New Zealand refugee resettlement deal likely to wind up
New Zealand is set to walk away from its agreement to resettle refugees from Australia, with about half the places on offer unfilled. In 2022, the governments agreed a deal for 450 people in Australian offshore
Some Islanders don’t want to leave homelands despite climate closing in – research
A Tongan researcher from the University of Waikato found that in the Pacific region, particularly in Tonga and Samoa, people don’t want to move despite what she calls the “stigma” associated with
Migrant workers feeling the impact of New Zealand’s economic crisis
Hundreds of jobs in the New Zealand meat sector have been “discreetly” lost over the last 18 months and this is due to a decline in livestock breeding numbers, industry officials say. In January last year, the
Indonesian forces retrieve New Zealand pilot’s body in Papua
The body of a New Zealand helicopter pilot shot dead by rebels in eastern Indonesia’s restive Papua region has been retrieved, the joint task force of police and soldiers leading the search said on Monday. Glen
ULMWP condemns killing of NZ pilot, blames Indonesia for danger
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has condemned the reported killing of New Zealand helicopter pilot Glen Malcolm Conning in Alama, Mimika Regency “If true, I condemn this killing in the
Indian President Murmu to visit Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste
Indian President Droupadi Murmu will undertake a state visit to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste from 05-10 August 2024. This will be the first-ever visit by a Head of State from India to Fiji and Timor Leste, the
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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),
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
Maōri king and other indigenous Pacific leaders sign up to granting whales legal personhood
Pacific indigenous leaders, including the Māori King, has urged the legal recognition of whales as persons with inherent rights. Māori leaders spearheading the Hinemoana Halo Ocean Initiative joined forces with Kīngi
Kiribati judge hopes to finally have day in court
An expatriate judge in Kiribati hopes he will get a chance to make his case on Tuesday over his controversial suspension three years ago. David Lambourne, who is the husband of the opposition leader Tessie Lambourne,
Josh Tatofi’s Aloha for Hawaiian Mele
Hawaiian artist - Hoku Award winner and Grammy nominee, Josh Tatofi - picked up the Best International Pacific Artist award at New Zealand’s Pacific Music Awards in 2023, adding to his growing international profile
Cook Islands migrant workers welcome High Court ruling on residency threshold
The Cook Islands High Court has found that the country’s immigration law that offers preferential treatment to New Zealand citizens over those from other nations is “invalid”. New Zealand passport holders only
Winston Peters and Shane Reti make Cook Islands climate change announcement
Tackling the impacts of climate change is a key focus for New Zealand, with a total of $16.5 million (US$10 million) to go to the Cook Islands to help fight the crisis. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs