Auckland Returns to Level 3 for Seven Days Rest of NZ to Level 2

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director General of Health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield addressed media late this evening regarding a case of COVID-19 confirmed earlier in the evening. Prime Minister Ardern…

Final RSE Scheme Workers from Samoa Arrive in New Zealand

Air New Zealand announced 150 seasonal workers from Samoa who are taking up employment in New Zealand for the first time since borders closed in March 2020 have arrived tonight on…

NZ Govt Housing Initiative Launches Pacific Financial Capability Grant Funding

New Zealand’s Government announced today steps in the Pacific Housing Initiative aimed at supporting Pacific people with the Pacific Financial Capability Grant and the Pacific Community Housing Provider Registration Programme. Minister for…

Two Weeks Mourning Declared for Former PNG PM Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare

Papua New Guinea’s Cabinet met today to discuss the formal state funeral programme for former Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare who passed away at the age of 84…

Funding to Improve Digital Inclusion for Ethnic Communities

Funding is now open to to improve digital inclusion of Aotearoa New Zealand’s ethnic communities. The Fund aims to ensure ethnic communities can fully participate in Aotearoa New Zealand by…

Labour Party Candidate Wins Auckland Local Body By-Election

Papaliitele Lafulafu Peo has been elected onto the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Body by-election for the Auckland City Council with 5,203 votes. Papaliitele replaces Dr. Anae Neru Leavasa who resigned from the…

New Zealand Starts COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

The first batch of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered today to New Zealand border workers. Yesterday, 29 vaccinators in Auckland completed a week of preparations, receiving the first COVID-19 vaccines. Director-General…

Federated States of Micronesia Begins Formal Withdrawal from Pacific Islands Forum

The President of the Federated States of Micronesia, David Panuelo has sent a formal notice to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat denouncing the Agreement Establishing the Pacific Islands Forum, beginning…

Veteran Journalist says Impact on Pacific of Facebook Restrictions of Australian News Unclear

A well known journalist and author, who has reported extensively on the Pacific region for more than 30 years, says he is still trying to figure out how the Facebook…

Auckland to Move to Level 2 Rest of the Country to Level 1

Auckland is to move to COVID Alert Level 2 as of midnight tonight and the rest of the country will move to Level 1. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director…

Auckland to Move to Alert Level 3, Rest of Country Level 2 For Three Days

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield have addressed media this evening with the latest details on today’s three positive community cases. Dr. Bloomfield says the…

Tupu Tai Pasifika Intern says Diverse Perspectives Needed in Public Service and Policy

Listen to the podcast highlights on YouTube   Or listen to the full podcast on Spotify Main Article A graduate of the Tupu Tai Pasifika Public Policy Summer Internship programme…

Dunedin Pasifika Peoples Celebrate Inaugural Moana Nui Fesitval

Pasifika culture, dance, traditions, food, and crafts will proudly be on display tomorrow in Dunedin for the inaugural Moana Nui Festival. Moana Nui Festival event project coordinator Stacy Kokaua says…

Inaugural Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Becomes Independent Crown Entity.

Minister of Health Andrew Little has congratulated the inaugural Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission and its board as the Commission marks becoming an independent Crown entity. Minister Little says it…

New Zealand Cabinet Confirms Approval of COVID-19 Vaccine

Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins says Cabinet has confirmed formal Government approval for use of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. This follows the provisional approval by Medsafe announced last week.…

Chair of Pacific Islands Forum Examines Implications of Micronesian Countries Withdrawal

The Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, says he is saddened by the recent decision of the Micronesian Presidents’ Summit to initiate their withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Forum family.…

Another Former Pullman Hotel Managed Isolation Guest Tests Positive for COVID-19

The Ministry of Health confirmed in a media release today that an individual who was a guest at the managed isolation facility at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland, and has been…

Aotearoa New Zealand’s Role in the Pacific Part of Draft Education Curriculum

Aotearoa New Zealand’s role in the Pacific, Colonisation of and immigration to Aotearoa New Zealand, including the New Zealand Wars are two of seven themes that are up for public discussion. Public…

Former Cook Islands PM Henry Puna new Secretary General Pacific Islands Forum

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders  concluded their Special Leaders Retreat overnight and have announced former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna as the incoming Secretary General.  The appointment also signals the end of the tenure of the incumbent Secretary…

NZ Foreign Affairs Ministers Attend Virtual Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders Retreat

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta and Associate Minister Aupito William Sio attended the virtual Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders Retreat from Waitangi today. During the retreat Pacific Leaders focused…