PINA

By Jenny Lei Ravelo  After 72 years, the World Health Organisation’s regional office in the Western Pacific will for the first time be led by a Pacific islander, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, Tonga’s health minister. Piukala emerged as the top candidate in all voting rounds during last week’s 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific but was...

World Rugby has revealed the first shortlists for the prestigious World Rugby Awards 2023, which will be presented at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on Sunday, 29 October. Winners in 11 categories are set to be honoured in a star-studded showcase taking place just hours after the conclusion of a record-breaking Rugby World Cup 2023 at Stade de France. The Rugby...

Pacific Island rugby players have slammed world rugby’s new competition and claim the format will keep nations like Samoa and Tonga at the bottom of the rugby heap. For years, rugby nations globally - including New Zealand - have plundered Pasifika players, using the islands as a rugby nursery to support their own competitions. But now with the 2026 Nations Championship...

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General has reiterated the crucial role young Pacific climate activists have in the battle against climate change. Speaking at the 'Pacific Power Up' gathering Wednesday, Henry Puna praised the determination and resilience of the Pacific youth in amplifying the Pacific voices in the lead up to COP28 next month in Dubai. “I am honoured to stand...

After 16 years of working under oppressive media law in Fiji, its an historic day for the local media fraternity in the Pacific nation as the now revitalised Fiji Media Council (FMC) was launched Thursday. Speaking at the launch of the Council in Suva, Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica said the FMC comprises a diverse group of individuals who are...

The Samoa Parliamentary Committee that reviewed the Commission of Inquiry’s Report set up after the 2021 general elections, has accepted the recommendation to remove the 10 percent quota for women parliamentarians. Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee, Deputy Speaker Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua presented the Committee’s report in its entirety that accepted only 12 of the 57 recommendations made by the Commission...

Over 60 Pacific youth activists presented their climate demands Wednesday to Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna ahead of the global Power Up mobilisations on 3 - 04 November and the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Rarotonga. The Pacific Power Up Declaration calls for an endorsement of the Port Vila Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific by all...

The islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki have been a hive of activity as up to 500 delegates from 18 member nations, international agencies and observers will descend on Kūki ‘Airani before 06 November. PIFLM52 Culture Coordinators Tereapii Tumutoa and Uirangi Bishop, along with 200 plus Cook Islanders consisting of mostly students, have been finalising loose ends for the opening ceremony. Tumutoa...

The Red Cross has told Newshub the early information coming out of remote Vanuatu communities is Tropical Cyclone Lola is worse than Cyclone Harold in 2020, which caused widespread destruction. Lola has caused extensive damage to houses, schools and plantations in Vanuatu's northern provinces of Torba and Penama - where power and communications networks remain down. Images of Lola's destruction have...

UNICEF Pacific is ready to respond and ensure the survival and protection of children in the aftermath of the severe tropical cyclone Lola, which made landfall in Vanuatu Wednesday. This is the third cyclone to have impacted Vanuatu this year and comes just months after the devastating twin cyclones Judy and Kevin in March. For some islands, it is the...