Regional
$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.
Māori will not sit idly by, PM Luxon warned against ‘meddling with te Tiriti’
Thursday 25 January 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in New Zealand, Regional
The New Zealand prime minister has been warned that Māori will not sit by without a fight if the government attempts to meddle with te Tiriti.
Fiji’s coalition at risk of collapse following dismissal of minister
Monday 22 January 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in Fiji, Regional
Fiji's three-party coalition government is at risk of collapse after just over 12 months in power following the dismissal of a Cabinet minister on Friday, with calls for Sitiveni Rabuka to step down as prime minister.
PNG’s PM declares state of emergency as he suspends Police Commissioner
Friday 12 January 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in Papua New Guinea, Regional
A 14-day state of emergency has been declared in Papua New Guinea's capital, Port Moresby after more than a dozen people were killed in the country in rioting.
Family feud explodes at mother’s funeral in Aitutaki
Tuesday 9 January 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Outer Islands, Politics, Regional
A former New Zealand National Party government minister has been interviewed by Cook Islands Police after a family feud turned violent as the coffin of his late mother was being carried into her Aitutaki home last week.
Higher shipping costs : Fears Red Sea attacks will soon hit Kiwis in the pocket
Monday 8 January 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Regional
New Zealand consumers could soon pay the price for shipping networks being disrupted by attacks in the Red Sea.
PM Brown hails ‘exceptional’ 2023
Saturday 30 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands Forum
Reflecting on 2023, Prime Minister Mark Brown said it was an exceptional year for the Cook Islands and its ministers.
Govt has not considered policy guidelines on casino license issue: Fiji PM
Friday 29 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Fiji, Regional
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the Coalition Government had not considered or approved any policy guidelines on the issuance of casino licenses.
Increasing toxic agal blooms could be linked to extreme weather events
Friday 29 December 2023 | Written by RNZ | Published in New Zealand, Regional
The increasing frequency of toxic algal blooms could be related to extreme weather, says the NZ Ministry for Primary Industries. Shellfish toxin alerts have been issued for parts of Waiheke Island, Kawhia, the West Coast of Northland, East Cape, and Marlborough Sounds.
El Niño threat looms large over NZ tourism sector this summer
Wednesday 27 December 2023 | Written by RNZ | Published in New Zealand, Regional
The tourism industry has been creating plans on how to prepare for the impacts of El Niño during a busy summer.
NZ Foreign Affairs Minister Peters to resume ‘Pacific reset’ plan again
Tuesday 19 December 2023 | Written by RNZ | Published in New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Regional
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says the government wants to resume and renew the Pacific reset strategy "with greater intensity".
Marshall Islands election puts opposition in driver’s seat
Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Marshall Islands, Regional
The Marshall Islands national election results show the current parliamentary opposition to be in the driver’s seat to form a new government when the body meets for the first time in early January.
US sanctions Marshall Islands elected leaders for corruption
Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by RNZ | Published in Marshall Islands, Regional
The United States issued a travel ban against two members of the Marshall Islands parliament for corruption it says involved bribe-taking, the first-time elected leaders in this US-aligned western Pacific nation have been publicly sanctioned by the US government.