Regional
Nuku'alofa, TONGA — Alleged bullying and racism from the audience at Tonga's Heilala beauty pageant is deeply regrettable, pageant organisers say.
The Nuku'alofa crowd reacted angrily last week to a speech from the former Miss Heilala, Kalo Funganitao, who condemned pageant officials for tormenting...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's probation committee has decided to recall Alatise Vitale, who was convicted of murdering the Minister of Works, Luagalau Levaula Kamu, 20 years ago.
He is to continue serving his life sentence.
The committee decided that Vitale had breached parole conditions after being...
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND — A study has been commissioned to examine the mental health needs of Pacific Islanders forced to leave their homes by the climate crisis.
Auckland University's Jemaima Tiatia-Seath, co-head of the School of Māori and Pacific Studies, has been granted about $US400,000 for the...
Nuku'alofa, TONGA — The Papua New Guinean beauty queen who endured a racist insult at a Tongan beauty pageant over the weekend has thanked Tongans for their support and called for unity of Pacific people.
Miss Pacific Islands Leoshina Kariha was in Nuku'alofa on Friday for the Miss Heilala beauty...
Otago, NEW ZEALAND — A Samoan national who groped a 12-year-old girl while on a religious camp in Central Otago will be sent home.
Ulimasao Meka (27) was sentenced in the Dunedin District Court this week to nine months' jail after pleading guilty to assaulting a child.
Because he had been in...
Hagåtña, GUAM — Guam's Governor, Lou Leon Guerrero, is under pressure to pause clearance, construction and other activities related to the United States military build-up.
A Chamorro studies specialist from the University of Guam, Michael Bevacqua, said there is deep community concern over the...
Apia, SAMOA — More than 2,000 students are expected to perform in the Opening Ceremony of the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games today as organizers seek to showcase the country's culture.
Local officials have worked to develop an Opening Ceremony around the Games slogan "One in Spirit".
Students from 16...
Apia, SAMOA — Criminal lawyers from Samoa's Attorney General's office have taken over the prosecution of Congregational Christian Church ministers alleged to have evaded tax.
This follows the first case against an initial 20 faife'au being thrown out on Thursday for a lack of evidence.
Lawyers for...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa is investing heavily to avoid the use of single-use plastics at the Pacific Games which starts this weekend.
More than $US460,000 is being spent on the Greening of the Games initiative which will provide 250 water stations and more than 100 water dispensers at venues for the 12-...
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's prime minister is facing a defamation lawsuit.
The head of the Samoa Solidarity International Group, Nonu Ueni Fonoti, claims the prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, defamed him over his disability on national television.
The group has been highly critical of...