Regional
Pacific a target in cocaine, firearms trade
THE seizure of 500 kilograms of cocaine in Solomon Islands last month, the seizure of cocaine and smuggling of firearms in Papua New Guinea (PNG) coupled with the recent findings of cocaine being washed ashore...
13th November
Te Nana: Mind-set change needed
ONE of the greatest names in rugby 7s, Karl Te Nana believes the key to the growth of women’s rugby is a mind-set change. “There needs to be a mind-set change in terms of women’s rugby,” he said. “The numbers have grown in terms of the women’s game whether it is participation or viewership, and...
Rugby development begins at the grassroots level
THE most renowned name in the 7s game, Sir Gordon Tietjens believes all rugby development for both men and women begin at the grassroots level. “Schools are the best place to begin developing rugby players,” Sir Tietjens said. He believes that at the young stage, children are more akin to naturally learn the sport which...
12th November
Fijian students graduate from model UN body
THE future will be a better place if students follow their dreams with hard work and humility. Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the Basic Model United Nations (MUN) training in Suva at the weekend, the Chargé D’Affaires at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain, Daniel Montilla Rubiales, who was chief guest, encouraged graduates...
10th November
$10.6m partnership to build three schools
THREE new schools will be constructed in Navua, Sigatoka and Lautoka enabed through a $ 10.59 million (US$5m) assistance by the strengthened bilateral ties between Fiji and United Arab Emirates. A cooperation agreement was signed to formalise the partnership between the Fijian Government and UAE delegation that is currently in the country for the new...
Hakulā league players take ‘huge pride’ in joining Mate Ma‘a Tonga, says Fusitu‘a’s dad
NUKU’ALOFA, 09 NOVEMBER 2018 (KANIVA TONGA NEWS) – Mate Ma’a Tonga player David Fusitu’a’s father said he was happy that about half of Tonga’s National Rugby League team were players from the Tongan-based New Zealand Hakulā League club. Speaking exclusively to Kaniva news in South Auckland recently, Edwin said they did not expect the effort...
FNU to offer franchise programs through the Vanuatu Institute of Technology
THE Fiji National University (FNU) has signed a franchise agreement with the Vanuatu Institute of Technology (VIT) that will see the extending its boundaries to provide quality tertiary-level programs in the Pacific region. The agreement was signed in Suva by FNU Vice Chancellor Professor Nigel Healey and Acting Principal VIT Jack Takalo Graham. FNU Vice...
PNG Palais to set new pathway in the 15s game
PORT MORESBY, 09 NOVEMBER 2018 (POST COURIER) – The Papua New Guinea Palais 15s have nothing to lose and only more to gain. With a week to go before the opening clash of the 2018 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship, the Palais have been doing the hard-yards to be game-ready for their championships opener against Samoa...
9th November
Samoa to endorse Manatua Cable network
APIA, 09 NOVEMBER 2018 (SAMOA GOVT) – Samoa is a step closer in realising her vision to become the Pacific Hub for Information Telecommunication Technology with the signing of the Manatua Cable in Auckland this week. The Manatua Cable will link Samoa (with onward connections via Tui-Samoa and the Southern Cross cable) and French Polynesia...
Pacific Island nations fear Australia’s visa changes will disadvantage their economies
CANBERRA, 09 NOVEMBER 2018 (THE GUARDIAN) – Pacific Island nations are closely watching changes to Australia’s visa rules for visiting workers, including expansions of farm work rights for backpackers, as well as a recently announced review by New Zealand of its own regional labour scheme. On Tuesday the Australian government announced changes to its working...
Cook Islands welcome Australia’s new “Pacific Infrastructure Financing Facility”
RAROTONGA, 09 NOVEMBER 2018 (COOK ISLANDS GOVT) – The Cook Islands Government has welcomed Australia’s stepped up Pacific engagement, announced by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Queensland of a package of co-operation and development initiatives including a new Pacific Infrastructure Financing Facility. Prime Minister Morrison announced a $2 billion (US$1.4 billion) infrastructure initiative for...
China shuns rivalry in Pacific as Australia says “this is our patch”
BEIJING/SYDNEY, 09 NOVEMBER 2018 (REUTERS) – Beijing and Canberra should be cooperating in the South Pacific and not be cast as strategic rivals, China’s top diplomat said on Thursday, after Australia launched a multi-billion-dollar fund to counter China’s rising influence in the region. Standing alongside Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi...
Australia is declared PNG’s No. 1 security partner forever
PORT MORESBY, 09 NOVEMBER 2018 (THE AUSTRALIAN) – Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato has said Australia will be PNG’s No 1 security partner “forever”, as Scott Morrison announced a navy ship and mobile defence training force would be dedicated to supporting Pacific neighbours. Pato said Australia’s security support for PNG to host APEC...
