Pacific

Across the Pacific Islands, the price of kava is surging

The tradition, ceremony and culture that surrounds kava could be at the greatest risk.

Following the collapse of the kava market in the 2000s, many South Pacific kava farmers slowed production or walked away from their plantations entirely. Given kava takes a minimum of three years to harvest (depending on the season), response to surging Western and local markets is slow.

Pacific’s missed opportunity at Oceans Conference

Instead, the final Call to Action adopted by leaders the first UN Oceans conference in June ‘continues to perpetuate the myth that we are weak and small and need to be treated differently’.
 
Dr Aqorau, who is a former CEO of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), said Pacific and other Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) need to change this mindset because the current myth of smallness and we need special help is ‘undermining’ the value of their natural capital.
 

New World Heritage site 'links all of Polynesia'

Last week, UNESCO accepted the bid for Taputapuatea marae to become a world heritage site after nearly two decades of campaigning.

The marae complex is about 1000 years old and is seen as the point of origin for Polynesian seafarers who travelled to Rapa Nui, Hawai'i and New Zealand.

Otago University's Paul Tapsell said the site had always been significant and connected the people of the Pacific.

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Value chain workshop to propel growing coconut industry in the Pacific

Local farmers, regional traders, farmer cooperatives, non-governmental organisations, industry consultants, and representatives from key trading partners and actors from all levels of the industry will come together for the three-day workshop from 11-13 July.

Upskilling the Pacific’s broadcasters

Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited’s (PCBL) inaugural Media Exchange Programme (MEP) got underway in May, with the initial four broadcasters arriving in Auckland for a two-week placement, at either TVNZ or Mediaworks.

The first exchange took place from May 15, and consisted of Temo Sukanaivalu from Cook Islands TV, Anthony Roebeck of Samoa Broadcasting Corporation (TV1), Glenda Gabriel from Papua New Guinea’s EMTV, and Tonga Broadcasting Commission’s Onesi Saluni.

Pacific Hockey catered for in global revamp

This month the International Hockey Federation, FIH, announced a new international competition called the Hockey Pro League.

RNZI reports the league will start in 2019 with elite nations like Argentina, the Netherlands, Australia, Great Britain, India and New Zealand all involved.

Oceania's Continental Development Officer Gill Gemming said the Pacific teams are not being left out of the loop.

McClay says PACER Plus signing a historic day for NZ-Pacific relations

“This is a landmark moment for the economic future of the Pacific. Pacer Plus will help sustainably develop the countries involved through trade and help raise the standard of living for their people. A more resilient and prosperous Pacific is in all of our interests,” Mr McClay says.

“In the short-term, the Pacific countries who have signed this agreement will benefit economically and socially through the joint NZ Australia $55 million development package. Long-term, trade will help transform their economies by providing reliable income and sustainable growth.”

ADB supports energy reform, clean and renewable energy in Pacific

The Pacific Energy Update 2017 provides a comprehensive overview of ADB’s energy-focused work in the Pacific. The publication highlights the impacts of ADB-supported energy initiatives completed in 2016 and ongoing in 2017, while providing details of what ADB hopes to achieve in the energy sector in the future.

Child cancer initiatives seeing results in Pacific

Jane Skeen says she is passionate about getting better staff training and treatment to children in countries such as Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

Dr Skeen said greater collaboration had seen an improvement in recovery rates, saying that about 50 children are now getting treatment in Fiji every year.

And colleagues at Auckland and Christchurch hospitals are also able to assist some children from the Pacific who travel for chemotherapy.

PIC booth stirs much interest at Japan’s Marine Diving Fair

While cherry blossoms were in full bloom, despite bad weather, more than 50,000 visitors attended the fair with more anticipation than last year.

Among them were many enthusiastic divers and travel lovers who were looking for new ocean resorts.

A corner of the main aisle at the fair was almost completely occupied by Pacific islands booths from Palau, Papua New Guinea, Kosrae of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Cook Islands and Marshall Islands, which was a first-time participant on the initiative of tourism authorities and diver groups.