Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Green MP questions Sāmoa shipwreck payout, warns peace declaration at risk
Green MP Teanau Tuiono is questioning whether the New Zealand government’s $6 million payout to Sāmoa is enough to address the damage caused by the grounding and sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui last October. Speaking to PMN News, Tuiono highlighted...

NZ Govt pays Samoa $6 million over Manawanui disaster
New Zealand has paid Samoa's government around NZ$6 million in compensation for last year's Manawanui disaster, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. The total payment was 10 million Samoan Tala and followed a request from the Government...

Celebrating Fijian Language Week: Honouring identity, culture and connection
Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - Fijian Language Week - is a time to celebrate the richness of the island nation's culture and identity - a living taonga carried by generations and woven into the fabric of Aotearoa New Zealand. This year’s theme is ‘Na...
Former kabaddi player who moved to Canada arrested in Ahmedabad over 2019 immigration fraud
The Delhi Police have arrested a Canada-based agent, wanted in a six-year-old case for allegedly sending passengers abroad on forged documents, from Ahmedabad, an official said on Friday. The accused has been identified as Guramritpal Singh...

From Burning Man to Samoa: Thoughts on Belonging, Healing & Change
This year at Burning Man, my wife Mia (our camp lead) and I, together with friends under the banner of “Foamy Homies” (not Dr. Bronner’s), embraced a theme of trans solidarity in the midst of cultural confusion and oppression. Our camp name was...

What is Puka Nacua's ethnicity? Rams WR's upbringing led to nickname on path to NFL superstardom
Puka Nacua was a star almost immediately upon his entry into the NFL. It's not something many people around the league expected. He didn't get drafted until the fifth round, after 176 other players had gone off the board in 2023. But he most...

Pacific Islands focus: health and gender inequities, climate updates, and some hope for marine biodiversity
Introduction by Croakey: In breaking news on Thursday, Papua New Guinea’s cabinet has approved a landmark defence agreement with Australia. PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape said the agreement, known as the PukPuk treaty, “will elevate the two...

LAUNCH OF THE SAMOA SCHOOL GARDENING INITIATIVE
KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Minister of Education, Aiono Alec Ekeroma [02nd October 2025] Honorable Ministers of Cabinet, Representatives from the UN and FAO Distinguished Guests Teachers, Students, and Community Leaders, Ladies and Gentlemen Talofa...

WCF Unveils New Pasifika Range With Samoa Single-Origin Bar
Press Release – Wellington Chocolate Factory Wellington Chocolate Factory co-founder Gabe Davidson says the Samoan bar is the first of six that will complete the Pasifika collection, which will be released between now and 2027. Wellington...

‘Dementia is not the end’: A son’s heartfelt love letter to his mother
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Sapini Unoi noticed subtle changes in his mother, Mutalau Unoi - repeated questions, forgotten details, and a general sense of her being less like herself. Over time, the signs became harder to ignore, leading to a...
'Know who you are, be teachable': Miss Samoa Litara Ieremia-Allan reflects on her reign
Feature - With the Miss Samoa Pageant just weeks away, reigning titleholder Litara Ieremia-Allan is preparing to pass on her crown. But before she does, she has a message for the young women who want to take on the role. "Know who you are - that...
'Know who you are, be teachable': Miss Samoa Litara Ieremia-Allen reflects on her reign
Feature - With the Miss Samoa Pageant just weeks away, reigning titleholder Litara Ieremia-Allen is preparing to pass on her crown. But before she does, she has a message for the young women who want to take on the role. "Know who you are - that...

New indie bookstore hosts local Indigenous authors
“I felt a great sense of urgency to write this chapter because I’ve never heard anyone write about Samoa and data management,” said Raymond, “I’ve spent a long time working on Indigenous data, but I’ve never seen myself reflected in the work from...

Exciting attack, clear culture and a new captain: how England won Rugby World Cup | Sarah Rendell
After an 11-year wait and back-to-back defeats in the final, England are once again rugby union world champions. The Red Roses had the same ingredients at this World Cup as they did three years ago: world-class squad, winning dominance and full...

Tuvaluans celebrate resilience and culture amid climate challenges
This week, many Tuvaluans living in Aotearoa New Zealand are coming together to celebrate their language and culture, including their independence anniversary on 1 October. The annual event kicked off on Sunday as part of the New Zealand Language...

Samoa’s new FAST govt pledges support for Israel
Apia, SAMOA — September 18, 2025 — At a time when anti-Semitism is surging worldwide and millions are accusing Israel of committing genocide and deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza, Israel has found an unexpected yet steadfast ally in the...


Who is Samoa's new prime minister, Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi Schmidt?
Apia, SAMOA — Lauano Aukuso Ah Ching sees the divine at work in the landslide election win that brought Samoa's new prime minister to power. He gets emotional as he describes Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi Schmidt's victory, or, as he describes...

Laauli’s Israel stance puts Sāmoa on shaky legal ground
Laauli’s Support of Israel: The Legal Implications At his first meeting with Cabinet ministers and heads of ministries last week, Samoa’s new Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt declared Samoa’s unwavering support for...
Australia must learn from England ahead of hosting 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup
The recently concluded Women’s Rugby World Cup in England broke records and set the standard for the sport. But as the curtain closed on the tournament, the common whispers were "good luck Australia", and a serious nervousness of "you’ve got a big...