitulate to
Cook Islands elected to Executive Council of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
The Cook Islands has been elected to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Executive Council of the Intergovernmental Oceanic Commission (IOC) for 2023 – 2025, securing 76
Cook Islands super heavyweight sensation claims gold
In a remarkable display of talent, fortified grit and international success, Cook Islander Teremoana Jnr Teremoana clinched the Gold medal in the Australian Boxing Championships, and proudly wears the title of Super
Cook Islands PM asks partners to get serious about debt and climate financing as economic ministers meet
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says if the region’s donor partners are serious about helping Pacific economies grow and recover, they “have to be serious about looking at changing the rules around financing,
Forum Secretariat told to step up: Forum Chair
Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he wants to leave the Forum in a better place for the incoming Chair to build upon further. In his remarks at the Pacific Islands Forum
“Tough” Budget passed in Cook Islands Parliament
Cook Islands Parliament has officially passed the Budget after a grueling two-week session. Prime Minister Mark Brown praised the work of all parliamentarians over the past fortnight. It was the first time the Budget
IAEA chief to visit South Korea, Cook Islands, NZ over Japan’s treated nuclear plant water
The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plans to visit South Korea, the Cook Islands and New Zealand in July, regarding the ocean discharge of treated water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear
Jetstar launches new route to Cook Islands
Australian travellers can now pay a stopover-free visit to the Cook Island’s famous turquoise shores with the launch of new direct flights. The new Jetstar service takes off as Pacific Island travel demand spikes in
Cook Islands look to deepen NZ relationship, secure IMF and full Commonwealth membership
Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, has spoken of the need for the Cook Islands’ voice to be heard at the highest levels of inter-government global gatherings, and to be able to participate autonomously in
