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 – 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 – Greenpeace New Zealand

Auckland, 17 November 2011 – Greenpeace today released shocking footage and images of whales and a marlin and ray dying at the hands of industrial tuna fishers in the Pacific Ocean (1). Read more »

Press Release – New Zealand National Party

National will fund World War II veterans who wish to travel to 70th anniversary commemorations overseas, says Veterans’ Affairs Spokeswoman Judith Collins. Read more »

Press Release – UNDP Pacific Centre

03 November 2011 Palau tops Human Development Index in the Pacific Nouméa, New Caledonia, November 3 — Despite impressive human development rankings in some of the Pacific Island countries, the region faces a future of rising sea-levels, reduced fresh water … Read more »

Press Release – Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme

By 2013, all primary schools in Fiji will be learning how to save, spend wisely and invest. The ability to manage money is an essential life skill for all students in Fiji regardless of their age. Read more »

Press Release – Statistics New Zealand

On Tuesday, 18 October 2011, in the midst of a national emergency caused by a shortage of fresh water, Tokelau successfully held its five-yearly population census, revealing a provisional census night population of 1,205. Read more »

Press Release – Regional Assistance Mission To Solomon Islands

RAMSI wants to work closely with all levels of Solomon Islands society to make sure confidence is maintained throughout RAMSI’s transition, the Special Coordinator, Nicholas Coppel said today. Read more »

Press Release – Asian Development Bank

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Australia, through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), are assisting the Government of Tonga to improve living conditions in the Tongan capital Nuku’alofa through better service … Read more »

Press Release – University of Canterbury

University of Canterbury researchers are involved in a major collaborative project getting underway this month that aims to introduce renewable solar power systems to all high schools in Tonga. Read more »