Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

PM Rabuka to skip Pacific Foreign Ministers meet today
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sitiveni Rabuka will not attend todays Pacific Foreign Ministers meeting in Suva. The Pacific Islands Forum has confirmed Fiji will be represented by Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, Special Envoy of the...

Council-backed venue brings Pacific-led show to Central Auckland
Auckland Council is bringing Pacific-led theatre to the heart of the city by funding the venue for Tafatolu, a new 50-minute play blending Sāmoan mythology, live music, and physical theatre. The production has not received direct council funding,...
Cook Islands advocate for mainstreaming of SIS priorities within Pacific regional…
The Cook Islands joined fellow members of the Pacific Islands Forum Smaller Island States (SIS) group at the SIS Officials Meeting held at the Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji on 8 August. The meeting, chaired by Federated States of Micronesia...
New Zealand government snubs Cook Islands’ 60th anniversary celebration
In a clear and deliberate diplomatic snub, the New Zealand government boycotted celebrations in the Cook Islands on August 4 marking 60 years of “self-government in free association with New Zealand.” Constitution Day, or Te Maeva Nui, is held...

Tsunami warning issued to Russia, Pacific islands, South America on 8.7M quake
ECONOMYNEXT – A tsunami warning has been issued for Russia, Pacific Islands and South American costs after an 8.7 magnitude earquake off the East Coast of Russia. Waves as high as 3 meters could hit some coasts, the warning from the Pacific...

Evolution Travel Collective announces partnership with Omniche Holidays
Evolution Travel Collective has announced partnership with Brisbane-based wholesaler Omniche Holidays to deliver South Pacific expertise to Aussie agencies. This partnership sees ETC’s experienced business development managers represent Omniche...

Who’s who at the plastics treaty talks, from delegates to lobbyists
As delegates from around the world have negotiated a global plastics treaty over five sessions since 2022, alliances have emerged among nations, across civil society, and throughout the private sector. Some countries have banded together in...

French scientists map plankton, the ocean’s mysterious oxygen factories
French scientists are mapping plankton across the Indo-Pacific – using Navy ships to study the microscopic organisms that produce half of Earth's oxygen, feed the ocean and help regulate the planet's carbon. The eight-year mission is charting life...

India, Fiji Discuss Bilateral Ties And Ways To Strengthen Cooperation
(MENAFN- IANS) Suva, July 30 (IANS) India and Fiji held the 6th Foreign Office Consultations in Suva on Tuesday and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in health, education, capacity building, trade, investment, agriculture,...

With Five Eyes on China, FBI Bulks Up in New Zealand
Mick Hall covers the upgrade of the U.S. intelligence agency’s Wellington operation to “counter the CCP” as another milestone of U.S. meddling in the Asia-Pacific. Demonstrators in Aukland on Saturday protest against the F.B.I. expanding its...

Pacific Islands News Roundup – August 1 – August 7, 2025
Editor’s Note: We are undergoing a web host migration process and may need to make necessary modifications to our format and frequency over the next several weeks. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Political Leadership and Regionalism,...

FBI Opens New Attaché Office in New Zealand
FBI Director Kash Patel delivers remarks at the opening on July 31, 2025, of the Bureau’s newest law enforcement attaché office in Wellington, New Zealand. Image: Courtesy of FBITexas Border Business Federal Bureau of Investigation The FBI...

PACER Plus: NZ backs Fiji’s ambitious push for membership
New Zealand is ramping up its support for Fiji’s inclusion in the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus. PACER Plus is a trade and development agreement between Australia, New Zealand, and eight Pacific Island countries,...

Fisheries ministers endorse agreement on allocation of South Pacific Albacore
Fisheries Ministers unanimously endorsed the agreement on proportional allocation of South Pacific Albacore (SPA) among FFA Members, during the 24th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial in Niue last week. The FFA said that this breakthrough...

Your voice will be heard- opening message at inaugural Pacific
By Gustava Esther Pavihi Thursday 7th August, 2025, Taumeasina– More than twenty young people from across the Pacific are in Samoa this week for the first Pacific Youth Dialogue on Loss and Damage with the theme ‘Providing our Pacific youth with...

Renewed hope: Why the ICJ climate decision matters to us all
OFFICIALS have reached consensus on the long-standing South Pacific Albacore (SPA) tuna allocation within the Exclusive Economic Zones of Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members south of the equator. This breakthrough comes after nearly two decades...

Community participation celebrated at Te Maeva Nui awards ceremony
Oire Nikao celebrating in joy as they won A grade category for the imene tuki event, an unexpected win for the team. TEITIMOANA TAIRI/25080524 The closing ceremony and awards of Te Maeva Nui 2025 featured a variety of prize presentations. The...

Philippines grants visa-free entry to Indians, New Delhi to give free e-visa to Filipinos
In a significant move to enhance tourism and foster closer people-to-people ties, the Philippines has announced visa-free entry for Indian passport holders. In a reciprocal gesture, India has decided to offer free e-visas to tourists from the...
Is the end of NCEA a step forward or a step backward for Pasifika?
Maisiri says that the proposed changes could be used to exclude students in marginalised communities. Photo: 123rf The end of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) has many in the Pacific education community concerned, as...

Visa-free entry for Sri Lankans to 42 destinations; here's the full list
Citizens of Sri Lanka, the island nation located in the Indian Ocean southeast of India, now enjoy a wider range of visa-free destinations, particularly within Africa. According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, the Sri Lankan passport has...