Thousands of athletes from 24 Pacific island countries and territories including New Zealand and Australia will be vying for gold, silver and bronze in 24 sports over the next two weeks.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare welcomed the Pacific delegations to Honiara.
RNZ Pacific editor Koroi Hawkins is in Honiara to cover the event.
Here are some images from the opening ceremony.
In preparation for the Games’ opening, a noticeably large presence of overseas military and police personnel has assembled in Honiara. The Australian Federal Police have sent 100 officers, to boost security for the Pacific Games. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
A group of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel, with two Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 helicopters, arrived in Honiara on November 14. Military police personnel from Fiji and Papua New Guinea are also present to assist the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in maintaining security. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Solomon Islands fans ready for the Pacific Games opening ceremony. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
The 17th Pacific Games officially opened in Solomon Islands overnight with the host nation pulling out all the stops to put on a vibrant and colourful celebration of culture and unity. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
The 10,000 seat national stadium inside was packed but outside hundreds of people lined the nearby hills, and even climbing up on rooftops and trees to get a glimpse of the Pacific teams. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Crowds started arriving at the National Stadium in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara well ahead of the opening ceremony of the Pacific Games. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Solomon Islanders started arriving at the National Stadium in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara well ahead of the opening ceremony of the Pacific Games. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Organisers could have sold the 10,000 seat national stadium out several times over with hundreds lining the nearby hills and even climbing up on rooftops and trees to get a glimpse of the Pacific teams. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Tamate dance costumes from Vanikoro in Solomon Islands tower above the cultural performers. 19 November 2023. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Junior Maealasia
Left to right - Martin Rara NOCSI president, Manasseh Sogavare Solomon Islands PM and Vidhya Lakhan president of the Pacific Games Council. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Junior Maealasia
Cook Islands athletes enjoying the opening ceremony of Sol2023 in Honiara. 19 November 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific/Junior Maealasia
Team Cook Islands wooing the crowd at the opening of the 17th Pacific Games in Solomon Islands. 19 November 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific/Junior Maealasia
Team New Caledonia - reigning Pacific Games champions - in Honiara to defend their crown. 19 November 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific/Junior Maealasia
Team Marshall Islands making their entrance during the opening ceremony of the 17th Pacific Games in Honiara. 19 November 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific/Junior Maealasia
Team Palau welcomed at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara. 19 November 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific/Junior Maealasia
Spot the celebrity-spectators cheer as team Papua New Guinea make their entrance at the 2023 Pacific Games opening. 19 November 23 Photo: RNZ Pacific/Junior Maealasia
Team Papua New Guinea who placed second in Apia in 2019 will be looking to unseat champions New Caledonia in Solomon Islands. 19 November 23 Photo: RNZ Pacific/Junior Maealasia
Team Tahiti perform at the opening ceremony of the 17th Pacific Games in Solomon Islands. 19 November 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Junior Maealasia
Team Tonga at the opening ceremony for the 17th Pacific Games in Solomon Islands. 19 November 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Junior Maealasia
Team Tuvalu at the opening ceremony for the 17th Pacific Games in Solomon Islands. 19 November 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific/Junior Maealasia
A lone flag bearer represents Norfolk Island at the 2023 Pacific Games. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Junior Maealasia
Starting up with the bang! The 17th Pacific Games is officially open. Honiara 19 November 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Junior Maealasia
