Split in the pro-independence Congress group in New Caledonia
New Caledonia's three Congress members of the Pacific Awakening party have quit the Congress group it had formed with the pro-independence Caledonian Union less than two weeks ago.
The split was confirmed by the Congress administration.
Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Walter Zweifel
The merger had been announced last month - two days before Congress re-elected the Caledonian Union's Roch Wamytan as its president for a fourth one-year term.
The Pacific Awakening party, which holds the balance of power since the 2019 election, had however already said before the merger that it would vote for Mr Wamytan for the sake of stability to progress urgently needed reforms.
The party, which represents the Wallisian and Futunan communities, said it shares neither the pro- nor anti-independence parties' views.
Reports say it pulled out of the Congress group over dissent within the pro-independence camp.
Mental health challenges survey to be carried out in Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu
A new survey will look into mental health challenges in Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu as these countries navigate the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate crisis.
The Pacific Mental Health Surveys Project will be done by Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland researchers and Pacific partners and is funded by the Polynesian Health Corridors programme, established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in conjunction with the Ministry of Health.
The National Institute for Health Innovation is providing project management and data management support.
Associate professor Sir Colin Tukuitonga, who is Associate Dean Pacific and Associate Professor of Public Health in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and is co-leading the project, said Pacific people have managed their well-being and mental health on their own or with the help of their family, churches or the village.
But he said for many years those who work in health have recognised they don't know enough about the extent and nature of mental health disorders around the region, and they are working to change that.
Another co-leader of the survey, associate professor Judith McCool, said the resilience and the collective strength of Pacific Island regions and communities are evident as they deal with Covid-19 and the climate crisis.
But these complex and rapidly evolving issues are expected to exacerbate mental health distress among Pacific Island communities.
On-the-ground research is expected to start in Samoa late this year or early 2023.
Tributes flow in for Willie Lose
Tributes are flowing in for Rugby commentator former Tonga Rugby captain Willie Lose who passed away suddenly from an illness on Thursday night.
He was in South Africa to cover the Rugby 7s World Cup in Capetown.
His family has not revealed his illness but has expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support.
Tonga Rugby 7s Coach Tevita Tuifua said it's heart-breaking but his team remains focused on performing well for the World Cup.
"We're preparing for this competition now. It's a loss for his family and all who knew him but it's a loss for rugby as a whole.
My condolences go out to his family and all those who knew him. Willie Lose rests on our Lord's peace and strength."
Well-known Samoan businesswoman dies
In Samoa, the owner of one of Apia's most well-known businesses has passed away.
Matai'a Lynn Netzler, more widely known simply as Lynn, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, September 7 at her Moto'otua home.
Lynn and her late husband, Thor Netzler, started a small village store in the early 1970s but with a mini bakery that became so popular, they soon had to expand the store.
After the untimely passing of her husband, Lynn continued the expansion and soon turned the store into Lynn's Supermarket, complete with a butchery selling local fresh meat.
She leaves behind the ever-growing supermarket plus a petrol station, two eateries, and upmarket tourist accommodation.
She is survived by six children.
Air Vanuatu appoints its first female captain
Vanuatu has appointed its first female ATR captain of the national airline.
Chief Executive Officer of Air Vanuatu, Atu Finau, said pilot Stephanie Tarileo's achievements were 'incredibly satisfying.
"Stephanie, I shall now call you captain as you have completed all the requirements for a captain of the ATR aircraft," said CEO Finau.
I-Kiribati seafarers and fishermen head to NZ and Australia
Thirty-five Kiribati seafarers and fishermen will be leaving the country this month to work in New Zealand and Australia.
Minister for Employment and Human Resource Development, Taabeta Amuera Teakai, said fifteen will be working at KiwiRail and ten at Sealord in New Zealand.
Taabeta said under their employment package, they will be paid $65,000 to $90,000 (US$39,427- US$54,600 per annum, depending on their ratings.
Under the package, workers at the three companies in Australia and three from New Zealand can be joined later by their families and can be granted permanent resident status after working there for three years.
Taabeta stressed this is part of a work permit agreement signed between her ministry and Australia and New Zealand. This is also done to avoid the separation of families.
However, more than six hundred seafarers with valid qualifications have registered for job opportunities overseas with the Ministry of Employment and Human Resources
Tahiti hammers Tonga at Oceania Under-19 championship
In football, Tahiti hammered Tonga 8-0 in the host nation's opening game of the men's Oceania Under-19 championship at Stade Pater.
The Tahitians only led 1-0 at half-time.
Mathis Boube scored a hat-trick just six minutes after the restart.
The win matches the 8-0 the victory of New Zealand against the Cook Islands 24 hours earlier.
Solomon Islands defeated American Samoa in its opening game.
New Zealand's young stars now play American Samoa while the Cook Islands face Solomon Islands, both games taking place on Saturday night local time.
Tonga language week ends with concerns that not enough young people speaking the language
Tongan language week ends today after days of language and cultural displays.
Students of Tongan heritage across New Zealand, celebrated the annual event, wearing traditional outfits to school and performing traditional dances in general assembly halls.
Language week has been held amidst concerns the younger generations will lose their mother tongue.
The head girl at Wesley College, Mia Lataimaumi shares these sentiments.
"I do feel the same way, it's hard to see our generation now speaking our mother tongue in public.
I feel the only time we teenagers and kids will speak our cultural language is at home. Because I feel being raised in this generation, there's a lot of judgment. People sort of losing confidence from it," she said.