Non-government organisations are frustrated with the Cook Islands government seabed mineral consultations that are being held in New Zealand, calling for a 10-year moratorium to allow for independent research and capacity building within the Cook Islands.
The University of the South Pacific Students’ Association (USPSA) from 14 campuses spanning 12 member countries convened in Rarotonga yesterday representing the voice of 14,000 students.
fiji – The Fiji government has refused to consider a petition from the National Federation Party calling for the Penang Sugar Mill to be repaired. The petition was compiled on behalf of more than 300 cane growers in the districts around Rakiraki.
SAMOA – A star of critically acclaimed film One Thousand Ropes has pleaded with the heads of Samoan families to take a lead against domestic violence.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Ninety-nine men have appeared in court in Papua New Guinea to stand trial for the brutal killing in 2014 of five men and two children they believed were conducting sorcery.
NEW ZEALAND – Auckland’s Pasifika Festival will celebrate it’s 25th anniversary this weekend with special programming to mark the significant milestone.
Residents of the Karikari Peninsula in the Far North are trying to block the lease of a public reserve to a Chinese developer.
The reviews are in and according to her fans, Adele’s show in Auckland on Thursday night (New Zealand time) was the “best concert” ever.
Dairy and liquor store owners in Auckland want cigarette companies to pay for security to protect them from attacks.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea’s police commissioner says provincial and divisional police commanders will have support from the national headquarters in managing potential hot-spots during the elections.
VANUATU – Kava growers in Vanuatu are working hard to produce more noble varieties of kava for a fast growing market in America.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Amnesty International says a barrier installed at Manus Island’s detention centre in Papua New Guinea could be tantamount to torture if it is making it difficult for detainees to access food.
FIJI – The Fiji government is looking to Singapore for ideas on how to better improve its urban planning blueprint.
VANUATU – One of 14 former Vanuatu MPs jailed for corruption says his application for parole on medical grounds has been rejected four times.
FRENCH POLYNESIA – An advisor of French Polynesia’s pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru says he has no regrets about the failed campaign to get him to stand in the French presidential election.
WEST PAPUA – The Melanesian Spearhead Group chairman Manasseh Sogavare says his talks in Papua New Guinea were fruitful, with West Papua membership and labour mobility issues covered.
TONGA – A delegation from World Rugby is visiting Tonga this week and will assess the state of Teufaiva National Stadium.
NAURU – The Nauruan government has detained two Wilson Security officers who were employed at the Australian-run centre on the island.
TONGA – A children’s advocacy group in Tonga says there needs to be more training for teachers about appropriate disciplinary techniques after an 11-year-old student was severely beaten and hospitalised.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – A refugee on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island says the fight that broke out between detainees and guards in one of the detention centre’s mess halls was sparked by verbal abuse from security personnel. The detainees objected to a barrier erected around the serving area which they say caused them to queue for up to an hour to receive their meals.
New Zealand cities including Christchurch and Wellington could be inundated by global warming-induced rising sea levels, according to data from a National Geographic documentary.
The head girl of a Kaikohe college says a local approach is needed to tackle destructive youth behaviour in her home town.