PINA

This week, 56 nations spanning five geographical regions, including some of the largest economies on earth as well as the smallest of islands, celebrated their unity of vision and common commitment to peace and justice in an increasingly polarised world. In London, Commonwealth Day was marked on 13 March with a series of events, including a wreath-laying ceremony in memory...

The joy on the faces of the large crowd bathed in sunshine at Churchill Park in Lautoka when the Fijian Drua shocked the Crusaders in the third round of Super Rugby Pacific last weekend spoke volumes for the passion the people of the Islands have for rugby. To witness the Drua turn the tables on a team that had beaten...

By Iliesa Tora, RNZ Pacific Senior Sports Journalist The Fijian Drua will expect nothing less than a physical encounter against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Sunday. The Pacific Super Rugby Round 4 clash will be a test of character for the Drua, who recorded the upset of the season so far with their 25-24 win over the champion Crusaders in...

The OFC Extraordinary Congress held at Kigali in Rwanda has elected Lambert Maltock (Vanuatu) unopposed as President for a second four-year term. Maltock was first elected at the March 2019 Congress in Auckland New Zealand. FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the Congress saying "this year is huge for the Oceania region, for Women's football and for the Oceans 11." (referring to...

Fiji Sevens rugby fans have initiated an appeal to help an injured rugby player who needs at least NZ$30,000 (US$18,535) to get urgent knee surgery, while also raising concerns about the age-old problem of player welfare in the country. Napolioni Bolaca, an Olympic gold medallist at the 2020 Tokyo Games, has been out of rugby action in the last 12...

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that his meeting with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka resulted in an additional $81million (US$54 million) in budget support this financial year to help the Fiji Government maintain essential services, protect the most vulnerable and contribute to private sector-led economic growth. This latest tranche is an extension of Australia’s budget support for Fiji through the...

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat marked 35 years of MSG's existence at a ceremony which was officiated by the Vanuatu Prime Minister, Ishmael Kalsakau Tuesday. In his keynote address, Director General, Leonard Louma, welcomed the Prime Minister and his entourage saying his presence was significant as he is also Chairman of the MSG, and Chief of the land on...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Tonga today signed a USD$10 million grant agreement to help the country expedite its recovery from disasters and health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement was signed by Tonga’s Minister of Finance Tiofilusi Tiueti and the ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office Regional Director Aaron Batten. The grant was approved by...

Australian Prime Minister Albanese will visit Fiji today to hold bilateral talks with his counterpart Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Nadi. Australia and Fiji are warm friends and natural partners, with a shared interest in preserving a peaceful, prosperous and resilient region for our Pacific family. The Prime Ministers will meet at Blackrock Camp to discuss ways to strengthen Australia and...

Days after two cyclones made landfall on Vanuatu within the span of 48 hours, ministers from Pacific Island nations are gathering in the nation's capital from today to deliberate on building towards regional solidarity around a managed phaseout of fossil fuels. This Ministerial Dialogue, hosted by the Governments of Vanuatu and Tuvalu in Port Vila, follows on from COP27 in...