Results for Pacific Islands

Weather watchers are following Tropical Cyclone Yasa [995hpa], moving slowly toward Fiji today, bringing thunderstorms and showers to the area. The Cat.1 storm is expected to strengthen over the next few days.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD$45 million grant to help rehabilitate and upgrade the international port at Queen Salote Wharf in Nuku’alofa, ADB announced on December 4.

Two crew members of the cargo ship MV Island Chief that arrived in Fiji on 2 December 2020 have tested positive for COVID-19 and are in isolation at the Navua Hospital. Fiji officials who boarded the vessel and their close contacts are also in quarantine, Fiji's Dr James Fong said today. The vessel's last port of call was Nuku'alofa in Tonga on 30 November,

Up to 2,000 experienced seasonal workers from the Pacific will be allowed into New Zealand in 2021 to address labour shortages in the horticulture and wine growing sectors. But countries wanting to send workers must agree to take back not only their new workers coming under the border exception but also other RSE employees already in NZ when the 2020/2021 season ends.

New York Times reporting: Nanaia Mahuta entered New Zealand’s Parliament as the youngest Maori woman to ever gain a seat. More than two decades later, she has become the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, another trailblazing first. Labour’s newly elected majority is made up mostly of women...it is, by far, the most diverse Parliament the country has ever seen, reflecting New Zealand’s demographics and its place within the broader Pacific islands.

The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Agreement will come into force on 13 December after the Cook Islands became the eighth signatory state to ratify it to be able to come into effect.

HE Mr Tetsuya Ishii has completed his term in Tonga, after almost three-years as Japan’s Ambassador. A farewell reception was held at his 'Anana residence last night, October 8, where Mrs Ishii played Tongan songs on a flute.

Solomon Airlines has today released details of the repatriation flight to Vanuatu, Tonga and Australia on Saturday September 5. It will also be the first repatriation flight from Tonga to Australia via the Brisbane Gateway and an opportunity for foreign nationals in Tonga to return to their home countries.

Seven countries including Tonga have ratified the PACER-Plus agreement which will come into effect 60 days after the eighth country ratifies it.