Author: TMC Palau

Pacific Peoples Minister Paul Goldsmith Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii The New Zealand government has made further funding cuts for the agency responsible for delivering outcomes for Pacific people, marking its the third budget reduction in as many years. The move has been criticised by the opposition, who have accused the government of deliberately weakening the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP), but Pacific Peoples Minister Paul Goldsmith said he had “every confidence” that the Ministry will be just fine. “The Ministry has delivered a two percent baseline saving, along with most agencies across government. The Chief Executive will determine what…

Fiji’s deepening climate crisis has been thrust onto the regional stage at the Terra Asia Climate Change Project awards in Manila,Philippines. Fijian Broadcasting Corporation Multimedia Journalist Sainiani Boila placed third for her coverage of its impact on vulnerable coastal communities. Boila was awarded for Vanishing Shores: Ogea on Breaking Point, which captures accelerating coastal erosion in Ogea, Lau. The story also highlights growing pressure on communities as sea levels continue to rise. Article continues after advertisement The Terra Asia Climate Change Project is a two-year initiative led by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development. Sixteen journalists from Fiji, Indonesia, Papua…

[Photo: FILE] Unplanned electricity outages rose in 2025 even as restoration times improved. This, according to Energy Fiji Limited’s data. Minister for Public Enterprises, Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts Charan Jeath Singh told Parliament that EFL recorded 1,656 unplanned outages in 2024, increasing to 1,829 last year. He said the figures reflect ongoing pressure on the national grid.Article continues after advertisement Despite the rise in outages, response times improved slightly. The average outage duration fell from 317.74 minutes in 2024 to 306.71 minutes in 2025, indicating faster restoration of supply. Singh said the trend points to a system under…

Rewa FC before their clash this afternoon against Tailevu/Naitasiri Rewa FC slipped past a Tailevu/Naitasiri scare this afternoon after beating the side 1-0 in Round 11 of the Extra Premier League at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Rewa came out firing in the first spell, but did not expect a determined Tailevu/Naitasiri to take them into the break tied at nil-all. A few missed opportunities early in the first half disrupted momentum for the Delta Tigers. Their breakthrough came after more than 30 minutes from the boot of Asivorosi Rabo in the 76th minute.Article continues after advertisement Despite a…

From Berlin to Delhi, powerful nations still decide Pacific futures without Pacific voices in the room. The Quad’s latest Fiji port announcement is being sold as development assistance. But to many in the Pacific it looks uncomfortably familiar: distant powers gathering behind closed doors, shaping regional futures and expecting island nations to accept decisions already made elsewhere. Like a diplomatic masonic lodge, “the Quad” — Australia, India, Japan and the United States — gathered its foreign ministers in New Delhi this week and calmly made decisions concerning another nation, Fiji, which was neither represented at the meeting nor, days later,…

Pacific Peoples Minister Paul Goldsmith Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii The New Zealand government has made further funding cuts for the agency responsible for delivering outcomes for Pacific people, marking its the third budget reduction in as many years. The move has been criticised by the opposition, who have accused the government of deliberately weakening the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP), but the Pacific Peoples Minister Paul Goldsmith said he had “every confidence” that the Ministry will be just fine. “The Ministry has delivered a two percent baseline saving, along with most agencies across government. The Chief Executive will determine…

[Photo: FILE] The Pilot Tourism Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) Fund has almost fully used up its allocated budget. Most of the approved grants have already been committed and disbursed. This was according to a written response tabled in Parliament by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka. The response was provided to a parliamentary question from Ratu Josaia Niudamu, who sought details on applications, funding allocations and beneficiary categories under the program.Article continues after advertisement The Ministry confirmed that the pilot fund, which supports Micro and Small tourism operators, received 32 applications in the…

RBF states that Fiji’s economic outlook remains fragile amid ongoing global energy uncertainty.[Photo: Litia Cava] Rising global energy costs remain the key concern highlighted in the Reserve Bank of Fiji May Economic Review. The report warns that higher fuel prices are already feeding into domestic inflation and could continue to lift the cost of living in Fiji. The report says continued tensions between the United States and Iran have kept global oil prices high, with Brent crude reaching $US114.01 a barrel in April before easing slightly this month. It warns that even with progress in negotiations, uncertainty in global supply…

As the countdown to the 2026 BiC Fiji FACT continues, Lautoka FC is once again expected to be among the title contenders. At the heart of their resurgence is association president Shalendra Prasad, better known as “SP Pardhaan”. Calm, passionate and deeply committed to the district, Prasad has played a key role in guiding Lautoka back among Fiji football’s elite in recent years. The Blues remain one of Fiji football’s most successful districts, with a proud history dating back to 1934.Article continues after advertisement Lautoka has won four Fiji FACT titles — in 2000, 2002, 2023 and 2024 — while…

The Pacific Business Brief tracks the capital, trade and trends shaping the regional economy. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins This week in the Pacific Business Brief, we look at fuel relief efforts, critical minerals diplomacy, and fallout at a publicly funded trust. In this edition: ABD to provide millions in financial relief to Pacific countries The Quad’s $20 billion critical mineral push Pacific Business Trust’s embattled CEO resigns Motorists in parts of Fiji lined up at petrol stations on Tuesday night to fuel up. Photo: Facebook / Fiji News & Sports ADB fronts up cash for fuel The Asian…