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...

Video sparks debate about the role of the tou'a in Tonga

Suva (PacNews) —The role of the tou'a has become a topic of hot debate on Tongan social media spaces after a clip from a podcast caused quite a reaction from several Tongan netizens, most of whom were men. Back in August a podcaster and...

Olakau’atu and Paseka ruled out from Pacific Championships

Tonga will be without leaders Haumole Olakau’atu and Taniela Paseka for the 2025 Pacific Championships. Olakau’atu will miss the rest of the year after re-dislocating his right shoulder in Round 21, prompting surgical intervention and ruling him...

NZ and Pacific nations failing to tackle human trafficking - US report

The 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report defines human trafficking broadly as sex trafficking and forced labour. Photo: Unsplash / RNZ composite New Zealand and eight Pacific Island nations are failing to stop human trafficking, a new United States...

How Vet Konect is shaping future of Animal care in Africa

Across Africa, more than 600 million people depend on livestock for food and income. Yet in many villages, animal health professionals are scarce, unaffordable, or absent altogether — leaving farmers to fend for themselves. The direct consequences...

‘A bitter pill to swallow’: Pacific families hardest hit as Tokoroa plywood plant set to close

Pacific and Māori families in Tokoroa are facing a harsh blow as Carter Holt Harvey announces it will shut down its plywood plant, axing 199 jobs. On Tuesday afternoon, workers were told the plant is expected to close in November. Only a small...

Rock star or horror show? Reece Walsh could be either and decide grand final on his own

But with the extra responsibility, Reece has thrived and taken his team to another level. He’s willed Brisbane to wins, never more so than against the Raiders in one of the greatest finals games you’ll ever see, bringing them back from 16 points...

Tonga biometric passport part of border enhancement project funded by Japan

Tonga is getting grant assistance of about 882 million yen (about US$6 million) from the Japanese government for the putting in place of a biometric passport system. A signing ceremony for the exchange of notes on the project took place recently...

Pacific nations' UN Palestine vote 'goes against common sense' - expert

While most of the world is calling for a two-state solution, Pacific nations are going against the tide on the Israel-Palestine issue, and one international politics expert believes their position risks undermining the principal of...

Major change to Rugby World Cup as new format and draw date confirmed

The 2027 World Cup will look different to previous tournaments(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) The Men's Rugby World Cup will kick off exactly two years from today, with Perth's Optus Stadium set to stage the opening match of the...

Pacific to IMO: Fast-track the Net-Zero fund or fail

Pacific leaders are calling for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to fast-track setting up its Net-Zero Fund (NZF), warning that without urgent action the Organisation will fail to deliver on its own commitment to contribute to a Just...

Tonight's rugby news as Wales star banned and BBC make big World Cup move

Ben Thomas of Cardiff(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd) Here are your evening rugby headlines on Wednesday, October 1 Wales star suspened after red card Wales star Ben Thomas has been suspended for three games after receiving a red card in...

What Pacific Island leaders told the UN about climate, conflict and peace

A banner at UN Headquarters on the second day of the general debate of the General Assembly’s eightieth session. Photo: UN Photo / Loey Felipe Pacific Island leaders took turns addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York,...

Townsend having his cake and eating it with Red Bull side hustle

Having spent the summer on secondment with the British & Irish Lions, David Nucifora was in no real position to refuse when Gregor Townsend sought permission to take on a side hustle to his role as Scotland head coach. But by agreeing to Townsend...

Extremely offline: what happened when a Pacific island was cut off from the internet | Samanth Subramanian

For a while, Sam Vea had been smelling sulphur on the air – only mildly infernal, like a distant sniff of hell, but sulphur nonetheless. Still, on the Saturday evening when the explosion happened, he sat up in fright. It sounded so near he thought...

2025 Pacific Championships: NRL captains ruled out for Fiji and Samoa

Two NRL club captains have been ruled out of the 2025 Pacific Championships in a massive blow to both Fiji and Samoa. After sustaining an ankle injury in the opening week of the 2025 NRL Finals series, which ruled him out for the remainder of the...

What Pacific Island leaders told the UN General Assembly about climate, conflict and peace

A banner at UN Headquarters on the second day of the general debate of the General Assembly’s eightieth session. Photo: UN Photo / Loey Felipe Pacific Island leaders took turns addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York,...

There’s confusion, anarchy and tribalism in Tonse Alliance – PF Cadre Ibrahim Mwamba

There’s confusion, anarchy and tribalism in Tonse Alliance – Ibrahim Mwamba PF cadre Ibrahim Mwamba has revealed that there is confusion, anarchy and tribalism in the Tonse Alliance as spokesperson Sean Tembo and his team do not want Given Lubinda...

Kiridox and POETIK collaborate for new westcoast/rnb summer jam

Photo: Kiridox Up and coming musician Kiridox has released his latest track “Po Some”, fusing together the rnb genre with a bit of polynesian and pacific flair. Collaborating with Samoan rapper Poetik on the track, the two artists bring an easy...

People centre of ocean conference

By Sera Tikotikovatu- Sefeti The second Pacific Islands Ocean Conference (PIOC) opened on Monday in Honiara, drawing traditional knowledge holders, scientists, and ocean professionals from across the region. Delegates filled the venue to discuss...