Tagata o te Moana for 17 November 2018

International observers monitoring the Fiji election have made an interim statement saying to date it had been transparent and credible and outcomes are on track to reflect the will of Fijian voters; Papua New Guinea civil society groups have called on China to introduce regulation on illegal wood imports from the country. PNG is China's single largest supplier of timber, however large quantities of these wood imports come from illegal operations; An economist says Papua New Guinea government allocations to the health and education sectors have reduced substantially over recent years; Pacific Island countries are working to adhere to an international food standard in order to protect the reputation of their kava products. The Codex Alimentarius Quality Standard is set by the World Health Organisation and the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation and under its requirements, kava will be promoted as a food, a beverage like tea; Elders in the Tokelau atoll of Fakaofo are protesting the removal of two former public servants from office, and; A national summit about Pacific communities' contribution to New Zealand.