Local villagers hold a placard as they participate in a gathering near the Porgera Gold Mine in Enga province, Papua New Guinea on 23 September 2024, almost one week after police reinforcements were rushed to the area in a bid to quell tribal violence that shuttered the key gold mine Photo: AFP
Papua New Guinea - law and order
A Papua New Guinea group, the Catholic Professional Society, says indiscriminate killings and violence have become the norm in the country.
Society president Paul Harricknen told the Post Courier the Government presence seems absent when it comes to dealing with lawlessness.
He said it's not safe to live in PNG anymore.
Harricknen said his group joins with the PNG Law Society in expressing concerns about the escalating situation.
He said the law and justice agencies seem overwhelmed by the lawlessness.
Solomon Islands - air travel
Solomon Airlines will begin operating on the Auckland-Brisbane route next month.
The airline will use an A320-200 to operate the weekly roundtrip.
Its commercial manager John Wopereis said while it expects many to use the flight for point-to-point travel between Auckland and Brisbane, the service also connects with its Brisbane to Munda and Honiara flights.
Wopereis said this will allow same-day travel from New Zealand via Brisbane to the Solomon Islands.
Papua New Guinea - water
Water supplies in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea should return to normal next week after maintenance was completed on a faulty treatment plant.
The National reports that work has been going on since 6 January after the plant malfunctioned late last year.
PNG Water general manager of operations, Jonathan Maino, said the plant in question produces up to 60 million litres of water a day - a third of Port Moresby's requirements.
He said the systems are about 60 years old so the repair work, undertaken by his staff working overtime, has been significant.
NZ - Waitangi Tribunal
Samoan professor Tafaoimalo Tologata Leilani Tuala-Warren has been appointed to the board of New Zealand's Waitangi Tribunal.
She joins seven other members for a term of three years.
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said it's about ensuring they have a diverse range of talented appointees on boards and tribunals.
He said this is crucial in supporting the progress of the Treaty-based relationship between the Crown and Māori.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the tribunal's establishment.
Fiji - Navy
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces has appointed Captain Timoci Natuva as the new Commander of the Naval Division.
He succeeds Commodore Humphrey Tawake.
Captain Natuva brings with him over 20 years of service and leadership within the Fiji Navy.
His career, which began in 1999, spans both sea and shore commands.
