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

WATER SPORTS KICKS THINGS OFF IN DAY 1
By Charlotte Oh KOROR, Palau – Guam’s swimming and va’a teams kicked off the 2025 Pacific Mini Games to an exciting start in Palau. Wearing Guam’s flag with honor, these athletes competed with focus and strength while also making memories that...

Mama Rauti Para: A celebration of Cook Islands matriarchs and culture
Former Miss Cook Islands to Miss Universe 1983, Carmena Wong, with 69-year-old Mama Rauti Para 2025, Tuainekore Taripo Kura. GERARDUS VEERSPEEK/25061326 She’s a beauty pageant queen and the first Cook Islander to walk the Miss Universe stage, but...

Atiu’s Areora Hard Courts reopen for sports
The newly resurfaced Areora Hard Courts in Atiu are set to be officially opened today, celebrating an important occasion for sports and youth development on the island. Plexipave New Zealand/25062310 The newly resurfaced Areora Hard Courts in Atiu...

Record-Breaking Finalists as Pacific Music Awards Celebrates 21 Years
Shane Walker honoured as a finalist at the Pacific Music Awards announcement night. Photo: Tagata Pasifika The finalists for the 2025 Pacific Music Awards were revealed last night at a ceremony held at the Mangere Arts Centre in Auckland, Aotearoa...

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...

Local musicians honoured following in PNG’s Pacific Story finale
The Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency William Soaki, together with the Solomon Islands community in Port Moresby, co-hosted an informal farewell dinner on 1 June 2025 at the High Commission’s Haus Win to honour...

Voyaging foundation navigates challenges
Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation is facing delays in one of its key cultural education projects - the establishment of a star compass in Aitutaki. TE PUNA MARAMA/25070901 Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation, a Cook Islands nonprofit dedicated to...

Rugby Jamaica disappointed with tougher qualification route
TWO OF Jamaica’s leading rugby league figures have expressed huge disappointment that qualification for the 2026 World Cup will now come down to a winner-takes-all match in France on October 25. Romeo Monteith and Ben Jones-Bishop have reacted to...
'Unbelievable' moment on island paradise just five hours from Australia
From the moment we landed in Rarotonga, the island vibes were immediate. With live musicians playing us through customs, it was clear we were a long way from home. I was told by the locals that the saying goes, if it's cloudy in Rarotonga, it's...

MANA: Spirit of the Pacific Coming to Auckland
Photo: Discover Auckland MANA: Spirit of the Pacific, a new Polynesian dinner and dance show is heading to Auckland next month. Auckland is known as the largest Polynesian city in the world but tourists in search of authentic cultural experiences...

Parvati Shallow Says RIP to the ‘Black Widow’ and All That
Parvati Shallow, the reality TV maven and one-time Survivor winner, can now also add published author to her list of achievements. The legendary schemer, who orchestrated scores of blindsides on the beaches of the Cook Islands, Micronesia, and...

Fiji’s Heleina Young and Samoa’s John Tafi named Outstanding Athletes at 2025 Pacific Mini Games closing ceremony
Koror, Palau | July 9, 2025— The 2025 Pacific Mini Games officially concluded on Tuesday evening at the Palau National Track, where athletes, officials, and fans gathered for the closing ceremony — a celebration of athletic excellence, cultural...

Pacific Islands News Roundup – July 4 – July 10, 2025
Editor’s Note: We are undergoing a web host migration process and may need to make necessary modifications to our format and frequency over the next several weeks. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Political Leadership and Regionalism,...

Team PNG shines at 2025 Pacific Mini Games, finishes 5th on medal tally
Team PNG members during the opening ceremony of the Palau Pacific Mini Games (Image: Team PNG) Team Papua New Guinea wrapped up a successful campaign at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Koror, Palau, finishing 5th overall on the medal tally with an...

Tereora College students embrace carving project
Tereora College art students embrace stone carving project to mark 130-Year milestone. They are pictured with taunga Mike Tavioni and members of the Former Tereora College Students Association. MELINA ETCHES/25070802 A group of enthusiastic...

Apii Nikao to make a splash with water bomb fundraiser
Beating the heat and the humidity at Avatiu Harbour in 2022. The harbour will host the island’s first-ever freestyle water bomb competition this Friday, July 11, at 3pm at Avatiu Harbour. CAMERON SCOTT/22122332 Apii Nikao is diving into...

Injuries fail to deter Drikibau
Elina Drikibau [file photo] Over the past two years, Fiji Baby Pearls captain Elina Drikibau has faced the kind of adversity that ends most sporting careers. Not once, but twice, the 20-year-old suffered serious injuries that threatened to derail...

"I Know the Truth About Myself”: Parvati Shallow Spills Survivor Secrets & The Emotional Cost Of Reality Fame
In a wide-ranging conversation about reality TV, healing from trauma, and finding clarity in the most chaotic moments of her life, Parvati Shallow opened up to Screen Rant about her feelings surrounding Survivor, the lessons learned from writing...
Tonga claims shot put gold as 2025 Pacific Mini Games draw to a close
Tu'utafaiva, 28, is mentored by former world and Olympic Games champion Valerie Adams, and recorded a throw of 14.76 metres to claim top spot. Photo: Facebook / Tonga Sports Association & National Olympic Committee Tonga's Ata Ma'ama Tu'utafaiva...
Running the show: The youngsters behind the scenes at the Pacific Mini Games
10-year-old photographer, Yoshi. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Coco Lance As the Pacific Mini Games heads towards to its closing ceremony, the spotlight remains firmly on the athletes, teams, and the sporting achievements making headlines across the region....