The narrative of the Forum at the apex of Pacific regionalism is becoming more commonly used, particularly with increased geopolitical competition and the flurry of partner engagement with Pacific states. While it is important to reinforce the power of the region as one political bloc, it comes off as self-serving. Pacific islanders generally do not think in these terms. Our communal values are much stronger. Rather, it is Pacific people who are at the apex of Pacific regionalism. It is the Pacific people as a collective who remind us why we are pursuing regionalism in the first place. By Sione Tekiteki.
You are here
Results for Pacific Islands
Wednesday 16 October 2024
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new World Bank report "Tonga Poverty and Equity Assessment" was launched today, in Nuku’alofa. The report found that poverty in Tonga has declined between 2015 and 2021, and people's livelihoods improved. Remittances played a significant role in alleviating and reducing poverty but that "relying on, solely, remittances is a risky approach,".
Premium content
Tuesday 15 October 2024
Premium content
Suva, Fiji
Growth across the Pacific has fallen to 3.6 percent in 2024, down from 5.8 percent in 2023 as the post-pandemic rebound fades, the World Bank reported today, at the launch of its latest ‘Pacific Economic Update’, calling for a major boost in investment to address the region's slowing economic growth.
Premium content
Tuesday 15 October 2024
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Blue Pacific Youth Initiative Week was launched by the US Peace Corps with a welcome Kava Ceremony for Blue Pacific Youth Champions at Niu Lodge in Popua, today, 15 October 2024.
Premium content
Tuesday 15 October 2024
1 comment
Premium content
Niuafo'ou, Tonga
The community living on the remote island of Niuafo'ou, in Tonga's far north, can now access a 24-hour power supply, through a new solar mini-grid that was commissioned by Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala on Friday, 11 October, under the Tonga Renewable Energy Project (TREP).
Premium content
Tuesday 15 October 2024
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A reported case of alleged human trafficking was discovered by Tonga's Technical Working Group (TWG) for Trafficking in Persons (TIP) last Monday, 7 October. The suspected trafficker was arrested and held in Police custody.
Premium content
Monday 14 October 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is expecting one to two cyclones with a moderate to high chance (>50%) of at least one severe tropical cyclone occurring, reports Tonga Met today, in its updated outlook for the 2024-2025 Tropical Cyclone Season. Based on the current modelling, the occurrence of tropical cyclones in Tonga is more likely to be from January to March with most events occurring in February.
Monday 14 October 2024
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
One person died and four others sustained serious injuries in a car crash on Tuku’aho Road, at Pelehake, Tongatapu, on Saturday 12 October.
Premium content
Friday 11 October 2024
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The University of the South Pacific celebrated the achievements of 145 graduates of its Tonga Campus today, 11 October, at Falemasiva Hall, in Havelu, Tongatapu.
Premium content
Friday 11 October 2024
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Soldiers from the Australian Army and His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF) are participating in a Pōvai Training Program at Taliai Military Camp in Fua’amotu, Tongatapu, this week.
Premium content
Friday 11 October 2024
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
On World Mental Health Day yesterday, Tonga launched a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) program. Ministry of Health CEO, Dr. Reynold 'Ofanoa, said this program is the beginning of a crucial journey to improve mental health and psychosocial support services in Tonga.
Premium content
Wednesday 9 October 2024
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
African leaf-mining beetles (Paradibolia coerulea) have been brought into Tonga to control the growing invasive weed called the African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata). The tree is invading indigenous forests and arable land causing reductions in natural biodiversity and agricultural productivity.
Premium content
Wednesday 9 October 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The benefits and challenges of the temporary labour mobility programs to Australia and New Zealand was the topic of the Speaker’s second public debate held at Parliament House in Nuku’alofa on Friday, 4 October. While Tonga welcomes the income and social benefits brought by having over 5,000 workers overseas sending money home, the exodus of its prime workforce has led to a critical shortage of labour on farms, in businesses and in government in Tonga, while at home family breakups have increased.
Tuesday 8 October 2024
Premium content
Wellington, New Zealand
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) divers were on the water at first light today to assess the wreckage of the ship, which ran on to a reef south of Upolu, Samoa, on Saturday night and sunk on Sunday morning. HMNZS Manawanui is in water about 30m deep and a light oil sheen from its initial capsize is being dispersed by wind and waves, Maritime Component Commander Commodore Shane Arndell said in a NZDF statement this afternoon.
Premium content
Tuesday 8 October 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new mammogram machine was commissioned today, 8 October, at Vaiola Hospital, which will detect early signs of breast cancer for women. “Identifying cancer early means that we can treat and cure cancer,” said Medical Superintendent, Dr. 'Ana 'Akau'ola
Tuesday 8 October 2024
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga National Rugby League Men's and Women's Squads for the 2024 Pacific Championship Tournament were announced this morning in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
Premium content
Tuesday 8 October 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Ko e taha e tuʻutuʻuni ngāue tefito ʻa e Pangikē Pule΄ ko e fakapapauʻi ‘oku malu ma’u pē tu’unga fakapa’anga ‘a e ngaahi pangikē ‘i Tonga΄ ‘i he taimi kotoa ‘o kau ki heni hono fakapapau’i ‘oku ‘i he tu’unga lelei ma’u pē ‘a e sino’i pa’anga tefitoˊ (capital) pea fe’unga mo e pa'anga ngāue (liquidity) 'i he kotoa ‘o e ngaahi pangikē ‘e fā kuo laiseni ‘e he Pangikē Pule΄. ‘I hono fakakātoaˊ, na’e ‘i he tu’unga fe’unga pē ‘a e pa'anga ngāue 'o e ngaahi pangikē ʻi he taʻu ʻe hongofulu kuo maliu atuˊ ‘o au mai ki he ‘aho ni.
Tuesday 8 October 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The principal statutory role of the Reserve Bank is to ensure and maintain at all times the financial stability of the overall banking sector in Tonga. This calls for strong capitalisation and ample liquidity in all of the four banks under its licensing regime. Overall, there has been sufficient and ample liquidity in the banking sector in the past decade, to date. “The Reserve Bank reaffirms to the public its commitment to upholding its statutory mandate of maintaining the stability of the financial and banking system of the Kingdom,” stated Governor Moeaki.
Monday 7 October 2024
Premium content
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto'a Ulukalala represented Tonga with the Chief of the Defence Staff, Brigadier Lord Fielakepa at the South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting (SPDMM) that was held from 1-3 October, in Auckland, New Zealand.
Premium content
Monday 7 October 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake was felt throughout 'Eua, Ha'apai, Vava'u, and Tongatapu this morning at 10:50 am, at a depth of 10 km, Tonga Geological Services reported.
