RNZ Pacific

A high chief and the son of Fiji's first prime minister says Fijians need to decide their own future rather than "recede" the country back to the British Monarchy.

Polling stations are now closed in Tokelau and counting for the national election is underway.

Draws all-round for Solomon Kings FC, South Island United FC, Bula FC and South Melbourne FC.

The New Zealand-based club appears to be in a league of their own, winning five games on the trot and sitting eight points clear at the top of the table.

The election was postponed last month after severe weather conditions delayed the ferry carrying the ballot boxes.

Many parts of Papua New Guinea are reported to be experiencing outbreaks of the H3N2 virus, with the country in the middle of the rainy season.

Pacific Island unions Fiji and Tonga have told RNZ Pacific they believe the pool draw gives their teams good chances to advance past the first stage.

The last visit by a Marshall Islands president occured in 1993, according to the Australian Embassy in the Marshal Islands.

In a statement, the club said Marcos Gusmao had resigned "based solely on personal reasons" and "chosen to dedicate more time to his wife and family".

Fiji leads the men's world sevens standings after winning in Singapore last week. Audio

Prime Minister James Marape welcomed the announcement that the visa will come at a significantly reduced cost compared to a regular Australian visa.

Fiji's High Court has ruled that the President had acted "unlawfully" when he dismissed Barbara Malimali as the commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Authorities in Pacific Islands countries are currently warning about pyramid schemes being promoted to their citizens on social media.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has rejected a partnership proposed by Bougainville Copper Limited to redevelop the Panguna mine.

As Sitiveni Rabuka's administration enters its final year before the next general election, his coalition is the latest in a line of governments that have failed to deliver, a Fijian expert says.

Global weather forecasting models predict that a tropical disturbance northeast of Vanuatu could turn into the first cyclone of the season.

A senior government MP, whose son-in-law is facing charges along with several others for importing more than 2.6 tonnes of cocaine, says it's been "a deeply unsettling experience".

The Women's T20 World Cup will be held in England and Wales in June and early July.

The country's head of state says the Hongqi H9, a China-made vehicle brand, "would benefit the nation and especially the high office". Video

Typhoid is transmitted by ingesting water and food contaminated by faeces or urine of patients or animal carriers.

The Palau National Congress (Olbiil Era Kelulau) sat for a rare three-day session to advance and pass a bill to introduce sweeping amendments to immigration laws.

Solomon Airlines CEO Paul Abbot said they are closely monitoring demand across the region.

The FSM has been urged by the UN to expand education access to children who live on remote islands.

Forensic analysis confirmed the seized parcels were cocaine with an estimated street value of USD$527 million.

Police said the machines were torched by unknown people who are not happy with Gold Ridge Mining, but it has also been reported that local landowners unhappy with police are responsible.