Photo: Hilaire Bule
Vanuatu - airplane
A representative from Airbus was to visit Vanuatu to discuss money paid for a new plane that has not arrived in the country.
Vanuatu spent $2 billion vatu between 2019 and 2021 for the purchase of an Airbus A220.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reports the visit was confirmed by prime minister Charlot Salawi in parliament.
Salwai said he was not sure if this was a Government-to-Government deal or a business deal, but his question was: where is that plane now and is it still coming.
In response, Finance Minister John Salong said apparently the deposit was made with Airbus through Air Vanuatu, so the Vanuatu Government has to follow up and make sure they don't lose the money.
He said it was a conversation which happened between the-then Prime Minister of Vanuatu and the France President, and it is still incomplete.
Tonga - resign
A Tongan MP called for the resignation of the prime minister in the wake of King Tupou VI stating his loss of confidence in two ministerial appointments.
Matangi Tonga reported Parliament debated the issue on Friday, and questions included whether the King has responded to Cabinet's rejection of his letter.
The deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu said "Once we are ready, we will respond".
RNZ Pacific understands the palace has yet to respond to Cabinet saying the King's view is unconstitutional.
He also said the matter was for the King and the Prime Minister to resolve.
The Speaker of the House Lord Fakafanua called on members to leave the government and His Majesty's office to sort the issue out, as it was sensitive and affects everyone.
Hu'akavameiliku returned to the Tonga Legislative Assembly on Tuesday morning but made no mention of correspondence with King Tupou VI.
Meanwhile, questions has also been raised about his health last week.
People's Representative for 'Eua, Dr Taniela Fusimālohi, asked the House for Hu'akavameiliku to update members on his health status and whether his health will affect his ability to lead the government and the country.
Hu'akavameiliku was given extended leave from Parliament to be in New Zealand for medical checks as well as official meetings.
Samoa - alcohol
A Samoan matai on seasonal work in Australia has written to the government to monitor breaches of alcohol policies by workers.
In his letter, Toimoana Semau Semu Sa'e said there have been several incidents of men and women partying in the men's dormitory, with some women ending up sleeping there.
He wrote that a fight broke out between the men during one of the drink-ups with the female workers.
Since the letter was obtained by the Samoa Observer, attempts to get a comment from the Ministry of Finance, and the Minister now looking after the seasonal work programme, were not successful.
Pacific - debt
The Pacific Islands' Forum chair says the region must prioritise the looming debt hanging over its head.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said countries that have relied on China must manage and repay their loans before it becomes more of an issue.
Roughly 80 percent of Tonga's upcoming debt payments will flow to China.
Repayments on a NZD$195 million loan from China's state-owned Exim Bank was granted in 2008 to help Tonga rebuild central Nuku'alofa after riots.
Brown said paying off debt is front of mind for the region.
"All of us came out of covid - all of our countries - with increased debt," he said.
"Now how we manage that moving forward is a topic of discussion that we're having with the likes of the Asian Development Bank, with the likes of the World Bank - as to how we can ease the burden of the debt repayments that will come onto some countries sooner than later."
Kiribati - visit
The Kiribati Minister of Employment and Human Resources has been in New Zealand connecting with employers.
Taabeta Teakai was welcomed on Friday by the Dunedin Kiribati community for two days of workshops on employment opportunities.
The Otago Daily Times reports that since her appointment, Ms Teakai has helped many Kiribati people find work.
When she first joined the ministry, there were 211 seasonal Kiribati workers in New Zealand - today there are about 3000.
She hoped to increase that number by 2000 in the next year.
Tonga - diplomacy
Qatar and Tonga have signed a joint statement to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Qatar Tribune reports this was signed at the headquarters of the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations in New York.
Following the signing ceremony, the two parties expressed their aspiration to enhance economic, cultural, and technological exchanges, and promote international peace and security.
