Pacific Islands News Roundup – September 26 – October 2, 2025

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Cook Islands dance connects cultures at Te Maeva Nui NZ 2025

The world’s largest Cook Islands festival kicks off in Tāmaki Makaurau this Friday, celebrating culture and heritage for everyone, Kūki or not. Modeled on the original festival in Rarotonga, Te Maeva Nui NZ (TMNNZ) engages communities from across...

USP School of Law delivers winning verdict at the annual Inter-Tertiary Moot finals

USP’s School of Law team: (L-R) Soane Kualepeli Tupola, Fololeni Loloma, and Ope’anga Hoto Ngu Paunga. Photo: The University of the South Pacific. Ann-Tauilo Motuga | Reporter/Videographer Three Tongan students representing the University of the...

Earth Is Getting Darker, Literally, and Scientists Are Trying To Find Out Why

🌘 Subscribe to 404 Media to get The Abstract, our newsletter about the most exciting and mind-boggling science news and studies of the week. It’s not the vibes; Earth is literally getting darker. Scientists have discovered that our planet has been...

Pacific makes powerful impact at World Expo

The Pacific region is making a strong impression at this year's World Expo in Japan. Countries represented include Papua New Guinea, Sāmoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, the Solomon...

Tonight's rugby news as Wales dealt autumn blow and Welsh club suffer injury crisis

Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza sing the anthem. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd) Here are your rugby evening headlines for Thursday, October 2. Tshiunza set to miss autumn campaign Exeter Chiefs forward Christ Tshiunza is set to miss...

Auckland businessman calls for King’s intervention in Lord Fulivai’s unpaid court-ordered debt

Auckland businessman Chris Brett has called on the King of Tonga to intervene in a long-standing legal dispute involving Lord Fulivai and his wife Helen Fulivai, after the couple failed to repay more than NZ$253,000 (TOP$407,777) as ordered by the...

Duchess of Sussex's 'departure from convention' with maternity gown

The Duchess of Sussex's signature style has long been quiet luxury, minimalist chic, but in 2019, she made an epic statement with a red carpet look while pregnant with Prince Archie. Meghan Markle joined her husband, Prince Harry, at the Endeavour...

Rugby and Rivalry: Use Sports Diplomacy to Counter China in the South Pacific

Notes to the New CNO Series By Jason Lancaster Despite U.S. and allied development aid contributions dwarfing PRC contributions in the South Pacific, the PRC has made significant regional gains in influence. PRC competition means the region can no...

Solo Sikoa to introduce his real-life brother as 5th member of MFT on WWE SmackDown? Exploring the possibility

Solo Sikoa is the leader of the MFT faction, which includes himself, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, and JC Mateo, and is currently part of WWE SmackDown. Since losing the United States Championship, Solo has not competed in the ring again. Many fans are...

PNG and Vanuatu deals show Australia’s growing contest with China

Events around this year’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) have shown how Australia and China are competing to win influence over the region, as the risk of war grows. Solomon Islands, the host of this year’s PIF, received more than $18 million in...

Tonga co-hosts Global Summit on Living Systems

Tonga co-hosted the Summit on the Future of Living Systems during UNGA 80 in New York. Tonga has strengthen its climate diplomacy credentials by co-hosting the Summit on the Future of Living Systems, held on 24 September alongside the 80th session...

Rugby stars give back to Tonga

Youth In Union Founders Lachlan and Eddie. Photo: Supplied. Australian Rugby stars, Taniela Tupou (Wallabies) and Lachlan McCaffrey (Waratahs coach), will conduct a ‘Youth in Union’ tour in Tonga nest week, from 7-14 October. The tour aims to...

Australia-PNG defence pact gets green light in Pacific battle win

The PukPuk treaty, named after the local word for crocodile, includes a mutual defence pact that commits either nation to helping the other in the event of an armed attack. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expected to have the deal, initiated by...

UN must adapt to Blue Pacific, not the other way around...

Pacific leaders took the 2050 Strategy to the UN, calling for climate justice, fair finance, and security defined by peace and solidarity. By Renate Rivers Pacific Island leaders addressed the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) 80th session...

Herriman’s own Doug Fiefia will change the national AI landscape as co-chair of new task force

When Herriman resident Doug Fiefia decided to run for Utah’s House of Representatives in late 2023, he never imagined that fewer than two years later, he’d end up co-chairing the National Task Force on State AI Policy, a nationwide committee on...

Who’s in and who’s out? Kangaroos set to name seven debutants for Ashes

Broncos prop Payne Haas will represent Samoa at the Pacific Championships after informing Walters of his desire to represent the country of his mother’s heritage. Walters, however, has been boosted by the inclusion of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui after he...

GP of the Year’s tireless fight for health equity crossing the ocean

Medtech General Practitioner of the Year and Tongan Health Society medical director and chief executive Glenn Doherty has plans for a satellite clinic in Tonga [Image: Jinki Cambronero and David St George] From growing up in Ōtara to returning to...

World Rugby agrees to player welfare guidelines limiting number of games

New guidelines limit players to 30 full games in a season or six consecutive game weeks. Photo: Fiji Rugby Union International rugby players will now be limited to playing 30 full games per season and must have at least five weeks of off-season,...

Police training to tackle Pacific transnational crime

Tonga Police has begun a three-day course today to improve national and regional ability to confront transnational organised crime. Opened by Police Commissioner Geoff Turner at Tonga National University’s Faculty of Business and Public...