PINA

Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence and international security sectors. The role is appointed by...

Niue's first female MP, O'love Jacobsen, has concerns constitutional changes could be perceived as the territory wanting to loosen its ties with Aotearoa New Zealand. She has also called part of the proposal 'politically irresponsible'. A public consultation period is underway ahead of a third and final vote. The proposals under the amendment bills include increasing the number of members of Cabinet...

A New Zealand political delegation led by Foreign Minister Winston Peters will postpone its trip to New Caledonia amid unrest in the island nation. Marches, demonstrations and riots have been reported as local protesters rail against a proposal from France to amend the country's constitution. Cars have been burned on the roads, and there had been violent confrontations between protesters...

A $44.9 million (US$27 million) funding package across three projects has been announced during the second leg of Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters mission to the Pacific. The Minister was in Papua New Guinea as part of the five Pacific nation visits this week. Minister Peters met with Papua Prime Minister James Marape to discuss partnership, democracy, shared Pacific priorities and...

Two days prior to the Referendum Polling Day, the Vanuatu Court will convene to hear the applications from both Silas Hakwa, the legal representative for the Applicants of the Constitutional Case 24/143 and the respondent, represented by the Office of the Attorney General. This follows Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek’s ruling Monday affirming that the ‘No’ group have a case. Hakwa noted...

New Caledonia has on Monday gone through yet another day of tensions, a few hours ahead of a vote in Paris's National Assembly on a government-tabled Constitutional amendment. This amendment would “unfreeze” the list of eligible voters at local elections. During most of the day, demonstrations, marches and confrontations with security forces have spread throughout the French Pacific entity, with hot...

The New Zealand government says it wants to work with existing partnerships and groups when it comes to the question of security for its Pacific partners, but is also keen to make use of new geopolitical groupings to enhance the region’s security needs. Its deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs Winston Peters said this when addressing Defence leaders...

Statement by NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters at the Kumul Leadership Centre in Port Moresby A shifting strategic context Just two weeks ago, we delivered an address to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs on the direction of New Zealand’s foreign policy. We spelt out how New Zealand is responding to three big shifts we see in the wider international order –...

Flying Fijians and Queensland Reds prop Peni Ravai is enjoying some valuable game time in this season’s Super Rugby Pacific. The past three weeks have been quite exciting for the Tailevu man after he featured in games with the Hurricanes, Crusaders and last weekend against the Rebels. He started in their win over the Crusaders and came off the bench against...

Australia is guaranteeing Tuvalu's security under a new pact as it pledges more than $110 million (US$72 million) in a development package. The memorandum of understanding was focused on sovereignty, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. It followed a signed treaty between the two countries, called the Falepili Union, that was criticised for eroding Tuvalu's sovereignty with a clause stating Australia must...