Fiji floods earlier this month ... target of air assistance by French military in New Caledonia. Photo: Rotary Fiji

Pacific Scoop:
Analysis – By Graham Davis

The presence of a French military aircraft over western Fiji surveying the damage from the recent widespread flooding has again highlighted the close ties between France and the government of the Fijian dictator, Voreqe Bainimarama.

In stark contrast with Australia and New Zealand – which have shunned Fiji since Bainimarama’s coup in 2006 -  France has continued to engage with the regime and provide it with vital assistance.

The Fijian military especially values France’s willingness to give it an aerial reconnaissance and search and rescue capability it simply cannot afford. Read more »

The revamped Pacific Journalism Review website spotlights New Zealand and Pacific media research.

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By PMC news desk

Pacific Journalism Review today launched a new website archiving regional media research dating back almost two decades.

It is a digitally enhanced site taking over from the earlier site established by AUT University five years ago.

It was launched by the university’s dean of the Faculty of Design and Creative Industries, Desna Jury, who said: “I have become strongly aware of how important the Pacific Media Centre and its publications are in recent times. This is a real asset for the region.”
Read more »

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By PMC news desk

The United Nations regional human rights chief has hailed 2011 as a “significant year” for Pacific achievements with all outstanding national reviews being completed.

” It has been an excellent stocktaking exercise for the region and will now act as an important baseline from which to evaluate future progress over the next four years,” said Matilda Bogner, Regional Representative of OHCHR’s Pacific Office in  Suva.

Saturday 10 December marked International Human Rights Day. Read more »

Member for Maungakiekie Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga with Prime Minister John Key. Photo: Flickr

Pacific Scoop:
Report – by Alex Perrottet of Pacific Media Watch

Re-elected National member for Maungakiekie Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga plans to get down to business on meeting people’s needs when it comes to state housing, and is staying quiet on his prospects of being offered a ministerial position.

The Samoan-born Cambridge graduate said housing and child health were major issues for improvement in Auckland, including his own electorate of Maungakiekie.

“We’re pouring $12 million into rheumatic fever, and immunisation rates are going up,” he said. Read more »

Amnesty International's Margaret Taylor gives an impassioned speech in front of the Town Hall. Photo: Alex Perrottet / PMC

Pacific Scoop:
Report – by Alex Perrottet of Pacific Media Watch

The Morning Star flag, banned in West Papua, was raised in Aotea Square in Auckland today to mark the 50th anniversary of the declaration of West Papuan independence.

Maire Leadbeater of the Indonesia Human Rights Committee said there was “extremely high tension” in West Papua as Indonesian forces prepared to clamp down on celebrations today.

“I’m very worried, particularly after recent episodes when police have opened fire on peaceful protesters,” she said. Read more »

Labour candidate for Waitakere Carmel Sepuloni is waiting and hoping on special votes. Photo: WCommons

Pacific Scoop:
Report – by Alex Perrottet of Pacific Media Watch

Labour MP Carmel Sepuloni says she is waiting for the “final call” and is holding out hope she can still be re-elected, despite trailing incumbent National minister Paula Bennett by 349 votes.

A circumspect Sepuloni says she is not putting all her hopes on the seat but thinks she is “definitely in with a chance”.

“If I am in, I’m in, and if not, it simply means I’m meant to do something else for the next three years,” she says. Read more »

National electoral member for Maungakiekie Peseta Sam Lotu-liga with Prime Minister John Key on the campaign. Photo: Flickr

Pacific Scoop:
Report – by Alex Perrottet of Pacific Media Watch

As National meet with Māori Party politicians who are almost certain to be offered ministerial portfolios, both Pacific and Māori politicians are surveying the successes and the damage from the weekend’s election.

Labour candidate Chris Faafoi was returned to Parliament, after winning last year’s byelection, despite the Labour party vote slipping in his Mana electorate.

And Mana Party leader Hone Harawira also enjoyed local loyalty to keep his electoral seat, his second win this year after his resignation from Parliament and the Māori Party triggered a byelection in June. Read more »

Tagata Pasifika’s programme last night on election candidates.

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Pacific Media Watch

Tagata Pasifika has aired a round-up of Pasifika election candidates as New Zealand prepares for its general election tomorrow.

As well as a summary of the choices at the referendum on the electoral system, the TVNZ segment profiled a range of candidates from almost all parties.

Marama Papau profiled Charles Chauvel for Labour in Ohariu, while Tagaloatele Osone Okesene was in Waitakere with Tongan candidate Carmel Sepuloni. Read more »

NZ Prime Minister John Key drinks kava in a visit to Samoa ... big question mark over Pacific voters. Photo: MFAT

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Aigaletaule’ale’a F. Tauafiafi of the Samoa Observer

New Zealanders head to the polls on Saturday and – if polls are to be believed – To’osavili John Key’s conservative National Party will remain in power.

That being the case, the Labour Party will again be in opposition and this most probably signals the demise of Lilomaiava Phil Goff as its leader.

But Labour and others like the Mana Party are confident that if the Maori and Pacific communities turn out in numbers, the polls will be proven wrong and Labour will win. Read more »

John Minto condemns the lack of action for Pacific people in Manukau East for the Mana Party. Photo: 3News

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Alex Perrottet of Pacific Media Watch

Mana Party candidate for Manukau East John Minto has accused New Zealand of blatantly discriminating against many Pacific people who have made an “immense contribution” to the country.

He spelled out his party’s main issues with Pacific foreign policy in the election campaign.

“The most obvious discrimination is with Tongans and Samoans,” he said. “Cook Islanders and Niueans are effectively citizens of New Zealand.” Read more »