ISLANDERS ‘POSITIVE ABOUT CHANGE’

NORFOLK ISLAND –

The Australian government’s administrator on Norfolk Island, Gary Hardgrave, is painting a positive picture as the removal of the island’s autonomy is completed. From today Norfolk will become a regional council under New South Wales with its Australian citizens given a federal vote in the Canberra electorate. There was sustained opposition to the changes which began just over a year ago with the abolition of the island’s parliament. Many people were angry over the resulting lost jobs and business closures, prompting weeks’ long tent protest. The anger culminated in a push for Norfolk to be given non-self-governing status by the United Nations. But Hardgrave said his opponents were a noisy minority. “People are very upbeat and very optimistic about where Norfolk Island’s possibilities are now lying,” he said. Hardgrave also dismissed reports of business decline on the island saying new businesses are set to open.

MORE BODY PARTS FOUND ON FIJI BEACH

FIJI – Fiji police are taking a closer look into the background of the Russian couple, who have been missing now for more than two weeks. Police still cannot confirm whether the discovery of more body parts at Natadola beach is linked to the case of missing Russian couple Yuri Shipulin and his partner Natalia. They were reported missing on June 16. Two pairs of severed feet were earlier found washed up on Natadola beach. Police chief of investigations and intelligence, ACP Luke Navela, said Interpol had been called to assist in investigations for both cases. “Another discovery was made yesterday and both body remains are at the Nadi Hospital awaiting necessary forensic tests,” he said. “I have also directed our divers to conduct another search. At this point of the investigations we still cannot positively confirm if the case of the missing Russians and the discoveries of body parts are linked.”

PACIFIC-SOURCED PRODUCTS ON SHOW

NEW ZEALAND – A new trade partnership between a New Zealand company and its Pacific partners could see more food products from the region sold in New Zealand stores. Pacific Trade and Invest teamed up with the Produce Company which distributes more than 3000 products to restaurants, cafes and caterers around New Zealand. Products from 12 Pacific companies were showcased this week at the Fine Food New Zealand trade expo in Auckland to promote the new partnership. Among the products were flavoured kava shots, gluten-free breadfruit flour, cassava flour, cocoa cubes from Samoa, and organic spices from Vanuatu. Manager Joe Fuavao said industry partners have shown great interest in Pacific products. “A lot of the cafe owners, the restauranteurs that have come across our stand – they’ve seen the word Pacific and started to have a look at what we have on offer.”

SEVENS SQUADS FIND RIO OPPONENTS

FIJI – The Fiji Olympic sevens teams have discovered their pool opponents at the Rio Games, which kick off in just over five weeks time. The Fiji men’s team are top seeds in Brazil after winning back to back World Series titles. Ben Ryan’s side have been drawn in Pool A alongside the USA, Argentina and hosts Brazil. Pool B features South Africa, Australia, France and Spain, while in Pool C New Zealand will play Great Britain, Kenya and Japan. The women’s Fijiana squad are seeded seventh in the women’s competition. Chris Cracknell’s side are also in Pool A, alongside top seeds Australia, the United States and Colombia. In both competitions, the top two teams from each pool, plus the two best third-placed sides, progress to the quarter-finals.

BILLION DOLLAR CASINO UNDER WAY

NORTHERN MARIANAS –The Macau-based Alter City Group has held a ground breaking ceremony for its US$1.2 billion Plumeria Resort development on the Northern Marianas island of Tinian. Construction is expected to get underway by the year’s end. Alter City says it will construct 250 luxury villas along with a casino, 5-star hotels, and a golf course. The company is promising to build a new hospitality training college on the island. The CNMI governor Ralph Torres and the Tinian Mayor Joey Patrick San Nicolas have welcomed the groundbreaking for Plumeria Resort. Both men said the investment would be hugely beneficial for the creation of jobs on the island.