Independent Analysis and Reportage
Asia Pacific Report A national pro-Palestine solidarity movement has condemned a spate of “radicalised” tyre slashing vandalism and other violent attacks by Israeli supporters. The most recent pro-Israel vandalism is in Christchurch and Wellington alongside a violent attack on a supporter in Auckland, the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) says in a statement. In Christchurch,
ANALYSIS: By Antonia Bhagwan in Suva The Pacific may have moved beyond the worst of the covid-19 pandemic, but its economic consequences continue to weigh on governments across the region. Once again, countries are facing rising debt levels. In its 2026 Pacific Economic Update, the World Bank linked the current financial landscape to slower economic
By Johnny Blades of RNZ Pacific A leading West Papua pro-independence group has questioned Indonesia’s assertion that a proposed visit by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua is “on track”. The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) is urging Indonesia to put its words into action on the proposed visit with
COMMENTARY: By Maher Nazzal of the Palestine Forum of New Zealand There is a deeply painful connection between Aotearoa New Zealand and the Gaza War Cemetery that deserves to be remembered. Long before the current destruction of Gaza, New Zealand soldiers fought and died in the Palestine campaign of the First World War. Some never
By Lomanai Kenny in Port Moresby Misinformation on social media is the biggest challenge for journalists, says Belinda Kora, secretary of the Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) and founder of Women in Media (WIM). She gave her address at the closing ceremony of an Election Integrity Workshop for media last week. The week-long
Democracy Now! AMY GOODMAN: A federal judge has ruled the Trump administration has violated the constitutional rights of international students in seeking to deport them for their pro-Palestinian activism and criticism of Israel. In her ruling, US District Judge Noël Wise wrote, “In the United States, free speech, including the freedom to criticise the government
ANALYSIS: By Ali Mirin The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Koror, Palau, last week has pushed West Papua back to the centre of Pacific diplomacy. At an Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) caucus held on the margins of the Forum, leaders reaffirmed their longstanding call for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner
RNZ Pacific The motion of no confidence filed against the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands has been withdrawn. The motion against Prime Minister Matthew Wale, who has only been in the top job for more than three months, was set for debate in Parliament today. Manasseh Maelanga, who lodged the motion against Wale a week
Asia Pacific Report Pro-Palestine activists made strong pleas for stronger boycotts of Israeli products and from illegal Israeli settlements on indigenous lands today and again demanded that the New Zealand government sanction Tel Aviv over its Gaza genocide. In the 152nd week of continuous protests, the activists themed the global BDS – boycott-divestment-sanctions — campaign
By Patrick Decloitre of RNZ Pacific French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced more financial assistance for New Caledonia to assist the financially-embattled French Pacific territory. The announcement follows a three-hour meeting with a bipartisan delegation led by New Caledonia’s President Milakulo Tukumuli this week. Lecornu said this was to serve as a lifebuoy to
By Johnny Blades of RNZ Pacific Indonesia’s government has indicated that a visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua is on track. This comes as Melanesian Sperarhead Group (MSG) countries agreed to push Jakarta to facilitate the visit, after years of apparent inaction. A request for the visit was made
By Lillian Hanly of RNZ Leaders in the Pacific have registered their concern over a nuclear-capable missile test conducted by China in July, calling on all states to provide advance warning ahead of any testing. Nauru – one of the 18 Pacific Island Forum (PIF) members – noted its dissent from the statement. Partners to