Independent Analysis and Reportage
By Johnny Blades of RNZ Pacific Extreme weather patterns continue to hit the Pacific region with some of the highest parts of New Guinea experiencing snow this week. Reports from West Papua say parts of the highlands region have been blanketed by snow and ice in recent days. This includes parts of Lanny Jaya regency
By Tiana Haxton of RNZ Pacific A 26-day deep sea expedition in the Cook Islands by a United States scientific agency has uncovered new information about marine life and seabed minerals within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ship Okeanos Explorer returned to Rarotonga this week after carrying
By Brad Reed of Common Dreams US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has drawn an outraged reaction from critics after he unveiled sanctions against Tomoko Akane, president of the International Criminal Court. In announcing the sanctions, Rubio described the ICC as “a corrupt and fatally politicised” institution that has allegedly “abused its authority and exceeded
RNZ Pacific The governor of Papua New Guinea’s Western Highlands Province says his province is unprepared to deal with the severe impacts of the El Niño weather event being experienced across the country. During an El Niño event, warmer ocean waters affect rainfall and wind patterns, often bringing drier-than-usual conditions and a higher risk of
RNZ Pacific reporters Access remains the biggest challenge for humanitarian workers in the Pacific Islands region, but humanitarians are not targeted as they are in other parts of the world, according to World Vision. To mark World Humanitarian Day, World Vision, an international Christian humanitarian and development organisation, is highlighting the unprecedented risks faced by
By Rosalia Tui in Suva Fiji’s Ministry of Education is set to introduce a Chinese language pilot programme in 12 schools in the Central Division, as the Pacific country strengthens educational cooperation with China. The programme will involve six primary and six secondary schools and will introduce students to the Chinese language and culture while
COMMENTARY: By Jeremy Rose A few months back, the story of the Victoria University of Wellington economist Dr Eleanor Vance and her 1978 paper “The Market Autocrat: Anticipating the Neoliberal Siege on Welfare States” was shared numerous times on my Facebook feed. Soon after, the heartwarming story of former prime minister Jacinda Ardern donating hundreds
RNZ Pacific reporters The Fiji Police Force has yet to charge any suspects four months after the alleged murder of the reportedly infamous Jone Vakarisi while he was in military custody. Vakarisi, 37, who was widely known for being on the wrong side of the law and reportedly linked to criminal networks, died on April
By Rashneel Kumar, editor of the Cook Islands News Cook Islands’ Democratic Party leader Tina Pupuke-Browne has pledged an “honest campaign review” after preliminary results showed the party losing all its seats. Pupuke-Browne said the party will learn from its dismal 2026 general election performance, but added that it is “premature” to declare their final
ANALYSIS: By Robin Andersen In a Double Down News (DDN) video report, British filmmaker Richard Sanders begins a summary of a “horrific new [United Nations] report” with a listing of three atrocities committed by Israeli forces against Palestinian children. Sanders tells of an infant who was shot in the head while breastfeeding in his mother’s arms, a 16-year-old
By Andrew Naidu in Suva Fiji’s High Court has granted an application seeking the release of seven electronic devices seized by police from British-Fiji journalist and sports marketing official Charlie Charters. The application was heard before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu after preliminary issues were raised concerning the proper parties to the proceedings and the transfer of
By Teitimoana Tairi of the Cook Islands News The Cook Islands Party (CIP) could secure a supermajority for its fifth consecutive term in government after three independent female candidates who won seats in Mangaia agreed to join the party. CIP leads following the preliminary count of the 2026 general election with 12 seats, leaving them