PoliticsAotearoa and Australia link naval operations under new Plan TasmanThe agreement brings the two navies closer in training, information sharing, capability development and operations as regional security concerns grow.Christine RovoiWed, 23 Sep
Pacific Region • Cook Islands • Aotearoa New Zealand‘We’re so blessed’: Penrhyn community welcomes NZDF crewsOver 50 personnel from the NZDF is working alongside locals on school, health, water and maritime projects on the remote Cook Islands atoll.Thomas Tarurongo WynneMon, 21 Sep
Pacific Region • KiribatiMore than 400 wartime explosives to be cleared from Kiribati - NZDFNew Zealand and Kiribati have begun a joint operation to remove hundreds of unexploded wartime weapons from densely populated Betio in Tarawa.PMN NewsTue, 08 Sep
Community • Niue39 headstones return to Niue to honour its First World War servicemenNiuean men, who served in the First World War, have been honoured, giving villages across the island a place to remember their service and sacrifice.Christine RovoiTue, 01 Sep
PoliticsPacific leaders warn Aotearoa's nuclear free stance must not be compromisedOpposition MPs say New Zealand must resist defence pressure from larger partners and keep conflict out of the Pacific. PMN NewsWed, 03 Jun
PoliticsUnited States softens China stance but warns allies: no single power will control the PacificMajor powers at a Singapore summit laid out their views on the Indo-Pacific, with allies urged to spend more on defence and island nations watching how regional influence is shifting.Christine RovoiWed, 03 Jun
Community • Aotearoa New ZealandANZAC Day 2026: Māori, Pacific service and sacrifice take centre stage in NZAs Aotearoa marks 80 years since the first peace time ANZAC Day, Pasifika communities are bringing their stories of service, loss, and pride to the heart of remembrance.PMN NewsSat, 25 Apr
Environment • Papua New Guinea • Solomon IslandsNZ sends defence aircraft to PNG after Cyclone Maila hits Pacific communitiesAotearoa is sending a defence plane loaded with emergency supplies to Papua New Guinea as Pacific nations respond to Cyclone Maila’s destruction.'Alakihihifo VailalaThu, 16 Apr
Opinion • Cook Islands • China • Aotearoa New ZealandResetting trust in the Pacific, not redrawing the lines of powerCook Islands-NZ security deal marks a necessary reset but framing it as a win over China risks missing the point, writes political analyst William Numanga.William Numanga, Political AnalystSat, 11 Apr
Pacific Region • Tonga • FijiPacific soldiers and NZ troops go head‑to‑head, side-by-side in toughest skills challenge to dateFor the first time, soldiers from Tonga joined the tough 1st (NZ) Brigade Skill at Arms competition - a three‑day test of endurance, teamwork, and core soldiering that strengthens regional defence ties.PMN NewsTue, 31 Mar
