Results for Pacific Islands

For farmer Nafetalai Makaui from Houma, improvements to Tonga’s watermelon export pathway have translated into practical changes on the ground. Working with Nishi Trading under a PHAMA Plus-supported fertigation pilot, he increased production on a one-acre plot from 8 tonnes to 21 tonnes, enough to fill a 20-foot shipping container. “The watermelons are sweeter now because we’re keeping the soil consistently moist,” Makaui said. “Before, we relied on rain, and it just wasn’t consistent enough.”

Doctoral candidate Dougie ‘Atiola’s journey into biomedical research at the University of Auckland began as a patient in a hospital ward in Tonga.

To address emerging regional challenges like oil supply issues and matters regarding peace, Pacific Islands Forum Troika leaders met in Fiji this week, discussing challenges and reinforcing the importance of unity, strong leadership, and collective action for navigating the Pacific's future, in an increasingly uncertain global landscape.

Ministers and senior officials from Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) will gather in Port Vila from April 13–15 for the third Pacific Ministerial Dialogue on the Global Just Transition—an increasingly pivotal meeting set to shape a unified regional stance ahead of the world’s first international conference focused on phasing out fossil fuels. Cabinet Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku will represent Tonga at the meeting.

Conflict in the Middle East risks pushing Pacific Island Countries into an energy crisis, with around 80% of their energy reliant on mostly imported oil products. A new analysis on the impact of the conflict on oil prices and Pacific Island economies, released today, estimates that Tonga's annual refined fuel import bill could rise by USD 55 million (9% of GDP). Fiji's annual refined fuel import bill could rise by USD 670 million, a 115% increase from 2025 levels, while Vanuatu's refined petroleum import costs could surge by USD 120 million (11% of GDP).

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon will visit Tonga next week, 17-18 March, in a Pacific Mission that will include a cross-party delegation of approximately 80 members.

Cervical cancer, a largely preventable disease, remains a leading cause of cancer death among Pacific women. In parts of the Pacific, incidence rates are up to nine times higher than in Australasia. Now, a programme made possible through a NZ$5.1 million grant from the Matariki Fund will support locally led initiatives to prevent cervical cancer of women across the Pacific

Australian photographer Jono Allen has been named the World Nature Photographer of the Year after capturing a rare and breathtaking image of a white humpback whale calf, known as Mãhina, with her mother, in the waters of Vava’u, Tonga.

The United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will visit Hawaii, Tonga and two other Pacific Islands countries, Fiji, and Samoa for high-level meetings from February 22 to March 2, 2026.