“Don’t let the Forum fail”: Case
US Rep. Ed Case has urged members of the Pacific Islands Forum to remain united. “Don’t let the Forum fail, that’s my basic message,” Congressman Case told Pacific journalists this week. Case is the co-founder
Fiji
Tudravu resigns from Fiji Police Force
Senior Fiji Policeman, Rusiate Tudravu, has resigned from the force. Sources close to Tudravu say he cited personal reasons for his resignation, just over a week after the return of Police Commissioner, Brigadier
Business Profile: Pivoting Post Fiji
What do you do when the global pandemic shuts borders and cuts international mail services; services that were previously your bread and butter? If you are Post Fiji, you diversify your offerings and look to digital
Opinion: Repression not the answer to Fiji’s political dilemma
The frequent detention and questioning of some of Fiji’s political leaders by the police in the last eight days for merely engaging in public debate on the contentious iTaukei Land Trust Bill No. 17 has raised
Business briefs: Digicel Pacific “an attractive asset”
The CEO of Australian telco Telstra says Digicel Pacific is an attractive asset. Andy Penn has told the Australian Financial Review that talks continue on potentially acquiring Digicel Pacific. “We would only do it
Fiji’s Minister for Women resigns
Fiji’s Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa has resigned from Fiji’s cabinet. Vuniwaqa’s resignation takes effect today, several sources close to cabinet have confirmed. She
Climate, Covid and Co-ordination: Forum leaders hold online summit
A virtual summit of the Pacific Islands Forum will be held this Friday 6 August, after the annual face-to-face meeting of presidents and prime ministers was again disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. After the 2020
Can the Fijianas make history in Tokyo?
After an impressive outing in their pool games, Fiji’s women’s rugby 7s side, the Fijianas, have secured a place in the quarter finals at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The women have shown great improvement in their
Fiji Airways returns two planes ahead of schedule
Fiji Airways has returned two A330-200 aircraft to Etihad Airways group months ahead of the end of its lease. Fiji Airways leased the Island of Beqa (DQ-FJO) and Island of Vatulele (DQ-FJP) in 2018 to “boost the
We need art now more than ever
The cultural and creative sectors are among the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many artists in Fiji, this means many are relying on one meal a day and doing what they can to plant and grow food for
View from the West
During times of national crisis, people look to their government for political leadership, meaningful financial and welfare assistance, and general reassurance. The COVID-19 pandemic might not be a war in the true sense
Struggling to study: USP’s regional students and lockdowns
Regional students studying at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala campus in Fiji have had another difficult semester. The COVID-19 outbreak which began in April this year and has claimed over 150 lives has
Fiji real estate: A Buyer’s market
The pandemic has flattened Fiji’s real estate industry, with the Reserve Bank reporting that commercial bank lending to real estate had plummeted 31.3% (or F$24million) for the year ending March 2021. Similarly,
A view of Bill 17 of 2021
Earlier this month, the government, in the context of its annual budget process, introduced a Bill (“Bill 17”) to amend the iTaukei Land Trust Act (TLTA) – the “iTaukei Land Trust (Budget Amendment) Act,
USP’s regional students struggle to study
By Leila Parina Regional students studying at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala campus in Fiji have had another difficult semester. The COVID-19 outbreak which began in April this year and has claimed over
A note from the editor
After more than two months and infinite patience on the part of voters, Samoa finally has a new Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa. We’re yet to see what Fiame’s ascendancy will mean for regional
Virtual leadership- a new norm?
By Dennis Rounds During times of national crisis, people look to their government for political leadership, meaningful financial and welfare assistance, and general reassurance. The COVID-19 pandemic might not be a war
Fiji real estate: A buyer’s market
By Samantha Magick The pandemic has flattened Fiji’s real estate industry, with the Reserve Bank reporting that commercial bank lending to real estate had plummeted 31.3% (or F$24million) for the year ending March
Pleass Global: Celebrating 25 years of innovation
Sponsored From supplying Fiji cinemas with frozen soft drinks 25 years ago, Pleass Global Limited has grown into a diverse company that is looking to new markets, new products and new opportunities. Co-founders
Mia Kami: Harnessing the power of music to decolonise the mind
By Rowena Singh “Performing is more than just me standing up and singing a song in front of people; it is a chance for me to share a vision and a mission,” says Tonga’s Mia Kami. Kami’s original songs are full
View from the West: High and dry in “new normal” Fiji
Here, in what some call the “burning West”, a pub with no beer is to some parched human throats what a dry river is to a herd of thirsty cattle. Due to COVID lockdowns, Fijians walked for close to two months in the
“When we stand together,we have the greatest voice”
Leaving her post after six years as Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor spoke with Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan about the state of Pacific regionalism. Here are excerpts from
Little light on power sale
By Netani Rika With Fiji caught in the darkness of a descending cloud of COVID-19, its government has pushed through the sale of a large portion of the national energy company to a Japanese consortium. In its initial