Opinion: Silent epidemic: The devastating impact of drugs on Fiji’s health and wellbeing
Fiji faces a critical mental health crisis, with rising drug abuse cases being one of several contributing factors. Social and economic challenges, along with limited access to mental health services, are also believed
New Zealand PM Luxon heads to Niue and Fiji this week
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Niue and Fiji this week (04-07 June) as New Zealand continues to sharpen its focus and engagement in the Pacific. It will be Luxon’s first visit to the
Eileen Cikamatana aims to end weightlifting medal drought in Paris
Eileen Cikamatana had to wait for her Olympic debut and now she plans to make it count. The Fijian-born star will join Jacqueline Nichele and Kyle Bruce in Australia’s weightlifting team for Paris. All are
The complexities of undersea cables
While outside actors may see undersea cable infrastructure through a lens of geopolitical competition, political leaders in the Pacific Islands region are geared towards providing digital connectivity to the islands, an
USP problems fester behind veil of silence
One month after the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Council voted to move controversial Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia from Samoa to Fiji, the University’s two unions are demanding Ahluwalia’s
SOGIESC activists rally for inclusivity and justice
Advocates for SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and sex characteristics) are rallying for inclusivity and justice in the Pacific, saying that their struggles intersect with broader issues such as
Tourism Fiji calls for increase in government budget allocation
Tourism Fiji Chief Executive Officer has called for an increase in government spending towards the tourism sector as it aims to “keep its momentum going”. With the Fiji government’s budget announcement a month
The Shepards: Spreading kindness in Fiji and the world
Twenty-six years ago, Judy and Dennis Shepard’s son, Matthew, was killed in a hate crime. More than two decades later, they continue to share a message of kindness, most recently during a visit to Fiji. They are
Opinion: Fiji’s three-speed economy
Fiji’s swift rebound from the pandemic-induced downturn has been impressive. The economy is doing better than it was in 2019 with tourism leading the rebound. Visitor arrivals in 2022 exceeded most expectations and
Indonesian President Widodo keen to step up cooperation with Fiji
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) pushed for the intensification of mutually beneficial cooperation between Indonesia and Fiji during a bilateral meeting with the President of Fiji, Williame Maivalili
Human rights vetting urged for Fiji defence treaty
A defence treaty between Australia and Fiji should include vetting processes for human rights violations, a parliamentary committee has been told. The agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Defence and the Status of
Air Vanuatu: Ernst & Young appointed voluntary liquidators, Fiji Airways boosts capacity to Vanuatu
Ernst & Young Australia have been appointed as Voluntary Liquidators of Air Vanuatu (Operations) Limited. This follows the airline’s cancellation of around 20 flights to and from New Zealand, Australia and
Fiji’s Bainimarama gets one year in jail
Suspended Police Commissioner gets 2-year sentence Former Fiji Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama has been sentenced to a year in prison after being found guilty of one count of attempt to pervert the course of justice.
Fiji tourism looks to India, China
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka’s busy schedule last week included a brief meeting with Indian actress, Rakul Preet Singh and her new husband, film producer Jackky Bhagnani. The couple were in Fiji for
Spartan Fiji aims to double participants, economic impact in 2024
Spartan Race CEO Russell Nelms hopes to double the number of people participating in the Fiji event this year, and its value to the local economy. Russell Helms says the event injected FJ$6.2 million into the economy in
Fiji and Rabuka’s Peacemaking Ambitions
The prime minister is promoting his “Ocean of Peace” concept, despite significant dissonance within Fiji’s foreign policy. Speaking to a rapt audience, Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka shared an account
USP Council votes to bring controversial VC back to Fiji
Controversial University of the South Pacific (USP) Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, will return to be based at the USP main campus in Fiji following a decision by the University Council. The
Fiji Business Briefs
Fiji Cabinet approves review of national minimum wage Fiji’s Cabinet has given the greenlight to a review of the national minimum wage and will also assess job classifications. The review will include a number of
ADB calls for more sports, retirement and medical tourism in Fiji
Continued recovery in Fiji’s tourism sector boosted the country’s overall economic growth last year, according to the Asian Development Bank. In its annual Asian Development Outlook report released this month, the
Opinion: The Climate Crises & High Debt-Levels in the Pacific: Who will pay?
As Fiji and neighbouring Pacific Island Countries face the daunting prospect of dealing with unprecedented national debt levels and the effects of climate change, the issue of how climate action will be financed becomes
Jo Nata’s journey from the dark
'We let the genie out of the bottle' Emerging out of 24 years in prison, Josefa Nata is now convinced that the George Speight-led takeover of Fiji’s Parliament in 2000 was not justified and that all it did was let the
Opening Fiji’s can of worms
Josefa Nata knows he’s expected to tell all, having featured prominently in the George Speight-led takeover of Fiji’s Parliament in 2000. In the long history of Fiji’s coups since 1987, this was not only the