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RNZ Pacific Cyclone Watch Service activated
The South Pacific cyclone season officially starts today, 1 November and will run through to April 2026.
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Tonga election: What are the main issues ahead of the upcoming polls?
about 1 hour agoTongans will head to the polls on 20 November. Audio
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Pacific islands at risk of becoming 'narco-states', NZ crime advisor warns
31 Oct 2025The chair of New Zealand's Ministerial Advisory Group on transnational and serious organised crime says "business as usual" would mean "we will continue to go… Audio
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Tokelauan elder urges younger generation to 'take ownership' of their identity
31 Oct 2025A community champion of the protection of Tokelauan culture and language in New Zealand hopes to see the younger generation "take ownership and be proud" of…
Pacific News headlines with summaries.
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US military admits it fell short on awarding local contracts in Micronesia
31 Oct 2025Joint Task Force Micronesia commander Rear Admiral Joshua Lasky acknowledged that the US military has not always prioritized local businesses in regional projects.
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Pacific Championships double-header: What you need to know
31 Oct 2025A sea of red is expected to envelop Eden Park as the Kiwis take on a Tongan XIII and their parochial fan base.
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'Dawn of a new era': Oceania prepares for football 'revolution'
The OFC Pro League, officially launched this week and scheduled to kick off in January, "is about building careers, communities and dreams", the Oceania Football Confederation boss says.
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Marape escapes no-confidence challenge under new constitutional rule
31 Oct 2025A constitutional amendment in March this year meant the latest no-confidence motion against the PNG prime minister could not proceed.
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Fiji's President meets Pope Leo XIV
The Fijian Head of State has extended an invitation to the pope to visit the Pacific "at the earliest opportunity."
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French MPs vote to postpone New Caledonia's elections again
30 Oct 2025It comes as newly appointed Overseas Minister Naïma Moutchou prepares to visit the French Pacific territory for more talks on its political future.
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Tonga bets on China to modernise farming ahead of polls
Experts say the move could unlock productivity but implementation, infrastructure, and market compliance will be critical for success.
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Stay alert to measles threat, local doctor warns
30 Oct 2025Cook Islands Health Ministry is urging parents and guardians to check that their children have received measles vaccinations.
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Ancient latte stone repatriated to Northern Marianas from Hawai'i
30 Oct 2025The stone pillar - an emblem of Chamorro identity - was purchased by a private collector in the 1950s and taken off-island.
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'Not the first time': Marape ready to face new no-confidence challenge
30 Oct 2025The PNG Prime Minister confirmed on Wednesday that the man who has brought the challenge against him is his old foe and former Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill.
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'I was way off the mark': Kiribati minister on women in parliament
Ruth Cross Kwansing says special seats for women in parliament are needed to achieve gender equity in Pacific. Audio
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Fiji's HIV crisis could spread across the region, health experts warn
One public health expert described Fiji as a gateway country to other Pacific Islands, warning that, "We could see an increased number of [HIV] cases in New Zealand as well." Audio
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Pacific faces major aid shortfall as NZ, Western donors scale back - report
30 Oct 2025Lowy Institute report says New Zealand is expected to reduce its overseas aid funding by about 35 percent in the next two years. Audio
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Peters urges Nordic nations to boost engagement in the Pacific
The New Zealand Foreign Minister says the Indo-Pacific region is under the most "sustained pressure" it has faced in the past eight decades.
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Rabuka confirms Prasad's resignation after anti-corruption charges
The development comes less than a week after the resignation of co-Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, who is also facing corruption charges.
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Samoan lawmakers pass budget totalling more than $560 million
It comes within a 30-day state of emergency put in place after the budget was not passed earlier in the year, contributing to the fall of Fiame Naomi Mata'afa's government.
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Pacific lawmakers call for creation of human rights commissions to fight nuclear legacy
29 Oct 2025Legislators are urging Pacific parliaments to establish and strengthen independent human rights institutions to seek justice for nuclear testing victims.
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Kiwis coach on crowd booing: 'It's just a bit of banter'
29 Oct 2025A sea of red is expected to envelop Eden Park as the Kiwis take on a Tongan XIII and their notoriously parochial fan base.
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Measles vaccination: 'Alarming gaps among Māori and Pacific peoples'
The World Health Organisation has warned New Zealand to urgently close the "alarming gaps" in measles immunisation for the most at-risk communities. Audio
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Pacific news briefs
28 Oct 2025A round-up of news from around the region, including power outages in Papua New Guinea's Morobe province affecting a regional hospital in Lae.
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Kiribati official bats for US visa exemption after 'a misunderstanding'
A last-minute visa mix-up almost prevented Kiribati from joining the 65th Board of Directors Meeting of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures in the Northern Mariana Islands.
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'By God's love': First-ever complete Tokelauan Bible launched
Tokelau is celebrating the launch of the first full Bible translation in Gagana Tokelau.
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Nadolo appointed development coach for Drua
The Fiji-based Super Rugby franchise made the announcement on Tuesday.
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Pasifika Sipoti briefs
28 Oct 2025A round-up of sports news in brief from around the region, including Samoa's FIFA under-17 World Cup campaign coming to an end with another loss.
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