President joins Niue’s anniversary celebrations

From left: First Lady, Madam Vilomena Katonivere, Prime Minister of Niue, Hon. Dalton Tagelagi, President of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. [Source: Fiji Government/Facebook] President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, along...

Op-Ed by UN Resident Coordinator for the UN Multi Country Office for Cook Islands Niue Samoa and Tokelau on the commemoration of the UN Day 2024

PRESS RELEASE Rescuing the SDGs will secure Pacific’s future. As we commemorate the 79th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment for reflection, hope, and renewed action. Our world faces mounting...

On Road to Belem, Pacific countries raise their voice on 1.5…

Pacific countries at the forefront of the climate crisis, described as a “ticking time bomb”, have vowed that their One Pacific Voice on keeping 1.5 alive, is heard loud and clear at the Thirtieth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework...

Stronger border controls

BIOSECURITY officers from around the region met in Nadi to validate four years of training that has strengthened the Pacific’s defence against pests and diseases threatening agriculture, biodiversity and trade. At a workshop earlier this month,...

Pacific atoll nations receive NZD13m boost for critical water security

Representatives from seven Pacific atoll nations gathered in Nadi, Fiji, this June with an urgent message. Rising seas and prolonged droughts are pushing their communities toward a water crisis that threatens tens of thousands of lives. These...

Time for a new playbook? CEOs call for bold strategy as Luxon rating falls

“Hopefully New Zealand is turning the corner and has already been through the worst of the economic reset,” said Morrison CEO Paul Newfield. “The biggest risk is that, as a small open economy, we are knocked off course by the general deterioration...

PNG Golden Jubilee Attracts Unprecedented Global and Regional Support, PM Marape Calls for Continued Partnership

Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary saw an unprecedented gathering of regional and international leaders, underscoring the country’s growing diplomatic and economic significance on the global stage. Prime Minister James Marape hosted...

Toleafoa Motu Tony: A journey of resilience, faith and community

Former star for the Kiwis and the New Zealand Warriors, Toleafoa Motu Tony, is well-known for his resilience and leadership in the sport, carving out a remarkable journey for himself. Born in Saleimoa, Sāmoa, and with family ties to Niue,...

UTOPIA Washington’s MANAFest 2025 creates “home away from home” for Queer and Trans Pacific Islanders

“My hands, my feet; my hands, my feet. My hands and feet, to uplift the village.” Singing in her native language, Phylesha Brown-Acton recited the song written by her uncle about their home and community. Hailing from Niue, a small, self-governing...

The Pacific Tourism Organisation Hosts Two-Week Research Training for PNGTPA to Strengthen Tourism Data Capacity

From 16 to 30 September 2025, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) hosted a two-week research training program for the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA), aimed at strengthening PNGTPA’s capacity to manage and deliver...

Pacific countries review impact of biosecurity capacity building programmes

Biosecurity officers from across the Pacific met in Fiji recently to review the impact of biosecurity training programmes delivered under the Safe Agricultural Trade Facilitation through Economic Integration in the Pacific (SAFE Pacific) project...

The Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program (PHWP) Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Journey: What are we doing differently?

The Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program (PHWP), being implemented across 15 participating countries1, provided a rare opportunity to reimagine how MERL can meaningfully contribute to ensuring sovereign warehouse storage and response...

OPINION | A health and development challenge for the Pacific

Diabetes The first article in this series reported on the latest trends in development assistance for health and the second focused on the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally and especially in low- and middle-income countries. This...

Inside the secret world of Kiwis working on billionaires’ superyachts

Normally, for a dinner with that many courses, Collé would have been up at 5am to begin preparation. She was the only chef on board the boat. Instead, she frantically grabbed crew members to help and descended into a panic-laced frenzy of cooking...

More children now obese than underweight for first time ever

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

Regional Workshop Speeds Up Tariff Commitments under PACER Plus

Customs officials from eight Pacific Island countries at the three-day Regional Workshop on Transposition of Tariff Commitments and Product-Specific Rules under PACER Plus in Apia, Samoa. APIA, Samoa – Customs officials from eight Pacific Island...

Pacific Leaders arrive for 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting

The first of the Pacific Leaders and delegations for the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM54) arrived in Honiara today. Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Peter Shanel Agovaka, this afternoon officially welcomed four...

Australia’s emissions reduction targets ‘a bit of a cop out’, says Pacific climate advocate

As Australia's prime minister prepares to spruik the countries new climate targets at the UN General Assembly in New York, a Pacific climate activist says these are "a bit of a cop out". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is addressing the United...

National broadcaster, BCN officially opens new studios and office after 2020 fire

Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi this morning thanked the Government of Australia for the support to rebuild and refurbish the BCN studios and new offices after the devastating fire in May 2020. This morning the AU$2 million project was officially...

Pacific leaders urge better support for regional infrastructure

Pacific island nations are calling for more assistance to finance and build major infrastructure projects, despite progress made in recent years. The governments insist that any help align with their needs and priorities. At the recent Pacific...