New Zealand has indicated to the Cook Islands Government that they are looking forward to discussions between relevant officials on their concerns related to the China / Cook Islands agreement.
The Cook Islands government has taken further steps towards establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), with officials currently in New Zealand holding discussions with financial experts, Prime Minister Mark Brown told Parliament this week.
AMERICAN SAMOA – Maori elders have performed a traditional service at a graveside ceremony in American Samoa before the repatriation of the remains of a New Zealand sailor.
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.
TONGA – A group of Tongans is preparing a petition which calls for the resignation of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.
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.
HEALTHCARE CONTRACTOR LEAVES MANUS
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.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Anti-corruption police investigating Papua New Guinea’s National Statistical Office have reportedly been unable to find the acting national statistician.
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 – The United Nations is investigating senior staff based in Fiji over allegations of sexual misconduct.
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 – The Council of Chiefs on Vanuatu’s Santo island has reportedly agreed to resettle 11,000 people from volcanically active Ambae.
NEW ZEALAND – The Rotuman language is listed on the Unesco’s list of endangered languages as “vulnerable”.
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.
A giant sinkhole has opened up on a farm near Rotorua following Sunday’s record breaking rainfall in the region.
Former prime minister Bill English has been appointed to the board of Australian retail giant Wesfarmers.
Road workers have uncovered what’s thought to be parts of a pre-European Maori waka on a motorway project north of Auckland.
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.
NEW ZEALAND – Victoria University of Wellington is considering dropping the ‘Victoria’ from its name to avoid confusion with other institutions.
NEW ZEALAND – Holidaymakers may be sleeping in campervans contaminated with the toxic chemicals used to make methamphetamine.
NEW ZEALAND – Methamphetamine has become so endemic in New Zealand there are now reports of primary-age children taking the drug to school.