Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Japan risks its reputation in Oceania with Fukushima discharge
Pacific News Service
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A rollcall of Pacific Island nations have very different views on the release of treated radioactive wastewater. By Derek Grossman Japan’s decision last month to begin discharging treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean from its...
Regulatory Standards Bill hearing, day three: ‘Pissing on people and telling them it’s rain’
The Spinoff
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July 9, 2025
The finance and expenditure committee heard the Regulatory Standards Bill could impact animal welfare, the environment and the Woke Lesbo Symposium, and received advice from the Clerk. Read our explainer on the Regulatory Standards Bill here and...
Cook Islands seeks to destabilise NZ on eve of China visit
The Daily Blog
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June 20, 2025
NZ pauses nearly $20m in funding to Cook Islands after China agreements New Zealand has paused nearly $20 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands over its recent dealings with China. New Zealand raised concerns in February, after...
Pacific news in brief for 3 July
RNZ
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July 3, 2025
This handout photograph released by Buckingham Palace on 25 January , 2025, shows Britain's King Charles III, posing for a photograph in the library at Balmoral, Scotland in Autumn 2024. Photo: MILLIE PILKINGTON / AFP Niue - Moana Mahu King...
From tuna to treaty: Pacific powers push ocean agenda
Pacific Media Network
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Pacific leaders continue to push for more investment, stronger political will, and recognition of traditional knowledge to protect the region’s ocean future. The United Nations’ Ocean Conference (UNOC), held every three years, reviews...
Letter: New Zealand aid
Cook Island News
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June 26, 2025
Dear Editor, There is a claim by some doing the rounds, that New Zealand’s economy is struggling, and the aid freeze is just a convenient excuse to pull back funding. TBH (to be honest) think it through, that’s highly unlikely, budgeted foreign...
Australia-Tuvalu mobility pathway: does it address the climate crisis?
The Pacific Island Times
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July 2, 2025
Tuvalu/Photo courtesy of Jess Marinaccio On June 11, the Tuvaluan and Australian governments issued press releases announcing that the inaugural ballot for the Falepili Mobility Pathway would open on June 16. Part of the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili...
Aust-Tuvalu mobility pathway: Does it address climate crisis?
The National
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On June 11, the Tuvaluan and Australian governments issued press releases announcing that the inaugural ballot for the Falepili Mobility Pathway would open on June 16. Part of the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty, the mobility pathway falls...
PCRIC engages Tiueti
The Fiji Times
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July 2, 2025
The Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC) has engaged Tonga’s former Finance Minister Tiofilusi Tiueti to lead the development of a national contingency plan aimed at strengthening Tonga’s financial preparedness for natural disasters....
Our voyage to Statehood, 60 years on: understanding the nature and practice of free-association as we reflect on our development journey
Cook Island News
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June 28, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Brown. SUPPLIED. This year, the Cook Islands marks 60 years of self-governance, an historic milestone in our voyage to statehood, by Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. In 1965, our people chose to shape our own...
Eat Pacific Cookbook wins Global Award
Samoa News
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July 9, 2025
LISBON, Portugal — In a celebration of Pacific food, identity, and culture, the Pacific Island Food Revolution cookbook, Eat Pacific, has been awarded the Best South Pacific Book in the World 2024 at the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards...
Pacific Island countries celebrate civil registration achievements
The Pacific Island Times
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June 30, 2025
Surami Turaga, Fiji's minister of justice, speaks at the Third Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific on June 26, 2025. Photo courtesy of UN ESCAP Bangkok – “Cheehoo! Praise God, oue tulou!” Sonya...
Need for independent science during plastic treaty negotiations
Pacific News Service
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Poor science heard during the negotiations for a new Plastics Treaty has caused concern for the Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty. A group of approximately 240 scientists representing over 250 independent scientists across the...
$18m cut to Cooks aid is ‘not about China’? I call BS
Newsroom
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June 18, 2025
Analysis: Winston Peters has taken a leaf from Donald Trump’s playbook, with news he’s paused government-to-government development aid to our closest whānau in the Pacific. “We want an assurance that our special relationship remains special,” he...
Pacific Islands Forum head: Island region 'must remain a beacon of hope and unity'
The Pacific Island Times
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July 7, 2025
The Pacific Islands Forum's secretary general has reaffirmed the region’s commitment to a united, resilient and inclusive Blue Pacific Continent. “In a world increasingly marked by turbulence, the Pacific must remain a beacon of hope and unity,"...
Pacific Islands Forum head: Island region ‘must remain a beacon of…
Pacific News Service
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The Pacific Islands Forum’s secretary general has reaffirmed the region’s commitment to a united, resilient and inclusive Blue Pacific Continent. “In a world increasingly marked by turbulence, the Pacific must remain a beacon of hope and unity,”...
58 Visa-Free Destinations For Indian Passport Holders This Summer
Gulf Insider
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July 7, 2025
Looking to travel this summer as an Indian passport holder? Good news, Indian travelers can visit up to 58 destinations visa-free. The top destinations are placed throughout Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean and Pacific Islands. Aside from these...
Whau Pasifika Festival celebrates youth leadership, calls for genuine govt support for future growth
Te Ao Maori News
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June 29, 2025
The Whau Pasifika Festival has returned to West Auckland promising most ambitious programme yet, but organisers stress that meaningful government investment is key to ensuring its survival beyond 2025. Ina Sauni, the festival director, says the...
China in the Pacific – Joint statement of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
The Fiji Times
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June 26, 2025
FROM May 28 to 29, 2025, the People’s Republic of China and Pacific Island Countries having diplomatic relations with China (hereinafter referred to as “All parties”) held the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The...
Pacific leaders call for peace amid Middle East tensions as Melanesia eyes regional solidarity
Pacific Media Network
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Pacific leaders have voiced their worries about the ongoing political unrest around the world, especially the conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The concerns were shared during a meeting of the Melanesian Spearhead Group...