CoveragePost
January 21, 2026
RNZ Pacific France’s High Commission in French Polynesia has reported the seizure of 4.87 tonnes of cocaine in its maritime zone. The armed forces in French Polynesia (FAPF), the national gendarmerie and the local branch of the anti-narcotics office (OFAST) were involved in the intercept. A statement from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have congratulated ... <a title="4.87 tonnes of cocaine seized in French Polynesian waters – bound for Australia" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/21/4-87-tonnes-of-cocaine-seized-in-french-polynesian-waters-bound-for-australia/" aria-label="Read more about 4.87 tonnes of cocaine seized in French Polynesian waters – bound for Australia">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 19, 2026
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Talks on New Caledonia’s political future have been underway in Paris after French President Emmanuel Macron launched a fresh roundtable on Friday, despite the absence of one of the French territory’s largest pro-independence group, the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS). During a first meeting ... <a title="Pro-France MPs confront Macron over New Caledonia at future talks" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/19/pro-france-mps-confront-macron-over-new-caledonia-at-future-talks/" aria-label="Read more about Pro-France MPs confront Macron over New Caledonia at future talks">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 17, 2026
By Kaya Selby, RNZ Pacific journalist From heavy visa bonds to suspended applications to straight-up travel bans, the United States has implemented or announced sweeping restrictions on Pacific travel in just the first two weeks of 2026. Confirmed on Thursday, Fiji is among a list of 75 countries for which the US will suspend the ... <a title="Bonds, blockings and bans – a massive new-year US shakeup for Pacific travel" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/17/bonds-blockings-and-bans-a-massive-new-year-us-shakeup-for-pacific-travel/" aria-label="Read more about Bonds, blockings and bans – a massive new-year US shakeup for Pacific travel">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 16, 2026
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia’s pro-independence Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) has put in a late request to join talks on the territory’s future remotely. The meeting, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, is calling all politicians from the French Pacific territory back to the negotiating table. ... <a title="FLNKS sends in late request to join Paris talks on New Caledonia remotely" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/16/flnks-sends-in-late-request-to-join-paris-talks-on-new-caledonia-remotely/" aria-label="Read more about FLNKS sends in late request to join Paris talks on New Caledonia remotely">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 15, 2026
By Adam Burns, RNZ News reporter There has been mixed reaction in parts of New Zealand’s red-and-black country — Canterbury — following the shock axing of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. New Zealand Rugby (NZR) confirmed today the 51-year-old known as “Razor” had departed the position two years early following a recent end-of-season review. A ... <a title="Mixed reactions to shock axing of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/15/mixed-reactions-to-shock-axing-of-all-blacks-coach-scott-robertson/" aria-label="Read more about Mixed reactions to shock axing of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 15, 2026
By Kaya Selby, RNZ Pacific journalist Just over a week after the United States announced its withdrawal from the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) — China has stepped in to fill the funding gap. President Donald Trump included the scientific organisation among a list of others that US government officials were ordered to withdraw from. ... <a title="China matches US contribution to Pacific environmental body a week after Trump pulls out" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/15/china-matches-us-contribution-to-pacific-environmental-body-a-week-after-trump-pulls-out/" aria-label="Read more about China matches US contribution to Pacific environmental body a week after Trump pulls out">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 14, 2026
The Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), one of the main components in New Caledonia’s pro-independence Kanak movement, has confirmed it will not take part in a new round of talks in Paris this week called by French President Emmanuel Macron. In mid-December 2025, Macron invited New Caledonia’s politicians back to the negotiating table ... <a title="FLNKS boycotts Macron-convened Paris talks over future this week" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/14/flnks-boycotts-macron-convened-paris-talks-over-future-this-week/" aria-label="Read more about FLNKS boycotts Macron-convened Paris talks over future this week">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
January 12, 2026
RNZ Pacific A proposal by Sāmoa’s Prime Minister to ban all non-Christian religions from the country is being met with mixed reactions. The Samoa Observer reported church ministers and members of the public voicing views both for and against the proposal. Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt said he raised the issue with Samoa’s Council of ... <a title="Mixed reactions over Samoan PM’s proposal to ban non-Christian religions" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/12/mixed-reactions-over-samoan-pms-proposal-to-ban-non-christian-religions/" aria-label="Read more about Mixed reactions over Samoan PM’s proposal to ban non-Christian religions">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 11, 2026
RNZ Pacific Sāmoa is set to become the third Pacific nation to have an embassy in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt told a gathering of the Sāmoa branch of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem on Tuesday he had instructed the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to begin work on the opening of an office ... <a title="Sāmoa set to become third Pacific nation to open Jerusalem embassy" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/11/samoa-set-to-become-third-pacific-nation-to-open-jerusalem-embassy/" aria-label="Read more about Sāmoa set to become third Pacific nation to open Jerusalem embassy">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 11, 2026
By Pretoria Gordon, RNZ News journalist A former head of the United Nations Development Programme is concerned that US President Donald Trump may set a precedent for other countries. The President has signed a memorandum ordering the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations. These include the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the ... <a title="Clark condemns US withdrawal as ‘assault on international system of cooperation’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/11/clark-condemns-us-withdrawal-as-assault-on-international-system-of-cooperation/" aria-label="Read more about Clark condemns US withdrawal as ‘assault on international system of cooperation’">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 10, 2026
By Pokere Paewai, RNZ Māori issues reporter As 2025 ticked over into 2026, New Zealand’s popular Parakai Springs near Helensville officially became Kaipātiki Hot Springs, the traditional indigenous name for the area which reflects the whakapapa of tangata whenua Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara. The change comes as Te Poari o Kaipātiki ki Kaipara assumes management ... <a title="Popular Auckland hot springs gets name change to Kaipātiki" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/10/popular-auckland-hot-springs-gets-name-change-to-kaipatiki/" aria-label="Read more about Popular Auckland hot springs gets name change to Kaipātiki">Read more</a>
