Pacific News In Brief For 16 May
A round-up of news from around the region, including the Solomon Islands prime minister's call for reforms to the process surrounding motions of no confidence.
Solomon Islands – motions
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has suggested changes to how motions of no confidence in the country are moved.
Manele said there must be a balance between the right to move a motion of no-confidence, and protecting parliamentary processes from being abused.
Two motions of no confidence against his Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) have been moved within a year in office, but ultimately withdrawn.
SIBC reported Manele told parliament on Monday he will bring a paper to Cabinet to appoint a task force to do these reforms.
Palau – ocean
Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr has signed an executive order creating a working group to better protect Palau's ocean.
He has called it a 'whole government approach in securing Palau's waters.'
The Island Times reported the Coordinated Maritime Management Working Group brings together top officials from government agencies to respond more quickly and effectively to ocean-related threats.
These include illegal fishing, safety emergencies, or foreign intrusions in Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone.
The working group will be led jointly by the Bureau of Public Safety and the Bureau of Marine Transportation.
Under the order, the group will meet monthly at the Joint Operations Center to review incidents at sea – such as search and rescue operations or encounters with suspicious vessels – and will also develop procedures, run annual training exercises, and work with foreign partners and the private sector.
Cook Islands – culture
Cook Islands traditional leaders want cultural knowledge to be integrated into the teaching curriculum.
The House of Ariki has developed an education manifesto at a four-day workshop alongside the education ministry of and Conservation International.
It sets out recommendations for education to be built on indigenous knowledge.
Conservation International spokesperson Schannel van Dijken said that many countries in the region have not been teaching their own history and culture.
'Some of the core recommendations from that coming out, that's articulated in that document, is making Cook Islands Māori language instruction compulsory from preschool through to secondary levels; integrating traditional knowledge and cultural practices throughout the curriculum.'
Australia/Pacific – relations
Pat Conroy has retained his position in Cabinet following Tuesday's ministerial changes announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Conroy will continue as Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs.
In a statement, he said he will continue to build positive relations with the Pacific family as part of the Albanese Government's commitment to supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for Australia and our region.
Conroy said defence spending under the Albanese government had reached record levels, and he would continue to focus on strengthening the Australian Defence Force and local defence manufacturing.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Scoop
US And NZ Army Leaders Strengthen Strategic Partnership
United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) Commanding General, General Ronald P. Clark, met this week with New Zealand Chief of Army, Major General Rose King, to reaffirm the strong and enduring military relationship between the two nations and advance efforts to bolster security cooperation, readiness, and interoperability across the Indo-Pacific region. Over the course of the senior leaders' and their delegations meeting in Wellington, as well as a visit to the NZ Army's training and cultural home in Waiouru, the deepening defence relationship was reflected between both countries, rooted in shared democratic values and more than a century of military cooperation dating back to the First World War. 'Our armies have stood side by side in every major conflict of the past century,' said General Clark. 'Today, that legacy continues as we build the integrated landpower network required to meet today's challenges and preserve peace in the Indo-Pacific.' Their meeting underscored not only the historical depth of the US–New Zealand Army partnership, but also the shared commitment to preparing their forces for the challenges of a rapidly evolving regional security environment. 'New Zealand values its close and enduring relationship with the US Army,' said Major General Rose King. 'Our cooperation is not just historical - it's operational, forward-looking, and grounded in trust. Together, we are preparing our forces to meet shared challenges across the region with agility, adaptability and purpose.' Discussions focused on building further interoperability, advancing combined readiness initiatives, and the US Army's recent transformation efforts. The leaders emphasised the critical role both armies play in shaping a free and open Indo-Pacific, especially as the region faces evolving threats and strategic competition. The meeting occurred as both nations' armies participated in Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia, where close to 700 New Zealand Defence Force troops trained alongside US, Australian, and other allied forces. The exercise demonstrated growing interoperability across air, land, maritime, cyber, and space domains. Major General King highlighted NewZealand's commitment to maintaining a modern, combat-ready force capable of deploying globally and regionally. The New Zealand Army - 4,200 active and 2,000 reserve soldiers strong – regularly integrates seamlessly with allied partners across combined missions and operations, supports United Nations peacekeeping operations and delivers humanitarian assistance across the Pacific when called upon. 'We know that we can't contribute mass and scale, but we pride ourselves on the quality of our soldiers and our leaders, who regularly deploy to, and add significant value to multinational deployments and operations,' Major General King said. 'To that end, it's been great to be able to share some insight with General Clark and his team around how we go about training our people.' As part of its publicly announced modernisation efforts through the New Zealand Government's Defence Capability Plan, the New Zealand Army is pursuing upgrades to its Javelin anti-tank missile system, investing in a Network Enabled Army to improve its digital communications and command-and-control interoperability, and planning the replacement of aging vehicle fleets to enhance mobility and sustainment in the field. 'New Zealand is a stalwart partner in the Pacific,' said General Clark. 'Whether in exercises like Talisman Sabre or standing shoulder to shoulder in peacekeeping operations, our soldiers share trust built on action, not just words.' This sentiment was echoed by Major General King, who emphasised the operational value of combined training and the practical steps both armies are taking to improve regional preparedness. 'Participating in Talisman Sabre alongside US and Australian forces showcases our commitment to operational readiness and deepening interoperability,' said Major General King. 'These exercises strengthen our collective capability to respond quickly and effectively in the region—whether in conflict, crisis, or humanitarian need.' Both generals acknowledged the strategic importance of the Pacific Islands region and affirmed their role in promoting regional security, development, and sovereignty. This visit underscored the enduring strength of the US–New Zealand partnership - one forged in the trenches of the First World War, battle-tested in the Pacific during the Second World War, and reaffirmed today through shared purpose and mutual respect.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Cook Islands PM: ‘If we can't get help from NZ, we will go somewhere else'
By Teitimoana Tairi , Cook Islands News Cook Islands PM Mark Brown Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Lydia Lewis Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown defended the nation's new strategic partnership with China, citing the need for diverse international partners to fund a $650 million infrastructure plan that New Zealand alone cannot support, despite NZ's concerns and paused funding. Brown made this comment on Monday (Tuesday NZT) while officially opening the 2025 Pa Enua Governance Forum, held at the USP Cook Islands Campus until Thursday. The Forum is attended by outer island leaders, who are in Rarotonga for the 2025 Te Maeva Nui festival and the Cook Islands' 60th self-governance anniversary in free association with New Zealand, running from 25 July to 5 August. Addressing the ongoing diplomatic row between the Cook Islands and New Zealand, Brown said: "Kua akaari mai a Nuti Reni e, to ratou manamanata, the main one is, kare oki tatou e uipaanga Kapiti ana kia atou, I mua ake tatou I rave teia koreromotu a tatou I sign ki te baseleia o Tnito (New Zealand shared their concerns with us, the main one is that we didn't discuss this partnership with New Zealand before signing the comprehensive strategic partnership with China) ." This has resulted in New Zealand pausing over $18m in core sector support funding, which targets key areas in the Cook Islands' annual budget. Brown said he was surprised to learn that New Zealand had signed an agreement with China similar to the Cook Islands' deal, which resulted in "$60 billion worth of trade" for New Zealand in exchange for relaxed visa entry requirements for Chinese visitors. According to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, exports to China total $20.85 billion, comprising $17.75b in goods and $3.1b in services (figures for the year ended December 2024). New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will not attend the milestone event in Rarotonga, which will celebrate the Cook Islands' six decades of self-governance in free association with NZ. Photo: RNZ Pacific "There's not one dollar out of this koreromotu (signed partnership) a te Nuti Reni e te Tinito ka tae mai kia tatou," the Brown said. He said that last week, the Australian Prime Minister signed a partnership agreement with China, adding this agreement involves over $200b in annual exports to China and promotes Australia as a tourism destination for Chinese travellers. "Kare okotai meitaki I roto I teia koremotu e ka aere mai kia tatou (Nothing out of this partnership will benefit us), nothing, we have to do our own," Brown told Pa Enua mayors and council members. "… what we did (with China) was sign a friend work engagement in the areas that we would collaborate, and one of them was infrastructure development." Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown defended the nation's new strategic partnership with China. Photo: LIU BIN According to Brown, the country's national infrastructure investment plan costs $650m for infrastructural work across the country, including buildings, transportation, and so on. "New Zealand can't afford to give us that amount of money…we have to develop our partnerships with other larger countries to get the support we need to meet our infrastructure needs," Brown said. "Let me set the record straight about the reality of life, we need to build our infrastructure, we need to improve our standards in the Pa Enua, me kare rauka mai ta te Nuti Reni (if we can't get help from New Zealand), we will go somewhere else and look for that help, and that's what we've been doing." Highlighting the significance of the 60th anniversary, Brown stated that in 1965 the Cook Islands had only one development partner, New Zealand. "Sixty years later, we have 70 development partners, with formal relations with over 70 countries, including all of the biggest countries, the biggest economies in the world today." The 2025 Pa Enua Governance Forum opened on Monday local time (Tuesday NZT), bringing together leaders from across the Pa Enua, government officials, outer island mayors, executive officers and other distinguished guests to discuss ways to strengthen the collaboration between Pa Enua and central governance. In her opening speech, Karopaerangi Ngatoko, the chief of staff at the Office of the Prime Minister, welcomed attendees with words of gratitude and purpose. "…your presence reflects the strength of your commitment to your islands and to our shared development journey," Ngatoko said, acknowledging the distance many had travelled to attend. "This is a working week, it is about progress about delivery and about impact. It is about building the bridge between planning and action - and ensuring that action delivers real outcomes for our Pa Enua." Under the theme, "Akatinamou'anga I te itiki'anga Ora" symbolising unity, collaboration and a shared goal, the Forum marks a significant moment in the Cook Islands journey, coinciding with the nations 60th anniversary of self-governance. Public Service Commissioner Carl Hunter urged integrity and action in the public sector. "We are public servants, servants of the public, not public owners," shared Hunter, highlighting the values that define the nation's public service. He emphasised impartiality, transparency, accountability and added hard work as a core principle, calling for service that puts people before self-interest. Hunter also acknowledged workforce challenges, especially in the Pa Enua, worsened by Covid-19 and ongoing out-of-migration. "In the Pa Enua, these effects have been compounded by long-standing challenges, including high living costs, limited employment opportunities and continued outmigration. These trends have resulted in the loss of skilled workers and have placed real strains on local services and community capacity." Hunter shared early steps in a National Workforce Development Plan and reaffirmed the government's commitment to deeper engagement with island communities through ongoing visits and partnership. Mayor of Atiu, Timaau Mokoroa, representing the Pa Enua, warmly welcomed all attendees and acknowledged the event. Mokoroa extended his gratitude to the Office of the Prime Minister for hosting such an important gathering, which provided a platform to address concerns, share ideas and discuss further improvements for a sustainable country. "I thank our Prime Minister at the moment of the day, for convening this important platform, not only as part of the celebration marking 60 years of self-governance, but more critically, as a space where the voices of our people, especially in the Pa Enua, can be heard. Our concerns acknowledged, and our collective aspirations discussed," he said. "May we move forward in unity, grounded in Christ. Together we carry the weight of our islands, our people, but together we can also carry the weight that leads us forward." -This article was first published by Cook Islands News .
NZ Herald
4 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Govt's 500 police target delayed again as Australia poaching campaign considered
Associate Police Minister Casey Costello and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers appear at select committee. Photo / Mark Mitchell When the policy was first announced, it had a two-year deadline from late November 2023 to increase NZ Police's constabulary force from 10,211 to 10,711 by November 2025. Government ministers had gradually accepted the initial deadline was unlikely to be met after Police Commissioner Richard Chambers indicated June 2026 was more realistic, given his commitment to training standards. As of July 21, NZ Police had added just 23 extra officers. About 90 recruits were due to graduate at the end of the month. Associate Police Minister Casey Costello, who was responsible for the policy, said in February she was 'even more confident' the target would be reached in November this year amid a boost in applications. In a statement this week, Costello said projections shifted from month to month based on the timing of graduations and the number of officers leaving or retiring. 'We always knew it was an ambitious timeline.' Labour police spokeswoman Ginny Andersen is criticising the Government's ability to deliver. Photo / Mark Mitchell Labour police spokeswoman Ginny Andersen condemned the delay as an example of Luxon's 'inability to deliver'. 'Meanwhile, meth use is surging and our communities are suffering,' she said. 'The Government shouldn't promise what it can't deliver on.' Police keep latest projections under wraps In an interview with the Herald yesterday, Penny wouldn't provide NZ Police's latest estimate when the target would be reached, saying it was 'pretty hard to be accurate' given the variable nature of training numbers and attrition. Asked whether she could guarantee it would be achieved before the 2026 election, Penny wouldn't speculate. About 370 recruits were currently progressing through NZ Police's 20-week training course, while another 340 would begin training by the end of the year. That was offset by an attrition rate of 5.4% and an aging workforce, according to Penny. She acknowledged police had been a 'bit sluggish in the beginning', but a dedicated team had since been set up to improve recruitment efforts. 'There are some things we can do to maybe deliver it a little bit sooner and that's why last week I was with all the district commanders and asking ourselves the question around what are we doing now that's working and what are we not doing so we can move things faster. 'We are going to deliver it, but we will get there when we get there.' Police Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny said training standards wouldn't be compromised to hit the target. Photo / Jason Oxenham One of those measures to boost recruitment could be an effort to poach Kiwi cops now in Australia and possibly Australian officers as well. Penny said Chambers had asked senior leaders to assess whether an Australian recruitment drive would be useful. A decision hadn't yet been made. It followed several attempts from Australian police officials to attract New Zealand officers across the ditch, most recently by members of Northern Territory Police. While any recruitment drive would likely focus on New Zealand officers, Penny said it was being discussed whether to broaden the campaign. 'We have had a number of conversations that we should maybe say, 'Hey, bring one of your Aussie work besties back with you', but that's in negotiation.' Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald's Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.
