Environment • Sāmoa • Palau • Solomon IslandsEl Niño tightens grip on Pacific as authorities warn of drought and extreme weatherMeteorological agencies across the Pacific are warning of the impacts the 2026-2027 El Niño will bring, with several countries already reporting drought conditions and water shortages.Lachlan EddieFri, 23 Oct
Environment • Cook Islands‘Calm before the storm’: Cook Islands official recounts cyclone’s arrival in RarotongaAs the category 2 storm tracks south, local leaders report Aitutaki has emerged relatively unscathed despite heavy lagoon surges, power cuts, and coastal warnings.PMN NewsMon, 19 Oct
Environment • Cook IslandsCyclone Wati intensifies as system tracks south of the Cook Islands towards open watersCommunities have been urged to prepare immediately with 140km/h gale-force gusts and interactive shelter maps activated nationwide.PMN NewsSun, 18 Oct
Environment • Cook IslandsCook Islands batten down as Tropical Depression threatens Category 1 upgradeA full cyclone warning is in force for Suwarrow with damaging gales expected tonight, while emergency alerts spread south toward Palmerston and Aitutaki.Losirene Lacanivalu, Cook Islands NewsFri, 16 Oct
Pacific Region‘Pregnancy and birth are a new faultline’ as extreme heat puts Pacific mothers at riskNew Wellcome survey finds 73 per cent of maternal health professionals are seeing more heat-related complications as the United Nations calls for maternity care to be built into climate planning.Christine RovoiWed, 07 Oct
Environment • PalauPacific calls for urgent action at UN summit as El Niño threats growPalau President Surangel Whipps Jr is pushing for climate funding as scientists warn of more pressure on food, water and cyclone risk.PMN NewsThu, 24 Sep
Pacific Region • Vanuatu19 people rescued as search continues for passengers after Vanuatu ferry wreckA French search aircraft has joined the operation off Vanuatu with more passengers still feared missing from the MV Matui.Christine RovoiMon, 14 Sep
Environment • Hawai'iHurricane Lowell closes in on Hawai'i as Pacific storm season growsThe US state is bracing for dangerous rain, flooding and coastal conditions as the storm tracks towards its western islands amid a strengthening El Niño.Christine RovoiTue, 08 Sep
Pacific Region • PalauPacific communities prepare for a hotter world as 1.5°C limit slips further away, says UNA new United Nations report says the world is likely to cross the 1.5°C global warming threshold within the next few years.Thomas Tarurongo Wynne, Political ReporterThu, 03 Sep
Pacific RegionTongan researcher tracks Pacific quakes as seismic activity risesMafoa Penisoni is building Tonga's first seismic and volcanic catalogue to help the kingdom better understand and prepare for future hazards. Khalia StrongTue, 25 Aug
