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.
Another bout of rain was heading for Northland, Coromandel Peninsula and the Bay of Plenty yesterday (CI time) after a temporary respite overnight.
Maori King Tuheitia Paki has endorsed tribal leader Rahui Papa to contest the Hauraki-Waikato seat - a huge insult to the current MP, and member of the King Movement, Nanaia Mahuta.
New Zealand's real estate watchdog is ramping up its crackdown on house-flipping by investing in new technology which allows it to track when properties have been quickly re-sold for huge profits.
FIJI – Fiji and India have signed a new Air Services Agreement, replacing one reached between both countries in 1974.
NEW ZEALAND – Joseph Parker’s fight against English heavyweight Hughie Fury has been scheduled for May 6 at Auckland’s Vector Arena
HAWAI‘I – An opponent of plans to build a giant telescope on a Hawaiian mountain says they will continue to fight it even if a permit is granted.
NEW ZEALAND – The New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries has confirmed it does not intend to prosecute the owners of a ship evicted from New Zealand because it was severely contaminated.
SAMOA – Children as young as seven are working on the streets of Samoa’s capital, according to the International Labour Organisation.
SAMOA – Speeding and alcohol have been blamed for an accident where a vehicle that belongs to a church smashed into a traffic light pole.
Pacific women recognised as backbone of tourism industry
TONGA – Tonga’s police force held an open day to mark International Women’s Day 2017, connecting young students and young police recruits under an international theme, Be Bold For Change where everyone has a responsibility to make changes for a better world.
PACIFIC – In celebration of International Women’s Day this week, women around the Pacific region have gathered together to stand up for change.
AMERICAN SAMOA – Health authorities in American Samoa say they needed to declare a health emergency over dengue in order to access federal funds. The emergency was declared on 3 March. Eight cases of dengue have been confirmed in the latest outbreak. Questions have been raised over the declaration after no emergency was declared when people died of dengue two years ago. American Samoa’s Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua said the declaration means the territory can ask for federal money to help prevent, diagnose and treat dengue. He pointed to the Zika outbreak in the territory for which the US government has provided US$5 million for the next three years.
TONGA – A women’s rights advocate in Tonga says it’s likely to take a generation to change attitudes towards women’s rights, and serious work needs to be focussed towards children.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – A group of female candidates in this year’s Papua New Guinea general election are relishing a chance to better understand the rules of engagement in parliamentary politics.
FIJI – The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji has stopped a Korean cargo ship from entering Fijian waters after it was ordered to leave New Zealand on Sunday.
Employers are being told they could fix the pay gap between men and women overnight if they wanted to.
Plans to build a $4.5 million marae in New Plymouth have been put on hold.
Moss Burmester, the former Olympic swimmer, has created fishing history after a tangle with a black marlin off the Northland coast on Sunday.
VANUATU – Hundreds of people in Vanuatu are flocking day and night to a stream near Luganville on Santo that is suppose to have healing powers.