PINA

Almost a hundred representatives from Aotearoa, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands gathered in Suva, Fiji last week for the Oceania First Voices Regional Forum, where indigenous voices shared their experiences about the accelerating climate, ocean and nature crises. The forum was organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pacific on the basis that the...

King Charles III has approved the appointment of Samantha Mostyn as Australia’s next Governor-General. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Mostyn will succeed General David Hurley (ret’d) and will be Australia’s 28th Governor-General when she is sworn in on 01 July 2024. Mostyn is known for her exceptional service to the Australian community. She is a businesswoman and community leader with...

The Secretary General of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Patricia Scotland, has expressed her admiration for Samoa's preparations for the upcoming event, highlighting the beauty of the venues and the enthusiasm of the local community. The Secretary-General visited Samoa last week and took to social media to share her feedback about the trip which she believed ensured the...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says he is concerned with the number of investigations going on against key Cabinet members by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Fiji Police. Speaking to FijiLive, Rabuka said he had not been informed personally on the ongoing investigations . It is understood that pending matters are ongoing against the Attorney-General Siromi Turaga, Deputy...

By Dionisia Tabureguci The rise of a kava extract market overseas has increased the urgency of protecting the word “kava” as a product known by Pacific islanders and defined in the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius, said Timothy Tumukon, director general of Vanuatu’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity and chair of the Regional Kava Development Strategy Working Group under...

Fijian Drua coach Mick Byrne is under no illusion about the challenges that lie ahead for his team as they prepare to take their game on the road. Following a 31-13 win over the Western Force in a drenched Churchill Park last weekend, Byrne emphasizes the need for his squad to replicate their home form in away fixtures in order...

Veteran Vatemo Ravouvou has been appointed the Captain of the Fiji 7s team for this weekend’s Hong Kong 7s. The 33-year-old who has won the tournament previously while playing alongside coach Osea Kolinisau is the most experienced player in the team. Despite not playing for the national team in the recent past, he has been representing Saunaka and other clubs on...

Manu Samoa 7s Head Coach, Muliagatele Fata Brian Lima, has announced the squad to represent Samoa in the upcoming Hong Kong 7’s Leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023-2024 in Hong Kong this weekend. Samoa is in Pool C, alongside Ireland, Spain and South Africa. Manu Samoa 7s will kick off their campaign on Friday 5th April at...

The Australian Government has committed an additional AUD$20 million (WST$36.7 million) in direct budget support towards Samoa’s Treasury. This additional budget support will reinforce the Government of Samoa’s fiscal strength as it prepares for hosting a successful Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) later this year. The Exchange of Letters for this funding arrangement was co-signed by Samoa’s Minister of Finance,...

Developing East Asia and Pacific is growing faster than the rest of the world but slower than it was before the pandemic, the World Bank said on Sunday in its semi-annual economic outlook for the region. While recovering global trade and easing financial conditions will support economies in the region, increasing protectionism and policy uncertainty will dampen growth. Regional growth is...