Fiji's military leader and Prime Minister, Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama. Photo: Selwyn Manning

Pacific Scoop:
Commentary – By Graham Davis

The folly of Australian policy towards Fiji is at the centre of a damning new landmark report that suggests the United States has lost confidence in Canberra’s ability to influence events in the Pacific and counter rising Chinese influence in the region.

It calls for the immediate and unconditional lifting of regional sanctions against Fiji and for Australia to “repair its relationship at the highest level” by re-engaging with the Bainimarama regime through the Pacific Islands Forum.

“It is well past the time to treat this festering regional wound,” it declares. Read more »

Press Release – West Papua Media Alerts

Announcement From The President Of The Republic Federal State Of West Papua Jayapura-West Papua, 28 November 2011, “God Restores Papua For World Peace” Read more »

Article – BusinessDesk

Sanford full-year profit falls 11% as kiwi’s strength erodes returns in second half Read more »

Press Release – Asian Development Bank

Better project implementation will support inclusive, sustainable growth, delegates at a workshop organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) heard today. Read more »

Press Release – French Embassy in New Zealand

French contemporary dancer and choreographer, Régine Chopinot, will be in Wellington from 4 to 25 December (biography attached). She is in the capital to participate in a workshop taking place from 7 to 14 December at Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island … Read more »

Press Release – Stars Foundation

The STARS Foundation has selected three outstanding organisations working with children for this year’s 2011 Asia-Pacific STARS Impact Awards. The annual award scheme – now in its 5th year – carries $100,000 of unrestrictive funding and consultancy … Read more »

Press Release – International Aids Society

Melbourne, Australia has been chosen to host the XX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014), the largest international conference on HIV and AIDS, where every two years up to 25,000 participants, representing all stakeholders in the global response … Read more »

Article – Scoop Link

At the forefront of climate change impacts, the vulnerable islands of the Pacific remain a critical influence at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) that opened today in Durban, South Africa. Some 20,000 delegates from around the world are attending … Read more »

Press Release – Arts Foundation of New Zealand

Arts Foundation of New Zealand Media Release Arts Awards Light up the Night $360,000 received by artists at New Zealand’s first national Arts Awards Ten prestigious awards totalling $360,000 were presented tonight to New Zealand artists at the inaugural … Read more »

Press Release – Pacific Islands Forum

Pacific island countries have been urged to make use of the opportunity of the 4th High Level Forum (HLF4) on Aid Effectiveness being held in the Republic of Korea’s second largest city Busan to make strong representation on the steady yet positive … Read more »