PINA

A new NRL player forum has been established in response to the growing influence of Māori and Pasifika athletes, who the NRL says make up over 45 percent of players in the elite men’s competition and over 48 per cent of women competing in the NRLW. The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) launched Māori and Pasifika player advisory body, the...

The Albanese Government is bolstering rugby league player development in Papua New Guinea with further assistance for high-performance pathways and the participation of the PNG Hunters team in the Hostplus Cup. The assistance, under the PacificAus Sports program, continues the Government’s partnership with the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) as well as its support for the development of elite PNG rugby...

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape has urged Australia to not “give up” on his country during an historic address to the federal parliament. On Thursday morning, Marape became the first Pacific leader to address the joint sitting of both houses, with MPs and Senators packing into the lower house to listen. The prime minister dwelt heavily on...

Tackling the impacts of climate change is a key focus for New Zealand, with a total of $16.5 million (US$10 million) to go to the Cook Islands to help fight the crisis. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters made the announcement in the Cook Islands this morning, where he and Pacific People’s Minister Dr Shane Reti are...

Papua New Guinea’s National Media Development Policy is going through the Social, Law and Order Sector Heads vetting and clearance process before it is presented to Papua New Guinea Cabinet for endorsement. Information and Communications Technology Minister Timothy Masiu said this when refuting claims by Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill that journalists would be jailed if found to be misreporting. Masiu said:...

Following extensive consultations and careful deliberation, the Fiji Cabinet has given the green light to establish the medicinal cannabis industry in the country. A Taskforce was established in August 2023 to carry out national and community consultations on the proposal. It was also mandated to oversee the feasibility of this industry and assess the laws required for this emerging market. The Taskforce...

Oceania Rugby and Moana Pasifika are delighted to announce a strategic partnership aimed at launching a new age-grade competition designed to reinvigorate U20s pathway programmes across the Pacific region. The Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge will serve as a viable competition pathway opportunity for age-grade players across the Pacific to advance into the elite professional environment of Moana Pasifika and Fijian...

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Thursday extended a warm welcome to Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape at the Australian Parliament in Canberra – the first leader of another nation to address Parliament since 2020. “And the first leader of a Pacific island nation to address the Australian Parliament, ever.” “It is fitting that such an honour belongs to Papua...

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says his visit to Polynesia is not part of efforts to ease reservations about New Zealand joining the non-nuclear pillar of Aukus. Peters – also deputy prime minister – and Health Minister Dr Shane Reti are starting the second of a four-day tour of Tonga, Cook Islands and Samoa. It is Peters’ second...

The Vanuatu Electoral Commission will adopt the “simple majority” rule for counting referendum votes. This decision was revealed by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Edward Kaltamat while launching the 2024 National Referendum, Wednesday. According to Kaltamat, the decision was made at the recent meeting of the Commission. He added that they will not use the qualifying majority or the territorial...