Pacific

Parliament fixes ‘oversight’ on preferential residency for Kiwis

Parliament has passed a bill to amend the Immigration Act in order to comply with a court ruling that found a residency regulation giving preferential treatment to New Zealand citizens to be invalid.

Cook Islanders in Nouméa on ‘high alert’ as violence erupts

Cook Islanders residing in Nouméa are on high alert amidst the violent unrest unfolding in New Caledonia’s capital over proposed constitutional changes. Rashneel Kumar and Losirene Lacanivalu report.

Puna honoured to end Pacific mission at home

Former prime minister Henry Puna, who ends his term as the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum this month, says he is humbled to have been the first Cook Islander to hold the post and fly the flag of his country.

Puna’s final mission as head of PIF

Henry Puna is on his final mission as the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General in the country where it all began – his homeland, the Cook Islands.

Domestic market reeling from Air Vanuatu fall-out

The domestic air market in Vanuatu is reeling from the fall-out at Air Vanuatu, which has also stranded international passengers.

Former Fiji PM Bainimarama sentenced to year in jail

Former Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been sentenced to one year in prison.

New Zealand family devastated by teenager’s sudden death

A teenager from New Zealand tragically died in his sleep during a family vacation in Rarotonga, leaving his family heartbroken and seeking support for repatriation costs.

NZDF helps Cook Islands agencies support vulnerable youth

Members of the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) Youth Development Unit (YDU) have returned back from a rewarding deployment aimed at helping the Cook Islands Police and Prison and Probation Services support vulnerable Pasifika youth.

Telco company launches money transfer service to Fiji

The launch of Vodafone Cook Islands’ E-Moni transfer service has been welcomed by many who frequently send money to Fiji.

Sogavare bows out of Solomon Islands prime ministerial race

Solomon Islands' pro-China leader, Manasseh Sogavare, has withdrawn from the race to be the next prime minister following the country’s national election.

Kiribati MPs vote to remove High Court Judge from office

Kiribati MPs have voted to accept a recommendation from a tribunal that Kiribati High Court judge, David Lambourne be removed.

Pacific Island nations are moving to gain control over their labour drains

For Maurice Masuino, recruiting a new electrician will take an international search.

Surprise second chance for disgraced Fiji MP Radrodro

Fiji has been thrown yet another curve ball in the world of politics. Newly elected SODELPA leader, Aseri Radrodro has been reinstated as the Minister for Education just three months after Fiji's leader Sitiveni Rabuka sacked him.

Prolonged drought impacting food, water across Micronesia

Extreme droughts in the Western Pacific region are expected to persist over the next three months.

Solomon Islands PM retains seat, vote counting continues

Solomon Islands’ pro-China Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has retained his seat in the national election, according to local media reports, but it will take days to know if his party has won enough support to form the next government.

MP Utikere: A privilege to serve his community

The visiting New Zealand Parliamentary delegation includes a Cook Islander who is making his first ‘official’ visit to his homeland.

Local MPs discuss challenges with NZ Speaker Parliamentary delegation

Cook Islands parliamentarians engaged in open discussions with Aotearoa New Zealand’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Gerry Brownlee and his delegation at Parliament House yesterday morning.

New Caledonian pro-independence activist issues dire warning to France

A pro-independence activist in New Caledonia is warning France to immediately halt planned constitution amendments or face "war".

Regulator defends Starlink users

Cook Islands telecommunications regulator head Bernard Hill said regional regulators who are banning the use of Starlink might have an “overinflated view” of their importance.

Teen pregnancy is high in Pacific countries, so what are the options for young mums?