CoveragePost
April 23, 2026
By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Jone Vakarisi was heard screaming and begging before he was “brutalised to death” in Fiji military custody last week, according to his sister. Melehola Tagaga told RNZ Pacific Waves that the well-known drug pusher was asked if he was planning a coup, before the military arrested him at ... <a title="‘His life mattered’: Family of man who died in Fiji military custody says he begged for his life" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/23/his-life-mattered-family-of-man-who-died-in-fiji-military-custody-says-he-begged-for-his-life/" aria-label="Read more about ‘His life mattered’: Family of man who died in Fiji military custody says he begged for his life">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 21, 2026
By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist The Fiji Police Force has launched a murder investigation following the death of wellknown drug pusher Jone Vakarisi, who died in military custody on Thursday. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro told RNZ Pacific that “investigators are gathering intelligence to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the victim’s death”. “The ... <a title="Fiji police confirm murder probe launched into death of man in military custody" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/21/fiji-police-confirm-murder-probe-launched-into-death-of-man-in-military-custody/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji police confirm murder probe launched into death of man in military custody">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 20, 2026
By Anish Chand in Suva Fiji’s Ambassador to Israel, Jesoni Vitusagavulu, has defended his country’s voting record at the United Nations, saying it is guided by principle, not pressure. In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, Vitusagavulu said Fiji carefully assessed each resolution on its merits rather than aligning with majority positions. “Fiji votes at ... <a title="Fiji defends its isolated UN stance supporting Israel" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/fiji-defends-its-isolated-un-stance-supporting-israel/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji defends its isolated UN stance supporting Israel">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 20, 2026
RNZ Pacific The Fiji military has found itself at the centre of a national firestorm following the death of a wellknown drug peddler, Jone Vakarisi, in army custody last Thursday. Conflicting reports have emerged over the weekend regarding the death of Vakarisi, who was reportedly linked to major criminal networks. News of his death broke ... <a title="Fiji military faces questions after death of Jone Vakarisi in custody" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/fiji-military-faces-questions-after-death-of-jone-vakarisi-in-custody/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji military faces questions after death of Jone Vakarisi in custody">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 18, 2026
The Pacific Islands Forum troika Leaders have agreed to activate the Biketawa Declaration, placing the region on a co-ordinated high alert framework to respond to the unfolding global energy security crisis. The declaration was made by the leaders of the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Palau following discussions in Nadi, Fiji, on Friday in light of ... <a title="Pacific Forum responds to current global fuel and energy challenges" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/18/pacific-forum-responds-to-current-global-fuel-and-energy-challenges/" aria-label="Read more about Pacific Forum responds to current global fuel and energy challenges">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 17, 2026
RNZ Pacific The Fiji Police Force has confirmed that a man who was taken in for questioning by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in Suva has died in custody. Fijian media are reporting that the man was a wellknown “drug lord” known to local authorities. The man was among a group allegedly linked to ... <a title="Man linked to gang activity dies after Fiji military detention, local media report" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/17/man-linked-to-gang-activity-dies-after-fiji-military-detention-local-media-report/" aria-label="Read more about Man linked to gang activity dies after Fiji military detention, local media report">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 16, 2026
MetService meteorologist John Law told RNZ Checkpoint the first impacts of the system could be felt on Saturday morning with large swells for north-eastern areas. “This is a multi-hazard area of low pressure that runs down. You can imagine that these strong winds rushing over the seas help to drive large swells across the open ... <a title="Cyclone Vaianu: First impacts could be felt Saturday amid severe NZ warnings" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/16/cyclone-vaianu-first-impacts-could-be-felt-saturday-amid-severe-nz-warnings/" aria-label="Read more about Cyclone Vaianu: First impacts could be felt Saturday amid severe NZ warnings">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 15, 2026
RNZ Pacific The Fiji military has warned that individuals responsible for “any attempt to destabilise national security” and those who aid “individuals engaged in criminal activity” have been “put on notice”. It comes after the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) confirmed just last Friday that “unknown individuals” had made “unsuccessful” attempts to access its ... <a title="Fiji military puts public ‘on notice’ citing national security threats" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/15/fiji-military-puts-public-on-notice-citing-national-security-threats/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji military puts public ‘on notice’ citing national security threats">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 10, 2026
MetService meteorologist John Law told RNZ Checkpoint the first impacts of the system could be felt on Saturday morning with large swells for north-eastern areas. “This is a multi-hazard area of low pressure that runs down. You can imagine that these strong winds rushing over the seas help to drive large swells across the open ... <a title="Cyclone Vaianu: First impacts could be felt Saturday amid NZ warnings" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/10/cyclone-vaianu-first-impacts-could-be-felt-saturday-amid-nz-warnings/" aria-label="Read more about Cyclone Vaianu: First impacts could be felt Saturday amid NZ warnings">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Fiji’s Health Minister Dr Ratu Antonio Lalabalavu has defended the government’s handling of the country’s HIV crisis. HIV is surging in Fiji with at least 9000 people — or nearly one percent of the population — reported to be now infected. There are concerns that the real figure ... <a title="‘We’re doing something about it’ – Fiji’s health minister defends HIV response" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/were-doing-something-about-it-fijis-health-minister-defends-hiv-response/" aria-label="Read more about ‘We’re doing something about it’ – Fiji’s health minister defends HIV response">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 30, 2026
By Cheerieann Wilson in Suva Public trust in Fiji’s mainstream media has significantly declined, a journalism academic has told the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, citing decades of political upheaval, censorship and institutional pressure. At its third expert hearing in Suva, the commission heard from University of the South Pacific’s associate professor of journalism Shailendra Singh, ... <a title="USP academic calls for better press freedom protections in face of Fiji’s declining media trust" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/30/usp-academic-calls-for-better-press-freedom-protections-in-face-of-fijis-declining-media-trust/" aria-label="Read more about USP academic calls for better press freedom protections in face of Fiji’s declining media trust">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 30, 2026
RNZ Pacific Former Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau died on Thursday, aged 84. Ratu Epeli, a chief and former Fiji military commander, served as president from 2009 to 2015. He also served as Speaker of Parliament from 2019 to 2022. Local media reported Ratu Epeli died at the Suva Private Hospital after being admitted earlier ... <a title="Fiji’s former President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau dies at 84" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/30/fijis-former-president-ratu-epeli-nailatikau-dies-at-84/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji’s former President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau dies at 84">Read more</a>
