February 2009
Federal judge says Samoan adoption defendants don't need prison
Updated 27/02/2009 16:00:37
In the United States, four people charged over an adoption scandal where Samoan parents were tricked into giving up their children, have avoided being sent to jail.
NZ Pacific people could face big job losses
Updated 27/02/2009 16:00:38
Pacific Islanders in New Zealand could be particularly hard hit by the global economic downturn.
Fiji attorney-general hits back at criticism of economy
Updated 27/02/2009 16:00:38
Fiji's interim attorney general, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaium, has disputed claims by a leading economist about the state of the country's economy.
PNG troops deployed to curb Highlands lawlessness
Updated 27/02/2009 16:59:08
The Papua New Guinea government is sending more than 200 police and soldiers to curb a breakdown of law and order at the Porgera Gold Mine in the highlands.
Sadness at Samoan adoption scandal sentencing
Updated 27/02/2009 16:59:44
It's been one of the saddest stories to come out of the Pacific in recent years.
Tongan Ambassador expect initial guest worker problems
Updated 27/02/2009 17:01:00
Tonga's High Commissioner to Australia believes there will be "some teething problems" with the first of the Pacific Island guest workers but it will be worked out as the scheme gets underway.
Kiribati fishermen found alive in PNG
Updated 27/02/2009 17:00:14
Three fishermen from Kiribati, missing at sea for nearly five weeks have been found alive and well on an island in Papua New Guinea.
Fiji businesses expect tough times
Updated 26/02/2009 16:53:20
Businesses in Fiji are preparing for an expected rough year ahead.
Melanesians criticise Samoan PM's comments on Fiji
Updated 26/02/2009 16:59:29
The Melanesian Spearhead Group and its leaders have remained silent so far on the current war of words between the Samoan prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Fiji interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
Bainimarama responds to Samoan PM's criticisms
Updated 26/02/2009 17:02:20
For the first time in memory, the debate over the return to democracy has opened up a split in the Pacific with leaders openly critisicing each other with accusations of lying and of being "unpacific".
USP students in Fiji talk about their future
Updated 26/02/2009 17:24:17
Students at the University of the South Pacific have just returned for the start of the academic year.
SkyAirWorld suspends flights
Updated 25/02/2009 17:17:07
SkyAirWorld, an airline servicing Solomon Islands, has announced it has temporarily suspended all flying operations.
PNG female students forced out if they get pregnant
Updated 25/02/2009 17:17:07
A University in Papua New Guinea is making female students return home and leave their studies if they get pregnant .
Solomons desperately needs doctors
Updated 25/02/2009 17:17:07
Solomon Islands' health authorities say the country desperately needs doctors in specialised areas.
PNG ranks low as place for mining investment
Updated 25/02/2009 17:18:58
Papua New Guinea has again ranked in the bottom five nations as a place to invest for mining.
Pacific Union body concerned at guest worker dispute
Updated 25/02/2009 17:22:49
The Pacific's regional trade union body is concerned the first group of Pacific guest workers in Australia are being treated as casual workers, rather than permanent employees.
Fiji legal community calls for easing of travel bans for judiciary
Updated 25/02/2009 17:35:37
The body which represents Fiji's legal community says the travel bans placed by Australia and New Zealand are making it difficult to attract the calibre of people needed to ensure the independance of the judiciary is maintained.
Solomons govt dismisses independence for Malaita
Updated 24/02/2009 12:29:02
The Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister, Fred Fono says his government does not recognise the outcome of a survey which found overwhelming support for independence for Malaita Province.
Samoa pushing for local tsunami warning centre
Updated 24/02/2009 17:29:15
Samoan disaster officials are pushing for the establishment of a tsunami warning centre in the South Pacific.
Fiji Times gets third new publisher in 12 months
Updated 24/02/2009 17:29:15
For the third time in 12 months, the Fiji Times newspaper has appointed a new publisher.
Fiji women's NGOs support Samoan PM's comments
Updated 24/02/2009 17:29:15
Two women's organisations in Fiji have welcomed criticism of the country's interim government from Samoa.
Ex-PM says coup cost Fiji dearly in dollars and jobs
Updated 24/02/2009 17:29:15
Fiji's former Prime Minister, Laisenai Qarase, says the 2006 coup has cost his country hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs.
Former Fiji vice-president criticises interim government
Updated 24/02/2009 17:29:15
One of Fiji's most respected political figures has called on the interim government to stop ignoring the issues facing people's lives here.
Samoan PM accuses Fiji PM of lying to Forum
Updated 23/02/2009 09:53:37
Samoa's prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, has accused his Fiji counterpart of lying to the Pacific islands Forum over the country's political future.
Ousted Fiji PM takes on Bainimarama
Updated 23/02/2009 09:57:26
Fiji's Former Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, told a public meeting in Sydney that many people in Fiji fear interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, is digging in for the long haul rather than moving to return the country to democracy.
Disagreement over pay conditions for Tongan workers
Updated 23/02/2009 11:35:02
It's been under way for less than a week, but already, the Australian government's new Pacific Islands Seasonal Labour scheme has run into trouble.
Fiji flood damage easily visible
Updated 23/02/2009 16:38:57
It is now just over a month since devastating floods in Fiji.
Unions oppose proposal to cut working hours at New Caledonia's biggest
Updated 23/02/2009 16:38:57
Unions representing workers at New Caledonia's largest nickel mine say a proposal to cut working hours by 10 per cent is premature.
More needs to be done to fight diseases in the Pacific
Updated 23/02/2009 16:38:57
A call has gone out for more help to prevent diseases such as AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria getting footholds in the Pacific.
Deposed Fijian PM speaks in Sydney
Updated 23/02/2009
Fiji's former Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, is in Australia where his remarks at speaking engagements with the Australian Fiji community have angered Interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama.
Mining companies fund reef transplantation in New Caledonia
Updated 20/02/2009 12:49:39
In New Caledonia, it's hoped that two reef transplantation projects could help protect valuable ecosystems from industrial pollution.
Claims health report on US-affiliated Pacific unbalanced
Updated 20/02/2009 12:57:12
The Pacific Island Health Officers Association has called on the United States Department of the Interior to withdraw a report describing health care in the US-affiliated Pacific islands as on the verge of a 'breakdown'.
Australian universities looking to boost Pacific studies
Updated 20/02/2009 13:01:13
A group of Australian academics is looking at ways of increasing funding and support for Pacific studies in the country's universities.
Work on major Chinese project in Solomons resumes
Updated 20/02/2009 13:27:41
Striking workers of a major project to build a sports stadium and commercial centre in the Solomon Islands capital have returned to work.
PNG police arrest 100 over homemade guns
Updated 20/02/2009 16:40:09
Papua New Guinea police have arrested nearly 100 people for allegedly making home-made guns for use in tribal clashes.
Samoan PM question's Bainimarama's state of mind
Updated 20/02/2009 16:40:09
Samoa's prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, has questioned the state of mind of Fiji's interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
Solomons Malaita Province still no reconciliation
Updated 20/02/2009 16:40:09
In Solomon Islands, the Malaita Provincial government is standing by its decision NOT to participate in the country's reconciliation process.
New Caledonia nickel mine considers cutting production
Updated 19/02/2009 15:14:31
Employees in New Caledonia's SLN nickel mines are facing a reduction in working hours because of a fall in world nickel prices caused by the global economic crisis.
Financial crisis delays Solomons gold mine
Updated 19/02/2009 15:16:24
The international financial crisis is delaying the Gold Ridge mining project in Solomon Islands.
Tongans begin work on Australian almond farm
Updated 19/02/2009 15:21:35
Australia's first Pacific Island unskilled workers have started their new jobs on a farm in a small town in rural Victoria.
Criticism of Fiji Police commissioner's ultimatum
Updated 19/02/2009 17:36:46
An ultimatum to a group of senior Indo-Fijian police officers by Fiji's Police Commissioner has been criticised as insensitive and unconsitutional.
Flooding in PNG Highlands leaves 700 homeless
Updated 18/02/2009 17:07:14
More than 700 villagers have been left homeless after their homes were damaged by flooding in the Papua New Guinea highlands this week.
Work on major Chinese project in Solomons continues.
Updated 18/02/2009 17:07:14
Striking workers at a major project to build a sports stadium and commercial centre in the Solomon Islands capital have returned to work.
Concern in New Caledonia as number of dengue fever cases passes 1,000
Updated 18/02/2009 17:07:15
The number of cases of denge fever reported in New Caledonia this year has already exceeded one-thousand with health authorities saying the mosquito-borne infection is spreading at an alarming rate.
Tuvalu PM urges action on climate change
Updated 18/02/2009 17:07:15
Tuvalu's Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia has urged world leaders to fight global warming, and save his country from disappearing under the ocean.
Indo-Fijian police officers threatened by Commissioner
Updated 18/02/2009 17:07:15
Senior Indo-Fijian police officers have reportedly been told to leave the Fiji Police force if they can't work with the Police Commissioner.
Fiji former opposition leader accuses PM of treason
Updated 18/02/2009 17:07:15
Fiji's ousted opposition leader Mick Beddoes has accused the interim prime minister of committing treason.
Forum Chair disappointed Fiji won't meet democracy deadline
Updated 18/02/2009 17:07:15
The Chair of the Pacific islands Forum, Niue premier Toke Talagi, says he's disappointed at Frank Bainimarama's decision to ignore the deadline to announce a return to democracy.
Fiji interim PM comments on Qarase, Forum, popularity
Updated 18/02/2009 17:07:15
Comments by Fiji's interim prime minister, Frank Bainimarama that the country will not meet the deadline to announce a return to democracy have attracted criticism around the region.
Global financial crisis could affect seasonal workers
Updated 18/02/2009 17:07:14
When the guest worker scheme was finally approved last year, the Australian economy was travelling along quite well with little unemployment.
PNG super fund returns big profit for 2008
Updated 17/02/2009 10:37:30
Papua New Guinea's largest private sector superannuation fund has declared more than 27 million US dollars in profit for 2008, despite the global economic down turn.
Australia's Pacific guest worker scheme underway
Updated 17/02/2009 10:42:49
After months of delays, Australia's Pacific guest worker scheme is finally underway.
Qantas to cut domestic flights in NZ
Updated 17/02/2009 17:10:07
Australia's biggest airline Qantas says some jobs will be lost with the axing of all its domestic flights in New Zealand.
MSF doctors attacked in Papua New Guinea Highlands
Updated 17/02/2009 17:06:26
A team of doctors from the international organisation Medecins Sans Frontiers, has been attacked by a drunken man in the Papua New Guinea Highlands.
Aust politican says guest worker concept now accepted
Updated 17/02/2009 17:10:23
A politican who pushed for the adoption of a Pacific guest workers program in Australia says he believes the political argument over the scheme is over.
Solomons Islands to crackdown on corruption
Updated 17/02/2009 17:11:50
The Solomon Islands is moving towards establishing a commission to help its fight against corruption.
Fiji interim PM says deposed PM may not be allowed to leave again
Updated 17/02/2009 17:13:57
Fiji's deposed prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, may not be allowed out of Fiji again once he returns from his current visit to Australia.
Tonga cuts electricity price by 30%
Updated 16/02/2009 11:32:55
Tonga's business community has welcomed a 30 per cent cut in the price of electricity.
Major international award for Save the Children, Fiji
Updated 16/02/2009 12:02:55
Save the Children in Fiji has won a major international award.
Fiji's deposed PM says life under threat from military
Updated 16/02/2009 11:45:02
Fiji's deposed Prime Minister has told a meeting in Brisbane of Fijians based in Australia that his life remains under threat from the military led government.
Pacific leaders told state-owned enterprises holding back economic gro
Updated 16/02/2009 11:47:52
The Prime Minister of Samoa and the finance minister of Tonga have been told Pacific Island economies can no longer afford to carry loss-making State-owned enterprises.
Samoa businesspeople don't want a stimulus package
Updated 16/02/2009 17:07:17
As governments in developed nations announce big spending plans to combat the global economic downturn, one South Pacific country is examing its own stimulus package.
Aust says PACER-plus about long-term sustainability
Updated 16/02/2009 17:21:46
Australia's Trade Minister, Simon Crean, says he wants to see the proposed free trade agreement between the Pacific and Australia and New Zealand provide long-term benefits in the region.
Tongan workers arrive in Australia
Updated 16/02/2009 17:21:46
Fifty Tongans are about to arrive in Melbourne to begin work as unskilled labourers on an Australian farm.
Aust universities look to increase funding for Pacific studies
Updated 13/02/2009 14:25:38
A group of Australian academics is looking at ways of increasing funding and support for Pacific studies in the country's universities.
New malaria network to research Pacific strain
Updated 13/02/2009 14:29:34
One of the first tasks of the new Asia-Pacific Malaria Elimination Network will be to gain a better understanding of the malaria strain found in the Pacific.
Octopus named "Sid" freed to find love in NZ
Updated 13/02/2009 14:36:18
An octopus in New Zealand has been released back into the wild.
Caveat attached to CBA apology
Updated 13/02/2009 16:15:41
The Commonwealth Broadcasting Association has confirmed sending a letter of apology to China's ambassador to Tonga.
PNG atoll-dwellers to be resettled on mainland
Updated 13/02/2009 16:15:41
Papua New Guinea's Autonomous Bougainville region plans to resettle some 1400 people from the Carteret Islands to the mainland starting this year.
First anniversary of apology to Australian Aborigines
Updated 13/02/2009 16:15:41
The Aboriginal flag has been flying on Australian government buildings today, beside the Australian flag, as the nation marks a year since the Prime Minister said sorry to the Stolen Generations.
PNG to help Australian bushfire victims
Updated 12/02/2009 16:48:37
Offers of help are coming from around the world to help Australia recover from this week's bush fires in the state of Victoria.
Southern Pacific should expect more bad weather.
Updated 12/02/2009 16:48:37
The regional cyclone warning centre in Fiji is predicting more bad weather for most of the South Pacific later this week.
Concerns over journalist summons in Solomons
Updated 12/02/2009 16:51:30
There's concern in Solomon Islands about two journalists beeing summoned to appear before the Leadership Code Commission.
Chinese ambassador defends conference walkout
Updated 12/02/2009 16:58:19
China's ambassador to Tonga says he has received a letter of apology from the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association.
Oscar Temaru again elected President of French Polynesia
Updated 12/02/2009 17:06:40
For the fourth time since 2004 Oscar Temaru has been elected President of French Polynesia.
Australian companies fail to pay Kokoda trekking fees in PNG
Updated 11/02/2009 16:44:04
More than half the Australian tour companies operating on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea have failed to pay their trekking fees on time.
Cook Island pearl industry in trouble
Updated 11/02/2009 16:46:18
The Cook Islands' black pearl industry is in trouble once again.
Missing Belgian bushwalker found safe in Solomons
Updated 11/02/2009 16:48:09
A Belgian man who was lost in the jungles of Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands for 10 days has been found alive.
Five die in tribal clash in Papua New Guinea
Updated 11/02/2009 16:54:27
In Papua New Guinea's Eastern Highlands province, five people have been killed just days after leaders called for an end to tribal fighting.
Fiji High court allows ousted PM to travel overseas
Updated 11/02/2009 16:56:34
The High Court in Fiji has altered bail restrictions to allow ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase to leave the country.
Historic treaty deal signed with Maori in New Zealand
Updated 11/02/2009 16:51:08
The New Zealand government has signed a major agreement with eight Maori tribes.The tribes will now be given control over land and resources in both the North and South Islands.
Fiji welcomes China's Vice President
Updated 11/02/2009 17:02:29
Fiji's interim Prime Minister has told China's Vice President his country wants an even closer relationship with Beijing.
Pacific closely watching Victorian fires
Updated 10/02/2009 11:20:35
There's been a strong response in the Pacific to the natural disaster unfolding in Australia.
Guam Governer told to ignore military doubts over build-up
Updated 10/02/2009 11:36:19
Guam has been assured the planned redeployment of US Marines from Japan will go ahead.
PNG Chamber of Commerce says wage rise could cost thousands of jobs
Updated 10/02/2009 16:42:02
The Papua New Guinea Chamber of Commerce and Industry says a planned increase in the minimum wage could cost thousands of jobs.
PNG looking at restorative justice system
Updated 10/02/2009 16:46:42
Papua New Guinea is looking at adopting a formal restorative justice system rather than sending offenders to jail.
PNG man sentenced to 50 years jail for sorcery murder
Updated 10/02/2009 17:04:11
A national court judge in Papua New Guinea has sentenced a 29-year old man to 50 years in jail for a sorcery related killing in Morobe province three years ago.
No confidence motion still in doubt in French Polynesia
Updated 10/02/2009 16:55:59
In French Polynesia, a vote of no confidence in President Tong Sang's government has been withdrawn.
Final death toll & cost unknown in Australian bushfires
Updated 10/02/2009 17:02:07
Fire and government officials in the Australian state of Victoria have begun looking at why they were so unprepared for the tragic bushfires this week.
Forecasters warn the Pacific to expect more bad weather
Updated 09/02/2009 11:41:39
The Pacific has been warned to expect more stormy weather.
Commonwealth & UN joint team arrives in Fiji
Updated 09/02/2009 17:09:08
After some delay members of a joint Commonwealth and United Nations team are in Fiji.
Politics in French Polynesia in turmoil
Updated 09/02/2009 17:12:09
The resignation of Gaston Tong Sang as President of French Polynesia in the lead up to Wednesday's vote of no confidence has thrown the country into a state of confusion.
Rising death toll from flooding in Solomon Islands
Updated 09/02/2009 17:18:00
The final death toll from recent flooding in Solomon Islands could be more than 20.
Fiji wage rise for workers delayed for five months
Updated 09/02/2009 17:18:28
Fiji's interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has postponed a pay rise for workers until July.
World malaria specialists meeting in Australia
Updated 09/02/2009 20:46:43
Malaria specialists from around the world are meeting in Brisbane for the first ever meeting of what is called the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network.
United Nations looks at regional Human Rights issues
Updated 06/02/2009 10:24:14
Representatives from more than a dozen Pacific states have met in Auckland to discuss the United Nation's Universal Periodic Review of human rights.
Fiji Youtube election skit unpopular with interim government
Updated 06/02/2009 17:09:43
Staff at Fiji's electoral office have landed themselves in hot water over a video they made, in which they voice their frustration at the lack of progress the country has made towards democracy.
Search continues for Solomons floods victims.
Updated 06/02/2009 17:09:57
In Solomon Islands' the search continues for survivors of this week's flooding on Guadacanal.
PNG bracing for king tides in coming week
Updated 06/02/2009 17:10:04
Meanwhile Papua New Guinea's Disaster officials have warned of king tides in coastal areas this weekend and right through next week.
Health Authorities concerned about spread of dengue four
Updated 06/02/2009 17:10:10
For the first time in 30 years dengue four has been reported in French Polynesia.
US Airforce Raptor fighter squadron arrives in Guam
Updated 06/02/2009 17:10:38
A squadron of state of the art advanced United States supersonic fighter aircraft has been redeployed to Guam.
Pacific to expect more bad weather.
Updated 06/02/2009 17:09:50
The Pacific has been warned to expect more stormy weather.
Solomons floods death reaches ten and more missing
Updated 05/02/2009 16:17:05
The death toll from the flash-floods on Northeast Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands, has now risen to 10.
Vote of no confidence pending in Niue Government
Updated 05/02/2009 16:17:05
Niue's opposition has issued a notice of intent to table a vote of no confidence in the Talagi government.
Pacific's university cuts courses and staff
Updated 05/02/2009 16:17:14
The Vice Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific says cuts to the number of courses it offers won't affect it's reputation.
Japan cuts longline tuna fleet by 20%
Updated 05/02/2009 16:17:24
Japan is to cut its longline tuna fleet by almost 20 percent.
Lowy Institute says Pacific will be hurt by finacial crisis
Updated 05/02/2009 16:17:32
The Pacific will be hurt more by the international financial crisis than originally thought, according to the Sydney-based Lowy Insititute for International Policy.
Vanuatu Minister defends Fiji's leaders
Updated 04/02/2009 16:47:34
There appears to be a split between Melanesia and Polynesia, on the the next step by the Pacific Islands Forum, in its response to Fiji.
Fiji economist critical of economic management
Updated 04/02/2009 16:49:33
A former member of the Fijian parliament estimates that the 2006 coup has cost the country 900 million dollars compared to the recent flood damage bill of ten million dollars in relief funds.
Solomon Islands Ombudsman faces challenges.
Updated 04/02/2009 16:52:02
The Solomon Islands Ombudsman, Joe Poraiwai says his office has a lot of limitations hindering its role as watchdog on the government.
ExxonMobil PNG LNG project on track to raise $US10 billion
Updated 04/02/2009 16:53:29
The ExxonMobil led, Papua New Guinea liquid natural gas project, is confident of raising the 10 billion US dollars it needs to build a LNG plant in Port Moresby.
Australia funds revamp of PNG Highlands hospital
Updated 04/02/2009 16:50:51
The Australian government has funded a hospital upgrade in PNG's Western Highlands.
Samoan Prime Minister calls for an end to Fiji's army
Updated 03/02/2009 17:59:39
Samoa's prime minister thinks the Fiji miltary should be dissolved.
Australalian Minister speaks of vision for region wide training
Updated 03/02/2009 17:59:39
Australia's Trade minister says he wants to expand the country's termporary Pacific workers' scheme to become a broader, training and workers exchange mechanism.
Solomons Islands death toll could rise
Updated 03/02/2009 17:59:39
The Solomon Islands National Disaster Management office says the death toll from the devastating floods on Northwest Guadalcanal could go up.
Too early for Ramsi police to leave.
Updated 03/02/2009 17:59:39
The head of the Solomon Islands Police force says he does not expect the Regional Assistance Mission Participating Police Force to leave anytime soon.
PNG children have right to education
Updated 02/02/2009 14:43:06
The Papua New Guinea government has called on schools in the country not to turn away children if they don't pay their fees.
Wages rise in PNG
Updated 02/02/2009 17:20:37
Papua New Guinea's National Wages Board has recommended an increase in minimum wages for unskilled workers across the country.
Fiji flood damages bill rises
Updated 02/02/2009 17:20:37
Fiji's National Disaster Office DISMAC estimates it will take at least seventy-six million Fiji dollars to repair flood damage to the northern, western, and central divisions.
PNG villagers kill man accused of sorcery
Updated 02/02/2009 17:20:37
Let's stay in PNG, where another man has been killed in the Eastern Highlands after he was accused of practising sorcery.
Confusion over new wage rates in Fiji
Updated 02/02/2009 17:20:37
There is confusion in Fiji over new wages rates due to come into effect on the first of February and fears that the higher wages will result in big job losses.
Eight dead in Solomons after weekend flooding
Updated 02/02/2009 17:20:37
Heavy rains and flooding over the past few days has caused widepsread damage across Solomon Island's Guadalcanal province and Savo island.
