CoveragePost
March 21, 2026
By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands’ (CNMI) economic struggles are not just a local issue, but a matter of strategic importance to American operations in the Indo-Pacific, say senior US military leaders. In a letter, dated 25 February 2026, Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of ... <a title="Northern Mariana Islands’ security and stability vital for US, say military leaders" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/21/northern-mariana-islands-security-and-stability-vital-for-us-say-military-leaders/" aria-label="Read more about Northern Mariana Islands’ security and stability vital for US, say military leaders">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 12, 2026
By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Leaders in the Northern Marianas have warned that a deepening economic crisis in the US territory could begin to undermine civilian systems that support America’s long-term strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific. In joint letters sent to US President Donald Trump and Admiral Samuel Paparo, ... <a title="CNMI leaders warn economic slide could affect US strategic presence in Pacific" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/12/cnmi-leaders-warn-economic-slide-could-affect-us-strategic-presence-in-pacific/" aria-label="Read more about CNMI leaders warn economic slide could affect US strategic presence in Pacific">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
November 4, 2024
By Eleisha Foon, RNZ Pacific senior journalist As the US election unfolds, American territories such as the Northern Marianas, American Samoa, and Guam, along with the broader Pacific region, will be watching the developments. As the question hangs in the balance of whether the White House remains blue with Kamala Harris or turns red under ... <a title="How the US election may affect Pacific Island nations" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/11/04/how-the-us-election-may-affect-pacific-island-nations/" aria-label="Read more about How the US election may affect Pacific Island nations">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 27, 2023
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist The New Zealand government has given its full blessing to Cook Islands and Niue establishing diplomatic relations with the United States. At the US-Pacific summit on Monday (Washington time), President Joe Biden said he recognised the two island nations as sovereign and independent states, an announcement which the US ... <a title="NZ govt ‘welcomes’ US diplomatic relations with Cook Islands, Niue" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/27/nz-govt-welcomes-us-diplomatic-relations-with-cook-islands-niue/" aria-label="Read more about NZ govt ‘welcomes’ US diplomatic relations with Cook Islands, Niue">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 20, 2023
By Kalinga Seneviratne in Suva The United States government’s overseas development aid arm US Agency for International Development (USAID) opened two new offices in Papua New Guinea and Fiji last week, pledging to assist Pacific island countries in addressing the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The last USAID office in the region was closed over 25 ... <a title="USAID launches ‘reinvigorated’ Pacific mission to help sustainability goals" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/20/usaid-launches-reinvigorated-pacific-mission-to-help-sustainability-goals/" aria-label="Read more about USAID launches ‘reinvigorated’ Pacific mission to help sustainability goals">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 19, 2023
By Lawrence Fong and Gorethy Kenneth in Port Moresby United States President Joe Biden yesterday apologised to Prime Minister James Marape and the people of Papua New Guinea for abandoning his planned trip to Port Moresby, and instead is sending Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Details of Blinken’s travel to PNG are still being finalised ... <a title="Biden apologises to PNG, Blinken being sent for Pacific dialogue" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/05/19/biden-apologises-to-png-blinken-being-sent-for-pacific-dialogue/" aria-label="Read more about Biden apologises to PNG, Blinken being sent for Pacific dialogue">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
July 14, 2022
RNZ Pacific United States Vice-President Kamala Harris has assured Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in the Fiji capital Suva that Washington will “significantly deepen” its engagement in the region. Harris joined the regional leaders today to announce half a dozen new commitments to signal America’s renewed commitment to the region. The commitments included the establishment ... <a title="US tells Pacific leaders it will ‘deepen commitment’ to the region" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/07/14/us-tells-pacific-leaders-it-will-deepen-commitment-to-the-region/" aria-label="Read more about US tells Pacific leaders it will ‘deepen commitment’ to the region">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 7, 2022
COMMENTARY: By Michael Field in Auckland China’s activities in the South Pacific are causing growing alarm in Washington, forcing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to make an urgent visit to Fiji. But, sources say, he cannot do it due to the continued absence of Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, and like many people, Blinken ... <a title="US worried about losing out in South Pacific to Chinese influence" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/02/07/us-worried-about-losing-out-in-south-pacific-to-chinese-influence/" aria-label="Read more about US worried about losing out in South Pacific to Chinese influence">Read more</a>
