Stories by Caleb Fotheringham
News
World Bank forecasts Pacific economic slowdown
According to the World Bank's Pacific Economic Update, growth in the Pacific is slowing following the Covid-19 recovery boost driven by borders re-opening. Audio
What is a tropical cyclone and what do all the categories mean?
Explainer - The South Pacific tropical cyclone season is due to start in November and will run until the last day of April.
Samoa Citizenship Bill gets unanimous support from select committee
A bill that aims to restore citizenship to a group of Samoans born between 1924 and 1949 has unanimous support from the select committee to procced but will not include the decedents of the cohort. Audio
Fewer tropical cyclones expected in Southwest Pacific, says NIWA
The Southwest Pacific is predicted to experience six to 10 tropical cyclones during the upcoming cyclone season. Audio
Manawanui sinking: Samoa govt says oil spill risk biggest concern
No oil leaks have been found in the area where the HMNZS Manawanui sank, the Samoa government says. But a local surf tour operator said he saw both diesel and rubbish in the water. Audio
China launch of missile to the South Pacific 'concerning' - minister
It's the first time China has launched a missile into the Pacific Ocean in the past 44 years.
NZ govt urged 'to pay attention' for 'retaliatory attacks' by Indonesia
Octovianus Mote, the vice president of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua is asking the New Zealand government to keep watch on Indonesia in case they launch an assault. Audio
'Disgrace': Peters lashes out at claims bribe was paid to free hostage pilot
The West Papua National Liberation Army, which held pilot Kiwi Phillip Mehrtens for more than 19 months, says a bribe was paid for his release. Audio
Discrimination faced by indigenous Papuans 'is not something new' - report
Racism, torture and arbitrary arrests are some examples of discrimination indigenous Papuans have dealt with over the last 60 years, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch.
Transhipping of fish costing Pacific nations
Analysis released by Pew Charitable Trust has found that the Western and Central Pacific regional fisheries management organisation is on the losing end of the multi-billion dollar industry.
Dawn Raids: Christchurch art exhibition showcases 'Pacific cultures...don't give up'
Josiah Tualamali'i, who made a documentary for the Fibre Gallery's Lotogatasi o Tagata exhibition, said there hadn't been a gathering in Christchurch for Pacific communities marking the apology.
Social impacts of labour mobility need to be better understood - study
A UNICEF Pacific report has found regional employment schemes can sometimes create family tensions and lead to marital breakdowns. Audio
Opposition MP calls for Cook Islands prison minister to resign
Diane Charlie-Puna, who committed fraud, is less than six months into an 18-month prison sentence and had breakfast at a popular eatery in the capital Avarua last Friday.
Vanuatu: Book project to 'create a sense of their own identity'
Children in Vanuatu will soon be able to see themselves in books, which will likely include themes of climate change and natural disasters. Audio
Tropical depression Bebinca passes Guam Wednesday morning
The damage is not expected to be as severe as last year's tropical cyclone Mawar.
Gay chief justice's 'lifestyle conflicts with the law' - Tongan lawyers
But an LQBTQ+ advocate in the Kingdom claims the law has only ever been used against minors not in consenting same sex relations.
Petition to remove Tonga's first openly gay chief justice
Tonga Law Society president Lopeti Senituli has distanced himself from the petition, saying the lawyers who kicked the petition into motion were acting independently.
'Numerous questions': Fiji govt sticks with new anti-corruption chief
Barbara Malimali was revealed new anti-corruption head on Wednesday, detained the next day, and was back in the same office investigating her for an abuse of office allegation Friday.
France injects new aid to keep New Caledonia's economy afloat
The new financial buoy would allow those essential services to continue operating, at least for the month of September.
'Demand quite high': Starlink licences to operate Pacific wide
Starlink is now in the last stages of getting operation licences across the Pacific following people illegally smuggling units from New Zealand and Australia. Audio
The Metals Company: 'It's just the regulatory hurdles' holding back deep sea mining
Deep sea mining involves extracting potato size rocks called nodules - which are packed full of valuable metals - from the seafloor many kilometres deep. Audio
Whipps and Remengesau to run against each other
Palau's incumbent President Surangel Whipps Jr will go up against his brother-in-law and former president, Tommy Remengesau, in the 2024 Palau elections.
'The problem is the family': Fiji drug use crisis
Breakdown in "family values" blamed for the drug problem, as authorities warn of surge in HIV cases due to "bluetoothing" and concerns about "meth lollies" finding its way to Fiji. Audio
China using economic coercion to influence Palau's relationship with Taiwan - Palau leader
Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr claims China is "weaponising tourism" in a bid to get the nation to sever its ties with Taiwan.