Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Pacific Islands Countries Push For Action at UN Ocean Conference
Last week, more than 60 world leaders convened in Nice, France, for the third – and the most-attended – United Nations Ocean Conference. There was cause for celebration: during the week-long conference, 19 countries ratified the Agreement on...

Over 6 billion people worldwide are exposed to at least one key anti-tobacco measure
From: World Health Organization (WHO) Tobacco control efforts protect 6.1 billion people – WHO’s new report 23 June 2025, Dublin/Geneva—The World Health Organization (WHO) today released its report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 at the World...

The politics, and politicians, of nostalgia
By Chris Trotter* What do politicians do when the present is a mess and the future promises more of the same? Mostly, in these all-too-familiar circumstances, politicians turn for help and solace to the past. They go looking for policies that...

Record Finalist Numbers As Pacific Music Awards Celebrates 21 Years Of Musical Recognition; Awards Announced Last Night
The finalists for the 2025 Pacific Music Awards were announced last night at a ceremony at the Mangere Arts Centre in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. This year’s celebration of Pacific music marks the 21st anniversary of the event. Following the...

The Redaction Action That Sparked A National Reckoning Comes Home
Photo/Supplied Te Wehi Ratana’s story takes centre stage in ration the Queen’s veges following a theatrical act of redaction, resistance, and reclamation, playing to Circa Theatre, Wellington from 16 August – 13 September. Following its 2025...

WHO report urges stronger action against global tobacco epidemic
The World Health Organization (WHO) today released its report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin, warning that action is needed to maintain and accelerate progress in tobacco control as rising...

Tobacco control efforts protect 6.1 billion people – WHO’s new report
Geneva, 23 June 2025 (PAHO) — The World Health Organization (WHO) today released its report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin, warning that action is needed to maintain and accelerate progress...

Pacific relationship will ‘remain constant’: Peters
Few people are as well placed to comment on the shifting sands of international politics in the South Pacific as Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who is about to address the Otago Foreign Policy School on that topic. Political editor Mike Houlahan...

Te Ipukarea Society: Questioning the concept of deep seabed mining
Dr Chris Fleming, an economist from Grifith University in Queensland, Australia, talking at the Deep Ocean Symposium in Rarotonga last year. TIS/25062020 In a recent Time Magazine article, explorer and investor Victor Vescovo asserts that the...

Mitiaro upholds Ngaputoru customs in traditional fire-walk welcome
Every visiting group coming on the boat have to walk across the fire. TALAIA MIKA/25062023 Mitiaro reaffirmed its deep cultural roots on Thursday with a powerful and symbolic traditional ceremony to welcome a seabed mining exploration team to the...

‘Our Ocean is our heritage, our home and our future’
Copyright: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Biodiversity Conservation Environmental Monitoring and Governance As the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) gets underway in Nice France, Samoa’s Prime...

Dmakeiukl Rangers begin drone training to strengthen conservation efforts in Palau
On June 6, rangers from the Dmakeiukl Alliance took part in a hands-on drone training to enhance the monitoring and protection of coastal and terrestrial ecosystems in Palau. The training is part of a broader effort to strengthen the rangers’...

Analysis: Tensions and timing test Luxon on first official China visit
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is officially welcomed with a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing. Photo: Supplied / Dan Brunskill Analysis - Luck was not on Christopher Luxon's side for his first official trip to China. Even before...
Luxon humiliatingly bows to Xi because Farming interests forced him to
What a humiliating trip by Luxon to China, his pathetic squirming to Xi was the most embarrassing moment in NZ foreign affairs. Look at the ridiculous statements Luxon was made to ensure National’s Dairy Interests were sacrosanct… Luxon concludes...

Letter: New Zealand’s ‘bully-boy’ tactics
Dear Editor, Am I the only one who thinks the bully-boy tactics from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs, scaring our people, and destabilising our Government is a little heavy-handed? It’s especially disappointing to see our usually...

China Reveals First Deep-Sea "Testing Site", Adding To Vast Network Of Marine Bases
You may have missed it, but last Sunday was World Oceans Day – an international observation designed to foster public interest in the protection of the ocean and the sustainable management of its resources. It is therefore fitting, or else darkly...

The unique camera China used to film Christopher Luxon and what it means
The Herald asked the cameraman what he was doing using such dated tech. He said the film was for archival purposes so “in a hundred years” there’ll still be a physical record of the meeting. How very flattering for Luxon – the New Zealand media...

Matariki celebrated with events across London
Matariki is being celebrated on the other side of the world to the Pacific, with educational and performance events taking place in London. Storytelling workshops are being held at the National Maritime Museum in the afternoon Friday (local time)...

Verdict on tariffs kept off fast track
Let us read it for you. Listen now. Your browser does not support the audio element. The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a push from an Illinois toy company asking for a quick decision on the legality of President Donald Trump's tariffs. Learning...

Press Release: Air Tahiti opts for ATR HighLine all-business class cabin
Air Tahiti, the leading inter-island carrier of French Polynesia, has selected the ‘ATR HighLine All-Business Class’ cabin interior for one of its four newly ordered ATR 72-600 aircraft. This marks the launch by Air Tahiti of a unique VIP service...