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
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
Cyber Food Fiji: From near defeat to survival
Technology has provided a fair share of both challenges and opportunities for Majid Shahzad, CEO and Founder of Cyber Food Fiji. When he started the business in 2018, Shahzad had just one vehicle, three partner
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
Chief is more than just a title, Fiji President tells the GCC
You are here for your people, says Fiji President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. While addressing the members of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), Ratu Wiliame says that, as chiefs, the council should provide the best
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
Great Council of Chiefs meet on Wednesday
The iTaukei Trust Fund has spent FJ$286,000 to prepare for the two-day Great Council of Chiefs meeting which begins in Bau on Wednesday. Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, said, “The iTaukei Trust Fund
Naivilaca Peace Village cements its place in history
Yesterday marked a special day for the descendants of the Girmityas in Fiji as they commemorated not only the shared pain of their history, but also the deep friendship that they share with indigenous Fijians. In a
A lasting legacy: Tui Kamikamica’s ultimate gift to family
To the untrained eye they are just hills, but to Tui Kamikamica they are the ticket to building generational wealth for his family. It’s here in the place the Storm front-rower was raised, on an island made up of
The Dixmude visits Suva port
It has been 22 years since France did a circumnavigation training around the world, and yesterday a vessel undertaking this exercise docked at the Suva harbour with the aim of strengthening regional partnerships and
Pacific feminists: Doing work that matters
More than 150 feminists, women’s rights defenders and human rights activists from 20 countries in the Pacific region are sharing, learning and strategising at the 3rd Pacific Feminist Forum (PFF) this week. The
Comparing media law in Fiji and PNG
This piece is the third in a series that addresses media freedom in Papua New Guinea. In this part, the authors compare a media law that was in place in Fiji for years with a proposed media policy in PNG this year.
Trade fragmentation risks 5% GDP reduction, WTO warns
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) warns members, including Fiji and the Pacific, of the risks of trade fragmentation. The WTO forecasts that fragmentation will likely reduce long-term global Gross Domestic Product
Brown is first Vanuatu Female High Commissioner to Fiji
Women continue to make progress in diverse fields, as the First Secretary to the Vanuatu High Commission in Fiji was appointed High Commissioner, making her the first woman to be assigned to this high level position.
China surprised by Fiji move
China was surprised when the new Fijian Government scrapped the deal between the Chinese police and their own police force. Chinese Government Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Qian Bo told the Samoa Observer
Australia would be smart to recruit soldiers in the Pacific, former Fijian British Army officer explains
Fiji has a track record of service to the British crown. Travel to Hereford, where the Special Air Service is based, and you will find a statue of Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba, who was one of the 212 Fijians who joined
Tax the rich, not the poor: former RBF governor Narube
Unity Party leader, Savenaca Narube, is concerned that proposed goods tax increases punishes the people for the sins of the previous government. The former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji says a proposed
Fiji Economic Summit: Balancing inclusivity and realpolitik
The first Fiji Economic Summit in 16 years has produced a substantial list of suggestions and requests from industry, community and political participants, which they hope will inform the upcoming national budget, and
The Pacific’s nursing crisis
'An unprecedented shortage' Pacific Heads of Health have heard that the shortage of skilled nurses in the region is “unprecedented and poses a threat to the stability, accessibility and quality of essential care
Fiji tuna symposium considers industry’s future
Ten years ago, Suva port was one of the region’s most preferred ports for foreign vessels fishing in the western and central Pacific ocean, says the president of the Fiji Fishing Industry Association (FFIA). Speaking
PALM departures: 147 workers bound for aged care, horticulture and other jobs
Last week, 147 Fijians underwent pre-departure training prior to working in Australia, amongst them, 56-year-old Ema Navunisaravi, who is going as carer to Western Australia. She says looking after the vulnerable in the
Indigenous Fijian funerals adapted to balance culture and survival
Like others across the world, indigenous Fijians (known as iTaukei) in Fiji are facing increased pressure to honor their loved ones with a memorable funeral that can become costly. A team of interdisciplinary
