CALLS FOR STRONGER ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL FISHING| PM

Prime Minister James Marape has today called for immediate global action to tackle illegal fishing and the exploitation of Pacific fisheries, stressing that Pacific nations have been the ocean’s stewards for centuries. Speaking at the Honiara...

NZ must ‘reset’ ties with Cook Islands: minister

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters yesterday said that his country must “reset” its relationship with the Cook Islands government after its Pacific neighbor signed agreements with China without consultation. In a speech to the Pacific...

A new addiction

When Cameron McLeod drank his first half coconut shell of muddy brown earthy-smelling kava in 2002, he knew it would taste bad. “But it tasted way worse than I thought it was going to taste,” he said, with a laugh. However, “the effect was almost...

New Zealand must ‘reset’ Cook Islands ties after China pact: Foreign Minister

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters also addressed tensions with Kiribati after its government cancelled a planned visit.PHOTO: REUTERS WELLINGTON - New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Feb 19 that his country must “reset”...

New Zealand must ‘reset’ Cook Islands ties after China pact, foreign minister says

By Christine Chen (Reuters) - New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Wednesday his country must “reset” its relationship with the Cook Islands government after its Pacific neighbour signed agreements with China without consultation....

China's intl development cooperation does not impose political condition, makes no empty promises: official

Reports of "small and beautiful" projects and green development assistance projects, the fifth and sixth issues in the "International Development Cooperation: China's Practice" series, are released by CIDCA on February 11, 2025 in Beijing. Photo:...

Time for decisive Government action to get NZ back on track - Bruce Cotterill

That new Government that brought hope and promise is now the incumbent. In 15 months, their highlights have been few. But the people are starting to say that they are not living up to the promise we once held for them. Sadly, much of the silliness...

New Zealand government alarmed by Cook Islands deal with China

The Cook Islands is set to strike a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, triggering a hysterical response from New Zealand’s government and media, which brands the deal as a major diplomatic victory for Beijing. The US is seeking to...

Fiji and Kiribati repair relations

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor Six months away from handing over the reins of the Pacific Islands Forum to Cook Islands, Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka is confident he’s repaired relations with Kiribati – following what he described a...

The Deepening Friendship and Partnership between Kiribati and Australia

By Ruth Cross Kwansing, Kiribati Minister of Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs Last week, our nation welcomed Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. While the visit was exciting for all of Kiribati, it was particularly significant...

OPINION | You are not alone – UK goes coal-free and working towards decarbonisation

AS COP30 approaches next month, the urgency of climate action is intensifying. But for Pacific islanders, it is a daily reality — one that shapes lives, communities, and futures. The struggle is not theoretical. It is personal, immediate, urgent,...

UN Resident Coordinator Presents Letter of Credence to Foreign Minister of Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar, January 24, 2025 /MONTSAME/. United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mongolia Jaap van Hierden presented his Letter of Credence to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh on January 23, 2025. Minister Battsetseg...

NZ-Kiribati fallout: Maamau govt minister says 'impacts to be felt by the people'

Taneti Maamai, left, and Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ Kiribati President Taneti Maamau was unable to meet New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters because he had "a pre-planned and significant historical event", a Cabinet Minister in...

Pacific Island nations fear outcome of Trump government's deportation policy

Suva, FIJI — The governments of Pacific Islands nations appear concerned over a document which suggests at least 561 former citizens of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa are at criminal risk of deportation from the US under returning President Donald Trump's...

Climate Refugees: Navigating Legal And Policy Challenges

As the global climate crisis intensifies, a growing number of individuals are being forced to flee their homes due to environmental factors. These individuals, often referred to as "climate refugees," face a precarious existence, exacerbated by...

Chlöe Swarbrick calls for Christopher Luxon to ‘end all speculation’ about privatisation as Parliament returns

Luxon said since we are putting taxpayers' money into the country, we deserve the “courtesy of a conversation”. He defended Foreign Minister Winston Peters, explaining that it was not his fault that we had “radio silence” from Kiribati during...

Opposition concerned by diplomatic row between New Zealand government and the Cook Islands

Labour leader Chris Hipkins. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he is very concerned about the "rapidly deteriorating relationship" between the government and the Cook Islands. It comes as Cook Islands Prime Minister...

NZ-born Kiribati MP defends Taneti Maamau over Winston Peters snub

Ruth Kwansing, right, with Taneti Maamau, middle, in a post-election meeting on 26 October 2024. Photo: Facebook / Ruth Cross Kwansing New Zealand cancelled its visit to Kiribati because Winston Peters specifically wanted to meet with President...

NZ-Kiribati fallout: A ‘Pacific way’ perspective on the Peters spat

A NZ-born Kiribati member of Parliament, Ruth Cross Kwansing, has tried to bring in some Pacific common sense into the diplomatic tiff between her country and Aotearoa New Zealand. Her original title on her social media posting was “A storm in a...

New Zealand-born Kiribati MP defends Taneti Maamau over snub of Winston Peters

Ruth Kwansing, right, with Taneti Maamau, middle, in a post-election meeting on 26 October 2024. Photo: Facebook / Ruth Cross Kwansing New Zealand cancelled its visit to Kiribati because Winston Peters specifically wanted to meet with President...