Pacific Waves for 8 July 2025
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RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Palau president on Pacific Mini Games: 'It is all about...lifting each other up'
President Whipps presenting a medal at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Plaau. 1 July 2025 Photo: Facebook / Office of the President, Republic of Palau Hosting the 2025 Pacific Mini Games is a significant undertaking - particularly for a small, remote nation like Palau. Speaking to RNZ Pacific about the preparations as the host country for the 12th edition of the Mini Games - their second time since 2005 - Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr acknowledged that the journey has been long and challenging, but more-so rewarding. "In 2022, we established the the chairman of the Games and the Organising Committee," Whipps said. "For example, construction for track and basketball began almost two years ago…and the basketball finished only a week before the Games. "But you know, you live on islands - it's tough to get facilities done quickly and I think, importantly, it involves planning." He added that some facilities, such as the 3x3 basketball court, were finished just a week before the competition started. There were also some logistical challenges, including the attendance of more athletes than anticipated. "We were scrambling for food and for bedding…but that's a good problem to have," Whipps said. "We were just blessed to have so many athletes from all across the Pacific showing up." Va'a competitors from Tahiti, Wallis and Futuna, Fiji, Palau, PNG, and the Norther Mariana Islands on day one. Photo: Facebook / Office of the President, Republic of Palau Whipps said that this year's event has been an embodiment of the Pacific spirit, with multiple athletes and attendees commenting on the balance between competitiveness and comradery. Competition is fierce, but true to the Pacific way, unity and pride outshine any outcomes. "I've been around attending all the different games," he said. "Listening to the Papua New Guinea and Fiji teams at the track and field, then the Vanuatu team…our Palau teams…it's just been that kind of Games, there's that spirit. "We are one family. I watch all of these players, they're going into nail-biting overtime… and hugging afterwards - that's what you want to see, right? It is about sharing, supporting, and lifting each other up." But beyond the spectacle of the Games, which wraps up at 6pm tonight, Whipps said the event has been great for locals, and will have a lasting impact on the community. Most facilities were built near the schools, with the intention they continue to serve as gyms and training venues for students long after the Games end. "These facilities are all around schools... they can continue to be used, maintained, and really help our children. Hopefully we inspire more young athletes to continue to develop and compete," Whipps said. "It is not just about today, it allows potential for future international events…it provides us with the tremendous opportunity to raise the level of competition and visibility." He added that the addition of a beach volleyball venue opened up conversations around a youth World Cup event for the sport. President Surangel Whipps Jr met with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) president Fabio Azevedo. FIVB provided support for both indoor and outdoor volleyball courts for the Pacific Mini Games 2025. 7 July 2025 Photo: Facebook / Office of the President, Republic of Palau "We are meeting with the president of the Volleyball Federation that was here and seeing those opportunities; it's not only allowing us to develop our youth, but also our legacy, to bring in more tournaments and events. "Not only in the Pacific and Micronesia, but now thinking of events outside our region." Now, Whipps is looking ahead to the closing ceremony, with hopes for more accessible flights to Palau and greater economic viability in the near future, continuing the momentum that the Games has brought to the region. We are one ocean, one Pacific," he said.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Blow for Australia as Lolesio ruled out of Lions series
Wallaby Noah Lolesio has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions series. Photo: photosport The Wallabies have suffered a major blow with first-choice No 10 Noah Lolesio ruled out of the British & Irish Lions series after undergoing surgery. Lolesio was taken off the field on a stretcher with his neck in a brace during the Wallabies' victory over Fiji on Sunday after slamming his head into the turf in a tackle. "After being initially discharged from hospital on Sunday night, Lolesio was readmitted for surgery this afternoon following a further medical follow-up," the Wallabies said in a statement. "He is expected to make a full recovery and will spend a period of time away from the game during his rehabilitation." Coach Joe Schmidt, who had started Lolesio in 13 of 15 tests since he took over last year, will name his squad for the three tests against the Lions in late July and August on Friday. "Firstly, we were relieved that Noah was up and moving well when he returned to the team hotel after his initial hospital visit in Newcastle on Sunday," the New Zealander said. "Further to that, it's an added relief for everyone, especially his family, that successful surgery now has him on the road to recovery." Although he was left out of the last World Cup squad by Eddie Jones, Lolesio is a fine goalkicker and relatively experienced international with 30 tests to his name since his debut against New Zealand in 2020. Schmidt praised the contribution of Lolesio's replacement Ben Donaldson in the last 20 minutes of the Fiji test on Sunday and also had the inexperienced Tom Lynagh in his squad for that match. Veteran James O'Connor, who played at No 10 against the Lions in the 2013 test series, has enjoyed a decent season in Super Rugby at the Crusaders this year. Other than that, however, Schmidt would need to look to the likes of Bernard Foley, who is 35 and has been playing in Japan for five years, to bring some more experience to the playmaker role. Foley, who earned the nickname Iceman for his clutch placekicking, was recalled to the Wallabies squad after a three-year absence during the 2022 Rugby Championship and played the last of his 76 tests against Ireland in November that year. - Reuters
RNZ News
16 hours ago
- RNZ News
Fiji's ex-anti-corruption head to fight 'destroyed career' after damning inquiry
Ashton-Lewis, 75, was paid $AU2000 a day during the nine week hearing, which involved 35 witnesses . It took a total of six months to go through the material. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Fiji Government / FICAC The former head of Fiji's anti-corruption agency may move to have the damning Commission of Inquiry report into her appointment quashed. Barbara Malimali - described as "universally corrupt" by the commissioner of the inquiry - was suspended by Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on 29 May. Her lawyer Tanya Waqanika told Pacific Waves that Justice David Ashton-Lewis' public remarks has destroyed Malimali's legal career. Rabuka released a redacted copy of the final report on the government's website last Monday, but leaked copies have been circulating for weeks. Justice Ashton-Lewis found that six members of government and four lawyers lied under oath, obstructed justice and perverted the course of justice. "I've done my job, the rest is up to up to Sitiveni Rabuka to act," he said. Justice Ashton-Lewis said the edited version cuts out almost an entire chapter of adverse findings against individuals, in a bid not to prevent or bias any subsequent police investigations. He claims it exposed what he called a systemic failure of integrity at the highest levels of Fiji's governance and justice systems. Ashton-Lewis said Malimali's appointment to the role last September was legally invalid, ethically reprehensible and procedurally corrupted. "She was a pawn in the hands of devious members of government, who wanted any allegations against them or other government members thrown out," he told RNZ Pacific. Waqanika said Ashton-Lewis' allegations in the report are merely his "narrative" and the real truth lies in the court transcripts. She claims his public comments destroyed Malimali's reputation. "He made a defamatory and derogatory comment in a podcast and called her universally corrupt," Waqanika said. "It's an issue of clearing her name, she has has built up her legal career over 20 years and that statement alone has pretty much destroyed her career." Ashton-Lewis said the evidence from cross-examination of Malimali and from the many who spoke against her showed she was "universally corrupt". The main findings of the inquiry include: Malimali has instructed Waqanika to write to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) to complain about the Commissioner on the grounds of "misbehaviour". According to Ashton-Lewis, Malimali was a pawn in the hands of devious members of government. Photo: X/Fiji Women However, she was vague about the details, saying "misbehaviour" was a broad term but might include his "lack of credentials". Waqanika also claimed the inquiry went outside its terms of reference and believes other lawyers involved in the investigation will try to have the report thrown out on this basis. Ashton-Lewis, 75, was paid $AU2000 a day during the nine week hearing, which involved 35 witnesses . It took a total of six months to go through the material. He handed the the 681-page report to Rabuka and President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu on 6 May, and said the terms of reference were strictly followed. "The terms of reference were not only about Mallmali's appointment, they include the question of whether there was any undue interference in her appointment and I found there was," he said. "We did our job correctly. They (Malimali and Waqanika) can yell as loud as they want, but I think any moves to have the report quashed will be lengthy, costly and unsuccessful.". Ashton-Lewis said there were four attempts during the inquiry to shut it down, including a claim that it breached the constitution. "We were appointed under the Commission of Inquiries Act, not the Constitution, so that was erroneous." Ashton-Lewis said there were "discriminatory" attacks, suggesting that as foreigners they had no right to question Malimali. Waqanika complained to the Prime Minister and the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, that Ashton-Lewis, an Australian, was "white". She also questioned the suitability of barrister Janet Mason, his assistant. Ms Mason is a Fijian citizen who is part iTaukei and lives in Wellington. "I wasn't expecting that kind of racism, I've never experienced that in all my years in the High Court," he said. Waqanika claimed there was a lack of accountability and transparency during the inquiry, with only one commissioner and a media ban in place. "Why wasn't it open to the public and the media? The optics for the coalition government are not good, especially with the general elections next year." Ashton-Lewis said he was hand-picked by the Prime Minister. "He (Rabuka) set this investigation up and it was his decision to have only one judge. He chose me because he wanted someone outside of Fiji who was not obligated to any tribal or cultural group." "He knew there were crocodiles in the pond and he wanted them found", he said. Meanwhile the anti-corruption agency is now investigating one of the deputy prime ministers, Manoa Kamikamica, for perjury. Investigators from the anti-corruption agency issued a search warrant on Thursday and Kamikamica's cellphone was seized. He told The Fiji Times that he assumed it was to do with the inquiry and would like to set the record straight . "There are some big gaps in that report, which is quite disappointing, they make allegations without any factual evidence," said Kamikamica, who is also the Minister for Trade. "There are issues with the report, it's a very one-sided interpretation of facts, if you want to call them facts. As the commissioner said, its all hearsay on hearsay, are we now starting to accuse people based on rumour and innuendo?" However, Ashton-Lewis said did not admit "hearsay on hearsay". "I did not, I only ever made my findings on the basis of clear, direct oral evidence from witnesses," he said. During the inquiry a former cabinet minister, Kalaveti Ravu, described Kamikamica as a "wannabe Prime Minister." When RNZ Pacific questioned the deputy prime minister recently about Ravu's comment, he replied "stop bothering me". Ravu was accused by the agency of interfering in a ministerial investigation into the suspected illegal trade of a banned species of beche-de mer (sea cucumbers). However he was acquitted in the Suva Magistrates Court in February. Fiji's opposition leader Inia Seruiratu last week demanded Ratu Naiqama suspend the Chief Justice Salesi Temo. Seruiratu told FijiLive a tribunal should be set up to investigate Justice Temo's conduct. "The Attorney-General (Graham Leung) has already been removed, a necessary first step, but not the final one. One cannot pull the matchstick and leave the fuel untouched," he said. "Three of the country's highest legal officers remain in place, their credibility compromised, their accountability unresolved. This is not a call for vengeance, its a call for justice." Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka sacked Leung on 30 May after a version of the report was leaked to the public. Sitiveni Rabuka said in a government statement that inquiry's findings had made it "evident" that Leung's position in his Cabinet was now "untenable." Leung last week slammed the report. He told local media that the report's findings were "the trumph of media prattle and lazy legal guesswork". "There's an allegation that I conspired with others to appoint Malimali's appointment. I reject that categorically," Leung said. But Ashton-Lewis replied: "I never said he conspired with anyone, Graham Leung simply failed to carry out his job as Attorney General during the appointment." "Both Leung and Temo knew Malimali was being investigated for abuse of office, but they failed to stop her appointment. He said they should have investigated further, but did not. Charlie Charters, whose mother-in-law was the son of the late former opposition MP (SOLDEPA) Adi Mere Samisoni, said in a blog there was "no need to import a fancy white man" to head the hearing. "We look like real kaicolo (highland) jungle bunnies, waiting to be told the good and the bad among us, by someone who is happy to laugh in private at our primitive bow-and-arrow ways," he wrote. "It's hard not to reflect on how this whole fiasco has diminished Fiji," he wrote. Ashton-Lewis laughed, saying he was known for his stylish three-piece suits.
