PINA

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says his visit to Indonesia has opened a new door of ‘rare’ international relationship between Honiara and Jakarta. He said he believes this ‘rare’ international relationship will translate into much economic benefits for the Pacific Island nation in the next few years. PM Manele was speaking at a press conference last Friday after his return...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has confirmed that more than eight million Papua New Guineans have already been counted in the ongoing national census and emphasised that the population could be closer to 12 million. Speaking to the media, Marape noted the importance of comprehensive data collection to develop an accurate population record. “Our current tally has surpassed 8...

Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shaheen Ali, on Monday delivered a strong call to action for a resilient and interconnected Pacific economy in his address at the Forum Island Countries and Japan Regional Investment Seminar in Suva. Representing Fiji’s deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica, Ali highlighted the potential of Pacific-Japan partnerships to drive regional...

Applying CHOGM outcomes on climate change, oceans, blackbirding offers new secretary-general shot at relevance. Commentary by Tess Newton Cain As CHOGM came to a close, Samoa rightfully basked in the resounding success for the country and people as hosts of the Commonwealth leaders’ meeting. Footage of Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa swaying along to the siva dance as she sat...

A women’s rugby player who admitted to supplying cocaine and ketamine in Sydney’s CBD is stranded in the Pacific Islands after her visa to return to Australia after a competition was refused, a court has been told. Aliti Namoce, 26, did not appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Monday where pleas of guilty were entered on her behalf to...

The Flying Fijians want to record good performances against the three Tier 1 nations they will be going up against during the Northern Hemisphere tour to help leverage their cause. Their first assignment is battling Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday morning (Fiji and NZ time). Head coach Mick Byrne said in a press interview that facing Scotland, Wales, and Ireland is...

Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni opened a crucial meeting with New Caledonia’s Customary Senate, calling for peaceful resolutions to escalating tensions in the French territory. “The situation in New Caledonia is a top priority for us,” Sovaleni said, before customary leaders and emphasising the significance of cultural ties in resolving the crisis. “We are here...

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa took a strong stance on elevating kava's economic potential at the CHOGM side event last week, declaring the plant as the Pacific's “Green Gold” and lauding its importance to Pacific livelihoods, culture, and trade. “Kava is unique to our Pacific region,” Waqa said, emphasising its deep-rooted cultural significance and vital economic contribution to...

France has been criticised for the “alarming” death toll in New Caledonia during recent protests and its “cold shower” approach to decolonisation by experts of the UN Human Rights Committee. The UN committee met last week in Geneva for France’s five-yearly human rights review with a focus on its Pacific territory, after peaceful protests over electoral changes turned violent leaving...

The Commonwealth Heads of Government(CHOGM) has adopted the Commonwealth Principles on Freedom of Expression and the Role of the Media in Good Governance at their summit meeting in Apia, Samoa. These Principles highlight the importance of freedom of expression and media freedom to democracy. They state that Commonwealth governments ‘should consider repealing or amending laws which unduly restrict the right...