Stories by Lydia Lewis

Palau's President has slammed New Zealand's new government for its oil and gas exploration plans, as the COP28 global climate summit gets underway. Audio

Australia says the Falepili Union is "to achieve shared interests" in response to comments from former Tuvalu prime minister's comments that he will flush the treaty if he gets into office.

Enele Sopoaga says he will scrap the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty if elected to lead government in the upcoming election. Audio

More action is needed to stop the rights of children in the Pacific being violated, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child chair Ann Marie Skelton says. Audio

Federated States of Micronesia President says his country could be staring down a "fiscal cliff" very soon if the US Congress does not approve its compact agreement. Audio

France's new ambassador to the Pacific says her focus will be on peace and freedom for the region, but would not comment on independence of the French territories. Audio

Pacific leaders have taken different positions on the issue of mining of the ocean floor for minerals. While some are calling for a total ban, others view it as an opportunity.

A Pacific secutiy expert says the treaty follows the security pact signed between Solomon Islands-China last year. But for Tuvalu, it's about "doing everything...to "maintain our identity". Audio

Cyclone Lola destroyed "most" of the food crops on Tikopia when it hit as a category 5 system in October.

Pacific Islands Forum leaders have emerged from their retreat on Aitutaki with their outcomes document, confirming controversial ex-Nauru president as the regional organisation's new top diplomat.

RNZ Pacific has confirmed from multiple sources that Nauru's president David Adeang has departed the Cook Islands just 24 hours after he walked out of a plenary meeting in Rarotonga.

RNZ Pacific has confirmed from multiple sources that Nauru's president David Adeang has departed the Cook Islands just 24 hours after he walked out of a plenary meeting in Rarotonga.

The wounds of last year's rift at the Pacific Islands Forum has been reopened after a dramatic walkout by the Nauru President David Adeang, followed by a no-show for the leaders retreat on Aitutaki.

Niue has nearly exhausted its climate mitigation options and its focus now is on adaptation, the island's Premier Dalton Tagelagi says.

The controversial former Nauru president Baron Waqa is set to be the next Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general, Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr has confirmed. Audio

Controversial former Nauru president expected to become the next secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum says his appointment is "decided" and slammed critics who "just want to spoil things".

Pacific leaders and their delegations are starting to arrive in Rarotonga for the annual heads of governments meeting - the Pacific Islands Forum. Audio

The 52nd Pacific Islands Forum in Rarotonga starts on Monday. RNZ Pacific spoke to the Forum chair to preview what the leaders will be focusing on next week.

Cook Island's Prime Minister Mark Brown says he plans on protecting his country against climate change through seabed mining.

The Australian government's confirmation that 11 "unauthorised maritime arrivals" have been sent to Nauru for regional processing has all been shrouded in secrecy, a refugee advocate says.

Almost three quarters of all houses have been destroyed or damaged on the remote Solomon Islands of Tikopia in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Lola.

A remote island in Solomon Islands has sustained serious damage after it was hit by Cyclone Lola at its highest strength as a category five system.

Community initiatives are helping reduce suspected death by suicide stats among Aotearoa New Zealand's Pacific communities.

First time Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand MP Fa'anānā Efeso Collins is "elated and humbled" to make it into New Zealand's Parliament. Audio

Pacific climate network, representing communities deeply impacted by the climate crisis, are disappointed with the recent remarks made by the Fiji PM regarding the fossil fuel industry.