PINA

On the eve of Samoa's 59th independence anniversary, the nation's caretaker Prime Minister says Samoa is amidst one of its most challenging times, in an address focused mostly on politics. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi made the remarks during a meeting held on Monday by the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) at Malae o Tiafau. The meeting followed a peaceful march by more...

Fiji's Minister for Forestry, Osea Naiqamu has tendered in his resignation from Cabinet. His resignation comes into effect today, 01 June 2021. Naiqamu has taken this decision to focus on his health, for which he recently sought treatment, while continuing to contribute to the nation as a Member of Parliament. Naiqamu has served as a member of Cabinet from 2014 as the...

Dame Meg Taylor, who has concluded her term as secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum, appealed to the exiting member-countries to stay in the regional bloc, saying the Pacific is stronger as a group. “I believe in the ocean-continent and the blue Pacific, and the strength of the group,” Dame Taylor said. Dame Taylor, who took the helm of the Forum...

Vanuatu's opposition has filed a motion of no confidence against the government of prime minister Bob Loughman. The opposition accuses the government of excessive spending on self-interest in a time of national crisis. The country's economy has been hammered by the loss of tourism caused by the pandemic and Cyclone Harold, which caused extensive damage a year ago. The opposition also accuses...

The Archbishop of the Catholic Church, Alapati Lui Mataeliga, has used his mass on Monday to lash out at the Samoa Human Rights Protection Party(HRRP)-led caretaker Government and its leadership over the country’s constitutional crisis and warned the country is sliding into a dictatorship. The leader of the second largest church in Samoa left no stone unturned in a fiery...

Fijians on social media, civil society organisations and political party leaders are puzzled over Government’s decision to open up the Lami, Suva and Nausori containment areas into one big zone in the face of escalating COVID-19 cases. They also queried the decision to lift the border between Nadi and Lautoka, after two new cases were discovered in Nadi. Prime Minister Voreqe...

The Pacific Islands are being tipped as the next phase in Australia’s travel bubble but the plan hinges on the effectiveness of the nation’s vaccination drive. At a News Corp Australia travel event, Trade and Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said the federal and New Zealand governments were deliberating expanding quarantine-free travel to include a number of Pacific destinations. This could allow...

Papua New Guinea can expect increased job opportunities and millions of kina in revenue if the Government considers offering discounts on fishing days, says the Fishing Industry Association (PNG) Inc. Association president and chairman Sylvester Pokajam said selling fishing days to companies under the vessel day scheme (VDS) could generate K471 million(US$134 million) for PNG in a year. The association had...

By Jeremy Gwao,Josh Nicholas and Kate Lyons If Solomon Islands continues logging at its current rate, natural forests in the country will be exhausted in 15 years. The South Pacific nation, and its neighbour Papua New Guinea, are striking examples of the enormous cost of the logging industry on small island nations. In the last few decades, foreign-owned companies have...

The outgoing Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Dame Meg Taylor says the Australian government's stance on climate change and its support for fossil fuels is affecting the country's standing in the region. “I think people who are very concerned about the climate issues and what's happening in terms of the impact, yes, people are concerned about the government...