Comfort In Continuity Or A Trap? Ireland's Familiar Squad Faces Fresh Tests

Andy Farrell is, by any standard, a world-class coach. He inherited a meticulously built system from Joe Schmidt and transformed it into something freer, faster, and more adaptable. Where Schmidt’s Ireland were structured and systematic, Farrell’s...

Top Australian diplomat visits Solomons to address security concern

Australia’s foreign minister landed Friday in Solomon Islands to address relations frayed by the Pacific nation’s cosy ties and recent security pact with China. It is the latest stop in a South Pacific travel blitz by Foreign Minister Penny Wong,...

The GP doing the heavy lifting

A powerful mix of Māori and Tongan heritage, Karlina Tongotea has been raising the bar and lifting her sport to new heights. The 32-year-old powerlifter achieved a new open world record in Chengdu, China on her way to winning gold in the 76kg...

Genetic studies in American Samoa could impact other Pacific communities

"Energy in, energy out” used to be the common wisdom about staying healthy and active, but researchers are finding that genes play a key role in the risk for conditions like obesity and diabetes. A gene variant found in Pacific Islander...

Eke secures bigger disaster cover, presses World Bank for SIDS aid

Prime Minister Eke urges tailored global support for Tonga’s resilience and development partnerships. At the 2025 World Bank–IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C. this week, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Aisake Valu Eke held talks with World Bank...

Coast Guard’s Pacific mission continues to expand

The ocean can be a lawless place. Far from shore, the vast seas have become plagued with everything from piracy, rampant illegal fishing and environmental crime, drug smuggling, human trafficking, and even spying and espionage. And in that mix,...

‘The crowd can’t play for us’ warns Jarome Luai after NZ disappointment

There was considerable talk about crowds in the lead-up to Sunday’s opening 2025 Pacific Cup clash between New Zealand and Samoa. While there were thousands of empty seats at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium—the official attendance of 21,251 was more...

Relief and resolve: Inside the Kiwis’ statement victory over Samoa

It feels like the Stacey Jones tenure as Kiwis coach is officially under way, off the back of Sunday’s epic 24-18 win over Samoa. It was a brute of a game and a massive victory, the importance of which cannot be underestimated. Jones has been in...

'Wreaking havoc on kicking games': Cleary ready to handle English stadium quirks ahead of Ashes opener

Nathan Cleary is backing himself to handle the unique challenges of English stadiums as the Kangaroos prepare to open their Ashes campaign at Wembley this weekend. British fields have long been a trap for Australian playmakers, with small in-goal...

Pacific Championships: Sāmoa brave in loss to Kiwis, spark excitement for their campaigns

While it was double delight for the New Zealand Kiwis at Go Media Stadium, Sāmoa walked away from Sunday’s thrilling matches with pride and plenty of positives to take from both the men’s and women’s matches. Cheered on by a sea of Sāmoan flags...

Kiwis v Samoa: Coach Stacey Jones admits ‘relief’ after edging intense Pacific Championships battle

Though the Kiwis scored some eye-catching tries – particularly Casey McLean’s second and Dylan Brown’s late match-sealer – the victory was built on relentless defence. After the New Zealand side dominated the first half, taking a 16-12 lead, Samoa...

World Statistics Day in the Pacific: Driving change with quality statistics and data for everyone

The Pacific is leading the global community in marking the fourth-ever World Statistics Day this 20 October, celebrating the critical role of quality statistics and data in driving change for everyone. Established by the United Nations and...

Senior Election Officials from across the Pacific convene in New Zealand to share experiences of election delivery and supporting democracy in the region

Senior Election officials from the Pacific gathered in Auckland 16-17 October for the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand Electoral Administrators (PIANZEA) Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM). This meeting provides a platform for discussing...

BEHIND THE NEWS | Fiji in the spotlight

FIJI remains on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year, according to the US Department of State’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report. This means Fiji does not fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking but is...

MULUNGUSHI: THE DANCE OF A PEOPLE AND THEIR PRESIDENT

MULUNGUSHI: THE DANCE OF A PEOPLE AND THEIR PRESIDENT By David Zulu They came in their thousands, dressed in red, singing, chanting, the Mulungushi International Conference Centre pulsing with electric energy. When President Hakainde Hichilema...

Obituaries — Rt Hon James (Jim) Bolger ONZ, PC

Press Release – Hansard Thursday, 16 October 2025 – Volume 788 THURSDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2025 The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m. KARAKIA/PRAYERS SPEAKER: Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all...

Tonight's rugby news as 'perfect' Steve Tandy replacement found and Wales fly-half retires

Lee Radord has replaced Steve Tandy with Scotland (Image: David Rogers/Getty Images) Here are your rugby evening headlines for Tuesday, October 7. 'Perfect' replacement for Tandy found By Anthony Brown, PA Gregor Townsend believes he has found the...

OPINION | Are we exporting our future? | The true cost of Fiji’s labour policies

The scale of the problem SINCE 2018, approximately 114,000 Fijians – nearly 12 per cent of our entire population – have left the country. That’s equivalent to losing every resident of Lautoka and Nadi combined. Deputy Prime Minister Professor...

Former Blue Peter Peter Purves feels sad about one thing looking back at show

Put two former Doctor Who stars and a companion together on stage and you’d be forgiven for assuming they had time travelled there in their trusty Tardis. But no blue police box was required to unite Tom Baker and Colin Baker with Blue Peter...

RC Blog: Who’s willing to pay for sustainability in the Pacific?

Written by Simona Marinescu, Isabella Massa, Guillaume Lafortune After major setbacks to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Pacific needs fairer access to financing as it fights to overcome climate challenges. Crises in climate, geopolitics...