New Caledonia
The former president of the New Caledonian customary Kanak Senate is refusing to recognise the decision to fire him.
Hughes Vhemavhe was replaced by Victor Gogny after being convicted of drink-driving and driving without a licence.
The President of New Caledonia Louis Mapou Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The President of New Caledonia Louis Mapou told La premiere Vhemavhe's fight to defend his position has resulted in a six-month delay of the senate's plans.
"We had a number of schemes, in which we were engaged in. For six months since the Canala Congress we're waiting to work. Whilst the customary Senate continues to poison the life of its council, we will not be able to make it," he said.
The Senate brings together traditional representatives of Kanak councils from 16 areas and has jurisdiction over law proposals concerning the Kanak identity.
New Caledonia
A 59-year-old Australian tourist has died in New Caledonia after being attacked by a shark off a popular Noumea beach.
The victim was about 150 metres from the shore near a pontoon when he was bitten several times.
The attack prompted the immediate evacuation of the area, with the Noumea mayor Sonia Lagarde ordering the closure of the beach.
This was the third shark attack in the area in recent weeks and follows last week's reopening of the Noumea beaches.
French Polynesia
Seven people in French Polynesia have been taken into custody for questioning after methamphetamine was discovered at Tahiti's airport.
The drug squad found 3.2 kgs of methamphetamine in false bottoms of two suitcases of a pair arriving of travellers from Los Angeles.
Tahiti-infos said the two were detained along with five other people in Tahiti, suspected of being involved in the smuggling attempt.
They can be held for questioning for up to four days.
The last large seizure of methamphetamine in French Polynesia was made in March 2022, when 21 kgs were discovered in baggage offloaded from a cruise ship in Raiatea.
Fiji
Fiji is still battling a severe teacher shortage that has been plaguing its primary and secondary schools.
Education minister Aseri Radrodro said 'unresolved issues' by the previous government at the ministry he now leads have forced 'disgruntled teachers to seek better opportunities overseas.
There are over 1600 early childhood education centres and primary schools, and 175 secondary schools in Fiji.
Radrodro said while student numbers continue to increase, teachers continue to exit the sector through resignations and migration.
He said subjects such as math, computer, physics, physical education, industrial arts and office technology are areas in need of teachers.
He said Fijian students suffer when there are not enough experienced and qualified educators.
"The limited human resources capacity has adversely affected the quality of education in our country," he said.
The education ministry is planning to hold a national summit to address the issues within the sector.
Fiji
The Fiji Meteorological Service is urging the general public to be vigilant in terms of preparing for extreme weather events.
Its acting director Terry Atalifo said that given that we are still in the cyclone season, people need to be prepared at all times and exercise caution for any natural disaster that may arise.
He said the low-pressure system which brought heavy rainfall and flash flooding in some parts of the western and northern division is a prime example of what mother nature is capable of.
French Polynesia
An app has been launched in French Polynesia to allow travellers to make customs declarations before arriving in Tahiti.
The app has been developed in a collaboration between the government, the customs service and the Tahiti airport company.
The app allows travellers to declare their goods and pay any import duties.
Its use is expected to shorten waiting and processing times at the border.
Local television says the customs service in mainland France has shown interest in the new app.
Samoa
A group of Australian seasonal worker employers say the continued disruption to Samoa's seasonal work programme is impacting their business plans.
They have warned they may have to look elsewhere for seasonal workers if Samoa continues to put 'disruptions' in their seasonal work policy.
The Chief Executive Officer of Approved Employers Australia, Steve Burdette told Radio Australia is it worth the risk or do we go elsewhere, and that's what we are concerned about.
Samoa's Cabinet last year suspended the deployment of seasonal workers for the rest of January pending a Cabinet review.
An investigation is also underway by the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour into concerns and issues raised about the scheme's selection process.
Late last month Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, announced the resumption of the scheme using the Ministry's current policies for the rest of February, while new policies will go into effect next month.
New Zealand
The cancellation of the New Zealand TV reality show, Police Ten 7, is garnering support from prominent Pasifika activists.
No reason had been given in TVNZ's announcement of the show's cancellation recently, but it is widely believed to have been prompted by criticisms that the show promoted criminal stereotypes of Pasifika and Maori.
Critics have condemned the cancellation, calling it media censorship.
However, an original member of the Polynesian Panthers Dr Melani Anae disagrees.
Anae accuses the show of demonising impoverished youth and downplaying factors causing crime such as poverty, alienation and social injustice.
"There not the cause of something, they are the result of something, they are the result of an institutional racist system," she said.
