Independent Analysis and Reportage
Asia Pacific Report
RNZ Pacific The head of the United Nations body mandated to develop regulations for seabed mining in international waters says Pacific countries are playing a big role in shaping the regulations that will govern the future industry. International Seabed Authority (ISA) Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho was in Fiji last week conducting training for Pacific Island nations
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Indonesian filmmaker says the crackdown by authorities on his West Papua documentary in some parts of the country is a threat to democracy. The Pesta Babi (Pig Feast) documentary looks at the social and environmental impacts of land seizures for big agri-business ventures in Papua — and
COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone The empire’s war on activism and journalism continues to escalate as the Trump administration targets leftwing streamer Hasan Piker and antiwar activist Medea Benjamin for the “crime” of bringing humanitarian aid to Cuba. This is yet another act of aggression in the same onslaught that has seen inconvenient truth-telling and expressions
The failure of Australia and Western governments to hold Israel to account has enabled the abuse of Gaza flotilla detainees, including New Zealanders, argues Jerusalem Peace Prize recipient Stuart Rees in Michael West Media. ANALYSIS: By Professor Stuart Rees If bullies notice that no one intervenes to stop their behaviour, they may interpret such non-intervention
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape was on an official visit to France last week, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and held a number of important meetings to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Topping
COMMENTARY: By Jeremy Rose In 2015, the John Key government announced a cooperation agreement that would see NZ Aid pay for Cuban doctors to be taught English in New Zealand before their deployment to the Pacific Islands as part of the communist island’s Medical Brigades. Cuba, a country of just 11 million people that has
By Giff Johnson, Marshall Islands Journal editor/RNZ Pacific correspondent Securing essential healthcare services for US military veterans from three North Pacific nations remains a persistent challenge. Despite the US Congress specifically authorising in-country services by the US Veterans Administration for veterans of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and Palau, the Trump
Asia Pacific Report An emotional and inspiring welcome greeted two of Aotearoa New Zealand’s three Gaza Sumud Flotilla humanitarian activists who arrived home today after their ordeal at the hands of the brutal Israeli military and prison forces last week. About 60 whānau, supporters and well-wishers greeted Hāhona Ormsby and Mousa Taher with a waiata
COMMENTARY: By Andy Worthington It’s a sign of Israel’s swaggering sense of impunity, and of the grotesque depravity at the heart of their notions of supremacy, that their soldiers and those in charge of them thought that they could get away with inflicting severe physical abuse on the 430 members of the Global Sumud Flotilla,
RNZ Pacific Nauru’s government has issued a directive to all public servants and employees of state-owned enterprises in-country and abroad to adhere to the “One China” policy. The Cabinet directive comes as the Micronesian island nation marks its 58th constitution Day this week. In January 2024, Nauru became the first nation to switch diplomatic recognition ... <a title="Nauru orders public servants, govt bodies to follow ‘One China’ policy" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/21/nauru-orders-public-servants-govt-bodies-to-follow-one-china-policy/" aria-label="Read more about Nauru orders public servants, govt bodies to follow ‘One China’ policy">Read more</a>
By Niva Chittock, RNZ WorldWatch presenter/producer New Zealand has joined international condemnation of Israel’s far-right national security minister, even summoning the Israeli ambassador to convey that message. A video posted by Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing him taunting detained flotilla activists, drew international condemnation on Thursday. The video showed kneeling activists, with their ... <a title="Peters condemns Israeli minister over flotilla video as 3 Kiwis detained" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/21/peters-condemns-israeli-minister-over-flotilla-video-as-3-kiwis-detained/" aria-label="Read more about Peters condemns Israeli minister over flotilla video as 3 Kiwis detained">Read more</a>
Asia Pacific Report Irish President Catherine Connolly’s sister is among the Gaza-bound Global Sumud flotilla activists detained by Israeli forces, reports Middle East Monitor. Dr Margaret Connolly was among at least six Irish citizens aboard the aid flotilla detained by Israel, the Irish Independent reported, citing activists. At least two New Zealanders — Hāhona Ormsby ... <a title="Irish president’s sister, 2 Kiwis among Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/21/irish-presidents-sister-2-kiwis-among-gaza-flotilla-activists-detained-by-israel/" aria-label="Read more about Irish president’s sister, 2 Kiwis among Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel">Read more</a>