Pacific leaders address US deportation distress and regional unity at Micronesian meeting

The latest wave of deportations of Pacific people from the United States was among a range of issues discussed at the recent Micronesian Islands Forum in the Marshall Islands. The three-day summit brought together leaders from Kiribati, Nauru, the...

Pacific hope rises as ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate change nears

Mixed results at UNOC3 In Nice, France, 170 countries adopted the “Our Ocean, Our Future” declaration and the Nice Action Plan. They pledged voluntary commitments without clear enforcement or accountability guidelines. One major area of progress...

Reviving a cultural legacy: Artist’s journey to rediscover Tokelau’s banned tattoo tradition

Visual artist Jack Kirifi is reviving the traditional tattoo art of Tokelau, a practice that was once banned and nearly forgotten. Kirifi has roots tracing back to Fakaofo, Tokelau, as well as Nanumea, Tuvalu, and Tongareva in the Cook Islands....

Mount students excited for cultural immersion

Thirty Mount Maunganui College students will have to get used to cold showers and life without Wi-Fi when they spend 10 days on the Samoan islands of Savai’i and Upolu in June. The college’s Malo Uma Pasifika culture group – which includes...

Australia's climate visa: A model for sinking islands?

In the tiny South Pacific nation of just over 10,000 people, one in three citizens has already entered the ballot for a world-first climate visa which would allow them to permanently migrate to Australia. Tuvalu is classified as being extremely...

What Country Has No Rivers? Here Is the Complete Global List

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Amid the alarming realities of climate change, discovering which country has no river offers a fascinating glimpse into how geography shapes a nation's environmental challenges. As we explore surprising facts about the world,...

The Rainbow Warrior 1985-2025 | Part 2: Nuclear Refugees In The Pacific - The Evacuation Of Rongelap

On the last voyage of the Rainbow Warrior prior to its sinking by French agents in Auckland harbour on 10 July 1985 the ship had evacuated the entire population (320) of Rongelap in the Marshall Islands. After conducting dozens of above-ground...

Taking matters into our ownhands: Aid dependency in the Pacific

BY Aisake Valu Eke and Tuya Altangerel There has been a marked decline in Pacific development and progress against the SDGs since the early 2000s, attributable to the impacts of major disaster events, remoteness of Pacific Island countries (PICs)...

New Zealand Eases Travel Rules for Pacific Islands Forum Countries

New Zealand has announced significant changes to its immigration settings, making it easier for citizens of Pacific Islands Forum countries to visit the country. The changes were revealed by Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Peters and Immigration...

The Rainbow Warrior saga. Part 2: Nuclear refugees in the Pacific – the evacuation of Rongelap

COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle On the last voyage of the Rainbow Warrior prior to its sinking by French secret agents in Auckland harbour on 10 July 1985 the ship had evacuated the entire population of 320 from Rongelap in the Marshall Islands. After...

PM Teo pays historic visit to Solovalu community

BY SAMIE WAIKORI The Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Feleti Penitala Teo, has paid a historic visit to the Tuvaluan community in the Solomon Islands. The visit took place on Tuesday evening, where he and his delegation visited the Tuvaluan descendants...

Pacific news in brief for 17 July

Fiji, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Tonga, French Polynesia and American Sāmoa have also declared dengue outbreaks. Photo: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Samoa - dengue A dengue fever outbreak in Samoa has claimed the life of a second child. The Sāmoa Observer...

NZ announces changes to visitor visa for Pacific

[Photo Credit: GS W] Fijians and people from Pacific Islands Forum countries granted a Visitor Visa will be able to visit New Zealand multiple times within a 24-month period starting 6th July this year. This has been highlighted by the New Zealand...

Climate insecurity hits Pacific, police minister warns

Police Minister Paula Piukala urges urgent action on climate-driven security risks. The Minister for Police, the Hon Paula Piveni Piukala, has told the Pacific Regional and National Security Conference climate change poses the “greatest security...

Schedule of performances for Flag Day Performing Arts Festival

Twelfth church and youth groups will perform for the opening night of the Flag Day Performing Arts Festival Monday at the Fagatogo Pavilion. The program for the three nights of the festival was released Thursday by the American Samoa Council on...

How far Nigeria don reach to change Donald Trump ban bifor di 60 days deadline?

Recently, President Donald Trump administration don announce say dem go soon enforce rules wey go block citizens from Nigeria, Ghana and 34 oda nations from entering di United States, even if dem get valid visa or to stay back afta di 60 days...

“It’s about survival:” Pacific islands slam Coalition threat to drop bid to co-host COP31

Peter Dutton’s suggestion that a future Coalition government would abandon a bid to co-host COP31 with the Pacific if elected has raised questions about “the nature of our friendship” for some of Australia’s neighbours, Tuvalu’s climate minister...

Polyfest 2025: Opening day unveils two diversity stages for the first time

The 50th ASB Polyfest kicked off under intermittent showers at the Manukau Sports Bowl on Wednesday, marking a significant celebration of Polynesian culture over the past half century. The festivities commenced with a flag-raising ceremony on...

EU Ambassador Reaffirms Long-Term Commitment to PNG

The European Union Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Jacques Fradin reaffirmed the EU’s long-term commitment to PNG, emphasising innovation, climate action and deepening trade and development partnerships under a transformative “global gateway”...

Why most Pacific governments stand with Israel

A supporter of Israel holds an Israeli flag in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC, on 8 October. Photo: JULIA NIKHINSON / AFP Amid uncertainty in the Middle East, one thing remains clear: most Pacific governments continue to align...