CoveragePost
February 22, 2023
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Regional leaders will meet this week at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Special Leaders Retreat in Fiji. “We have come through a period of some fracture,” incoming PIF Chair Mark Brown, who is prime minister of Cook islands, said. “Re-establishing those ties, re-establishing relationships, that’s going to be an ... <a title="‘Our future looks secure’, says Puna on Pacific Islands Forum unity" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/22/our-future-looks-secure-says-puna-on-pacific-islands-forum-unity/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Our future looks secure’, says Puna on Pacific Islands Forum unity">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2023
Almost 30,000 homes have no power and major supply chains have been disrupted in Aotearoa New Zealand — and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is also warning that more fatalities from Cyclone Gabrielle remain possible. Hipkins said it was now seven days after the cyclone had passed through and the true extent of the devastation and ... <a title="Cyclone Gabrielle: Lives ‘turned upside down . . . destroyed’, says PM" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/20/cyclone-gabrielle-lives-turned-upside-down-destroyed-says-pm/" aria-label="Read more about Cyclone Gabrielle: Lives ‘turned upside down . . . destroyed’, says PM">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2023
By Shayal Devi in Suva FijiFirst leader Voreqe Bainimarama remains as Leader of the Opposition despite his suspension from Parliament on Friday for breach of privilege, according to Fiji constitutional lawyer Richard Naidu. Naidu told the Sunday Times he believed that Bainimarama was entitled to retain the salary and other rights that go with the ... <a title="Bainimarama ‘keeps his job’ as opposition leader, says Naidu" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/20/bainimarama-keeps-his-job-as-opposition-leader-says-naidu/" aria-label="Read more about Bainimarama ‘keeps his job’ as opposition leader, says Naidu">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2023
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s opposition leader Voreqe Bainimarama has been suspended for three years as an MP for breaching parliamentary privilege. It comes after the ex-prime minister said the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, had failed to protect the constitution and the rule of law in his opening statement for the 2023 parliamentary session on Monday. The ... <a title="Former Fiji PM Bainimarama suspended over breaching parliamentary privilege" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/18/former-fiji-pm-bainimarama-suspended-over-breaching-parliamentary-privilege/" aria-label="Read more about Former Fiji PM Bainimarama suspended over breaching parliamentary privilege">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2023
By Geraldine Panapasa in Suva The University of the South Pacific is expected to receive the first instalment of the promised $10 million part payment of owed grants soon. Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said this was a show of the coalition government’s commitment to restoring Fiji’s outstanding grant contributions since 2019. It is understood ... <a title="‘We were orphaned since you left,’ Rabuka says in apology to USP’s Pal" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/18/we-were-orphaned-since-you-left-rabuka-says-in-apology-to-usps-pal/" aria-label="Read more about ‘We were orphaned since you left,’ Rabuka says in apology to USP’s Pal">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 13, 2023
By Geraldine Panapasa in Suva While steps are being taken behind the scenes by Fiji’s coalition government to review the country’s existing media legislation, civil society organisation Dialogue Fiji says coming up with a law that protects media freedom and safeguards against reporting that can have negative implications is difficult. Speaking at the launch of ... <a title="Turaga applauds Dialogue Fiji media law report, reaffirms review plan" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/13/turaga-applauds-dialogue-fiji-media-law-report-reaffirms-review-plan/" aria-label="Read more about Turaga applauds Dialogue Fiji media law report, reaffirms review plan">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 12, 2023
By Arieta Vakasukawaqa in Suva The Grace Road Church made 31 acquisitions of land during the reign of the FijiFirst government and it has several other land acquisition applications still pending. Lands Minister Filimoni Vosarogo revealed this yesterday when responding to queries about a meeting on Friday where he briefed Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka about ... <a title="Fiji to probe Korean Grace Road cult land deals – 31 purchases" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/12/fiji-to-probe-korean-grace-road-cult-land-deals-31-purchases/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji to probe Korean Grace Road cult land deals – 31 purchases">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 11, 2023
By Geraldine Panapasa of Wansolwara in Suva The University of the South Pacific’s vice-chancellor and president, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, was given a rousing welcome at Nadi International Airport today returning to Fiji from exile. He returned two years after he and wife Sandra Price were detained and deported by the former FijiFirst government for allegedly ... <a title="‘I’m just a catalyst for the bigger change’, says exiled USP vice-chancellor back in Fiji" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/11/im-just-a-catalyst-for-the-bigger-change-says-exiled-usp-vice-chancellor-back-in-fiji/" aria-label="Read more about ‘I’m just a catalyst for the bigger change’, says exiled USP vice-chancellor back in Fiji">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 9, 2023
By Lice Movono in Suva Veteran Fijian journalist Netani Rika and his wife were resting in their living room when he was suddenly woken, startled by the sound of smashed glass. “I got up, I slipped on the wet surface,” he recalls. He turned on the lights and a bottle and wick were spread across ... <a title="‘No Fiji TV broadcast tonight due to censorship’ – Rika recalls Fiji media intimidation" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/09/no-fiji-tv-broadcast-tonight-due-to-censorship-rika-recalls-fiji-media-intimidation/" aria-label="Read more about ‘No Fiji TV broadcast tonight due to censorship’ – Rika recalls Fiji media intimidation">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 7, 2023
By Ian Chute in Suva Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) board chairman Ajay Bhai Amrit says he has receipts to prove former FBC chief executive officer Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum received an annual package of $387,790 including benefits and entitlements. He said this worked out to $32,315 a month and that the board had evidence in the form ... <a title="Former FBC head’s pay package – ‘We have proof’, says Amrit" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/07/former-fbc-heads-pay-package-we-have-proof-says-amrit/" aria-label="Read more about Former FBC head’s pay package – ‘We have proof’, says Amrit">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 6, 2023
By Kālino Lātū, editor of Kaniva News Dr Sitiveni Halapua, former deputy leader of Tonga’s Democratic Movement, has died aged 74. Born on February 13, 1949, he was a respected academic, a pioneer of Tonga’s democratic reforms and pioneer of a conflict resolution system based on traditional practices. Halapua earned a doctorate in economics from ... <a title="Tongan politician, democracy reformer and scholar Dr Sitiveni Halapua dies" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/06/tongan-politician-democracy-reformer-and-scholar-dr-sitiveni-halapua-dies/" aria-label="Read more about Tongan politician, democracy reformer and scholar Dr Sitiveni Halapua dies">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 6, 2023
COMMENTARY: By Richard Naidu in Suva Five weeks on from Christmas Eve, I think most of us are still a bit stunned at what has happened in Fiji. A new government came to power in dramatic circumstances. It took not one but two Sodelpa management board meetings to change it, with razor-thin margins. The same ... <a title="Richard Naidu: It’s your freedom – so speak up and step up" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/06/richard-naidu-its-your-freedom-so-speak-up-and-step-up/" aria-label="Read more about Richard Naidu: It’s your freedom – so speak up and step up">Read more</a>