Local banker Smith is Westpac Fiji CEO
Westpac has announced the appointment of Shane Smith as its new Chief Executive for Fiji. “I’m honoured and humbled by the opportunity to lead this great business and build on the legacy of my predecessors.
Fiji
Pacific corruption scores continue to stagnate: Urgent action required
Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index adds Fiji as a fourth Pacific nation, as stagnation demonstrates the critical importance of corruption reform in the region to secure basic rights and freedoms.
COVID-19 closures and Fiji schools
By Epeli Krishan Sen Vakalalabure and Lotarakuita Anand Sen Saurara Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series notes that time is a mysterious thing and, when meddled with, could have severe
Outlook 2022: The year ahead
For the third year running, COVID-19 is defining and disrupting life, leadership and governance in the Pacific Islands. Compounded by climate change-related flooding and the devastating Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai
The tweeting teacher
Fijian teacher and storyteller Joji Raqio has provided some powerful insights into teaching in rural Fiji during the pandemic. His Twitter feed has entertained and educated people across the nation. Here he tells his
COVID closures and Fiji schools
By Epeli Krishan Sen Vakalalabure and Lotarakuita Anand Sen Saurara Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series notes that time is a mysterious thing and, when meddled with, could have severe
Colin Philp: Conservationist, businessman, sailor
By Netani Rika Just before Christmas, 20 Fijian children spent a week of the school holidays learning how to sail in the waters of Laucala Bay. Under the watchful eyes of the Uto Ni Yalo Trust volunteers, they learned
Hashing for fun, well-being and harmony
By Jason Jett “…You don’t know where you’re going, and where this adventure will lead you.” “There is no racism in hash,” said David Jamieson, owner of Yacht Help Fiji, while welcoming into the fold this
Opinion: Promoting kava exports, ignoring sustainability
On 1 December 2021, Australia launched a pilot program for the commercial importation of kava from the Pacific islands, joining a modest global boom in trade in this iconic Pacific product. As Pacific Trade Invest
Temesia Tuicaumia: Marketer, fashion designer, educationalist
Temesia Tuicaumia is a humble individual with an upbeat personality and an entrepreneur who owns his own consultancy firm, the founder of an educational institution, an influencer, and a marketing specialist. His
Tonga volcanic eruption: Lau update
A government vessel is expected to depart for Lau today taking Fiji government officials to survey the extent of the damage wrought as a result of the Tonga volcanic eruption over the weekend. And one casualty has been
Honourable mention: The Fijiana Sevens team
Fiji’s Women’s National Sevens team, the Fijiana, brought joy to a COVID-ravaged nation this year with their bronze-medal performance at the Olympic Games. They have gone on to finish the season strongly, with
Kavita Kalyan’s musical journey
By Rowena Singh “Fiji is a strong part of my existence,” says ghazal and Bollywood singer Kavita Kalyan. Kalyan is Australian born, but with strong family ties that take her back to Fiji, and her extended family in
Unlimited commercial kava export trial to Australia gets nod
Kava exporters from the Pacific Islands can now export an unlimited amount of kava to Australia for commercial purposes, under Phase 2 of Australia’s Kava Pilot program. Launching Phase 2 in Canberra yesterday in
Diving Taveuni’s white wall
Fiji has some of the globe’s most enviable and internationally renowned dive sites, and to dive in the Somosomo Strait, home to the White Wall and the Rainbow Reef, is bucket-list level for divers around the world.
Fiji Reopens with Hope for Gradual Normalcy, Despite Omicron
“It’s a happy day for us,” Fiji Airports acting CEO Isei Tudreu said during a news conference in Nadi, as the nation officially reopened to international travel today. Moments later, with Flight FJ914
Fiji made me, but which Fiji is mine?
‘Three scores and ten’ is the age allotted to humans, the Good Book tells us. Modern medicine might add 10 odd years, but the end is in sight, the shadow lengthening visibly. By that measure, my time is up or will
Just drop it!
By Jason Jett The pandemic may have forever changed the way people shop. As COVID-19 caused a sharp economic downturn in travel-related industries, home-delivery services boomed and are continuing to be vital. During
PIFON LAUNCH PIRAS PROJECT FOR FARMER ORGANISATION MEMBERS IN FIJI AND SOLOMON ISLANDS
The Pacific Island Farmers Organisation Network has launched the Pacific Islands Rural & Agriculture Stimulus Facility project (PIRAS) aimed at helping farmers in Fiji and Solomon Islands recover from
“You don’t need my pain or tears to know that we’re in a crisis”: Fruen
The COP26 climate conference is underway in Glasgow. Here are highlights from the opening day. Young Samoan climate change activist Brianna Fruen made a powerful statement on the opening day of the COP26 climate
Pacific states to benefit from new IRIS initiative
Small island states of the Pacific were very much in the forefront when the leaders of India, Britain and Australia launched IRIS, a new initiative aimed at providing infrastructure support to reinforce the resilience
Insuring against disasters
As November nears, the thoughts of many Pacific islanders turn to preparations for the South Pacific cyclone season. Are there matches and candles, batteries and bottled water in the house? Are the hurricane shutters in