Regional

Regulator defends Starlink users

Tuesday 9 April 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in National, Regional, Technology, Vanuatu

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?

Tuesday 2 April 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Pacific Islands, Regional

Leading the way for women in the Pacific

Tuesday 2 April 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Features, Pacific Islands, Regional

Maria Ioane-Matua share her journey from a young Customs Officer to becoming the first female Chief of Customs for the Cook Islands Customs Service.

Kiribati judge hopes to finally have day in court

Monday 25 March 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in Kiribati, Regional

An expatriate judge in Kiribati hopes he will get a chance to make his case on Tuesday over his controversial suspension three years ago.

Aussie nursing students get a tropical dose of healthcare

Wednesday 20 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, Health, National, Regional

Eight University of South Australia Bachelor of Nursing third-year students are visiting Rarotonga for a two-week study programme, immersing themselves in a different culture, a different health setting, and acquiring unique experiences.

Tabuya calls on party to ‘stand for fairness’ after being stripped of deputy leadership

Friday 8 March 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Fiji, Regional

Fiji's Minister for Women and Children Lynda Tabuya is calling on The People's Alliance Party to "stand for fairness and justice" after it stripped her of her deputy leadership following allegations of a sex and drug scandal. The People's Alliance Party (PAP) announced earlier this week that Ms Tabuya had been removed over the allegations, which date back to August last year.

Electoral Amendment Bill: Samoa will not be governed by outsiders

Friday 8 March 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in Regional, Samoa

Samoa’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries La'auli Leuatea Schmidt says the country would not be ruled by outsiders, should a change to the electoral act go through.

Leader was an ‘extraordinary man’, widow says at funeral

Friday 1 March 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in New Zealand, Regional

The late Green Party MP Fa'anānā Efeso Collins has been remembered by his widow as an "extraordinary man" at a service in South Auckland.

NZ Minister sets ‘long-term’ house price target of 3 to 5 times household incomes

Wednesday 28 February 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in New Zealand, Regional

The new housing minister has set a target of having homes costing just three to five times household incomes - well below what they are now in most of New Zealand.

Parliament of Western Australia tours Te Kukupa II

Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, National, Parliament, Regional

The Parliament of Western Australia delegation visiting Rarotonga were delighted to take a tour on Te Kukupa II yesterday morning before leaving the island in the afternoon.

Western Australia gifts symbolic tables to Cook Islands Parliament

Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, National, Parliament, Regional

The two “Table of the House” tables gifted by the Parliament of Western Australia (WA) were officially handed over to Cook Islands Parliament yesterday morning.

$16.5 million grant boosts Cook Islands’ climate resilience efforts

Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Economy, National, New Zealand, Regional

A grant of $16.5 million is on its way to help the Cook Islands respond to climate change, announced New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters who visited Rarotonga yesterday.

New Zealand Ministers touch down in Rarotonga for 24-hour visit

Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Economy, National, New Zealand, Regional

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters arrived in the Cook Islands last night after a day in Tonga.

New Zealand Ministers reaffirm Cook Islands connection

Tuesday 6 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Economy, Local, National, New Zealand, Regional

New Zealands Foreign Minister Winston Peters, and Health Minister and Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti are reaffirming the importance of New Zealand’s connections to the Pacific.

18-year-old seeks help for urgent medical treatment

Saturday 3 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Fiji, Health, Local, National, Regional

Fundraising efforts are underway to help 18-year-old Valyla Hickes get the medical treatment she needs in Fiji.

New Zealand minimum wage set to increase to $23.15 from April 1

Friday 2 February 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in New Zealand, Regional

The minimum wage will increase by 2 percent, from $22.70 to $23.15, from 1 April.

PM calls for defence and security arrangement with Australia and NZ

Friday 2 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Australia, Economy, Local, National, New Zealand, Regional

Prime Minister Mark Brown has proposed a trilateral defence and security co-operation arrangement between the Cook Islands, New Zealand, and Australia.

Fiji court grants bail to 13 people charged in relation to 4800kg meth bust

Tuesday 30 January 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in Fiji, Regional

A Fiji court has granted bail to 13 people charged in relation to the seizure of almost five tonnes of methamphetamine.

Criticise ‘stars of Fiji politics’ on performance ‘not other things’, political expert says

Thursday 25 January 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in Fiji, Regional

Victoria University of Wellington Comparative Politics professor Jon Fraenkel said the management of Fiji is far more important than what he considers to be "private matters" between the Women's Minister Lynda Tabuya and sacked Education Minister Aseri Radrodro.