As reported by RNZ, Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki has been named the new Māori Queen, succeeding her father, Kiingi Tuheitia, who passed away at the age of 69 following heart surgery. At 27 years old, Ngawai Hono i te Po becomes the eighth Māori monarch and only the second woman to hold the title, following in the footsteps of her grandmother, Te Atairangikaahu. The appointment of Ngawai Hono i te Po was made by the Kiingitanga advisory council, the Tekau-maa-rua, after careful deliberation with leaders from various iwi (tribes) across New Zealand. Her rise to…
Author: Newsdesk
Barbara Malimali, Fiji’s newly appointed anti-corruption commissioner, was taken in for questioning by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) on Thursday, just a day after her appointment was announced. Malimali, who also serves as the Electoral Commission chair, is being investigated for alleged abuse of office during her tenure in that role. Fiji media reported that Malimali was questioned by FICAC and released around midday. Her appointment has sparked controversy, with critics calling for Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to intervene. Opposition MP Premila Kumar expressed concerns, stating, “It is both astonishing and unethical that the Judicial Services Commission has…
PM Hu’akavameiliku and leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum met with the World Bank President, Ajay Banga, at the Forum Secretariat in Suva. The meeting provided a vital platform for Pacific leaders to engage directly with Mr. Banga on key issues affecting the region, including the ongoing decline of Correspondent Banking Relationships (CBR) and the severe impacts of climate change. The discussion is part of Mr. Banga’s tour of the Pacific and Australia, which runs from 4th to 10th September 2024. The visit marks only the third time a World Bank President has visited the Pacific reflecting the increasing importance…
As French diplomats worked the corridors at last week’s 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Nuku’alofa, President of French Polynesia Moetai Brotherson has criticised decisions taken by President Emmanuel Macron that have led to the current explosion of conflict In New Caledonia. “Unfortunately, all the events since 13 May were easy to foresee,” Brotherson said. “I’ve been telling France for three years now about the stepping stones that led to those events.” “First of all, the decision by the French State to maintain the third referendum on self-determination in December 2021, that was the first mistake. Then the nomination of [Loyalist…
A drop of Taiwan, a measure of China, makes heady cocktail for next PIF leaders meeting. Commentary by Tess Newton Cain As the 53rd meeting of Pacific Islands Forum leaders drew to a close in Nuku’alofa, there were good reasons for sighs of relief. The host country Tonga pulled together the largest ever PIF meeting, a well-organised and smoothly-run event, despite last-minute accommodation concerns. The week began with a strength 6.9 earthquake, with thankfully no damage or tsunami. And it was all capped with an almost 100 percent turnout by 17 leaders – President of Kiribati Taneti Maamau was absent…
The Fiji Water Flying Fijians are ramping up their preparations for a crucial Round 3 Asahi Dry Pacific Nations Cup match against Tonga. Coach Mick Byrne has confirmed that the team has increased the intensity of their training sessions at the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Base in Nadi as they gear up for the showdown in Nukuʻalofa. Speaking to the media, Byrne talked about the importance of the upcoming match and detailed the team’s approach in the lead-up to Friday’s game. “We’ve lifted the intensity in our training, introducing more contact drills and game-speed scenarios,” Byrne said. “This is to…
A local farm in the village of Talasiu, owned by smallholder farmer Sosefo Amone, has been selected as one of six pilot sites for a new drip-irrigation system aimed at mitigating the effects of recent droughts on watermelon crops. This initiative is supported by the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA Plus) in collaboration with Nishi Trading. The pilot project, launched last Friday during the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, is part of a broader effort to improve food security and agricultural resilience in Tonga amidst the growing challenges posed by climate change. The project is also…
Joseph Zane Sikulu, a member of the Pacific Climate Warriors and Pacific Director for the climate campaign group 350.org, has issued a powerful call for climate action as the COP29 UN climate summit approaches in Baku, Azerbaijan. His appeal to Mukhtar Babayev, the president-designate of COP29, emphasizes the urgent need for real leadership, meaningful commitments to halt fossil fuel expansion, and a global transition to renewable energy. Joseph’s message strikes a chord with many of us in the Pacific who face the realities of climate change every day. The escalating crisis, driven by continued fossil fuel reliance, threatens our homes,…
Pacific Island athletes competing in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris have faced tough competition, with no medals won so far despite strong efforts in para-taekwondo and para-athletics over the weekend. Seven athletes from the Pacific Islands competed on Saturday and Sunday, with Fiji’s Irene Mar coming closest to a podium finish. Mar, ranked tenth in the women’s taekwondo K44, 57kg category, had an impressive start, defeating Ukraine’s Yuliya Lypetska 25-3 in the Round of 16. But, she fell short in her next match against second-seed Gamze Gurdal and then lost the bronze medal play-off. Papua New Guinea’s Manega Tapari also…
The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, arrives in Papua New Guinea for a three day visit this Saturday. Pope Francis will be visiting PNG as part of an 11-day, multi-country visit, which includes stops in Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and Singapore. Most of that time will be spent in Port Moresby, but on the Sunday, Pope Francis will make a quick return trip to Vanimo on 8 September, which is nearly 1000 kilometres to the northwest and on the border with Indonesia. The Australian Defence Force will fly the Pope to Vanimo and back to Port Moresby, PNG’s Foreign Minister…