PINA

The Governments of Fiji and New Zealand Tuesday convened the Fiji–New Zealand High Level Consultations, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and regional cooperation. The Consultations bring together senior officials from both Governments to review current areas of cooperation and explore new opportunities for deeper collaboration. The one-day consultations convened at the Fiji Learning Institute for Public Service (FLIPS) complex...

Part Two of the interview with Ms Emma Veve, the new Director General of the ADB Pacific Department conducted by PACNEWS Editor, Makereta Komai on the sidelines of the 58th ADB Governor’s Annual Meeting in Milan, Italy. Ms Veve took office in February this year and is tasked with the delivery of ADB’s vision and strategy in the Pacific PACNEWS:...

The Palau National Stadium will play host to a rising crop of 20 Australian athletes selected for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games to take place this July, with the development opportunity set to build on the nation’s status as a leader in the region both on and off the track. The Athletics component of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games will...

From the 24 clubs who expressed interest in being part of the OFC Professional League due to start in January 2026, OFC can confirm that 13 will continue to the Club Licensing phase. There are 11 clubs from six OFC Member Associations including four from New Zealand, two from Fiji, two from Papua New Guinea, one each from Solomon Islands,...

Three months after signing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China, Cook Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Tingika Elikana confirmed that no progress had been made in implementing the potential projects under the agreements signed between the two countries. Cook Islands signed the Action Plan for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030 and three memorandums of understanding with China during Prime Minister Mark...

Pacific countries that send seasonal workers to Australia can now breathe a sigh of relief following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s emphatic victory at the recent federal election. If Albanese had lost last week's poll, the nine Pacific countries participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme were likely to face major setbacks in sending workers. Fortunately for regional labourers, Albanese...

Fisheries officials and delegates from the 17 Members of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), are gathering this week at the Millenium Hall in Alofi, Niue, for the 138th Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) Annual Officials Meeting. The five-day meeting offers an important opportunity for Members to shape the direction of sustainable tuna fisheries management in the Pacific region. Delegates...

Tongan Prime Minister Dr 'Aisake Valu Eke is optimistic about this year's election and says his government is focused on doing its best, leaving the rest up to the Tongan people. Dr Eke came to power last December after his predecessor Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni resigned in the face of a no-confidence vote brought against him by the current prime minister. Tongans...

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has signed Executive Order No. 491 creating a new national working group to better protect Palau’s waters, calling it a “whole government approach in securing Palau’s waters.” The Coordinated Maritime Management (CMM) Working Group brings together top officials from over a dozen government agencies to respond more quickly and effectively to ocean-related threats — such...

Geoff Turner has officially taken office as Tonga’s new Police Commissioner, marking yet another important leadership transition. The swearing-in ceremony occurred Monday at Tonga Police Headquarters in Nuku’alofa. Chief Magistrate Loupua Pahulu-Kuli administered the oath, with Deputy Commissioners and the Chief Legal Officer in attendance. Commissioner Turner, an Australian national, brings extensive experience from his tenure with the Queensland Police Service and...