PINA

Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Jelta Wong, has called on Japan to cancel plans to dump more than one million tonnes of radioactive waste water into the Pacific Ocean from the disabled Fukushima nuclear power plant. He said the risks to the lives of Pacific Islanders, and to the health of the consumers of fish and...

Fiji's Acting Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica said on Friday that Fiji has been on very high alert after Japan planned to discharge the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. Kamikamica said a question that has been asked is if the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) treated water is so safe, why not re-use it in Japan for alternative purposes,...

New Zealand is sending humanitarian supplies to Vanuatu after the nation was hit by two cyclones within days of each other. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced the departure of a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules from Whenuapai, carrying water containers, temporary shelter kits and family hygiene packages. “Cyclones Judy and Kevin damaged homes, livelihoods, infrastructure and caused the...

The Australian Government has deployed HMAS Canberra following a request from the Government of Vanuatu. The 230-metre long Landing Helicopter Dock has completed loading equipment, stores and personnel and sail from its homeport of Sydney to Vanuatu to provide support to the country following Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin. The Ship and more than 600 ADF personnel will bring a versatile...

Nauru has been inducted to the Micronesian Islands Forum (MIF) during the February meeting of the region’s leaders. On 16 February, 2023, the Republic of Palau motioned, and the State of Chuuk seconded, the Republic of Nauru’s induction in the MIF. After consultation with his parliament. According to the MIF’s communique, Nauru President Russ Kun, President of the Republic of Nauru,...

Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy, has announced reforms to make skills training more accessible, flexible and affordable for Pacific Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme workers and their Australian employers. The changes will ensure that more Australian businesses can access funding to train PALM scheme workers and support employers to partner with training organisations to develop courses...

A second half hat-trick by front-rower Junior Rop underpinned the PNG Hunters’ strong 26-12 win over the Kaiviti Silktails to claim the inaugural Melanesian Bowl at Fiji’s Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka on Saturday. The Silktails led 12-4 at halftime but Rop’s take-no-prisoners running style helped the PNG team pile on 22 unanswered points in the second term. His tries in the...

The NSW Waratahs have emerged battered and bruised but with a vital win against Fijian Drua in a brutal Super Round rugby clash in Melbourne. The Waratahs scored six tries, including five in the second half, to post a rousing 46-17 victory at AAMI Park on Saturday night to bank their first win of the Super Rugby Pacific season. The Sydneysiders...

-Day two of the HSBC Canada Sevens has taken its toll on the top teams. South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand, all in the top four in the world, failed to reach the Cup semi-finals. South Africa were knocked out in the pool stage for the first time this season and were then beaten in their ninth-place quarter-final against Kenya....

Robert Steffy has been elected as President of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Oceania. The decision to elect the Guam Baseball Association representative was taken during the 2023 WBSC Oceania Congress at Guam National Olympic Committee (GNOC) headquarters on Saturday (March 4). WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari was present at the Congress that saw 13 National Federations participate, with four joining...