PINA

When the playing field is levelled, the dividends are doubled, both in politics and sport. By Jessica Collins As 2024 rang in, an historical vote was taking place in the Pacific. Hilda Heine, former president of the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) and first ever female head of state in the Pacific, was going head-to-head with David Kabua (the incumbent...

A former Flying Fijians prop forward believes the Fijian Drua need to hit the ground running from the opening whistle in their remaining games this season. Tiko Matawalu says the team must avoid playing catch-up rugby, especially in a competition as tough as the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific. The Fijian Drua have put up contrasting performances in each half...

Crusaders head coach Rob Penney is looking for consistency to turn around his side’s disappointing start to the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season. Penney said errors and turnovers were damaging the team’s ability to hit opponents as they conceded 17 turnovers in the 37-24 loss to the Waratahs during the Super Round. The Crusaders missed 31 tackles against the Chiefs and...

For Fukushima fisherman Haruo Ono, a lawsuit against the Japanese government and the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is his last hope for decency and living following Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. At one point in recent past, Ono became stressed and had to seek medical treatment. In his view, there is no justification for disposing...

Fiji has today taken delivery of its second Guardian-class Patrol Boat, the RFNS Puamau, at a handover ceremony at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia. The Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka received the vessel on behalf of the Government of Fiji. Fiji and Australia are Vuvale – natural partners working together to develop joint responses to emerging regional needs and priorities. The RFNS...

Former President of Kiribati Anote Tong, arrives in Australia on Saturday this week for a national speaking tour, focus on the critical need to stop fossil fuel expansion due to its acceleration of the impacts of the climate crisis in the Pacific. Tong is speaking at public events across Australia in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra as a guest of...

The Pacific Community (SPC) has unveiled its Pacific Energy and Gender Initiative (PEGI) project aimed at empowering women and girls in the Pacific region to actively participate in clean energy projects. During the kick-off meeting on Wednesday, Mereseini Rakuita, the Pacific Community's Principal Strategic Lead for Pacific Women and Girls highlighted the significance of including women and girls in energy...

On 04 March 2024, the Commonwealth Secretariat Human Rights Unit, in partnership with the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum (CDPF), convened a side event on practical pathways to strengthen access to justice for persons with disabilities during the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Zanzibar in the United Republic of Tanzania. Introducing the discussion, Steve Onwuasoanya, Acting Head of the Commonwealth Secretariat's...

Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has met with his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon in Melbourne, Tuesday in order to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and New Zealand. In this meeting, both leaders discussed various strategic issues and cooperation between the two countries in various fields. President Jokowi congratulated PM Luxon on his appointment and emphasised the importance of the strategic...

A Queensland man, 53, has been charged for allegedly failing to notify police of his intended travel to Papua New Guinea (PNG), breaching his reporting conditions as a registered child sex offender. Investigations began on 27 February 2024, when an Australian man without a visa sailed into Daru, PNG on a yacht. The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Transnational Crime...