Samoa HRPP seat declared void; election overturned
A Human Rights Protection Party(HRPP) Associate Minister has had his election in the seat of Sagaga No. 2 declared void by the Samoa Supreme Court following a legal challenge, triggering a by-election. This means
Samoan weightlifter Iuniarra Sipaia through to Olympics
Samoan weightlifter Iuniarra Sipaia has confirmed her spot in the Tokyo Olympics next month and says she is honored to be representing the country. Sipaia told the Samoa Observer in an interview on Tuesday that she felt
Hearing on Samoa swearing-in to start next week
A hearing on an application brought by the Samoa Attorney General to stop the ad-hoc swearing-in of a new Government from taking legal effect after the disputed election, will begin next Monday. The Fa’atuatua ile
USP Council Ethics committee to look at leadership allegations
The University of the South Pacific Council has agreed that allegations levelled against Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson and the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, Mahmood Khan, be referred to an Ethics Committee.
Samoa on tenterhooks
By Monica Miller Almost two months after voters in Samoa went to the polls to elect a new Parliament , the 51 men and women whom voters picked in the 9 April general elections had still not been sworn in at the time of
Samoa Chief Justice will hear appeal
A Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) member has failed in a bid this morning to have the Samoa Chief Justice, Satiu Simativa Perese, recused from an appeal on whether she should be granted a seat in Parliament. The
Samoa’s Tafi sets Oceania weightlifting record
Samoan weightlifter, John Tafi, set a new record for the Oceania region in the Junior and Seniors’ Men’s 73-kilogram division on late Friday. The President of Samoa Weightlifting, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork,
University of the South Pacific VC Ahluwalia gets new contract
University of the South Pacific Vice Chancellor to be
Fiame looks forward to leading Samoa, HRPP appeals
Fiame Naomi Mata’afa says yesterday was an “incredible day” and says she looks forward to leading Samoa through challenging times, in a statement that all but claimed victory following two decisive Supreme Court
Samoa Supreme court overrules fresh election order
Samoa's Supreme Court has overruled a declaration by the Samoa Head of State voiding last month's elections as having no legal authority, however caretaker Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi says he will
Fiji, Tonga confirm All Blacks tests
Fiji Rugby has confirmed that the national side will play two tests against the All Blacks in
Olympic qualification would ‘bring Samoa together’ -Auimatagi Sapani
Samoan coach says Olympic qualification would bring Samoa
Samoan Head of State calls for fresh elections
Samoans woke up to the news today that they will go back to the polls in just over two-weeks’ time, on 21 May 2021. Calling for fresh elections was the best legal way forward for the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano
From our archives: Fiame’s new chapter
As the official vote count continues in Samoa, we revisit our cover story from November 2020. “It’s very liberating. I haven’t felt this excited about politics for a long time,” says Samoa’s former
The art of listening
At the celebration of Sir Michael Somare’s life at Suva’s Sacred Heart cathedral this month, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong spoke about the willingness to listen as one of the Grand Chief’s defining characteristics.
Fiame’s new chapter
“It’s very liberating. I haven’t felt this excited about politics for a long time,” says Samoa’s former Deputy Prime Minister, and now independent member, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa. In September, Fiame
Food Revolutionaries
The founder of the Pacific Island Food Revolution says the campaign’s work on changing food choices in the Pacific region is “super relevant” in the current global coronavirus pandemic. “Our project is about
USP Saga: Thompson under pressure to cease probe
The controversy surrounding the top job at the University of the South Pacific (USP) has refused to go away nearly one year after it first erupted at its main campus in Suva, Fiji. By March this year, exactly 10 months
Samoa warns USP Pro Chancellor
High drama continues at the Pacific’s only regional university, with reports that one of the member country’s that owns the university has signaled it could seek the removal from office of Winston Thompson,
Coronavirus travel restrictions: a Pacific wrap
There have been no cases of coronavirus reported in the Pacific Islands region, although Australia and New Zealand have reported cases, and in the case of Australia, one death. However the Pacific region has responded
Fiji on Cloud 9 at the Sydney 7s
Fiji has won the Sydney 7s for the first time ever, defeating old rivals South Africa in a thrilling match last night. Both teams were out for redemption having not progressed past the pool stages last week. It was a
Coronavirus: a Pacific wrap-up
An outbreak of a new coronavirus has killed at least 106 people in China, and has spread to some of the Pacific’s close neighbours, including Australia (with five cases) and Malaysia (with four). The United States,
Disappointment for Fiji in Hamilton 7s
The Fiji 7s Men’s team was disappointed yesterday in Hamilton despite its strong performance in day one of the competition, but is now looking to the Sydney leg of the competition. While disappointed with their