As the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics continue, Tongan-Kiwi swimmer Tupou Neiufi is preparing to defend her gold medal at the upcoming Paralympics. Neiufi, who will compete in the 50m Freestyle S8, previously won gold in the Women’s 100m S8 Backstroke at the Tokyo Games. This marks her third Paralympic appearance. Neiufi proudly represents both New Zealand and her Tongan heritage. She told Ma’a Brian Sagala on PMN’s Pacific Days, “I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and ask ‘Oh, are you from Brazil?’ or ‘Are you from all these different countries?’ I’m like, ‘No, MMT baby!’,” she…
Author: Newsdesk
Australia is intensifying its efforts to curb China’s influence in the Pacific with the launch of a new “cable connectivity and resilience centre.” Foreign Minister Penny Wong will unveil the initiative during the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in Japan, alongside representatives from the United States, Japan, and India. The Australian government has allocated $18 million (US$11.78 million) over the next four years to fund the centre, which aims to enhance technical assistance and training across the Indo-Pacific. The centre will help Pacific island governments manage undersea cables and facilitate dialogues to improve regional engagement. Wong emphasised the centre’s significance, stating,…
Last week in Tamakautoga, Niue, the governments of Niue and the Solomon Islands signed the Inter-Agency Understanding (IAU) governing the Niue-Solomon Islands Labour Mobility Pilot. This initiative marks the first managed intra-Pacific labour mobility programme under the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Labour Mobility Secretariat. The pilot program will bring four Solomon Island nurses to Niue for six months starting in August 2024, addressing acute labour shortages in Niue’s health sector. This new approach aims to provide mutual benefits, as highlighted by Solomon Islands’ Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Colin Beck:…
New Zealand-born Tongan tenor Manase Latu has been selected as one of the five top finalists for the 2024 Lexus Song Quest, Aotearoa’s premier opera singing competition. The announcement came on 28 July after two semi-final concerts at St Andrew’s on The Terrace in Wellington. Grammy Award-winning South Korean soprano Sumi Jo, who judged the finalists, said, “Choosing a top five from such a skilled group of semi-finalists has been incredibly challenging. Beyond having a beautiful voice with impeccable tone, technique, and musicality, it’s essential to possess star quality and charisma that immediately captivates the audience.” Latu, a previous finalist…
The Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) has appointed Noan Pakop as the incoming Director General of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Secretariat. The endorsement took place on July 25, 2024, during the 23rd FFC Annual Ministerial Meeting and the 5th Annual Regional Fisheries Ministers Meeting in Honiara. Mr. Pakop, from Papua New Guinea, will succeed Dr. Manu Tupou-Roosen, who has led the FFA Secretariat since 2018. Dr. Tupou-Roosen expressed her support, stating, “I am pleased to warmly congratulate and welcome Mr. Noan Pakop on his appointment. Mr. Pakop brings an incredible wealth of 30 plus years of experience in…
Tonga’s Alan Uhi made his Olympic debut, late last night local time, in the men’s 100m backstroke heats at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Competing in Heat 1 at the Paris La Defense Arena, Uhi finished with a time of 1:00.62, securing 6th place in his heat. The heat was won by J. Harvey from Bermuda, who clocked 55.78. The current Olympic record for the men’s 100m backstroke is 51.85, set by Ryan Murphy of the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The 19-year old Uhi, who is a member of the Malolo Swim Club in Tonga, is a growing…
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says “demonising China” is not his concern. When responding to questions from the media if he is concern that some people are demonising China, Manele said Solomon Islands treats all its partners “equally”. “I am not concern that others are demonising China,” Manele told reporters. “Our position is to work with all partners,” he added. “We have no problem with any of our partners who want to work with us. If other countries have a problem with China, that is a problem for those countries to deal with.” The prime minister added that a…
Former Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) Chief Executive Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Chief Financial Officer Vimlesh Sagar have been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss while Sagar is charged with one count of general dishonesty causing a loss. In separate case Sayed Khaiyum is charged with one count of Abuse of Office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss while Sagar is charged with one count of general dishonesty causing a loss. Meanwhile, FICAC has also charged Sarita…
Tonga’s Fe’ofa’aki ‘Epenisa faced a tough challenge in her Olympic debut early this morning local time, losing 5-0 to Vietnam’s Ha Thi Linh in the women’s 60kg boxing qualifiers at the 2024 Olympic Games. Despite the high expectations, ‘Epenisa struggled against the more experienced Linh, who dominated the match from the start. In the first round, ‘Epenisa tried to take the initiative, actively attacking while Linh adopted a more cautious, defensive strategy. This approach paid off for Linh, who managed to score higher with accurate blows, earning the favour of all five judges. The second round saw Linh maintaining her…
Fiji has suffered its first-ever Olympics loss in the men’s rugby sevens, falling to a determined French side 28-7 in the final. Rugby star Antoine Dupont led the hosts to victory. Fiji entered the final with a perfect Olympic record, boasting a 17-game winning streak. Fiji scored early, taking a 7-0 lead within the first minute and a half. By half-time, the match was tied at 7-7, but Dupont’s entry changed the game. Dupont began the second half with a remarkable run down the left sideline from inside his own quarter, setting up Aaron Grandidier Nkanang for a try that…