Teuila Fuatai

3 days ago | rnz.co.nz | Teuila Fuatai

New research from the Lowy Institute shows the world's poorest countries will make record high debt repayments to China this year. The research, released last month, showed China is set to call in US$22 billion for debts from 75 countries assessed by the World Bank as the world's poorest and most vulnerable in 2025. Ten Pacific nations were on the list. China's foreign ministry, meanwhile, denies Beijing is responsible for developing debt.

6 days ago | rnz.co.nz | Teuila Fuatai |Iliesa Tora |Christina Persico

A New Zealand-born Niuean educator says being recognised in the King's Birthday honours list reflects the importance of connecting young tagata Niue in Aotearoa to their roots. Mele Ikiua, who hails from the village of Hakupu Atua in Niue, has been named a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to vagahau Niue language and education. She told RNZ Pacific the most significant achievement in her career to date had been the promotion of vagahau Niue in the NCEA system.

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Teuila Fuatai

Community leaders say a funding injection for Pacific wardens could pave the way for a national structure similar to the Māori wardens model. Pacific wardens are volunteers who provide support at big community events and activities. They operate in different parts of the country, including Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Waikato. Among this year's budget announcements was NZ$1 million in funding for the Auckland Pacific Wardens Trust.

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Caleb Fotheringham |Teuila Fuatai

Deep sea mining frontrunner The Metals Company (TMC) has confirmed it will not apply for a mining license through the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in June, instead it will exclusively apply through US regulations. It is unclear what this means for both Nauru and Tonga, who have sponsored TMC at the ISA. However, the firm's chief executive Gerard Barron said the company would still renew its subsidiary Nauru Ocean Resources' (NORI) exploration licence.

3 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Teuila Fuatai |Susana Suisuiki

A Pacific health expert is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated to keep their families and other Pacific nations safe. Aotearoa is on alert for measles after a case was identified in Auckland over the weekend. The country's public health agency issued the alert on Sunday after a ferry worker was identified as infectious with measles while at work and in public. Measles is a highly infectious and potentially deadly disease.