Pacific news in brief for 25 June
Photo:
123rf
Leaders in the American Samoa government have expressed their opposition to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's proposed commercial leasing of the territory's exclusive economic zone.
They said this was in line with the express will of the people and the protection of American Samoa's natural resources.
The American Samoa Government's moratorium on sea bed mininghas not been repealed, and therefore, remains in full force and effect.
A participant from Vanuatu wearing a T-shirt that says 'Labour Mobility is a Family Journey' during the UNICEF Labour Mobility Conference on the 16th and 17th of July 2024 at Ramada, Port Vila.
Photo:
UNICEF / Bobby Shing
The countries in the Paciifc Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus trade agreement are meeting to address the negative social impacts of Pacific labour mobility.
The PACER Plus labour mobility arrangement aims to strengthen labour mobility cooperation by promoting good practices and enabling mutually beneficial policies.
An earlier review found some workers face difficulties such as poor accommodation, high migration costs, and limited understanding of their rights and responsibilities while abroad.
It also found that employers and systems in Australia and New Zealand are sometimes not well-equipped to understand or respond to the specific needs and cultural values of Pacific workers.
Fijian prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka reaffirmed regional unity at the end of the Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders summit in Suva on Monday night.
A government statement said Rabuka, now the chairman of the group, described Melanesia as an immensely strong family.
The Prime Minister said the one-day summit reinforced shared values of sovereignty, solidarity and sustainable development.
Critical issues were discussed, including regional security and economic cooperation, climate resilience and cultural preservation.
Air New Zealand has announced 25,000 new seats on flights to Pacific Islands this summer.
Flights to Rarotonga, Nadi, and Papeete are set to get a boost.
Also, almost 7000 seats to Noumea are being added as the airline resumes flights to New Caledonia from November after last year's deadly riots.
Air New Zealand said the deployment of more widebody aircraft enables them to respond to strong demand.
There is a growing interest in Papua New Guinea coffee from Chinese investors.
Representatives from Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) China have just been in PNG on a 12-day visit, with a keen interest in coffee.
Local media reported importers and distributors conducted on-site inspections at plantations and factories in Port Moresby, Goroka and Mount Hagen.
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RNZ News
17 hours ago
- RNZ News
Pasifika Medical Association rejects claims public funds used inappropriately
Pasifika Medical Association group chair Kiki Maoate. Photo: Pasifika Medical Association Group The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) is rejecting claims that public funds have been used in an inappropriate manner. Te Puni Kōkiri is launching an independent review into allegations that money was used inappropriately for Whānau Ora commissioning services. It relates to allegations of funds misused by two agencies, including Pasifika Futures Limited, where it is alleged that [ Moana Pasifika received $770,000 a year] from a Whānau Ora contract with the Pasifika Medical Association. However, Pasifika Medical Association group chair Kiki Maoate said no public funding has been used to support the professional rugby team. "We strongly reject any claim that public funds have been used in an inappropriate manner," Maoate said. Moana Pasifika became part of the Pasifika Medical Association Group (PMA) on 1 July 2024. At that time, the Moana Pasifika Charitable Trust was formally established to hold both the professional rugby team and the Moana Pasifika Community Sports Programme, Maoate said. "Moana Pasifika has always been more than a rugby team. From the outset, it was established as a platform for social good and long-term transformation for Pacific people. That founding purpose made it a natural strategic fit for PMA, which recognised the opportunity to strengthen and expand Moana Pasifika's reach. With that alignment of values and mission, PMA invested to optimise the organisations positive impact, capability and connection to Pacific communities. "In 2021, a small amount of funding was provided to the Pacific Business Trust to support the development of a business case for the establishment of the Moana Pasifika Charitable Trust. This was consistent with broader support for Pacific-owned and delivered initiatives under the economic domain of Pasifika Futures. "Since that time, any public or Whānau Ora funding has been directed solely to the Moana Pasifika Community Sports Programme. No public funding has been used to support the professional rugby team." the statement from PMA said. RNZ has approached the PMA for further comment. Te Pou Matakana, otherwise known as the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency Limited, is also being investigated after Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka seeked urgent advice on "electioneering concerns". The concerns related to an advertisement encouraging Māori to sign-up to the Māori electoral roll paid for by Te Pou Matakana, which was released this week. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
‘A Moral Failure': Security Council Hears About Grave Violations Against Children Caught In War
'From that day on, our home became a travel bag and our path became that of displacement … My childhood was filled with fear and anxiety and people I was deprived of,' she said, speaking via videoconference from Syria. Sila, now 17, described her experiences during the Syrian Civil War to a meeting of the UN Security Council held on Wednesday to discuss the findings of the Secretary-General's latest report on Children and Armed Conflict. The report documented a 25 per cent increase in grave violations against children in 2024, the largest number ever recorded in its 20-year history. ' This year's report from the Secretary-General once again confirms what too many children already know — that the world is failing to protect them from the horrors of war,' said Sheema Sen Gupta, director of child protection at the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Seema Sen Gupta, director of child protection and migration at UNICEF, briefs the Security Council. 'Each violation against children in every country around the globe represents a moral failure.' The real scale of the harm The report presented to the Security Council is published annually to document grave violations against children affected by war. It relies entirely on data compiled and verified by the UN, meaning that the real numbers are likely much higher than reported. In 2024, the report documented a record 41,370 grave violations — including killing and maiming, rape, abduction and the targeting of infrastructure such as schools which supports children. 'Each child struck by these attacks carries a story, a stolen life, a dream interrupted, a future obscured by senseless violence and protracted conflict,' said Virginia Gamba, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, whose office produced the report. Virginia Gamba, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, briefs the Security Council. While many of these violations occurred during times of conflict — especially as urban warfare is on the rise — grave violations can persist even after a conflict ends. They persist in the unexploded ordinances which still pepper the ground. 'Every unexploded shell left in a field, schoolyard, or alley is a death sentence waiting to be triggered,' said Ms. Sen Gupta. They persist in the spaces which remain destroyed, impeding children from accessing healthcare and education. And they persist in the trauma and injuries which never fully leave a child. Scars that never heal Children who survive the grave violations do not escape unscathed — if they suffered violence, the injuries will stay with them for a lifetime. And even if they were not injured, the trauma remains. 'The physical and psychological scars borne by survivors last a lifetime, affecting families, communities and the very fabric of societies,' said Ms. Gamba. This is why UNICEF and its partners have worked to provide reintegration programmes and psychosocial support for children who are victims of grave violations. Sila said that the trauma of her childhood is still with her, and has pushed her to become an advocate for children in conflicts. 'From that moment on, nothing has felt normal in my life. I've developed a phobia of any sound that resembles a plane, of the dark, and even of silence,' she said. 'This cannot be the new normal' Ms. Gamba called for 'unwavering condemnation and urgent action' from the international community in order to reverse the worrying trends which the report details. ' We cannot afford to return to the dark ages where children were invisible and voiceless victims of armed conflict … Please do not allow them to slip back into the shadows of despair,' she said. Current funding cuts to humanitarian aid are impeding the work of UN agencies and partners to document and respond to grave violations against children. In light of this, Ms. Sen Gupta's call for the Security Council was simple: 'Fund this agenda.' She said that the international community cannot allow this to become 'a new normal,' and reminded the members of the Security Council that children are not and should never be 'collateral damage.' Despite the devastation which the report detailed, there were 'glimmers of hope' according to Ms. Sen Gupta. For example, the Syrian National Army signed an action plan which will prevent the recruitment, killing and maiming of children. Sila also spoke of hope — she hopes that hers is the last generation to suffer these grave violations. 'I am from a generation that survived. Physically,' she said. 'Our bodies survived but our hearts are still living in fear. Please help us replace the word displacement with return, the word rubble with home, the word war with life.'
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Allegations public money used by Whānau Ora for 'electioneering' to be investigated
Moana Pasifika allegedly received $770,000 a year from the Whānau Ora contract with Pasifika Medical Association. Photo: Andy Radka/ActionPress Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) has launched an independent review into allegations of inappropriate use of public funding appropriated for Whānau Ora commissioning services. The independent review relates to allegations of funding misuse by two agencies, Te Pou Matakana Limited - otherwise known as the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency - and Pasifika Futures Limited, and would focus on whether the agencies met their contractual obligations when using the public money. The review followed Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka seeking urgent advice on "electioneering concerns" relating to an advertisement encouraging Māori to sign-up to the Māori electoral roll paid for by Te Pou Matakana Limited released this week, and the revelation Super Rugby franchise Moana Pasifika had also received Whānau Ora funds . Dave Samuels, chief executive of Te Puni Kōkiri has called for the 'thorough review". Photo: TPK Te Puni Kōkiri chief executive and secretary for Māori development Dave Samuels said Te Puni Kōkiri had written to both organisations looking for an explanation. "It is in everyone's best interest that we find out what happened. We must safeguard taxpayers' money which is why I have commissioned a thorough review to get to the bottom of these serious allegations," Samuels said. The reviewer and terms of reference for the review were expected to be announced next week, however, Outcome Agreements signed with the two agencies and whether they met their contractual obligations would be in scope. Te Puni Kōkiri said after an open procurement process Whānau Ora had shifted to a new and transparent funding model with data-driven insights, which would make it easier to measure outcomes and ensure value for money. Commissioning contracts with Te Pou Matakana Limited and Pasifika Futures Limited end on Monday, and four new commissioning agencies begin Whānau Ora contracts the next day on 1 July. Te Pou Matakana Limited and Pasifika Futures Limited have been approached by RNZ for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
