Okapa people receive royal visitor

A LITTLE known Okapa community in 6-Mile, National Capital District became the centre of attention globally for an hour on Tuesday, Sept 16th when His Royal Highness Duke of Edinburgh Prince Edward visited as part of Papua New Guinea’s 50th...

Strategic Minerals and the False Promise of Seabed Mining

By Drake Long On April 29, a small seabed mining enterprise known as The Metals Company (TMC) formally submitted an application to NOAA to commence commercial-scale mining in an area of the ocean known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. This followed...

SPTO Board of Directors Convenes in Vava’u, Tonga

Key Resolutions Passed to Advance Regional Tourism Governance and Strategic Planning The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Board of Directors convened its annual meeting on Monday, 20 October 2025, at Puataukanave Hotel, Vava’u, Tonga....

In the depths of the ocean, a new contest between the US and China emerges

Deep below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, the seafloor is dotted with clusters of brown and black rocks, each containing valuable metals. The rocks, known as polymetallic nodules, hold reserves of critical minerals that could be used to power...

Deepavali Shines Bright at Auckland’s Waterfront Theatre

Vineeta Rao More than 700 people gathered at Auckland’s ASB Waterfront Theatre on October 18, 2025, for Deepavali Saravedi Kondattam, the annual celebration hosted by the Kiwi Tamil Samoogam (KTS). The event brought together families, community...

Growth in the Pacific to accelerate to 4.1 percent in 2025,...

Economic growth in the Pacific is projected to accelerate to 4.1 percent in 2025 and moderate to 3.4 percent in 2026, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2025, the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) flagship economic...

Japan hosts Quad summit seeking unity on countering China

Leaders of Japan, India, Australia and the United States met in Tokyo on Tuesday, looking to put China on notice as it expands its military and economic influence in the region. The summit of the grouping known as the Quad comes a day after US...

Amnesty International wants NZ visa for climate-affected Pacific islanders

North and South Tarawa are seen from the air in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati. 23 May 2013. Photo: Reuters / David Gray Amnesty International is asking the New Zealand government to create a new humanitarian visa for Pacific people...

NZ discriminatory migration system fails climate-affected Pacific People: report

Authorities in Aotearoa New Zealand are subjecting people in the Pacific islands of Tuvalu and Kiribati at risk of climate related harm to discriminatory migration policies that tear families apart and disregard children’s rights, Amnesty...

Visa-Free Countries for Indonesian Passport Holders: 43 Nations in 2025

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As the final quarter of 2025 approaches, many people are planning year-end holidays, often including trips abroad. However, Indonesian travelers need to understand that entry regulations vary by destination. Not all countries...

Who were the early settlers of Kiritimati Island? 

Our Islands Our People By Raque Bagnol Let’s take a trip to Kiritimati Island, also known as Christmas Island, the world's largest atoll. Kiritimati is one of the islands in Kiribati, located about 2,500 kilometers south of Hawaii. The first...

Amnesty International wants NZ visa for climate-hit Pacific islanders

By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Amnesty International is asking the New Zealand government to create a new humanitarian visa for Pacific people impacted by climate change. Kiribati community leader Charles Kiata said life on Kiribati...

Solomon Islanders call for sustainable, community-driven tourism

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), in partnership with Tourism Solomons and Solomon Islands Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT), has released the results of the 2024 Community Attitude Survey (CAS), providing insight into how Solomon...

Urgent Action Needed To Protect Coconuts

Press Release – PGRSC Pacific users will discuss solutions to challenges faced across the region as well as learn new tools and skillsets, with technologies like GIS and Remote Sensing already transforming fields from agriculture to disaster...

What’s in NZ's long-awaited climate adaptation plan? And what was left out?

A new framework lays out the role of central government, local government and individuals in responding to the warming climate. We break down what it says, and why it matters. On Thursday last week, the government released a National Adaptation...

A long, accomplished life

Clarence Wenzel was born on Oct. 16, 1925 in South Norwalk, Connecticut. He was the son of a Lutheran minister. His mother, the daughter of a Lutheran minister, was the church organist. When she played the organ, she was a very busy lady. She was...

SI pledges USD $1m to Pacific Resilience Facility

Washington D.C.,- Pacific leadership and solidarity were on full display last week as the Government of Solomon Islands and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) announced a pledge of USD $1 million [SBD8m] to the Pacific Resilience Facility...

ABC Radio Australia photo competition is back!

We're looking for photos that showcase the beauty, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes of the Pacific Islands. Submit your best photo from wherever you are in the Pacific and each week, our judges panel will be choosing our favourite. Weekly...

Solomon Islands Pledge and Marshall Islands ratifies PRF Treaty

Pacific leadership and solidarity were on full display this week as the Government of Solomon Islands and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) announced a pledge of USD$1 million to the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF). Pledges to the PRF now...

World War II veteran turns 100, recognized during Bedford County Board of Supervisors meeting

Bill Wenzel is a founding member of Trinity Ecumenical Parish and the Smith Mountain Lake Harmeneers - with whom he will perform in November - among many other accomplishments. At the Bedford County Board of Supervisors meeting held on Oct. 14,...