PINA

The outgoing commander of the French Pacific fleet, Commodore Geoffroy d'Andigné, is warning of rising tensions in the Pacific Ocean and of the need to prepare. Looking back on his past two years at the helm of the French Pacific fleet from his Pape'ete headquarters, departing Commodore d'Andigné said he has been busy reinforcing the protection of French Polynesia's huge...

By Dr Naihuwo Ahai PhD, Governance and Development Specialist, Buka It is now 35 years since the Bougainville crisis erupted and 23 years after it officially ended through the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement in August 2001. Children in Primary school in 1989 are now in their late 40s or early 50s babysitting grandchildren. While most physical evidence of...

Vanuatu plans to bid to host the 2031 Pacific Games in Port Vila, with a proposal expected by the end of the year. A high-profile government delegation is expected to travel to Palau to formally submit the bid, aiming to showcase Vanuatu's potential to host the prestigious event and boost the local economy through sports tourism. The bid, which will be...

Papua New Guinea’s bid to have a team in Australia’s National Rugby League will “hopefully” be confirmed by the end of this year, bid chairman Wapu Sonk has told the 2024 Business Advantage PNG Investment Conference. Speaking at the conference’s gala dinner, Sonk said the PNG and Australian governments could make funding decisions as early as this week. “We are at...

Following rugby sevens’ celebrated ‘coming of age’ on the Olympic stage in Paris, World Rugby has today confirmed the first five destinations and dates of the highly anticipated HSBC SVNS 2025, with further events to be added in the coming weeks. The announcement means fans around the world can already mark their calendars and prepare to see the superstars from...

The Speaker of the Niue Assembly, Hima Douglas has declared Saturday, 31 August as the date for the national referendum to decide on the proposed amendments to the Constitution. The Referendum is held in conjunction with the Village Council Elections. The electorate is being asked to decide on four amendments – these are to change the title of Premier to Prime...

In a significant move, Pacific Foreign Ministers have agreed last Friday to reinstate the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Panel of Independent Experts on the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS)-treated water discharge from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The decision reflects ongoing concerns about Japan’s plan to release treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, a process that is expected...

New Zealand will support good governance and quality audit activities in the North Pacific, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says. “Promoting good governance and strong institutions is an important part of our development programme in the Pacific. We are pleased to be providing NZD$16.4 million (US$9.82 million) in support to the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions for its work,...

Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr claims China is “weaponising tourism” in a bid to get the nation to sever its ties with Taiwan. Whipps said he has been told by Beijing “the sky is the limit” if they ditch their association with Taipei. “At the end of the day we have a relationship with Taiwan and of course that relationship is...

The President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) officially held his first ever bilateral meeting with a New Zealand government minister on Tuesday. The meeting was part of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters', Pacific tour of the Micronesian sub-region ahead of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Summit in Tonga later this month. The FSM is made...