RNZ Pacific's Bulletin Editor, Christina Persico takes a look back at political turmoil, natural disasters, and the ongoing climate fight.
This photograph shows a Kanak flag waving next to a burning vehicle at an independantist roadblock at La Tamoa, in the commune of Paita, France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia on 19 May, 2024. Photo: DELPHINE MAYEUR / AFP
New Caledonia - unrest and uncertainty
France's plans for constitutional reform had been met with anger and concern by many in the territory, particularly among the indigenous Kanak community.
The proposed constitutional amendments were tabled by French minister for home Affairs and Overseas, Gérald Darmanin. The text is designed to "unfreeze" or open the restricted list of voters, to include those who have been residing in New Caledonia for an uninterrupted ten years.
On 13 May, political feelings bubbled over into violence.
Clashes between protestors and authorities resulted in deaths and injuries. Rioters damaged buildings and many lost their jobs. The economy took a massive hit, and France gave financial support.
Turmoil in France's own government has seen the constitutional amendments taken out of the picture.
There are many views on what New Caledonia's future could be - politicians range from pro-France to pro-independence - and many meetings have been held to try and figure it out.
Latterly, on Christmas Eve, New Caledonia's government toppled due to a mass resignation within its ranks.
The election of a new government was to take place within 15 days, according to the procedure stipulated in New Caledonia's 1999 organic law.
Vanuatu - earthquake
Rescuers search for trapped people after the 7.3 earthquake in Vanuatu. Photo: Supplied / Vanuatu Police Force
On 17 December, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake shook Port Vila and surrounding areas.
Fourteen people were killed just before Christmas. More than 200 others were injured and 80,000 impacted. Power and water remained off for days in some places.
Strong aftershocks meant dozens were too scared to go back into their homes and opted to camp in the open instead.
One survivor told RNZ Pacific he was trying to get out of the Billabong building when it came down.
"We did not manage to reach the door and then the building fell down.
"There was a huge cement post that had fallen down just a few centimetres away from me."
Recovery continues, with aid and support coming in from New Zealand, Australia, and France.
West Papua hostage Philip Mehrtens freed
Philip Mehrtens is seen in video from Indonesian media. Photo: Screenshot
Philip Mehrtens, seized by rebels from the West Papua National Liberation Army in February 2023, was freed in September after 19 and a half months in captivity.
He was said to be in good health and was quickly reunited with his immediate family in Jakarta.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters welcomed the release, saying it was "always a concern" that negotiations to free Mehrtens may not succeed.
"We are pleased and relieved to confirm that Phillip Mehrtens is safe and well and has been able to talk with his family. This news must be an enormous relief for his friends and loved ones," Peters said at the time.
Peters said a wide range of government agencies had been working with Indonesian authorities and others towards securing Mehrtens' release.
A claim that a bribe was involved in the release was rubbished by Peters.
The leader of the rebel group also denied a bribe was involved.
General Egianus Kogoya, regional commander of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), claims the group achieved their mission to raise international awareness for West Papua's independence from Indonesia.
Samoa - CHOGM against the backdrop of a sunken NZ Navy ship
The HMNZS Manawanui, aground in Samoa. Photo: Supplied / Profile Boats
Samoa was preparing for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) - the first time hosting the event for a Pacific Island state - when a New Zealand Navy ship, HMNZS Manawanui, ran aground near the south coast of Upolu.
Seventy-five crew and passengers were taken off the vessel by liferafts and other boats which came to the rescue before the Manawanui caught fire and sank.
The grounding was a result of human error, an interim report found.
Said Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding: "The direct cause of the grounding has been determined as a series of human errors which meant the ship's autopilot was not disengaged when it should have been.
"The crew did not realise Manawanui remained in autopilot and, as a consequence, mistakenly believed its failure to respond to direction changes was the result of a thruster control failure."
Recovery has been slow, with barges arriving in the area Christmas week to remove the fuel onboard the boat, after what the NZDF called "months of planning".
Drone footage of the HMNZS Manawanui which ran aground on a coral reef in Samoa Photo: NZDF
Nonetheless, CHOGM was seen as a success.
In a press conference that followed the Leaders Retreat in Mulifanua, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to tackling global economic, environmental and security challenges.
One agreement was the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, which includes the protection of at least 30 percent of the ocean, restoring at least 30 percent of degraded marine ecosystems by 2030, and recognising national maritime boundaries in the face of sea-level rise.
King Charles and Queen Camilla attended several engagements outside of CHOGM, with the Commonwealth's Head of State bestowed with a High Chief title - Tui-Taumeasina - during a traditional ceremonial welcome.
Papua New Guinea - deaths by landslide and tribal fighting
Devastating landslide hit Yambali Village Photo: Facebook / Amos Titus
Hundreds are thought to have been buried in their sleep when a devastating landslide hit Yambali Village in the early hours of 24 May.
The government paused the excavation of bodies on 7 June due to the danger, and only 12 bodies were recovered.
The landslide is considered a mass burial site.
Aid and food supplies came in, although humanitarian support was hampered by lack of road access.
There was also tribal fighting reported in the area, which Enga province is notorious for.
In another case of tribal fighting in PNG this year, a state of emergency was issued after violent tribal fighting around the Porgera mine, some involving illegal miners operating inside the mine itself.
Police said 32 people died during the brutal five-day conflict, 60 received life-threatening injuries and 59 houses were burnt to the ground.
Dozens of illegal miners were arrested and charged with trespass, and police said the two rival clans had agreed to lay down their arms and take part in dialogue.
Papua New Guinea's deputy prime minister, John Rosso, said the law had been changed - so anyone found with an illegal weapon is supposed to have a maximum penalty of life behind bars.
"Our security forces need to start arresting people - too often you see warlords walking in front of soldiers and policemen with weapons in plain view. No one gets arrested," he said.
Retired Papua New Guinea defence force chief Commodore Peter Ilau said politicians continued to undermine law enforcement efforts.
But acting western division assistant police commissioner, Joseph Tondop, said: "Politics has got nothing to do with operations. Our leadership needs to stand up and uphold the rule of law. It's not corruption; it's just that we are not doing our job well."
RNZ Pacific's PNG correspondent Scott Waide wrote that for an outsider, the roots of tribal conflicts in Papua New Guinea are difficult to understand.
There are myriad factors at play, including the province, district, tribe, clan and customs.
"Some conflicts rage for years and sporadic payback killings continue. It is subtle as it doesn't attract national attention. It is insidious and cancerous - slowly destroying families and communities. In many instances, police record the one off murders as the result of alcohol-related brawls or some other cause."
Politics - governments coming and going
Elections and motions of no confidence have abounded in the region this year.
Vanuatu will hold a snap election on 16 January. They've already had four prime ministers in three years, despite bringing in laws to try and calm the uncertainty.
The newly elected Solomon Islands prime minister had a motion moved against him, but it was withdrawn.
Tonga elected a new prime minister on Christmas Eve after the incumbent, Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, resigned ahead of a motion of no confidence.
Tuvalu elected Feleti Teo as their new prime minister.
Palauan incumbent Surangel Whipps Jr and Kiribati's Taneti Maamau both returned to office.
Climate - COP29 and a landmark case at the International Court of Justice
People walk past the logotype at the venue for the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku on November 11, 2024. Photo: AFP / Alexander Nemenov
At COP29 in Azerbaijan, countries agreed to an annual finance target of US$300 billion by 2035 to help poorer countries deal with impacts of climate change, with rich countries leading the payments.
The new goal was intended to replace developed countries' previous commitment to provide $100 billion per year in climate finance for poorer nations by 2020. That goal was met two years late, in 2022, and expires in 2025.
The COP29 agreement was criticised by developing nations, who called it insufficient, but United Nations climate chief Simon Steill called it an insurance policy for humanity.
Meanwhile, a case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) heard oral statements from 96 states and 11 international organizations in December.
The ICJ is considering two questions related to countries' legal responsibilities in regards to climate change.
They are: What are the obligations of states under international law to protect the climate and environment from greenhouse gas emissions?
And, what are the legal consequences for states that have caused significant harm to the climate and environment?
The advisory opinion - which will be non-binding - is expected in 2025.
