Results for Pacific Islands

Pacific Islands Forum members gathered in Suva, Fiji, this week for a Deep-Sea Minerals Technical Meeting, which began on 18 February. The discussions aimed to enhance understanding of deep-sea minerals (DSM) issues, promote greater regional cooperation, and respect differing views and sovereignty.

Tonga hosted the Australia-Tonga High Level Consultations on 11 February, bringing senior officials from both Governments together to discuss past, ongoing and future cooperation. This year’s talks in Nuku'alofa involved over a dozen ministries across both countries.

Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt, the head judge of the 2025 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant was stopped at the Honiara Airport, in the Solomon Islands, amid controversy over the Miss Pacific Islands final result on the crowning night.

Eight contestants for the Miss Pacific Islands 2025 crown, completed the first judging category, a pre-pageant interview on 6 February, in Solomon Islands. The crowning will be held on Saturday 8 February, in Honiara.

Film maker and art journalist, Timothy Stone is looking for evidence left by 19th century pirates who visited Tonga in 1829. Stone is currently in Tonga on a quest to find out what happened to a small jolly boat that was left on Niuatoputapu or Tafahi and last photographed in 1970. He is also looking for locals who may be able to help identify the origins of two objects, a straw hat and a carved pipe.

The importance of parental involvement with Pacific children with hearing loss is revealed in a review by University of Auckland academics. In Aotearoa, Māori and Pacific children and youth are over-represented in severity and prevalence of impaired hearing. New Zealand-born Tongan Palavi, is in the final year of her doctoral studies at the School of Population Health. She says improving services and empowering parents will make a positive difference for children suffering from hearing loss. 

Multiple Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) flights to Vanuatu this week have delivered emergency responders and tonnes of search and rescue equipment and aid, while 93 New Zealanders and approved foreign nationals have been evacuated. Another evacuation flight is being planned for Saturday, as part of New Zealand’s support to Vanuatu following Tuesday’s 7.3-magnitude earthquake.

The New Zealand Defence Force is providing assistance to Vanuatu following yesterday’s 7.3 magnitude earthquake and is establishing an air bridge taking emergency workers, equipment and supplies to Port Vila.

A damaging 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Vanuatu, in the Western Pacific, this afternoon with a 5.5 magnitude aftershock. Reports and images of damaged buildings in Port Vila are emerging, while warnings of possible tsunami waves were issued for the nearby coastal areas.