PINA

The Pacific's eastern islands can expect an usual or below-par cyclone season, according to New Zealand's climate and forecasting agencies. On Wednesday, NIWA and MetService released their modelling for the upcoming tropical cyclone season which runs from November to April. It is a milder projection for six to 10 cyclones overall, compared with last year's outlook which tipped nine to 14. Solomon...

The critical role of Indigenous peoples in addressing the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution was recognised at the inaugural Global Nature Positive Summit (GNPS) held in Sydney this week. Hosted by Australia, the event has brought together leaders from government, business, academia, environmental organisations, and Indigenous communities to accelerate global efforts toward nature-positive outcomes. Six...

Papua New Guinea has reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new US$265 million loan aimed at strengthening the country's climate resilience. The deal, announced on Tuesday, will help PNG address the growing impacts of climate change while supporting key economic reforms. The agreement, which will run in parallel to existing IMF arrangements, is part of...

French Overseas minister François-Noël Buffet will travel to New Caledonia next week, from 16 - 18 October. Buffet, who was recently appointed to the position as part of new French Prime Minister Michele Barnier's cabinet, said the visit comes in support of all players in New Caledonia in the wake of the crisis triggered by riots that broke out in...

The Pacific Island nation of Kiribati has issued rare criticism of China over last month's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, saying the Pacific is not “isolated pockets of ocean” and it “does not welcome” Beijing's action. Kiribati, a Pacific Ocean neighbour of Hawaii with a vast Exclusive Economic Zone of 3.6 million square kms (1.4 million square miles) has...

Visiting Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Teo criticised the United Nations' exclusion of Taiwan as a “hypocritical” act during a meeting with President Lai Ching-te in Taipei on Tuesday. It was “hypocritical” of the UN to not include Taiwan and its people in its system even though the world body has championed “inclusivity” and “the principle of not leaving anyone behind,”...

Acting Samoan Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, says there is no evidence of oil spillage in the area where the New Zealand naval ship HMNZS Manwanui sank except for small leakages coming from the sunken vessel. In a statement released by the Acting PM's office Tuesday, he referred to the confirmation report from Captain Dowling, Commander of Operations and Chairman...

Cook Islands has enacted seabed minerals harvesting regulations despite concerns about the lack of 'meaningful consultation' and the premature nature of the legislation, given that the exploration phase is still ongoing. The Seabed Minerals (Minerals Harvesting and Other Mining) Regulations 2024 (MH Regulations) were passed last week, the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) confirmed in a statement on Friday. SBMA...

Panthers centre Paul Alamoti has been rewarded for his finals form with selection in the Tonga team to play Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific Championships. Tonga will meet the Kangaroos in the opening match of the tournament at Suncorp Stadium on October 18 before facing the Kiwis at Go Media Stadium on 03 November, with the side to...

As the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC82) concludes in London, the 6PAC+ coalition representing Pacific and Caribbean Island nations has spearheaded the call for a universal maritime emissions levy. This levy aims to fund decarbonisation efforts for ships and promote climate justice. With strong backing from leaders of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and other Small...