pn808. Serious Concerns: Kiribiti to open Phoenix Marine Reserve and Leave Pacific Islands Forum

 

The Kiribati Government has decided to open up one of the world’s largest marine reserves to commercial fishing and de-register it as a World Heritage site.

pn777. New Zealand and Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Pacific Islands Forum Snippets

Punakaiki, West Coast

NEW ZEALAND. Three West Coast Conservation Board members have resigned citing conflicts of interest between conservation and Ngai Tahu interests, the privatisation of public assets and instances of racism when they tried to uphold conservation interests. 

What has brought the matter to a head is the proposed construction of a $26 million Punkaiki visitors' centre funded by the provincial growth fund. 

The accusations are denied by Board member Kara Edwards and Poutini Ngai Tahu. 

pn733. Three question marks hanging over the Pacific

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With one big question mark hanging over Samoa, it's easy to overlook two others. The Pacific has been far from tranquil lately.

The first question mark.

In Samoa, with its mixed constitution of western and traditional elements, the refusal of Tuilaepa to stepdown as PM to allow Fiame Mata'afa to assume power raises the question of what really is at stake.

Henry Puna, Cook Islander, new head Pacific Islands Forum (pn680)

 Read this Islands Business article  for details about the election and the Forum.   

Might Bainimarama Skip the Country?

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People are refused bail because they are dangerous or could skip bail and not return for a court hearing.

But these could be acceptable times. While it's unheard of for a prime minister to allegedly assault an opposition MP, breaking his glasses, to the best of my knowledge,  a democratically elected prime minister never, ever, anywhere, has used his attendance at  international fora to skip a country, never to return.