Toroama under scrutiny over wife’s transplant
ALMOST 40 years after it descended into a devastating civil war, the autonomous region of Bougainville is on the cusp of achieving
Mining
Moetai Brotherson and the Ocean of Peace
FOR the people of Mā ‘ohi Nui (French Polynesia), the ocean is a source of life, with an Exclusive Economic Zone covering nearly 5 million square kilometres of ocean around the nation’s five
PACNEWS THREE, Wednesday 26 August 2026
In this bulletin: 1. SOL — Three Permanent Secretaries sworn in to lead key government ministries2. VAN — Vanuatu Government reaffirms One-China Policy3. PACIFIC — Environmental review of seabed mining
Solomon Islands bauxite probe finds missing records
AN investigation into 33 bauxite shipments from Rennell Island has uncovered years of missing, incomplete and unaccounted-for government
PACNEWS TWO 07 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Australian Foreign Minister Wong says Ocean of Peace Alliance builds on Pacific Leaders’ vision for regional security2. PACIFIC — All Pacific Islands Forum Members now linked
PNG eyes new wave of mining and gas projects
PAPUA New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape earlier this week pitched PNG as a stable destination for foreign capital, saying the country was “open for business” as it moves toward a wave of mining and gas
PACNEWS THREE 22 JULY 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — China warned Pacific missile sparks ‘strong concerns’2. NZ — Prime Ministers of Samoa and New Zealand reaffirm enduring partnership3. PACIFIC — Minister
PACNEWS TWO 22 JULY 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Australia defends Fiji pre-COP spending, says Climate talks critical for Pacific2. SOL — China ally Solomon Islands invites U.S Coast Guard patrols3. PALAU — Palau Senate
PACNEWS ONE, 22 JULY 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Pacific must stay united as Climate threat grows, Solomon Islands Minister tells regional meeting2. PACIFIC — Pacific Climate Ministers advance united regional agenda ahead of
PACNEWS TWO, Monday 20 July 2026
In this bulletin: 1. A/SAMOA — The U.S plans to auction off sections of water around American Samoa in a push for deep-sea mining2. PACIFIC — U.S moves ahead with American Samoa seabed mining plan amid
PACNEWS-THREE, Monday 20 July 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Pacific voices condemn U.S plan for offshore mineral extraction off American Samoa2. PACIFIC — Quiet change to Nauru’s policing laws could impact NZYQ legal challenges3.
Wale takes hard line on corruption
LESS than two months after taking office, new Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has vowed that his country will not repeat the failures of the logging industry.
Business leaders urge investment in mining
FIJI’S private sector has called for greater investment in mining and clearer accountability on excise tax
Pacific civil society criticises exclusion from ISA ocean mining dialogue
PACIFIC civil society leaders are alleging organisers of shutting them out of key discussions on the future of the ocean, warning
Copper mine exits Fijian province
A MULTI-MILLION dollar copper mining project in Fiji’s interior has been forced to quit after years of
What’s under the waves?
FOR decades, the Cook Islands have sold a dream of ‘paradise’ – a sanctuary of vibrant coral reefs and crystal-clear lagoons that
PM Marape: “Our people must benefit fairly from the resources on their land”
PAPUA New Guinea’s economy is flourishing, evidenced by a significant surge in tax revenue that has nearly doubled since
Legal analysis raises questions over pro-investor approaches to deep-sea mining
A LEGAL analysis released by the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) raises regional concerns for Pacific Island Countries exploring deep-sea mining through contentious contracts with private
Bougainville government takes control of copper assets
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has consolidated its control over the island’s largest potential economic
Cook Islanders confront US-funded vessel over seabed mining threat
COOK Islands activists in kayaks confronted a United States-funded exploration vessel as it returned to port in Rarotonga on Wednesday, holding a banner that read “Don’t Mine the
Chief wants illegal miners out
A GUADALCANAL chief has appealed to illegal gold panners to vacate the site and make way for a Chinese
US seeks Cooks mining deal
NEGOTIATIONS are underway in the Cook Islands as the United States seeks a deal which will allow for the exploration of seabed
