PINA

New Zealand's foreign minister on Friday hit out at China's bid for an increased security presence in the Pacific Islands, warning against actions that could “destabilise” or undermine regional security. “China has a long-standing presence in the Pacific, but we are seriously concerned by increased engagement in Pacific security sectors,” Winston Peters said in a speech on relations with China...

A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS and says the security deal “raises serious questions for the Pacific region”. Auckland University of Technology academic Dr Marco de Jong said Pasifika voices must be included in the debate on whether or not Aotearoa should join AUKUS. New...

Jeremiah Manele was sworn-in by the Governor General at Government House immediately after his election as the new Prime Minister Solomon Islands Thursday. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the majority of members of the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) in solidarity with the new Prime Minister. Manele was elected by 31 parliamentarians against 18 for his rival Mathew...

Australia will pour almost $500 million (US$328 million) into development projects in the Asia-Pacific region after securing commitments aimed at preventing the participation of Chinese government companies who secure major Pacific Island infrastructure projects by underbidding only to deliver shoddy work. Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy and Foreign Minister Penny Wong inked the new $492 million...

President of the Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) and Member of Parliament for Port Vila Constituency, Ishmael Kalsakau, revealed to the Vanuatu Daily Post Thursday that the reason behind his resignation as the Opposition Leader was that he did not want to engage himself in the Opposition leadership rivalry. “I have resigned as the Opposition Leader, but I will continue...

King Tupou VI has expressed his concern about government spending on business ventures and questioned whether the money was used transparently. He also urged government to put an end to illicit drugs use in Tonga, which along with climate change posed “great threats to our children and our lives.” The King’s speech at Tonga’s Legislative Assembly 2023-2024 soft closing session Thursday,...

Solomon Islands Prime Minister elect Jeremiah Manele gave his first speech outside parliament Thursday reminding Solomon Islanders to respect and uphold the democratic process of electing our Prime Minister. Manele said past Prime Minister’s elections have been met with the act of violence and destruction which had affected our economy and livelihoods. However, he said Thursday Solomon Islands must show the...

Papua New Guinea deputy Prime Minister John Rosso congratulates Solomon Islands Prime Minister-elect on behalf of his family, the people of Lae and Papua New Guinea. “I would like congratulate the Prime Minister elect for Solomon Islands Hon. Jeremiah Manele,” says Rosso Jeremiah Manele was re-elected to the National Parliament as the Member for the Hograno-Kia-Havulei Constituency. Manele is a member of...

The Government of Tuvalu, with technical assistance provided by the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH), has hosted a climate finance negotiation training in the capital, Funafuti. Held at the request of the Tuvaluan Government, the workshop was a proactive measure to enhance the country's capacity in navigating the complexities of international climate negotiations, particularly in the context of the...

Kiribati’s first president Sir Ieremia Tabai says the decision by the government to deport Australian-born Judge David Lambourne from the country is “a farce”. The opposition MP said there is no doubt, in his mind, that the government campaign to remove Lambourne is aimed at his wife, the opposition leader, Tessie Lambourne. Last Thursday, the Kiribati Parliament voted to accept the...