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Pacific news in brief for 28 July
Pacific news in brief for 28 July

RNZ News

time3 days ago

  • Health
  • RNZ News

Pacific news in brief for 28 July

Test for leptospirosis in laboratory, conceptual image. Photo: DIGICOMPHOTO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRA/FCA/Science Photo Libraray via AFP American Samoa's Department of Health is warning about the risk of leptospirosis after rainfall in the territory. Leptospirosis is spread through the urine of infected animals and can be found in contaminated water or soil. People are advised to avoid playing in dirty water, wear protective shoes and and keep drinking water clean and covered. Bougainville's top police officer has issued a scathing indictment of the region's Correctional Service for the illegal release of convicts from Bekut prison on Buka. Deputy Police Commissioner Francis Tokura said the illegal releases are creating a "major logistical nightmare and financial burden" for police, and show a total breakdown in prison command and discipline. The Post-Courier reported Tokura saying it leaves a vacuum in the justice system in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region. He said convicted felons are meant to serve full sentences behind bars, not roam the streets of Bougainville communities. Former Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna is the new president of the Cook Islands Party. The announcement was made during the party's conference in Rarotonga. Puna, the sole nominee for the position, replaces Tiki Matapo, who now assumes the role of patron of the party, alongside fellow former president Nga Jessie. During the congress, the party reaffirmed its full confidence in Mark Brown, who continues to serve as party leader and prime minister. This week is the inaugural Vanuatu Bislama Language Week in New Zealand. The 2025 theme for Bislama week is: 'Talk about climate change - it is real, and we must look after life.' Events will be held across New Zealand to celebrate the week. A French-Israeli company wants to develop a luxury eco-resort on Woodlark Island, in an archipelago off Milne Bay. Woodlark or Muyua Island is the largest of the island group. NBC reported the local MP, Henry Leonard, saying it will be an economic opportunity for the district and the country. He said from this resort PNG can create a new standard of tourism. He said the project has the potential to generate employment, boost economic growth, promote environmental stewardship, and enhance international connectivity. Officials have reached consensus on South Pacific albacore tuna allocation, within the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency members, south of the equator. The fisheries agency said this agreement comes after nearly two decades of negotiations. The agreed allocations will form the basis of a binding agreement under the agency's Allocation Framework for South Pacific albacore. The Cook Islands has successfully completed a crop pest survey, part of a push to protect local agriculture and strengthen trade opportunities. Staff from the Cook Islands' Ministry of Agriculture and the PACER Plus Implementation Unit, as well as agencies from Australia and New Zealand, undertook the work on Aitutaki and Rarotonga. The survey is a Cook Islands' commitment under the PACER Plus deal to improve plant health systems and support safe, sustainable trade. The head of the Ministry of Agriculture Temarama Anguna-Kamana said keeping the country's borders strong for potential export opportunities requires good data.

Pacific news in brief for 24 July
Pacific news in brief for 24 July

RNZ News

time7 days ago

  • Politics
  • RNZ News

Pacific news in brief for 24 July

Buka jail, Bougainville Photo: Supplied Reports out of the Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville say prison warders are illegally freeing offenders from jail. The Post-Courier reports the warders are bypassing legal procedures and allowing dangerous individuals to roam communities unchecked. Bougainville's head of Correctional Institute Services, Vincent Kundi, says inmates are walking out of Bekut Correctional Facility on unauthorised release - for weeks or months and sometimes even years. He said legally that makes them escapees. Calls are ongoing for a maximum-security prison to house Bougainville's high-risk offenders. Police Commissioner David Manning is warning that there is zero tolerance for threats to essential services. Landowners are threatening to shut off the water supply through the Rouna 2 Hydro Station in Central Province, which feeds Port Moresby. Manning said police will not tolerate attempted extortion. The Post-Courier reports Manning saying there are appropriate, lawful mechanisms for resolving disputes. He has directed police to arrest the landowner group's leader. The Solomon Islands is modernising its immigration services with a new Digital Border Management System. Immigration Minister Trevor Manemahanga has hailed it as a major step towards more modern, efficient, and secure border management. He said digital visas will enhance service delivery and national security. The digital platform is supported by Australia. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will not rule out sacking his Chief Justice Salesi Temo. This comes as the government works through the Commission of Inquiry report into the appointment of sacked anti-corruption commissioner Barbara Malimali. Some have accused the government of double standards. Rabuka said no decisions will be made until Temo has explained his involvement. A $3.2 million funding boost from New Zealand should help Fiji support cleaner and greener agriculture under the Pacific Climate Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Land Management Partnership. Longer-term, Aotearoa has committed nearly $14m over four years to Fiji, Niue, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. Pacific Peoples Minister Dr Shane Reti said the funding will provide scientific and technical support in climate-resilient crop trials and also help in soil monitoring and landscape planning. Fiji's fight against HIV has received a boost of $5.4 million from the New Zealand government. Pacific People's Minister Dr Shane Reti met with Fijian Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu over the weekend, to hear firsthand about the country's nationwide HIV outbreak, and Fiji's response plan. Reti said the funding reflects Aotearoa's ongoing commitment to Pacific health security. He hopes it will help ease pressures on Fiji's public health system.

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