PINA

New Zealand is considering the use of specific ‘strategic trust’ or national security clauses in agreements with Pacific Island nations, in an effort to counter China’s growing influence in the region. Newsroom understands the Government is considering how to formalise – or codify – what it previously thought to be well-understood security responsibilities with its Pacific Island partners. One of the...

Nauru will offer visas to members of the NZYQ cohort of non-citizens released into the Australian community following a High Court decision, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has revealed. Burke said the Nauruan government had approached Australia to offer a resolution for the cohort, many of whom have a history of violent offending. “When somebody has come and treated Australians in...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has warned of the growing threat of stronger, more frequent cyclones, calling for global action on climate change. He acknowledges Fiji’s progress but challenged other nations to do more, stressing that inaction elsewhere still puts the region at risk. Speaking at the 61st Munich Security Conference, Rabuka urged world leaders to prioritise the climate crisis, highlighting...

The Cook Islands said on Saturday that it signed a comprehensive strategic partnership deal with China, a move expected to raise concerns in New Zealand with which it has constitutional ties. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and Chinese Premier Li Qiang signed the deal in Harbin, the capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Brown's office said in a statement. “This...

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark maintains that Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, should have consulted Wellington before signing a “partnership” deal with China. “ seems to have signed behind the backs of his own people as well as of New Zealand,” Clark told RNZ Pacific. Brown said the deal with China complements, not replaces, the relationship with...

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and New Zealand’s Minister for Defence Judith Collins has engaged in discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the two nations. Discussions during the meeting also focused on ongoing and future projects that will benefit both countries. The meeting was held on the margins of the 61st session of the Munich Security Conference in Germany. PM Rabuka and...

By Michael Walsh U.S President Donald Trump recently announced that he intends to nominate Jared Novelly to serve as the U.S Ambassador to New Zealand. One of the questions that begs is whether the Trump administration will continue to extend diplomatic recognition to Cook Islands and Niue. On 24 January, President Trump posted that he was “pleased to announce that Jared...

From today to Saturday the fifth edition of the PacificAus Sports Netball Series will be held at Nissan Arena in Brisbane. The series is hosted by Netball Australia, and funded by the Australian Government. The Australian First Nations team, the Black Swans, is back again and the performance of this team representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders will be closely watched....

The first major equipment for the Pacific Mini Games has arrived in Palau, marking a significant stage in the delivery preparation for the event. A total of six (6) V6 canoes and eight (8) V1 canoes have been delivered and are now ready to be tested by Team Palau in preparation for hosting the Games. These brand-new canoes were purchased with...

As the Pacific Mini Games approach, media teams in Palau are working behind the scenes to ensure smooth coverage of the regional event expected take place on 29 June to 09 July 2025. Local journalists and media professionals are coordinating efforts to provide timely updates through live streaming, print, and social media. The Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) is installing dedicated...