Pacific Beat

Academics raise concerns a United States-led initiative bringing together various nations to support "prosperity, resilience, and security" in the Pacific undermines regional decision making and institutions. Also, Pacific climate change activists call for Australia to support Vanuatu's bid to have the International Court of Justice issue an opinion on climate change.

Six new infections of measles have been detected in Labasa, Rewa and Nasinu in Fiji. Falling rates of childhood immunisations are being blamed for the outbreak, which has emerged among adults and children. Also, son of PNG Prime Minister James Marape spends two nights locked up in a police cell on the eve of the country's election.

Medical authorities in Fiji are on high alert after a number of new measles cases emerged with falling rates of routine childhood immunizations linked to COVID-19 restrictions being blamed for the virus' re-emergence

The Indonesian government claims the three new provinces will lead to better economic development but but many Indigenous people are against the idea with moves to challenge the legislation in court.

Indigenous West Papuans say the creation of three new provinces could further marginalise their community through increased migration, militarisation and bureaucracy.

In Timor-Leste, the editor-in-chief of the online news site Oekusipost.com, Raimundos Oki, is facing possible jail time, after he was accused of "violating legal secrets."

Six months on from the violent eruption of Tonga's Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, plans are underway to relocate residents from one of the worst impacted islands.

It's been three COVID-riddled years since Fiji, Samoa and Tonga competed for the Pacific Nations Cup. In the interim World Rugby have changed their rules to allow players of Pacific origin to represent their countries of heritage, even if they have previously played for another country, opening the door for big names, including Israel Folau and Charles Piutau.

A slew of big names will headline the Pacific Nations Cup tournament in Suva, with players of Pacific origin now allowed to play for their countries of heritage. Among the new faces is former All-Black Charles Piutau, who joins the program to talk about his journey to the competition. Also on the show, New Zealand Warriors prop Bunty Afoa speaks ahead of the NRL club's emotional homecoming.

The CEO of Lakapi Samoa says there are more players ready to pledge their allegiance to the Manu for future games under new eligibility rules, but right now he's just glad to have the national team back on the park again at the Pacific Nations Cup. Meanwhile he's urging Rugby Australia not to back out of Super Rugby Pacific.

The dream to play in the AFL is edging closer for Hewago Oea - better known as Ace. The young Papua New Guinean has been turning heads playing for Gold Coast Suns at second tier level this season, after first grabbing the headlines for his country when they won the International Cup four years ago.

The New Zealand Warriors have been marooned in Australia for well over two years because of COVID , and haven't played an NRL match in front of their own fans in South Auckland for more than a thousand days. But the squad is back on home soil at last, and a packed house is expected at Mount Smart when they take on Wests Tigers.

The chance for talented Pacific rugby players to head overseas is all too tempting, not least for the financial rewards. Right now the Rugby Agents are looking for candidates to join clubs in the US, Spain and Romania. But what protections are in place for players from the islands who opt to jump out of their cultural comfort zone?

One of Australia's biggest Agricultural employers of Pacific Island workers reports growing pains within the revamped Labour Mobility Scheme.

Estimates suggest a million people might be denied their right to vote in the Papua New Guinea election because their names are not on the electoral roll. There are fears it might lead to violence, with many expected to be turned away at voting booths. Also, a Papuan-Australian woman is denied entry into a nightclub due to traditional face markings.

Marks of pride inherited from her Papuan ancestors adorn Moale's face. But they're also the reason she was turned away from a popular Australian club.

Australia's message to Pacific Island nations is that it is here to listen. In an address at the Pacific Update, Minister for the Pacific Pat Conroy outlines a broad approach for a stable and resilient region. Also, 140 women gear up to run as candidates in the PNG election this weekend.

With the launch of the Partners in the Blue Pacific Initiative, the United States and its allies say they'll be aiming to 'bolster Pacific regionalism' and 'expand opportunities for cooperation between the Pacific and the world'. But the details of the initiative have slightly puzzled some Pacific observers, who say there seems to be significant overlap with existing diplomatic architecture.

It's orange season in Samoa so the Vitamin-C packed fruit is filling the kitchens of people around the country. Chef Dora Rossi is putting her energy into orange and mascarpone cake and orange marmalade.

Papua New Guinea is one of the few countries in the world that does not have women in their Parliament. But there's a real shift to try to change that at the upcoming election this weekend, with more than 140 women putting up their hands as candidates. Is the message getting through to female voters?

Until recently there had been no long-term investigation of wage growth in Papua New Guinea. However, new research using superannuation data from PNG's formal employment sector has allowed for the tracking of real movement in wages between 1999 and 2018.

In just over 10 years since its discovery in Papua New Guinea, the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle has destroyed large areas of coconut and oil palm plantations. But now a new eradication program has been fast-tracked in PNG, supported by the Pacific Community and the New Zealand government.

The US Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Constitutional right to abortion has put a global focus on safe abortions. Those working in sexual and reproductive healthcare are highlighting the importance in providing access to safe abortion and contraception, especially in places where abortion is illegal, restricted or heavily stigmatised — such as Papua New Guinea.

The ABC has been told that China is pushing for a virtual meeting between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Pacific counterparts at the Pacific Island Forum on 14 July. The timing is deeply contentious, because Pacific Presidents and Prime Ministers are due to hold their final retreat at the end of the PIF meeting in Suva on the same day.

In Papua New Guinea, abortion is illegal and can be highly stigmatised. We hear about the work being done in the country to provide safe healthcare for women. Also, the UN Oceans Conference has started in Lisbon with concerns the poor ocean state is due to overfishing and pollution

Vanuatu's tourism industry is counting down the days until it can welcome back visitors, once borders fully reopen in July. The country closed its borders at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, allowing only a small number of residents back in during the interim.

The Pacific islands have their own distinct blend of local, traditional music. In Vanuatu, the government is now aiming to better support the homegrown artists that make this music, by releasing the country's first ever music policy. It's hoped the policy will both protect musicians and strengthen the industry.

Pacific nations are doing better than many others when it comes to political and civil rights, according to a new report that tracks the human rights performance of countries. But the report, from the Human Rights Measurement Initiative, has also highlighted some human rights failures in the region — including a lack of equality for many indigenous peoples, and the continued impacts of COVID-19 and climate change.

Tuvalu is one of the few countries in the world that has not had any COVID-19 transmission. Since 2020 it has only recorded three cases at its borders. But health experts say that it's only a matter of time before Tuvalu faces an outbreak.

It's been reported that children in Fiji are scavenging for scrap metal at landfills to help their families make ends meet. With rising cost of living pressures, more and more families across the country are turning to desperate measures as they struggle to put food on the table.

As the cost of living rises in Fiji, more families are turning to desperate measures to make ends meet. Meanwhile abortion access is tipped to get harder in US Pacific territories after the Supreme Court overturns Roe vs Wade.

Tune in each morning and afternoon to keep-up-to-date on the happenings in the Pacific.An awkward calendar clash with the State of Origin on Sunday will see some players absent from their national sides when six of the Pacific's top nations square off on Saturday, and a cloud hangs over the citizenship status of some of PNG's top basketballers

A cloud hangs over the citizenship status some of PNG's top basketballers, as the side gears up for the Melanesian Games in October.

When you look at sport, from rugby to boxing, you'll more than likely see Maori and Pasifika athletes everywhere.

Tomorrow night Samoa will face off against Cook Islands in the rugby league Pacific Test — and it might be the wake up call Samoa needs to get back into the swing of international rugby league.

Tonga's Queen has bestowed a royal new name on the country's national netball team.

After a week of non-stop action in Northern Marianas, the Pacific Mini Games wrap up tomorrow with the last of medals being handed out before the closing ceremony.

An awkward calendar clash with the State of Origin on Sunday will see some players absent from their national sides when six of the Pacific's top nations square off this weekend.

Lawyers fear for Vanuatu's rule of law as the government tries and fails to introduce limits to Chief Justice terms and change how ombudsmen are appointed, and Papua New Guinea's election campaigns are being marred by extreme violence and bloodshed.

United States officials described the signing of a security pact between China and Solomon Islands as "very troubling" in internal emails, a freedom of information (FOI) request has revealed.

Sir Peter Barter kick-started PNG's tourism industry and is a beloved former politician. The country, and the town he called home, are in mourning over the news of his death this week.

An Australian-born Papua New Guinean politician is under scrutiny after he made derogatory comments about women at a recent rally in Port Moresby.  

Plans to amend the constitution have been put aside for the moment, but the event has raised concerns over the rule of law in Vanuatu.

Strange spirals of blue light in the New Zealand skies have left some star gazers dazzled and confused, while others blamed aliens for the mystery.

PNG's capital ceases COVID operations, ending vaccination and testing

A committee has been created to shortlist possible options and then it will go to a public vote.

As the PNG election campaign begins health officials are worried about a lack of testing capacity because of payment issues.

Politics is far from boring in Papua New Guinea, where the country's national election campaign is "like a festival in itself".

A new US initiative is part of a host of developments in the Pacific, as the White House scrambles to offset Beijing's thrust into the Pacific. But some are questioning a "reactive" approach by the West.

As French President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance loses majority in parliament, French Polynesian candidates who support secession from France have made strong gains. And Pacific experiences are at the forefront of a global meeting to discuss prohibiting nuclear weapons.

For the first time, all three of French Polynesia's parliamentary seats in France will be going to pro-independence politicians from the Tavini Huiraatira Party.