PINA

The President of the Pacific Island News Association (PINA), Kalafi Moala of Tonga is urging Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa who is the Chair of the upcoming Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM) meeting in Samoa, to allow the media to perform their role freely without interference from the host broadcaster. In a joint letter with the Pacific Freedom Forum...

Nearly 1000 tonnes of diesel fuel were onboard HMNZS Manawanui when it sank in Samoa, the New Zealand Chief of Navy says. The Manawanui sank off the south coast of the island of Upolu on Saturday, after running aground, catching fire and capsizing. The immediate focus was on the safety and recovery of its crew, with attention now turning to salvage...

-French Polynesia and New Caledonia, both UN-listed non-sovereign territories to be decolonised, are this week sending delegations to New York to attend the UN's 4th committee on decolonisation. This year both pro and anti-independence petitioners are attending. Since 2013, when French Polynesia was re-inscribed on the list of non-sovereign territories to be decolonised, the strongest delegation has been lead by pro-independence...

The Heads of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank Group (WBG), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have agreed on broad principles for cooperation on pandemic preparedness. This cooperation will allow a scaling up of support to countries to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats through the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST), the WBG’s financial...

Oil can be seen floating on top of the sea where the ill-fated HMNZS Manawanui sank on Sunday morning. An environmental disaster looms that could affect the livelihoods of villagers in the area. Along with the oil, rubbish and debris from the wreck are also floating on the ocean threatening marine life, food sources and tourism in the area. There is also...

France’s Ambassador to New Zealand has reaffirmed the European nation’s commitment to facilitate peace while maintaining its presence in the Pacific. Since May, New Caledonia has been rocked with political unrest after protests and riots broke out in the capital Noumēa. The political standoff came to a head when France’s decision to change voting rights was opposed by pro-independence groups. As France...

Thirty-five Fiji police officers are attending a diplomacy training facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), ahead of their deployment to Samoa to assist with security operations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting later this month. Opening the training was the Assistant Commissioner of Police – Operations (ACP) Livai Driu who stressed the importance of the deployment. “Officers, you...

Palau is making preparations to host the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, scheduled from 30 June to 09 July 2025. In an interview, Frank Kyota, President of the Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC), outlined the country’s efforts and challenges as it gears up for the event. Kyota confirmed that 24 countries are expected to participate in the games, competing in 12 sports....

With results in WXV 1 and WXV 2 going according to the rankings and the formbook, there were no positional changes to the top 10 of the World Rugby Women's Rankings this weekend. However, on a weekend of very little movement in the rankings, Samoa's record 45-17 win over Fiji in WXV 3 did have a big impact. Samoa easily beat...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has expressed his optimism about the progress toward establishing a PNG rugby league team in the Australian NRL competition. Following a series of high-level discussions in Sydney with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Sport Anika Wells, Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, as well...