Lydia Longwell Lewis

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

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China. The New Zealand government has paused more than $18 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands after the latter failed to provide satisfactory answers to Aotearoa's questions about its partnership agreement with Beijing.

2 weeks ago | radionz.co.nz | Lydia Longwell Lewis

Palau's president says the US order to fast-track deep sea mining is not a good idea. Deep sea mining frontrunner The Metals Company (TMC) has since confirmed it will not apply for a mining license through the International Seabed Authority (ISA), instead opting to apply through US regulations. Surangel Whipps Jr. said the high seas belongs to the entire world so everyone must exercise caution.

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

Palau's president wants to see Taiwan given full access at this year's Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders' meeting. It was great to see 17 out of 18 leaders in Tonga for last year's meeting, Surangel Whipps Jr said - a sense of unity he wants to continue. "That's the record since we've gotten back together. Let's ensure that that continues, because that's what we need to see."He said he has heard that "there's been some difficulty in Taiwan gaining access".

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

Fiji cannot compete with Australia and New Zealand to retain its teachers, the man in charge of the country's finances says. The Fijian education system is facing major challenges as the Sitiveni Rabuka-led coalition struggles to address a teacher shortage. While the education sector recieves a significant chunk of the budget (approximately NZ$587 million), it has not been sufficient, as global demand for skilled teachers is pulling qualified Fijian educators toward greener pastures.

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

Eight-year-old explosives detector dog Iti is now staring down retirement. Iti is part of New Zealand Police Pacific Detector Dog Programme (PDDP) and has been sniffing out potential bomb threats for years. He was on hand helping to protect Pacific leaders and delegates at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga and even the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa last year. New Zealand provides trained police dogs to the Pacific region.