Results for Pacific Islands

The Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa called for Pacific unity against external pressures and economic challenges, at the opening of the Special Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) today, 26 March, at the Fa'onelua Convention Center in Nuku'alofa. He noted that intensifying geopolitical contest in the blue Pacific “brings promise and peril.”

The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Economic Ministers and officials are meeting in Nuku'alofa today, for a Special Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM). Among other things, they will discuss the establishment of the Pacific Resilience Facility, the first Pacific-led, member-owned and managed and people-centred climate and disaster resilience financing facility, which will be headquartered in Tonga.

Tourism plays a crucial role in Tonga's economy, contributing over TOP18 million to the GDP in 2022 and is projected to increase to TOP88 million by 2033. However, the industry has encountered significant challenges, initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently because of the volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022. The nation is committed to rejuvenating its tourism sector, as outlined in the new Tonga Tourism Roadmap for 2025-2030, reports the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU).

A US$107 million grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) will support 14 Pacific Island countries including Tonga, in safeguarding their tuna industries against climate change impacts.

New Zealand is hosting the world’s largest climate adaptation event this October, and aims to accelerate international climate adaptation with particular emphasis on issues for the Pacific and Indigenous people. The eighth international Adaptation Futures Conference (AF2025) in Ōtautahi Christchurch will be hosted by the University of Canterbury.

The Solomon Islands government has launched an investigation into activities of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) judges, following fraud allegations made during the crowning of the Miss Pacific Islands in Honiara on Saturday, 8 February. "Despite the withdrawal of the Stop notice, the investigations are continuing. Formal charges will be made upon determination of the facts presented through the investigations," the Solomon Islands government stated today.

Treasured bowling balls belonging to the world champion bowler, Milika Nathan, have gone missing and the New Zealand school teacher of Tongan descent, says they are pretty important to her high-level performance.

Miss Tonga, Racheal Guttenbeil, placed first runner-up in the Miss Pacific Islands pageant, on Saturday at Friendship Hall, in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Racheal won the “People’s Choice Award”, with over 130K online votes and the "Best Traditional Attire category". This year the new Miss Pacific Islands is Miss Samoa, Litara Ieremia-Allan.

Miss Tonga, Racheal Guttenbeil, is one of eight beauty queens vying for the Pacific crown at the 2025 Miss Pacific Pageant, being held in Honiara, Solomon Islands from 1-8 February.