Regional
No infections for four weeks but Covid restrictions remain
Monday 18 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
Fiji’s prime minister has announced the continuation of Covid-19 restrictions in the country despite almost a month without a new case.
Going in to bat for Māori cousins
Friday 15 May 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Small World
New Zealand National Party List-MP Alfred Ngaro said a lot of people are confused about why a Cook Islander has jumped to the defence of New Zealand Maori in regards to their rights to hold tangihana (funerals) on marae to grieve for their loved ones.
Samoa reluctant to reopen border
Thursday 14 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
Samoa’s prime minister says he has deep reservations about reopening its border.
The war for West Papuan independence intensifies
Wednesday 13 May 2020 | Written by Gray Clapham | Published in Small World
Since late 2018, West Papuan separatists have engaged in an escalating series of deadly skirmishes with Indonesian security forces as they renew a decades-old push for independence.
Pacific aid takes a dive as virus impacts NGOs
Wednesday 13 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
Coronavirus hits Pacific aid efforts with NGOs under pressure to cut their workforces.
Islands weigh up risks of reopening tourism
Tuesday 12 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
South Pacific island nations have dodged the worst ravages of the coronavirus pandemic, but now face a stark choice between a risky reopening to tourists – and economic collapse.
Fiji to join New Zealand and Australia's travel bubble
Monday 11 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
Fiji has put its hand up to join New Zealand and Australia's travel bubble amid the Covid-19 pandemic, RNZP reports.
Restrictions ease but fear of virus still high
Monday 11 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
The region is still grappling with both the fear of and the real impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic but the US territory of Guam, the hardest hit of all Pacific islands, is now making moves to ease social restrictions.
France returns military site to French Polynesia
Monday 11 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
FRENCH POLYNESIA – France has formally ceded its former navy command centre in Papeete to French Polynesia.
Future of Tonga's air service in doubt
Monday 11 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
TONGA – Prime Minister Pohiva Tu‘i‘onetoa said asking whether the Tongan government was going to start its own airline was the wrong question.
Surge in poverty as jobs disappear across Samoa
Friday 8 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
A crisis is escalating in Samoa as the tourism industry, the mainstay of the nation’s economy, disintegrates under the weight of the coronavirus pandemic.
Curfew ruled illegal
Friday 8 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
FRENCH POLYNESIA – The curfew imposed in French Polynesia over the Covid-19 outbreak has been lifted with immediate effect after the administrative court in Papeete ruled it was illegal.
It's all about the bubble
Friday 8 May 2020 | Written by Gray Clapham | Published in Small World
Australia and New Zealand should plan to expand the trans-Tasman bubble to the Pacific Islands.
Oil producer seeks expansion into the Pacific
Friday 8 May 2020 | Written by Gray Clapham | Published in Small World
A New Zealand coconut and avocado oil producer, who is promising Pacific farmers much higher returns than they currently get for coconuts, hopes to start operating in Fiji within months.
Solo sailor stranded by the virus
Thursday 7 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
FIJI – A Singaporean man has been rescued after being stranded in the Pacific for three months and being turned away from three countries due to the coronavirus crisis.
Region lets out breath as virus appears contained
Thursday 7 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
With infection rates slowing throughout the Pacific islands as well as in Australia and New Zealand, talk has begun to turn to exit strategies as the Covid-19 pandemic emergency winds down in the region.
Niue travel restrictions extended
Wednesday 6 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
Niue has extended its travel restrictions until the end of August, RNZ reports.
Lockdown sees upsurge of violence
Wednesday 6 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
FIJI – The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has warned of a spike in domestic violence during the enforced Covid-19 lockdown and curfew in the country.
Letter to court ignored
Wednesday 6 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
SAMOA – A Supreme Court judge in Samoa has ruled that one of the accused in an alleged plot to assassinate the prime minister be freed on bail.
Covid-19 crisis 'used as a facade to control media'
Wednesday 6 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Small World
Pacific governments are being accused of using the coronavirus emergency as a cover to control the press.