New Zealand Deputy PM to join Pacific leaders’ special retreat
New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs Carmel Sepuloni will travel to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders’ retreat this week. It will be her first opportunity in
Bainimarama suspended from Fiji parliament for 3 years
Fiji’s Opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, has been suspended from parliament for three years, effective immediately. After a long day of parliamentary debate, 27 MPs voted in favor of the
The silent fight for equality in rugby: Sereima Leweniqila
While we hear a lot of lip service given to equality for women in sport, especially in rugby, what is it really like for women in the game? Fiji’s Sereima Leweniqila is a former Fijiana captain, Fijiana Drua captain
We hope to co-host 3rd India Pacific Cooperation Forum: Jaishankar
India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday said India hopes to co-host the third summit of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in the coming months. “We hope to
USP welcomes home Vice Chancellor with prayers, standing ovations…and soon, FJ$10million
The two-year exile of the University of the South Pacific’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia from the university’s Suva campus ended with a thanksgiving ceremony last night. Professor Ahluwalia told regional
Fiji to host Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders Retreat
The Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders Retreat will be held in Nadi, Fiji on 24 February 2023. The retreat will be preceded by a traditional welcome ceremony and a welcome dinner on 23 February 2023. The meeting
USP Vice Chancellor Professor Ahluwalia back in Fiji
University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Vice Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia is back in Fiji. Professor Ahluwalia was welcomed at the Nadi Airport this morning by students and staff from USP. He
Tui Kamikamica inks new deal with Melbourne Storm
Fijian forward Tui Kamikamica has re-signed with the Melbourne Storm on a two-year deal until the end of 2025. The 17-Test veteran has played 71 NRL games for the Storm since making his debut in 2017.
Cook Islands new Ombudsman to form human rights institute
Cook Islands new Ombudsman will head to Fiji to continue with efforts in forming a Human Rights Institute. Ombudsman Niki Rattle said the policy document to support the legislative amendments of the Ombudsman Bill to
UN House will bolster Fiji’s image as hub of the Pacific: Vosarogo
The construction of a United Nations House in Fiji will bolster our image as the hub of the South Pacific, says Filimoni Vosarogo, Fiji’s Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources. Vosarogo made these remarks
USP Cook Islands director welcomes Fiji funding
University of the South Pacific (USP) Cook Islands Director Dr Debi Futter-Puati is pleased to hear the newly elected Fiji Government will release funds to the institution. Dr Futter-Puati said the impact of the
West Papua delegation seeks support on MSG membership
A West Papua Delegation led by United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) Interim President, Benny Wenda has had discussions with the Leader of Opposition, Bob Loughman, on the ULMWP Application to Vanuatu as the
We Say: A time of Reconciliation, Not Reckoning
With the advent of Fiji’s new government, has come much relief and joy. The announcement of a tripartite coalition after days of negotiation amidst national angst, brought an immediate groundswell of hope and support
The next sin: Drug trade on the rise
Between Mexico and Australia is 165 million square kilometers of ocean. In that vast expanse of sea, travelling west and far from the eyes of police, navy and other law enforcement agencies, a precious cargo finds its
Kiribati back in the Forum
Kiribati will rejoin the Pacific Islands Forum after Forum Chair, Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s state visit to Tarawa this month. That visit started with a handshake between Rabuka and Kiribati President,
Communication, crafting and relationship building
Communication has always played a significant role in relationship building and maintenance. Indigenous societies understood the importance of crafting the right message for the right audience. In a world where messages
Fiji cabinet wrap: Kiribati relations, MSG sports, NZ defence cooperation and local elections
Bilateral relations with Kiribati was one of the key issues discussed by Fiji cabinet ministers in their meeting this week, including deeper cooperation on fisheries. Fiji Prime Minister noted: “Kiribati is also
‘The mercury has really come down’ : PM Rabuka
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka believes military commander, Brigadier General Kalouniwai should be feeling very comfortable about the way the government is now operating. Earlier this month the Commander
Defence visit shows importance of stability to our neighbours: Fiji PM
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the visit of Australia and New Zealand’s Chiefs of Defence to Fiji last week shows the importance those nations place on stability in Fiji. The Chiefs of Defence of Australia and
Kiribati to return to Pacific Islands Forum
Kiribati will return to the Pacific Islands Forum. Forum Chair, Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says his office has now received a letter confirming this intention from Kiribati President, Taneti Maamau. Rabuka
Fiji’s economic growth steady
Fiji’s economic recovery continues despite projections from the International Monetary Fund that 2023 will be a tough year. Governor and Chairman of the Reserve Bank of Fiji Board, Ariff Ali, stated that the growth is
Chinese aid to the Pacific: decreasing, but not disappearing
Chinese engagement in the Pacific regularly hit the headlines in 2022, sometimes with dire warnings. The recent China–Solomon Islands security agreement sent shock waves across the region. Concern reached new highs
Thirty years of the Vanuatu Women’s Centre: Her Story
On 30 August 1992, three ni-Vanuatu women were on a plane back home to Port Vila, after attending a workshop in Suva with grassroots women from across the Pacific region. Three days later, the Vanuatu Women’s Centre