PINA

When Fijian Mika Sela saw New Caledonia's glaringly empty hale at the Hawaii Convention Centre, the Fiji delegate took his kava bowl and sat alone. The Indigenous Kanaks of the French territory were forced to pull out at the last minute from the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture due to deadly unrest. The violent protests began when France’s...

The Micronesian Games kicked off in Majuro Saturday night with a gala celebration that featured sports delegations from the 10 islands in the sub-region parading in uniform with flags and banners along a newly opened track field, a rarely performed traditional stick dance of the Marshall Islands, a Marshall Islands flag dance, and numerous local and off-island bands performing....

Eight potential debutants have been named in a new look Manu Samoa squad that has been named for the July Tests against Italy and Spain. Nine players have been selected from Moana Pasifika and three from the Manuma Samoa. Jordan Lay, James Lay, Donald Brighouse, Suetena Asomua, Miracle Failagi, Taleni Seu, Rodney Yona, Jacob Umaga, Tumua Manu, Henry Taefu, Neria Fomai...

History will be made as the Blues and the Chiefs clash in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday 22 June, kicking off at 5.05PM AEST. The Blues are chasing their first Super Rugby title since 2003, when they last hosted the Grand Final, and their fourth Super Rugby title overall. Under head coach...

Several international human rights organisations have expressed grave concern over recent discussions in Tonga's Parliament suggesting the extension of the death penalty to drug-related offences. “We are gravely concerned about the debate held in Tonga’s Parliament late last month, which suggests the country may be considering extending the death penalty to drug-related offences,” said a joint statement by Amnesty International,...

The political landscape in Fiji is facing a perfect storm, with the governing coalition and the opposition party plagued by internal divisions. This has been highlighted by the academic director of parliamentary law at the University of Tasmania, Richard Herr. Herr said that the internal strife within the government, marked by policy disputes and personality clashes, combined with an opposition in...

AOSIS Climate lead negotiator, Anne Rasmussen of Samoa, emphasised the coalition's vulnerability to climate change at the Sixtieth Session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB60) of the UNFCCC in Bonn. “SB60 began amid severe climate crises,” Rasmussen said, opening her closing remarks for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). “Wildfires in Belize, coral bleaching worldwide, a deadly landslide in Papua New...

A historic meeting of traditional leaders has been a poignant moment at the 50th anniversary Pacific arts and culture festival in Hawaii. Traditional leaders from across the Pacific have met during the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) to sign a declaration solidifying their commitment to strengthen relationships and share knowledge on how to collectively face challenges confronting...

USAID Administrator Samantha Power has announced Fiji’s inclusion in USAID’s Democracy Delivers Initiative, highlighting its commitment to democratic principles. “Last year, when I visited Fiji to open the USAID Pacific Islands Mission in Suva, I saw firsthand Fiji's continued commitment to democratic principles. “This has led to meaningful benefits in the lives of Fijians, from improvements in health services to greater...

Fiji stands ready to support the newly-appointed Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFs) Baron Waqa in his leadership role. While welcoming the SG during a special traditional ceremony at the Forum Secretariat last night, PM Rabuka said he is looking forward to working with Waqa. He highlighted that Waqa will serve the region and the Pacific people well, given...