Author: TMC Palau

Six people on board a missing boat in Fiji waters have been found by the New Zealand Air Force.The six people had left Namuka Island for Fulaga in the Lau Group on Thursday morning but failed to reach their destination.The NZDF said the Air Force Poseidon crew carried out a radar and visual search before, in fading light, they spotted the vessel at 5:30pm on Friday evening, 14.6 nautical miles southwest of Vanuavatu.The crew radioed the Fiji Navy ship Savenaca, which was operating nearby, and sailed to rescue the group shortly after 8pm.The sea was rough, so the Air Force…

The National Capital District (NCD) is Papua New Guinea’s political, administrative and economic centre. As Port Moresby continues to expand, the effectiveness of its governance arrangements has become an increasingly important public policy issue. How communities are represented, how decisions are made and how services are delivered will shape the city’s future. Unlike other provinces, NCD does not have elected Local-level Governments (LLGs). This unique arrangement raises an important governance question: does the current model provide sufficient opportunities for local representation, community participation and accountability at the grassroots level? Across PNG, LLGs serve as the third tier of government. They…

[Photo: SUPPLIED] The Reserve Bank of Fiji is advising the public that following the introduction of new polymer banknotes from January 2nd, the old flora and fauna banknotes have been gazetted for demonetisation effective 01 January 2027. Accordingly, businesses will not be obliged to accept old banknotes as payment for goods and services after 31 December 2026. RBF Governor Ariff Ali highlighted that as of 31 July 2026, 72.3% of old banknotes in circulation have been recalled and thanked the public for their support in facilitating a smooth transition to the new polymer banknotes. Ali explained that recalling old banknotes…

The Springbok Women ran riot over the Fijiana XV on Saturday, outclassing their hosts 55-12 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.The South Africans scored five tries in the first half to lead 27-7 at halftime break, and added another four tries in the second spell.The Fijiana were only able to cross the paint twice, with Adi Vani Buleki and Varanaise Qoro scoring the home team’s tries.Newly-appointed Fijiana coach Willie Walker said South Africa were always going to be a tough ask, but the Fijiana put up a great fight.”The [Fijiana players] put up a great fight. South Africa were…

Suva FC is setting high standards for itself ahead of the 2026 Battle of the Giants tournament, which kicks off next month. Head coach Pita Rabo says the team has been working hard since the beginning of the year and, after falling short at the Fiji FACT, is determined to challenge for the BOG title. The Capital side continued its preparations with a 3-2 victory over Nasinu in their Round 17 Extra Premier League clash yesterday. Suva has just one more match remaining before the BOG begins, and Rabo says the game will give the players one final opportunity to…

[Photo: FILE] People First is entering the election race with Party Leader Inia Seruiratu making it clear political differences will not prevent the new party from working with others. Seruiratu says People First may have its own ideology and priorities, but those differences should not be a barrier if parties can agree on what is in Fiji’s best interest. “We also have made it very clear that for us it’s about working together with all other political parties. We may have different ideologies, we may have different expectations from the communities and what we want to do but in the…

The by-election for two vacant seats in Tonga’s Legislative Assembly, the Fale Alea ‘o Tonga, will be held on 8 October.This was confirmed by the Tonga Electoral Commission (Komisoni Fili), following the issuance of the writ by King Tupou VI on Friday, 7 August.The nomination of candidates will take place on 2 and 3 September.The two parliamentary seats were vacated by Semisi Sika of Tongatapu 2 and Lata Tangimana of Niua 17 after they were found guilty of bribery by the Nuku’alofa Magistrate Court during the 2025 general election.The pair were “unseated” by the Tongan parliament on 3 August, ruling…

Healthcare workers are being pushed to breaking point, with concerns growing over staffing shortages, working conditions and limited resources. The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre says the recent rescue of six healthcare workers stranded at sea for more than 36 hours highlights the difficult conditions frontline workers can face while delivering essential services to remote communities. FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali says those challenges must not be overlooked, particularly as healthcare workers face public criticism over overtime claims. She says the focus should also be on the pressures facing workers who continue to serve communities despite limited resources.Article continues after advertisement “A…

Finding affordable housing in Nadi is becoming increasingly difficult, with rising rents putting pressure on workers and families. Nadi resident Kiti Niumataiwalu Ravula says low-income workers in hotels, resorts and other businesses are struggling to find affordable homes. She says many workers move to Nadi for employment but are forced to share accommodation because they cannot afford to rent alone. “We used to pay for a three-bedroom house. That was way back then. I don’t know about now, for a three-bedroom house, I would say the cheapest is $1,800.”Article continues after advertisement She says a family member, a single mother…

Media Assets  Photos, B‑roll, and additional materials available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QgU8ofdSnnb7obl6HFYB4JaV1I_ouVs3?usp=sharing   Interviews available upon request.  Media Contacts  Island Conservation  Sally Esposito, Senior Communications Director  sally.esposito@islandconservation.org  About the Partners  Island Conservation’s mission is to restore islands for nature and people worldwide. We are a United States–based 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a globally distributed team—often made up of local islanders who bring deep knowledge and connection to the places where we work. Together, we collaborate with local communities, government management agencies, and conservation organizations to holistically restore islands by bringing back biodiversity, the foundation of all healthy ecosystems. We do this by…