Pacific News In Brief For 6 March

Thursday, 6 March 2025, 7:29 pm
Article: RNZ

Nauru - mining

Nauru's president has used the Trump administration's pause in aid to highlight his hopes for deep sea mining.

Pacific leaders have met in Fiji to discuss deep-sea mining, a potential economic avenue which has become highly contentious.

The governments of Cook Islands, Nauru, Kiribati and Tonga are big supporters, while others like Fiji want a scientific moratorium to be put in place.

Nauru's President David Adeang said the recent decision by the new US administration to withhold aid to Pacific nations serves as a reminder that the Pacific needs to take control of its own destiny and harness the resources at its disposal.

He said that in collaboration with The Metals Company, Nauru has been conducting research since 2012 to ensure that deep-sea mining is done responsibly.

Solomon Islands - flights

Solomon Airlines is cancelling all its scheduled flights to Brisbane for the rest of the week due to Cyclone Alfred.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed the category two cyclone is expected to make landfall near Brisbane on Friday.

On the Solomons' national carrier's website the Brisbane to Honiara flight on Wednesday and Thursday's Brisbane - Santo - Port Vila flight have been cancelled.

Customers are advised to check for alternative travel dates over the weekend once the cyclone has passed.

Hawaii - rent

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been asked to waive the collection of rent from survivors of the Maui fires in its direct housing programme.

The letter to FEMA is signed by two senators and two members of Congress.

The letter says this delay of rent collection is justified given Maui's ongoing housing and economic crisis.

Wildfire survivors in FEMA's Direct Housing Program were required to begin paying rent on March first, but FEMA says occupants can appeal FEMA's decision on their ability to pay rent.

Hawaii News Now reports survivors have until 11 March to file appeals on their rental decisions through their recertification advisor.

Northern Marianas - measles

The CNMI health authority has advised the community to take preventative measures against measles.

The Marianas Variety reported the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation is monitoring measles outbreaks in the United States.

While there are no current cases of measles in the US territory, the corporation said measles can be brought in by visitors or returning residents who have been exposed to the virus overseas.

It recommends people contact their primary healthcare provider to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The healthcare corporation said the best protection against measles is vaccination.

Niue - building

Aotearoa New Zealand is funding the design and construction of a new justice building in Niue's capital Alofi after back-to-back diplomatic challenges with its Pacific Island neighbors.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters has had public spats with the leaders of both the Cook Islands and Kiribati.

Niue's Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi is in New Zealand this week for a number of high-level meetings - including with Prime Minister Luxon, Minister Peters, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk.

In a statement, New Zealand's foreign minister Winston Peters said the meetings will build on the "special" and "enduring" free association relationship between the countries.

Papua New Guinea - finance

Papua New Guinea has announced over US$1.2 million in support towards the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

It will go towards the Solomon Islands Government hosting the largest regional meeting where leaders from across the Pacific convene to discuss big issues such as the climate crisis, education, labour mobility, and geopolitics.

Last year Australia announced a Pacific policing initiative while there, and China's representative questioned why Taiwan was acknowledged in the final communique.

This year's meeting will be held in Honiara in September.

Tuvalu - climate

The World Bank has committed US$7m in new grants to support Tuvalu's financial management of and resilience to climate-related disasters.

The Tuvalu Second Climate and Disaster Resilience Development Policy Financing is the second in a series of two operations aimed at mitigating climate impacts and strengthening disaster preparedness.

The World Bank said Tuvalu is at the forefront of climate change which severely disrupts budget planning and the country's ability to deliver essential services.

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