PINA

On the occasion of World Environment Day 2022, whose theme is “Only One Earth”, the Pacific Community (SPC) reaffirms its commitment to leveraging science, technical expertise and partnerships to enhance the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for sustainable development. Now more than ever, it is time to put nature at the heart development and NbS can help to create...

“This planet is our only home”, Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message for World Environment Day on Sunday, warning that the Earth’s natural systems “cannot keep up with our demands”. “It is vital we safeguard the health of its atmosphere, the richness and diversity of life on Earth, its ecosystems and its finite resources. But we are failing to...

Fiji Rugby has today announced a powerful 34-member squad for the upcoming World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) featuring the Flying Fijians, Tonga, Samoa and Australia A. The squad includes 16 players from the Fijian Drua, who will feature alongside other Super Rugby Pacific and Europe-based stars for their country. Ten potential debutants have forced their way into the squad; among...

Wayne Bennett is set to join the Mate Ma'a Tonga coaching staff for the upcoming Test against New Zealand at Mt Smart Stadium on 25 June. Bennett, who will next year return to the NRL coaching ranks with the new Dolphins franchise, will act as a coaching advisor to Dean Young, who will deputise for Tonga mentor Kristian Woolf. With Woolf...

Buckingham Palace says Queen Elizabeth II will not attend a church service to mark her Platinum Jubilee after experiencing “discomfort” at events on Thursday. The palace says that with “great reluctance” the 96-year-old monarch has decided to skip Friday’s service at St Paul’s Cathedral. The palace says “the queen greatly enjoyed today’s Birthday Parade and Flypast but did experience some discomfort.” Britain...

Tonga’s qualification battle for a place at Rugby World Cup 2023 in France will continue at Sunshine Coast Stadium next month with the Asia/Pacific Play off. Kicking off on July 23, Tonga will face the Asia Champion with the winner of the match to secure qualification at Rugby’s biggest event next year in Pool B where they will face Scotland,...

People’s National Congress leader Peter O’Neill is urging Prime Minister James Marape and the government to refrain from signing any agreements with China when their foreign minister visits Port Moresby today. “Now is not the right time,” the former prime minister said of the visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and of any likely deals to be struck up...

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta says New Zealand is “not defined by China”, and does not need to react to Chinese activity in the Pacific Islands in a way that “makes us look desperate”. She was questioned on Breakfast on Thursday about Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s trip through the Pacific in recent days, during which a series of...

The Pacific needs to remain front and centre of Australia’s diplomatic priorities, Defence Minister Richard Marles says, as China looks to expand its influence in the region. Marles says Australia cannot take the Pacific or its 10 million residents for granted. “We need engagement,” he told AAP. “If we make the Pacific a focus, if we are interested in the welfare of...

Beijing has come out firing on Thursday after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and U.S President Joe Biden expressed concerns over China’s security agreement with Solomon Islands and its wider Pacific ambitions. Speaking from the Chinese capital, foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian accused the two leaders of trying to “deliberately hype up” issues from the South China Sea to Beijing’s ongoing...