CoveragePost
February 19, 2026
By Craig McCulloch, RNZ News deputy political editor Winston Peters has been accused of “pure racism” in Parliament by Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who has called out National ministers for failing to combat or challenge it. The Greens say Peters is scapegoating migrants, while ACT’s David Seymour — his own Cabinet colleague — says Peters ... <a title="Labour’s Chris Hipkins accuses Winston Peters of ‘pure racism’ in Parliament" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/19/labours-chris-hipkins-accuses-winston-peters-of-pure-racism-in-parliament/" aria-label="Read more about Labour’s Chris Hipkins accuses Winston Peters of ‘pure racism’ in Parliament">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
November 1, 2025
By Teuila Fuatai, RNZ Pacific senior journalist With just three weeks to go before Tongans head to the polls, the debate over election issues is heating up. Under the spotlight are the role of the palace in the country’s democratic process and calls for voting rights for overseas-based Tongans. The state of the economy and ... <a title="Tonga election: What are the main issues ahead of the upcoming polls?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/11/01/tonga-election-what-are-the-main-issues-ahead-of-the-upcoming-polls/" aria-label="Read more about Tonga election: What are the main issues ahead of the upcoming polls?">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 26, 2025
RNZ Pacific Fire engulfed the Marshall Islands Nitijela (Parliament building) just after midnight on last night with firefighters risking their lives as they battled the blaze early today in a bid to save the complex. “Sometime around midnight or shortly after this morning, the Parliament building in Majuro caught fire, started burning,” RNZ Pacific’s correspondent ... <a title="‘All destroyed’: Fire engulfs Marshall Islands parliament complex" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/08/26/all-destroyed-fire-engulfs-marshall-islands-parliament-complex/" aria-label="Read more about ‘All destroyed’: Fire engulfs Marshall Islands parliament complex">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 20, 2025
Pacific Media Watch The New Zealand Green Party co-leader suspended over criticising government MPs over a “spineless” stance over Gaza has called for action. Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said in an interview with Al Jazeera that public pressure was mounting on governments to end the Israeli genocide in Gaza. The politician continues to push for ... <a title="Suspended Green MP tells Al Jazeera NZ must stand on ‘right side of history’ over Palestine" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/08/20/suspended-green-mp-tells-al-jazeera-nz-must-stand-on-right-side-of-history-over-palestine/" aria-label="Read more about Suspended Green MP tells Al Jazeera NZ must stand on ‘right side of history’ over Palestine">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 16, 2025
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Elizabeth Tako Palin is one of five women contesting the Bougainville North women’s reserved seat next month. It was previously held by Amanda Masono, who has chosen to contest the open Atolls seat, which was once held by her father. The autonomous Papua New Guinea region is holding ... <a title="‘I believe I can’: Elizabeth Palin runs for Bougainville North women’s seat" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/08/16/i-believe-i-can-elizabeth-palin-runs-for-bougainville-north-womens-seat/" aria-label="Read more about ‘I believe I can’: Elizabeth Palin runs for Bougainville North women’s seat">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 5, 2025
By Giff Johnson, Marshall Islands Journal editor/RNZ Pacific correspondent Leaders of the three Pacific nations with diplomatic ties to Taiwan are united in a message to the Pacific Islands Forum that the premier regional body must not allow non-member countries to dictate Forum policies — a reference to the China-Taiwan geopolitical debate. Marshall Islands President ... <a title="Marshall Islands president warns of threat to Pacific Islands Forum unity" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/08/05/marshall-islands-president-warns-of-threat-to-pacific-islands-forum-unity/" aria-label="Read more about Marshall Islands president warns of threat to Pacific Islands Forum unity">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
June 19, 2025
BACKGROUNDER: By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor/presenter;Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific; and Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist New Zealand has paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership agreements with China earlier this year. This move is causing consternation in the realm country, with one local ... <a title="Why New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/06/19/why-new-zealand-has-paused-funding-to-the-cook-islands-over-china-deal/" aria-label="Read more about Why New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
June 3, 2025
RNZ Pacific Samoa’s Parliament has been formally dissolved, and an early election is set to take place within three months. After months of political instability and two motions of no confidence, Prime Minister Fiāme Naomi Mata’afa said she would call for the dissolution of Parliament if cabinet did not support her government’s budget. MPs from ... <a title="Samoa parliament formally dissolved after months of uncertainty" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/06/03/samoa-parliament-formally-dissolved-after-months-of-uncertainty/" aria-label="Read more about Samoa parliament formally dissolved after months of uncertainty">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 29, 2025
By Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific journalist Its official. Samoa’s Parliament will be dissolved next week and the country will have an early return to the polls. The confirmation comes after a dramatic day in Parliament on Tuesday, which saw the government’s budget voted down at its first reading. In a live address today, Prime Minister ... <a title="Samoa parliament to be dissolved in June, election date to come" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/29/samoa-parliament-to-be-dissolved-in-june-election-date-to-come/" aria-label="Read more about Samoa parliament to be dissolved in June, election date to come">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 28, 2025
RNZ Pacific Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa has advised Samoa’s head of state that it is necessary to dissolve Parliament so the country can move to an election. This follows the bill for the budget not getting enough support for a first reading on yesterday, and Fiame announcing she would therefore seek an early election. ... <a title="Samoan PM Fiamē advises dissolution of parliament, calls for snap elections" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/28/samoan-pm-fiame-advises-dissolution-of-parliament-calls-for-snap-elections/" aria-label="Read more about Samoan PM Fiamē advises dissolution of parliament, calls for snap elections">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 11, 2025
By Layla Bailey-McDowell, RNZ Māori news journalist Legal experts and Māori advocates say the fight to protect Te Tiriti is only just beginning — as the controversial Treaty Principles Bill is officially killed in Parliament. The bill — which seeks to redefine the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi — sparked a nationwide hīkoi and ... <a title="‘Delusional’ Treaty Principles Bill scrapped but fight for Te Tiriti just beginning, say lawyers and advocates" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/04/11/delusional-treaty-principles-bill-scrapped-but-fight-for-te-tiriti-just-beginning-say-lawyers-and-advocates/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Delusional’ Treaty Principles Bill scrapped but fight for Te Tiriti just beginning, say lawyers and advocates">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 21, 2025
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist The parties involved in talks aimed at resolving an impasse over Bougainville’s push for independence are planning to meet several more times before a deadline in June. The leaders of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville have been meeting all week in Port Moresby, with former New Zealand Governor-General ... <a title="PNG and Bougainville to hold more talks on independence issue" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/03/21/png-and-bougainville-to-hold-more-talks-on-independence-issue/" aria-label="Read more about PNG and Bougainville to hold more talks on independence issue">Read more</a>
