From Silk Road to Blue Pacific: Tourism as a Bridge to Shared Prosperity

Tourism has always been about connection. From the ancient Silk Road to the vast ocean highways of the Blue Pacific, it links cultures, fosters understanding, and creates prosperity through shared journeys. The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO)...

Micronesia’s exit from the Pacific Islands Forum

By Graeme Dobell The slow-motion crash of Micronesia’s break with the Pacific Islands Forum has reached the one-year mark. Back on 8 February 2021, the Micronesia five—the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru and...

Katoa aims to represent Cook Islands

Cook Islands Rugby League has welcomed the interest from Dolphins star halfback Isaiya Katoa, who has shared his intention to one day line up for the Cook Islands. Katoa, who has maternal links to the Cook Islands, is a New Zealand born Tonga...

Cook Islands falls in Netball Youth World Cup quarters

Cook Islands lost 79-45 to South Africa in the quarterfinals of the Netball Youth World Cup Photo: eric rowbottom/ Netball World Cup Facebook Cook Islands lost 79-45 to South Africa in the quarterfinals of the Netball Youth World Cup in Gibraltar...

‘A bitter pill to swallow’: Pacific families hardest hit as Tokoroa plywood plant set to close

Pacific and Māori families in Tokoroa are facing a harsh blow as Carter Holt Harvey announces it will shut down its plywood plant, axing 199 jobs. On Tuesday afternoon, workers were told the plant is expected to close in November. Only a small...

New Zealand Is Pulling Aid From the Cook Islands

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, United Kingdom — The relationship between the Pacific Island nation of the Cook Islands and New Zealand has historically been strong. Cook Islanders are entitled to New Zealand passports and residency, with the model of “free...

Hoiking for Hamas Least of Winston’s Bummers

Yesterday’s twitter flame war between New Zealand’s Foreign Minister and The Daily Blog editor Martyn Bradbury was a most amusing, if undiplomatic imbroglio. Talk about spat! Winston Peters is an obsessive patron of the hospitality industry as...

Cook Islands secures top eight at Netball World Youth Cup

New Zealand playing Cook Islands on 21 September 2025. Photo: Facebook / World Netball / Mark Rodriguez Cook Islands is the only Pacific Island team that has secured their top eight spot at the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar. The islanders...

New Zealand: Lean Into A Role Bridging Superpowers, Small Islands

Latest stories Hegseth 'warrior ethos' mistakes military might for true security The Ukrainian university that is flourishing in wartime Indonesia charting a win-win way through US-China AI rivalry New Zealand is well-positioned to champion those...

Jamaica Under-21 Netballers to face Cook Islands for fifth place playoff spot

Jamaica Under-21 Netballers to face Cook Islands for fifth place playoff spot Jamaica’s Under-21 netballers will tomorrow face the Cook Islands for a place in the fifth-place playoff at the ongoing Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar. The Junior...

Stars add spark to third Pacific Bowl tournament

THE Pacific Bowl Championship is scheduled to return for its third edition starting this month, bringing with it a compelling mix of legacy, rising talent, and international rivalry. Gold Coast Titans prop Cooper Bai is poised to make his debut...

Fiji Kick Start Campaign With Win Over Cook Islands

Press Release – OFC The result puts Fiji top of Group A with three points, while the Cook Islands semi-final hopes now hinge on the outcome of Fijis next match against Tonga. Fiji have opened their OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2025 campaign in...

New Zealand: Lean into a role bridging superpowers, small islands                

New Zealand has long been viewed as the quiet achiever of the Pacific – a country that has long cultivated credibility in the Pacific through history, migration and cultural ties to the islands. But now, as China’s strategic competition with the...

Unbeaten SPAR Baby Proteas brace for Cook Islands in Netball World Youth Cup quarterfinal

The SPAR Baby Proteas remain unbeaten at the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup. They dominated Fiji 86–35 in their final Pool D match. The two nations met for the fourth time, and South Africa is yet to taste defeat against the Pacific Islanders. SPAR...

Controversial Cook Islands seabed mining plan gets backing from former Australia PM Scott Morrison

Speaking on a panel discussion on the Pacific Islands at the Impact Week conference in Singapore last Friday, the conservative politician acknowledged that deep-sea mining was controversial but said Cook Islands should be allowed to “make their...

Cook Islands Stun Tonga In OFC U-19 Championship Opener In Tahiti

Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation The Cook Islands have opened their OFC Womens U-19 Championship campaign in Tahiti with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tonga in Group A at Stade de Punaruu. The decisive moment came midway through the...

Fainu brothers commit to Bati for Pacific Championships

Samuela (left) and Sione (middle), pictured with brother Latu, are set to play for Fiji at the Pacific Championships. [Photo Credit: NRL] Fiji’s forward pack will be strengthened for the upcoming Pacific Championships with the inclusion of Samuela...

Growth in the Pacific to accelerate to 4.1 percent in 2025,...

Economic growth in the Pacific is projected to accelerate to 4.1 percent in 2025 and moderate to 3.4 percent in 2026, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2025, the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) flagship economic...

Fainu brothers join Fiji Bati for Pacific campaign

Fiji has added Samuela and Sione Fainu to its Bati squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships. The brothers, both also eligible for Tonga, have opted to represent Fiji. Samuela and Sione could be joined by their third brother, Latu, who is...

RNZAF Cook Islands Aviator Returns Home

Press Release – New Zealand Defence Force Sergeant Mata, a logistics specialist, is flying on the bulk of the C-130J Hercules flights into Mauke this month and next, as the aircraft delivers personnel and materials for island upgrades as part of...