PINA

New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Peters said. “This visit has allowed us to re-connect with Vanuatu’s political leadership and discuss ways to...

New Zealand First plans to continue supporting a bill that would restore the entitlement of citizenship for a group of Samoans who had it stripped in 1982. But while Winston Peters confirmed the party intends to see the bill all the way through the house, they would also like to see some adjustments. “Let's see what happens with the selection committee,...

Former prime minister Henry Puna, who ends his term as the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum this month, says he is humbled to have been the first Cook Islander to hold the post and fly the flag of his country. Puna completed his final mission as the leader of the regional body in his home country Cook Islands...

The President of Vanuatu, Nikenike Vurobaravu, has emphasised political stability and political reform in his official address at the opening of the 2024 First Ordinary Session of Parliament Wednesday. He congratulated the Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai, deputy Prime Minister, Matai Seremaiah, all state ministers, and all leaders of all political parties represented in this legislature, and the support of all...

In a collaborative event hosted by NatureFiji-MareqetiViti and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Oceania Regional Office, participants gathered to mark the World Species Congress. The event, organised to celebrate the “Reverse the Red” initiative, shed light on the vital work underway to protect biodiversity in the Oceania region and beyond. The Protected and Conserved Areas Coordinator at IUCN...

France has said it will impose a state of emergency in New Caledonia for at least 12 days, after a second night of unrest over changes to voting rights in the overseas territory that has resulted in the deaths of at least four people. A government spokeswoman, Prisca Thevenot, announced the decision after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon in...

Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has reaffirmed MSG support of the Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste(FLNKS) position opposing the French government’s constitutional bill aimed at unfreezing New Caledonia’s electoral roll. “There's an urgent need now for France to agree to the proposal by the FLNKS to establish a dialogue and...

Pacific island countries are getting an increased share of Australian foreign aid, budget documents show, as it shifts into funding infrastructure such as undersea cables and ports in response to China’s inroads in the region. Overall, Australia’s foreign aid budget is flat and it remains one of the least generous donors in the OECD club of wealthy nations, ranking 26th...

The Fijian Drua have vowed to do it for its loyal fans this weekend against Queensland Reds in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific. Fijian Drua believes their fans deserve more after their loss to Western Force last week. Head Coach Mick Byrne said players reflected on the loss on their journey back home from Perth. Byrne said they owe the...

Flying winger Floyd Aubrey will start for the first time as part of sweeping changes by Les Kiss in a must-win game for the Queensland Reds' top-four Super Rugby Pacific hopes. The Marist-schooled, Murgon-raised Indigenous product will be given his first big chance in Suva on Saturday, with Kiss managing dynamic winger Tim Ryan on the bench and resting Mac...