Regional
'And thanks for your delicious wife'
Thursday 3 May 2018 | Published in Regional
AUSTRALIA – French President Emmanuel Macron likely had food on the brain when he thanked Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his “delicious wife” Lucy for their hospitality.
Petition for Tonga PM to resign
Thursday 3 May 2018 | Published in Regional
TONGA – A group of Tongans is preparing a petition which calls for the resignation of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.
China backing Guadalcanal project
Thursday 3 May 2018 | Published in Regional
SOLOMON ISLANDS – A Solomon Islands official has hit back at reports that a proposed Chinese-backed development project could challenge Australia’s strategic dominance in the region.
PACIFIC BRIEFS - 02/05/2018
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
HEALTHCARE CONTRACTOR LEAVES MANUS
Unable to visit dying mother
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
FIJI – An arch critic of the Bainimarama government in Fiji says its reasons for not allowing him to leave if he visits Fiji are highly questionable.
Anyone seen the statistician?
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Anti-corruption police investigating Papua New Guinea’s National Statistical Office have reportedly been unable to find the acting national statistician.
US soldier found dead in PNG
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – United States security and military investigators have flown to Papua New Guinea to investigate the death of a special forces soldier in diplomatic accommodation.
Fiji UN staff accused of sexual misconduct
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
FIJI – The United Nations is investigating senior staff based in Fiji over allegations of sexual misconduct.
O'Neill labels report 'fake news'
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea’s prime minister has taken a lead from US President Donald Trump, dismissing as “fake news” a report that claims its liquefied natural gas project is failing to deliver a promised economic boom to his people.
Vanuatu chiefs agree on resettlement
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
VANUATU – The Council of Chiefs on Vanuatu’s Santo island has reportedly agreed to resettle 11,000 people from volcanically active Ambae.
Rotuman people strive to save their language
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
NEW ZEALAND – The Rotuman language is listed on the Unesco’s list of endangered languages as “vulnerable”.
Elections clouded by claims of foul play
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
FRENCH POLYNESIA – There are claims of foul play in French Polynesia’s territorial election which have prompted calls to cancel last month’s first round on one island.
Record rain creates giant sinkhole
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
A giant sinkhole has opened up on a farm near Rotorua following Sunday’s record breaking rainfall in the region.
Bill English starts a new job
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
Former prime minister Bill English has been appointed to the board of Australian retail giant Wesfarmers.
Roadworkers unearth waka
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
Road workers have uncovered what’s thought to be parts of a pre-European Maori waka on a motorway project north of Auckland.
Banks ordered to show that their hands are clean
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
NEW ZEALAND – The country’s leading banks have been ordered to prove they are not ripping off their customers like their Australian counterparts have been doing.
A case of too many Victorias
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
NEW ZEALAND – Victoria University of Wellington is considering dropping the ‘Victoria’ from its name to avoid confusion with other institutions.
Campervans contaminated
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
NEW ZEALAND – Holidaymakers may be sleeping in campervans contaminated with the toxic chemicals used to make methamphetamine.
Children taking meth to school
Wednesday 2 May 2018 | Published in Regional
NEW ZEALAND – Methamphetamine has become so endemic in New Zealand there are now reports of primary-age children taking the drug to school.
Two Fijians jailed for sedition
Tuesday 1 May 2018 | Published in Regional
FIJI – A former opposition MP is one of two men who have been jailed for more than two years after being convicted of sedition in Fiji.