UAS footage of RNZN Divers surveying the area around HMNZS Manawanui on the Southern Coast of Upulo as part of Op Resolution. 25 October 2024 Photo: New Zealand Defence Force
Manawanui
Studies of the reef near the sunken Manawanui vessel will help inform the next steps for the wreck.
The New Zealand Defence Force said the Samoan and New Zealand governments continue to work through the next steps, with an independent expert assessment of the wreck underway.
NZDF commodore Andrew Brown says Samoan government officials have approved the ending of Defence Force drone surveillance of the area, after the removal of diesel fuel and other pollutants.
"The Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa has continued to report the seawater and marine life in the area clear and uncontaminated," Brown said.
"They have recommended to move the frequency of seawater testing in their monitoring plan to monthly.
"I'm looking forward to returning to Samoa soon to continue high-level engagements with High Commission and Government of Samoa officials."
Employers and workers picking kiwifruit in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty. Photo: Facebook / baykiwifruitcontracting
Tonga - seasonal work
Tonga's Prime Minister has called out both New Zealand and Australia's Pacific seasonal work programmes.
Dr 'Aisake Valu Eke, who is also chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, met with New Zealand's deputy Prime Minister.
Dr Eke said his main concern with the schemes is how workers are treated.
"This is a regional issue now," he said.
"I think we work together with New Zealand, Australia, how we could improve and ...that's what I think we need, the safety of our people there."
Dr Eke said a church in Australia is providing pastoral care to workers and wants to see similar initiatives elsewhere.
Pacific - geohazards
Geohazard experts from 17 Pacific Island countries and territories are setting up a regional geohazards body.
They hope to improve coordination in designing policies to finance disaster risk.
The decision has been adopted at the second regional meeting on geohazards organized by UNESCO in Apia, Samoa.
In a statement, a UNESCO spokesperson said acting as a region will place Pacific experts in a stronger position, to inform the design of policies and legislation to reduce disaster risk and improve response and recovery planning.
Aotearoa New Zealand - peace
New Zealand's Labour Party has proposed establishing a Pacific peace zone should they return to power.
Outgoing Labour Party Foreign Affairs spokesperson David Parker told Pacific Media Network the Pacific's demilitarisation and isolation are significant advantages, especially in an era when global superpowers are vying for influence and positioning in the region.
Fiji's Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, has already been advocating for the Pacific to become an "ocean of peace".
Parker said a Pacific peace zone would serve as a framework for dialogue with Pacific countries and superpowers to prevent the region's militarisation.
Nauru - Thai consul-general
The Nauru government has closed its consul-general office in Thailand following a former Nauru diplomat being caught up in an alleged passport forgery operation.
In a statement, the Nauru government said a comprehensive inquiry has unequivocally determined that there is no evidence implicating him in any wrongdoing.
It said that the case is now formally closed.
Plans are underway to establish an embassy in Thailand which the government says will mark a new chapter in the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Papua New Guinea - tourism
Papua New Guinea's Tourism Minister Belden Namah wants to create an industry regulator.
Local media reports Namah saying that a regulator will help tourism and cultural agencies operate more efficiently.
He said Papua New Guinea's tourism industry is a pot of gold yet to be explored.
