PINA

By Christopher Pala It has been described as “the most remarkable achievement of the Pacific island countries in the last 50 years”. In 1982, eight, mostly minuscule Pacific island countries in whose waters much of the world’s skipjack tuna was caught got together and decided to do something to get a share of the profits, of which they received precisely...

Written by Ancuta Hansen As with their sisters around the world, many women in the Pacific Islands are victims of violence. While much of this violence occurs within the family, a socio-cultural environment accustomed to violence against women has repercussions for women’s participation in public life, particularly in politics. At times, police are not the solution but rather the...

The approvals process for foreign and domestic investment proposals is set to become more business-friendly following reforms spearheaded by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport (MCTTT) to streamline Fiji’s investment regulatory framework. Fiji’s Investment Act 2020 will increase the country’s ability to attract foreign and domestic investment across key sectors, with the aim of generating foreign exchange, knowledge...

Samoan weightlifter Iuniarra Sipaia has confirmed her spot in the Tokyo Olympics next month and says she is honored to be representing the country. Sipaia told the Samoa Observer in an interview on Tuesday that she felt honored and privileged to be attending her first ever Olympics and is hopeful of snatching a gold medal in her category. SWA Samoa Weightlifting...

Māori All Blacks Coach Clayton McMillan has named a settled squad ahead of their two-match series against Manu Samoa. It will be the first time the sides have met since 2008, with matches at Sky Stadium in Wellington (June 26) and an exciting double header alongside the All Blacks and Tonga at Mt Smart in Auckland (July 3). The squad features...

COVID-19 has not only decimated Pacific Island economies, it has also catapulted to the fore the urgent need to move towards digital economies and the importance of e-commerce if we are to be on par with the rest of the world. A report released by UNCTAD early May 2021 stated the “dramatic rise in e-commerce amid movement restrictions induced by...

Several cases of COVID-19 vaccines being made mandatory in the Pacific raises questions over legality and morality There have been reports in various Pacific countries of workers being forced to get the COVID-19 vaccination if they want to keep their jobs. It has triggered debate around people's individual rights and workplace health and safety. Fiji-based constitutional lawyer Jon Apted says that Fiji's...

Former Vanuatu Speaker of Parliament, Gracia Shadrack has issued a statement explaining the reasons for his resignation. “There has been unrelenting challenge by the Government side against my ability to hold office as the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu,” he stated. “This is a role I have held in earnest with dedication to ensuring the proper discharge...

The non-appearance of the Samoa caretaker Prime Minister and the Attorney General in a case where they are cited for contempt of Court was raised when the matter was called this week. Lawyer Matafeo George Latu acting for the appellant - the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party - said the matter at its outset is a...

Vanuatu President Obed Moses Tallis, has appointed Colonel Robson Iavro as the Commissioner of Police. The instrument of appointment was signed by the President on 11 June. Order No. 75 of 2021 stated that the President made the appointment in exercise of the powers given to him to undertake such task under the Police Act (CAP 105). Colonel Iavro is a...