Stories by Jamie Tahana
News
Marshall Islands health secretary makes no apologies over travel bans
The Marshall Islands health secretary is making no apologies for closing the country to all incoming passengers for two weeks, in an effort to buy time to ward off the Covid-19 coronavirus.
'Huge crisis': Coronavirus fears knock back Pacific tourism
On Saipan, the tourist area resembles a ghost town. Restaurants are being shuttered, shops reducing hours, resorts and water parks sit empty. Audio
Eurocentric view of climate change failing to recognise impact in Pacific - researcher
A colonial eurocentric view of climate change is failing to recognise many of the threats and impacts in the Pacific, says a researcher.
Pacific takes extreme coronavirus measures: 'We're leaving nothing to chance here'
Several Pacific countries have taken heavy-handed measures in an effort to stop a new and largely unknown coronavirus from taking hold in a region already strained by several severe epidemics. Audio
Marshall Islands dengue outbreak: 'We're fighting a war here'
The hospital in Majuro is overflowing, its doctors exhausted, its wards strained, budgets withered, and no end in sight. Every day, dozens more patients are wheeled in to wait in corridors.
Storms brewing: Pacific outlook for 2020
As a new decade dawns much of the Pacific is grappling with major upheavals, from climate and health crises to self-determination struggles. Jamie Tahana and Johnny Blades look at the state of play.
Calls for new approach after UN climate talks fail to deliver
Pacific countries and climate activists are calling for an overhaul of how the world tackles climate change, after this month's UN climate talks ended in failure. Jamie Tahana looks back on COP25. Audio
Australia labelled 'black sheep' of Pacific family as COP talks falter
Fiji's attorney general says Australia's climate actions have been disappointing, as UN climate talks continue to falter.
COP25: Hopes for a miracle as climate talks appear to falter
UN climate talks in Madrid appear to be faltering, according to interviews with negotiators, delegates and observers, who say there is a serious risk of failure.
COP25: Climate change action going 'backwards' - Fiji's PM
Fiji's prime minister has hit out at several developed countries during a speech at the UN climate summit in Madrid.
COP25: Calls for indigenous voices to be heard
This year's climate talks in Spain come amidst the global wave of protests by young people that have swept the world. However, there are still concerns that important voices are being ignored.
COP25: Effects of climate change in Pacific worse than predicted
The effects of climate change in the Pacific have happened a lot sooner, and are a lot worse, than had been predicted, a leading oceans scientist warns. Audio
Sopoaga raises doubts about Australia's Pacific commitment
Former Tuvalu Prime Minister and climate champion Enele Sopoaga has asked whether countries that refuse to reduce fossil fuel use are really part of the Pacific.
NZ's climate minister hopeful for Madrid COP talks
New Zealand's Climate Change Minister, who is attending the latest round of UN climate talks, says his country is doing enough to stand with small Pacific countries on the issue.
COP25: 'For the sake of the region...we have to keep fighting'
The entire UN climate talk process might have to be reviewed if nothing is achieved this year, a Niue government minister says.
COP 25: Pacific nations demand greater commitments
Small island countries in the Pacific are demanding greater commitments at this week's Madrid climate talks, saying what's been done so far is far from enough.
World leaders urged not to COP out of climate action in Madrid
The latest round of global climate talks has opened in Spain with the head of the UN warning the world risks sleepwalking past a point of no return.
COP25: Pacific countries pushing for climate action in Madrid
Pacific countries will be trying to apply as much pressure as possible in the latest round of UN climate talks, says the director of the Cook Islands climate change office.
PNG MPs to be given new cars in latest APEC controversy
The decision by Papua New Guinea's government to give cars imported for last year's APEC summit to Members of Parliament has been widely panned by anti-corruption advocates.
Kiribati ferry disaster report does little to ease relatives' anger
More than a year after the MV Butiraoi broke apart and sunk in Kiribati, killing 95 people, grief and anger still run deep on Nonouti, the island from which that fateful voyage departed.
Litany of failures led to Kiribati ferry tragedy - inquiry report
A ship that sank in Kiribati last year, killing 95 people, was severely overloaded, unauthorised to carry passengers, and commanded by a captain who ignored several warnings, an inquiry has found.
Kiribati ferry disaster report finally released by Govt
A report into the ferry disaster in Kiribati last year, which killed as many as 81 people, has been released by the government after months of public pressure.
Ocean at 'breaking point': Pacific angst at latest climate report
A recent report into the state of the world's oceans has set off alarm bells in the Pacific, where the impacts are already being keenly felt. Audio
'We're not drowning, we're fighting': Pacific youth lead climate march
Mary Moeono-Kolio was up past midnight on Thursday, painting banners and stapling flags to poles. Writing chants and rallying her community.
'We're not drowning, we're fighting': Pacific youth lead climate march
Mary Moeono-Kolio was up past midnight on Thursday, painting banners and stapling flags to poles. Writing chants and rallying her community.