PINA

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...

Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama Wednesday made an impassioned plea to the Papua New Guinea Government: “Let my people go.” “Two years ago I pleaded with you to let my people go. All Parliament is asked to do is give your blessing to a deal made 15 years ago,” Toroama said. The ABG president said this yesterday morning before discussing the Bougainville...

Former Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has been sentenced to one-year imprisonment by Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo at the Suva High Court. Suspended Police Commissioner will serve two years. Bainimarama was found guilty of one count of attempt to pervert the course of justice in the University of the South Pacific(USP) case and while Qiliho was found guilty of one...

Australia will spend more than $110 million (US$65 million) in a development package for Tuvalu as the two nations agree a landmark treaty will not hinder the Pacific Island nation's ability to enter into deals with other countries. In a show of Canberra's commitment to the climate-impacted island, Penny Wong and opposition counterpart Simon Birmingham travelled to Funafuti on a...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in London on Monday this week. The historic meeting reaffirmed the strong and enduring relationship between Fiji and the United Kingdom (UK). In his royal audience with His Majesty King Charles III, Prime Minister Rabuka conveyed the People’s Coalition Government and the people of Fiji’s gratitude for the...