Pacific Region • Cook IslandsCook Islands opposition leader says talks with New Zealand could wait until after election United Party leader Te Ariki Heather says rebuilding ties with Aotearoa, cutting living costs and boosting local food production will be priorities if his party wins the 12 August vote. Elenoa TuragaiviuThu, 02 Jul
Pacific RegionPacific at risk as global aid falls to lowest level in a decade - reportSmall Island Developing States are facing steep aid cuts as global development funding drops sharply and a US-led push shifts focus from grants to trade.Christine RovoiThu, 02 Jul
Pacific RegionNew Zealand warns Pacific missing out as tuna fleets avoid access fees on the high seasOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says the region can earn more from the world's richest tuna fishery but fleets operating beyond national waters continue to deny the islands valuable income.Christine RovoiThu, 02 Jul
Pacific Region • FijiFiji Law Society calls for radical overhaul of anti-corruption watchdog in constitutional shakeupCalls for FICAC to be abolished or stripped of its prosecutorial powers as lawyers argue the anti-corruption system must be restructured to remove political influence and restore public trust.Christine RovoiWed, 01 Jul
Pacific Region • FijiFiji-US patrol boards 32 vessels and recovers suspected drugs in maritime crackdownThe six-day operation saw authorities inspect vessels, recover suspected narcotics, and use Starlink satelite technology for the first time to strengthen border security.Elenoa TuragaiviuWed, 01 Jul
Pacific Region • VanuatuVanuatu signs Australia security pact, visa slots return but questions over balance remainPrime Ministers Jotham Napat and Anthony Albanese signed a NZ$608.45 million Nakamal Agreement, which restores Vanuatu’s visa ballot access. But the deal falls short of visa-free travel.Christine RovoiTue, 30 Jun
Pacific Region • NiueNiue secures $11m climate and ocean resilience deal to protect communitiesThe Rock has moved ahead with the finance project with UNDP and Conservation International to strengthen climate resilience, protect its marine park and support frontline communities.Christine RovoiMon, 29 Jun
Pacific Region • FijiFiji finalising works to transition passport renewals to online Modernisation of Fiji's immigration services to help meet the high demand for renewals which means a faster, more reliable process for the Fijian diasporaElenoa TuragaiviuThu, 25 Jun
Pacific Region • FijiBusiness as usual is 'slow suicide’: Minister sounds alarm over Fiji’s waste emergencyLynda Tabuya says the nation can no longer ignore a pollution crisis that is damaging the environment and endangering future generations, as thousands of kilograms of waste is intercepted downstream.Elenoa TuragaiviuWed, 24 Jun
Pacific Region • VanuatuWhy has Vanuatu been dropped from the Pacific visa scheme?Ni-Vanuatu are no longer eligible for Australia's Pacific Engagement Visa ballot, with no public explanation from either Canberra or Port Vila.Christine RovoiWed, 24 Jun
