PINA

Sport changes lives. It widens the spectrum of opportunities and leads to achievements that unite people. Above all, it leads to better health and human development. A high-level Sport Breakfast on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa Wednesday advanced discussions on a new model for sport–government engagement to reset and promote the sport movement. This model...

Brad and Kiana Takairangi are set to create sporting history when they captain the Cook Islands Aitu and Moana in Saturday’s Pacific Championships double-header against Fiji at Suva’s HFC Stadium. In a world first, the pair are believed to be the only brother and sister in any sporting code to be appointed as captain of their nation’s men’s and women’s...

The global rugby community has led a chorus of disappointment after 12 sports were shunted from the 2026 Commonwealth Games, following the announcement of the program for the streamlined event to be held in Glasgow. Rugby sevens, hockey and cricket were the highest-profile sports to be axed as part of Glasgow’s 11th-hour offering to help salvage the Commonwealth Games, prompted...

The Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organisation (WHO) is getting healthier compared to other regions and was the least affected by Covid-19 deaths in the first two years, but the incidence of non-communicable diseases is rising due to increased smoking and drinking of alcohol. This mix of good and bad news highlights the sobering reality that the WHO...

In a historic show of support, 10 more countries in the Western Pacific region pledged to provide an additional US$ 12.1 million to the World Health Organisation (WHO) through its first-ever Investment Round. This comes in addition to US$18 million announced by Singapore in May. The WHO Investment Round aims to secure predictable, flexible, and resilient resources for WHO’s core...

A joint understanding has been reached between the Governments of Bougainville and Papua Guinea to broaden the role of the recently appointed independent moderator, Sir Jerry Mateparae. In a ministerial statement delivered in the Bougainville House of Representatives last week, ABG Attorney General and Minister for Bougainville Independence Mission, Ezekiel Masatt, provided this update highlighting the importance of the moderator's...

The Commonwealth People's Forum — the largest gathering of civil society in the Commonwealth — convened leading climate negotiators and experts in Apia to discuss how the Commonwealth can deliver climate justice for communities on the frontlines of global heating. Ahead of what civil society is billing as the 'Finance COP', Commonwealth advocates call for fairer and more practical accessible...

In the small village of Siumu, south of the capital Apia, locals have been busy cleaning the sides of the road and hoisting British flags as they prepare for a historic visit from King Charles III. Bamboo has been planted on the roadside, coconuts and houses painted blue, white and red in the colours of the Samoan flag. Children will...

People who live in villages along the Samoan coastline where a New Zealand navy ship ran aground, caught fire and sank this month are worried about their livelihoods and the future of tourism and fishing in the area as they prepare for the arrival of Britain's King Charles III on Wednesday. Under clear skies Tuesday, shortly after sunrise in the...

A perspective on the history and future of the Pacific Islands News Association from incoming President Kalafi Moala The Pacific Islands Media Freedom (PIMF) Index 2023, published by the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF), referred to challenges facing regional media. The report State of Media Freedom, what are the key challenges? says that respondents were asked to list issues from 1...