PINA

Australia's spending on defence cooperation in the Pacific region is being cut at the same time concerns grow over China's rising influence over neighbouring countries such as Solomon Islands. This week's budget confirmed overall funding for the “Defence Cooperation Programme”, which provides assistance such as language training to mainly Pacific nations, will fall from $236 million (US$177 million) forecast this...

The Kingdom of Tonga has won the prestigious BIE Gold Award for Exhibition design for supreme aesthetic functionality with extraordinary visitor discovery at Expo 2020 Dubai. This award was decided by an international panel of nine experts in Architecture, Urban planning, Exhibition, World Expos and more. They have spent weeks around every pavilion on site to make their decision. Deputy Commissioner...

The unsustainable nature of the high debt burden in Pacific countries is an area of concern for New Zealand, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. Mahuta in an interview with FijiLive said because of high debt levels, they generally encourage Pacific countries to make use of grant finances where possible. She said Aotearoa New Zealand’s approach to development funding is to provide...

Fiji's Electoral Commission Chair Mukesh Nand is urging all eligible voters to exercise their right by voting in the upcoming General Election. Nand made the call in a press conference Wednesday as a decline in voters turning up to vote in the 2018 election was recorded. He said in the 2014 election, 84 percent people had voted while it dropped to...

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...