Lydia Longwell Lewis

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Christina Persico |Lydia Longwell Lewis

Samoa's Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure chief executive says the final fate of the sunken Manawanui is still to be decided. The New Zealand Navy vessel sank off the coast of Upolu in October last year, with a report into the grounding finding the crew were undertrained and the boat was not up to the task it was doing. Fui Tupa'i Simanu said in a statement that the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation is conducting an independent report on the wreck.

3 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Lydia Longwell Lewis

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders have drafted a letter to the Trump administration, addressing concerns about the United States' support in the region. Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Ministry permanent secretary Collin Beck told RNZ Pacific that there are significant gaps between what Washington has committed to and what it has actually delivered in the region. The Biden administration promised US$200 million in new funding to the Pacific, but the money has not yet been delivered.

1 month ago | rnz.co.nz | Lydia Longwell Lewis

In Tokelau, school kids have been rushing home for their favourite activity of the day: turtle time. Five-year-old Ilisapesi Sakalia (Pesi) loved her sea turtle friends, "Popo" and "Uto". 'Popo' means husked coconut, and 'Uto' means a coconut sprout. "It's teaching them to look after what we have in our environment," Pesi's grandmother Asi Pasilio, Tokelau's Natural Resources and Environment department director, told RNZ Pacific.

1 month ago | rnz.co.nz | Lydia Longwell Lewis

Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr fully supports a Australia-led Pacific United Nations climate change conference (COP31) next year. Whipps, who is in Sydney to promote smart energy and support Australia's COP31 bid, said hosting the annual climate conference in partnership with the Pacific is Canberra's "opportunity to lead on the world stage-with credibility and conscience".

1 month ago | rnz.co.nz | Lydia Longwell Lewis

Elena Pasilio, Tokelau*The initial reaction from Tokelauans to President Donald Trump's tariffs of surprise and laughter has turned to sadness, not just for Tokelau, but the whole Pacific region. "I'm very surprised," Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau general manager (national) Aukusitino Vitale told RNZ Pacific. Vitale, almost lost for words, said there is really not a lot to say but, "we don't export to the USA".