Fiji replaces Vanuatu as top PALM sending country

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has been transformed over the last five years.  In June 2019, there were 5,886 PALM visa holders in Australia. Five years later, in May 2024, there were 32,513, an

Read More

All Blacks superstar Ardie Savea makes switch to Moana Pasifika

All Blacks superstar and number eight Ardie Savea has signed with Super Rugby Pacific expansion side Moana Pasifika until 2027. Savea spent the past Super Rugby season in Japan on sabbatical, returning for the All

Read More

Winston Peters says he wants more rational debate on deep sea mining, not ‘virtue signalling’

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, says mining is critical to transition away from fossil fuels, but the call for a moratorium in international waters by the previous government still stands.

Read More

Future of New Zealand’s Nauru resettlement deal unclear

New Zealand is unlikely to resettle its full quota of refugees from Nauru under its 2022 agreement with Australia, and faces choices on the future of the pact. A deal struck by previous governments on both sides of the

Read More

All female Pacific crew set to sail Hinemoana II for research on whales

An all-female Pacific-crewed expedition is to set sail from New Zealand’s North Island for scientific research on whale populations.  The Hinemoana II is set to leave the Bay of Plenty in mid-July and arrive in

Read More

Vanuatu causes huge upset over New Zealand

Vanuatu has caused a huge upset in beating New Zealand 4-2 in the final match of round three at Hindmarsh Stadium  Vanuatu led 1-0 at the break courtesy of a brilliant goal from midfield general Seimata Chillia. 

Read More

New Zealand PM Luxon heads to Niue and Fiji this week

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Niue and Fiji this week (04-07 June) as New Zealand continues to sharpen its focus and engagement in the Pacific. It will be Luxon’s first visit to the

Read More

NZ commits $20m to Cook Islands budget, $10.5m for public service

Cook Islands has secured $20 million (US$12.30 million) in Core Sector Budget Support and an additional $10.5 million (US$6.45 million) for continued public sector strengthening during the 8th Cook Islands-New Zealand

Read More

Pacific visa-free travel backed

Visa-free travel for business has been part of most bilateral talks Samoa’s prime minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has had with Australia and New Zealand. This is a concept that has received backing from the Pacific

Read More

Reversing the tide of colonial anthropology

Doctor Tarisi Vunidilo has emerged as a leading voice in the growing movement across the Pacific in recent years to repatriate Pacific treasures, as well as human remains from museums across Europe and other parts of

Read More

Opinion: The falling demand of seasonal workers

Evidence over nine months to the end of February 2024 shows a declining demand for Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme seasonal workers — those who used to be under the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP),

Read More

Samoa citizenship bill passes first NZ Parliament hurdle, helped by Act and NZ First

Act and New Zealand First have shocked Parliament last night by supporting a bill to select committee that would provide entitlement to New Zealand citizenship for a group of people born in the then Western Samoa whose

Read More