Regional
Blue boats plague territory
Wednesday 15 March 2017 | Published in Regional
NEW CALEDONIA – Maritime authorities in New Caledonia say 70 so-called “blue boats” from Vietnam have been identified fishing illegally for beche-de-mer in the past nine months.
Tonga considers deportation issues
Wednesday 15 March 2017 | Published in Regional
TONGA – Deportee reintegration is a major concern for Tonga this week as US officials arrived to take part in a three-day conference with the Tongan government and law enforcement officials in Nuku‘alofa.
Manus MP confused by 'closure'
Wednesday 15 March 2017 | Published in Regional
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – There is confusion on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island after the Supreme Court this week determined that the regional processing centre for asylum seekers on the island had officially closed.
Grab Bags prove to be life saving
Wednesday 15 March 2017 | Published in Regional
TUVALU – The importance of small boat safety in the region is being reiterated by the Pacific Community after the successful rescue of two fishermen in Tuvalu.
Goff calls for flood inquiry
Tuesday 14 March 2017 | Published in Regional
An investigation will be carried out on the failed New Lynn culvert and the Ardmore treatment plant that is struggling to filter dirty flood waters.
It's all go for Polyfest 2017
Tuesday 14 March 2017 | Published in Regional
Polyfest 2017 is back and it's got all the students in South Auckland upbeat about it.
Sewer check reveals extent of meth issue
Tuesday 14 March 2017 | Published in Regional
More than half a kilogram of methamphetamine has been found on average each day in Auckland's sewers, new research says.
PM suddenly less keen on tax cuts
Tuesday 14 March 2017 | Published in Regional
After talking up the likelihood of tax cuts on Monday morning (NZ time), prime minister Bill English somewhat curbed his enthusiasm for them after a cabinet meeting.
Baby swallowed pen cap
Tuesday 14 March 2017 | Published in Regional
FIJI – A family in Fiji is mourning the death of their 10-month-old baby who died after choking on a highlighter pen cap.
Died while saving baby
Tuesday 14 March 2017 | Published in Regional
SAMOA – An accident at Puipa’a in Samoa on Saturday evening, involving a rental car and a bus, claimed the life of a man who died after saving the life of a baby.
Tonga asks for US$50m
Tuesday 14 March 2017 | Published in Regional
TONGA – Tonga’s government says it needs at least 50 million US dollars worth of climate funding to deal with issues like coastal erosion.
Refugee detention centre 'closed'
Tuesday 14 March 2017 | Published in Regional
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – The Manus Island refugee detention centre off the coast of northern Papua New Guinea has been offically “closed”, despite the fact that roughly 860 men remain in it.
Samoans should 'stick to bingo'
Tuesday 14 March 2017 | Published in Regional
SAMOA – A bid to allow Samoans to access casinos in the country has been rejected by the country’s prime minister.
'Life and death' situation
Monday 13 March 2017 | Published in Regional
AMERICAN SAMOA – Medical sector workers in American Samoa says there is an urgent life and death situation with the hospital relying on a single paediatrician.
Quake-hit road repairs on schedule, says agency
Monday 13 March 2017 | Published in Regional
Work to repair quake-damaged State Highway 1 north of Kaikoura is on schedule, the NZ Transport Agency says - but some locals say they have doubts.
Rain and more rain as warnings issued
Monday 13 March 2017 | Published in Regional
Parts of Auckland and Northland were underwater on Thursday night (CI time) as torrential rain battered the upper North Island.
Maori king 'manipulated' says Peters
Monday 13 March 2017 | Published in Regional
NZ First leader Winston Peters says the Maori King’s predecessor, Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, would never have been advised or taken advice to endorse a political candidate.
Territory makes plea over Medicaid
Monday 13 March 2017 | Published in Regional
American Samoa – American Samoa’s Governor has called on the Trump Administration to be mindful that small economies such as American Samoa cannot afford any reduction in federal Medicaid funding.
Police chief to return to work
Monday 13 March 2017 | Published in Regional
SAMOA – Samoa’s Prime Minister, Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, says the nation’s suspended Police Commissioner, Fuiavailili Egon Keil, will resume his duties on Tuesday.
ABC Papua New Guinea
Monday 13 March 2017 | Published in Regional
I can tell you what the Australian government is going to do about the refugees on Manus Island who won’t be resettled in the United States. Nothing.