PINA

A New Zealand economist who has done widespread work around the Pacific has been arrested in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) for child trafficking offences. According to Kaselehlie Press, Rob Solomon was arrested on 15 March and faces two charges of Human Trafficking and three of Trafficking in Children. Prosecutors allege he lured a minor to his house or apartment...

A leading international economist says the increase in Fiji’s national minimum wage will have an impact on the cost of doing business but will not lead to massive job losses, as feared by most companies, mainly from the manufacturing sector. ANZ’s international economist Dr Kishti Sen responded to questions on the issue saying that Fiji’s manufacturing, in particular the textile...

By Mathew Wale The proposed security deal between Solomon Islands and China may appear to be all about security, but it is in fact counterproductive to the security interests of Solomon Islands and the Pacific Islands region. Prime minister Manasseh Sogavare seems to be oblivious to the issues surrounding the draft deal and may see it as a move...

By Megan Jungwiwattanaporn KINGSTON, 31 MARCH 2022 (PEW TRUST) --- Seabed mining operations are likely to have impacts beyond the area of a specific mine site. Sediment plumes, noise and the destruction of vulnerable marine habitat may spill across a region. Consequently, such mining should not go forward without policies in place to protect the environment at a regional...

New Zealand have won the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Oceania Qualifiers after a Bill Tuiloma brace and goals from Joe Bell, Chris Wood and Matt Garbett secured a 5-0 win over Solomon Islands at the Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The result means New Zealand now advance to the next stage of World Cup qualifying, an intercontinental play-off,...

Fijian Drua Head Coach Mick Byrne has announced his line-up for Friday’s Round 7 home match vs NSW Waratahs at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast. Kaliopasi Uluilakelpa (1) reverts to his loosehead prop position this week with Samuela Tawake (3) returning as the run-on tighthead prop. Flying Fijians hooker Mesulame Dolokoto (2) also returns to the starting line-up...

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is looking at building more consensus and cohesion around its processes in the hopes of appeasing member countries. The assessment is an effort to heal the rift within the regional body that has seen Micronesian countries pause their membership last year. New Zealand Foreign Minister, Nanaia Mahuta has already said that regional solidarity is a key...

The FijiFirst Government will win the 2022 General Election. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama did not mince his words on Sunday when he made the declaration and called out People’s Alliance Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka. Speaking on the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation Radio Fiji One Nai Lalakai programme, Bainimarama said: “FijiFirst won in the 2014 and 2018 elections, and we will win again...

The New Zealand Government is being accused of taking a weak stance at an international meeting to finalise the rules for mining the deep sea. By participating in drafting regulations, New Zealand is helping to ‘green light’ the emerging industry, marine conservationists say. They argue the extraction of valuable polymetallic nodules will cause “unprecedented environmental destruction” to the Pacific Ocean. And the...

50,000 doses of pediatric Pfizer vaccines will be provided to Fiji with the support from the New Zealand government. At the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, visiting New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nanaia Mahuta announced that her cabinet has approved to provide the vaccines to Fiji. Mahuta said for many Pacific countries including Fiji, responding to COVID wasn’t easy. She said one...