Stories by Caleb Fotheringham
News
Tropical Cyclone Lola: Two people reported dead in Vanuatu
At least two people were killed on Ambrym Island in Vanuatu that was one of the worst hit islands by severe tropical cyclone Lola last week. Audio
Advocates raise concerns over wildlife trade in Solomon Islands
Environmental advocates from the Solomon Islands are concerned wildlife trade is destroying the country's unique ecosystem. Audio
NIWA warns of stronger cyclones in the Pacific
Stronger tropical cyclones and more of them are forecast for the upcoming South Pacific season which runs from November to April.
New coalition could have zero Pacific MPs
Pacific leaders fear they will have little or no voice in the new National-led government with the real possibility of not a single Pacific person making it into the new coalition.
Typhoon Bolaven passes Northern Marianas without major damage
Typhoon Bolaven missed directly hitting any of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) travelling between Rota and Tinian.
Severe tropical storm passing between Rota and Tinian, could develop into Typhoon
Marianas authorities say the severe tropical storm Bolaven is expected to pass between Rota and Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands this evening and could possibly become a typhoon.
Tropical storm Bolaven building slower than expected; warnings in place
Tropical storm Bolaven has been intensifying slower than what was earlier predicted.
Marianas bunkering down as tropical storm Bolaven approaches
Tropical storm Bolaven is predicted to turn into a typhoon and hit the Northern Mariana Islands tomorrow.
Cook Islands 'cursed' hotel to start receiving guests soon
Vaima'anga's abandoned hotel in the Cook Islands is being done up and is expecting its first guests in a couple of months. Audio
Deep-sea mining 'great opportunity' for Cook Islands - exploration company
Deep-sea mining companies in the Cook Islands have been exploring the country's ocean to see if they can extract potato-sized nodules packed full of minerals kilometres deep. Audio
Cook Islands' techie plans to launch 'Smartie' app for better 'payment solutions'
A "super-app" is being developed for the Pacific that will allow people to make instant money transactions, including for remittances. Audio
Action demanded on diseases at Paciifc health summit
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and heart disease are the leading public health problems in the Pacific, say health experts. Audio
Regional labour schemes causing issues for Pacific healthcare
Pacific labour mobility schemes are being blamed for making it easier for nurses to leave their countries and take up employment opportunities as aged care workers in New Zealand and Australia. Audio
Battling the stigma of mental health across the Pacific
Mental health remains a stigma in the Pacific, but there might be some good news out of the Cook Islands. Audio
Cooks' tourism industry upbeat, but anger persists over high air fares
The Cook Islands tourism industry is getting back to where it was pre-pandemic, but it's still dealing with slow seasons and high airfares. Audio
Conservationists surprised at high number of rare bats in Fiji cave
Finding the endangered Pacific sheath-tailed bat requires a good eye, torches and a lack of phobias. Audio
Struggling Maui residents want tourists to return
Locals are asking tourists to return to Maui after asking for space in the initial aftermath of the deadly fire that swept through Lāhainā about a fortnight ago. Audio
Baby whales 'thrown over the reef' during migration due to warmer oceans
A whale scientist in the Cook Islands expects beached calves to become a more common occurrence as storms grow in intensity due to climate change. Audio
Samoa reviewing RSE scheme to protect its own economy
Samoa needs a "reality check" on how it participates in the recognised seasonal employer scheme says the country's trade commissioner. Audio
Mining company waits for regulations to kick in to start work
The head of a Canadian deep-sea mining firm says he wants to wait for regulations to be in place before starting "commercial-scale nodule collection". Audio
Cooks mountain doco inspired by Hawaiian protests
A Cook Islands film-maker made a documentary on Rarotonga's mountains after watching the Kānaka Maoli protest the construction of the $US1.4 billion telescope on top of a Hawaiian mountain three years… Audio
Fiji floating bar criticised after tourist’s death
The owner of a popular five-star floating bar and restaurant in Fiji denies claims that his staff were unprepared for emergencies.
Marshalls minister unhappy with initial compact deal with US
The Marshall Islands foreign minister has criticised the Compact of Free Association memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed at the start of the year, calling it "not a dignified agreement". Audio
Data constraints could be skewing Pacific remittance figures
Pacific nations could be under-reporting the amount of remittances entering their countries due to data constraints, according to a new study.
Deep-sea mining threatens tuna fisheries - study
Seafood organisations are calling for a pause on deep-sea mining after a new study claims the two industries could be in conflict as tuna migrates East due to climate change.