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Pacific Update: Kiribati UFO hunt goes awry, Cook Islands church celebrates

November 12, 2021

1News’ Barbara Dreaver has news from around the Pacific region. (Source: 1News)

Welcome to Pacific Update, 1News' weekly news roundup for the region.

This week, we've got the latest Covid news from the Pacific, including plans from some nations to reopen.

Elsewhere, Tuvalu's Foreign Minister made a point during his online appearance at COP26, there's been a undersized seafood sting in Samoa, a UFO hunt has gone awry in Kiribati and the Cook Islands Christian Church has held its 200 year bicentennial celebration.

As ever, we've got the best from social media as well.

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Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Australia welcomes NZ joining Pacific defence alliance

"We welcome the New Zealand government's interest in joining the Ocean of Peace Alliance with Australia and Fiji once it enters into force," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.

Fri, Jul 10

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a long-range ballistic missile bursts out of the sea during a test launched from a Chinese nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific on Monday, July 6, 2026.

China missile test: Is the real story the panic it triggered?

It’s not at all clear the test or its timing were intended as intimidations, writes public safety lecturer James Dwyer.

Thu, Jul 9

Anthony Albanese talks with Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

Australia and Fiji ink new mutual defence alliance

Australia's prime minister inked Fiji as Australia's fourth ally in a signing ceremony with counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka at State House in Suva on Monday.

Mon, Jul 6

This satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Typhoon Bavi nearing the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam on Sunday, July 5, 2026

'Catastrophic' winds hit Pacific as Super Typhoon Bavi nears Guam

Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the strongest tropical cyclone this year, also battered islands in the region in April.

Mon, Jul 6

1:35

1News reporter Barbara Dreaver said campaigning for next month's Cook Islands general election – scheduled for August 12 – is ramping up.

Pasifika Update: The brutal side of Pacific politics

1News Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver provides an update of the goings on across the island nations neighbouring New Zealand.

Fri, Jul 3

5:21

Drug offences in Fiji have risen despite existing penalties to control the trade.

Drug demand in NZ and Australia drives calls for death penalty in Fiji

Fiji is at the centre of an illicit narcotics crisis described as a national emergency, driven by an escalating demand for hard drugs in Australia and New Zealand.

Wed, Jul 1

Anthony Albanese talks with Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

Australia and Fiji ink new mutual defence alliance

Australia's prime minister inked Fiji as Australia's fourth ally in a signing ceremony with counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka at State House in Suva on Monday.

Mon, Jul 6

This satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Typhoon Bavi nearing the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam on Sunday, July 5, 2026

'Catastrophic' winds hit Pacific as Super Typhoon Bavi nears Guam

Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the strongest tropical cyclone this year, also battered islands in the region in April.

Mon, Jul 6

1:35

1News reporter Barbara Dreaver said campaigning for next month's Cook Islands general election – scheduled for August 12 – is ramping up.

Pasifika Update: The brutal side of Pacific politics

1News Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver provides an update of the goings on across the island nations neighbouring New Zealand.

Fri, Jul 3

5:21

Drug offences in Fiji have risen despite existing penalties to control the trade.

Drug demand in NZ and Australia drives calls for death penalty in Fiji

Fiji is at the centre of an illicit narcotics crisis described as a national emergency, driven by an escalating demand for hard drugs in Australia and New Zealand.

Wed, Jul 1

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Australia welcomes NZ joining Pacific defence alliance

"We welcome the New Zealand government's interest in joining the Ocean of Peace Alliance with Australia and Fiji once it enters into force," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.

Fri, Jul 10

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a long-range ballistic missile bursts out of the sea during a test launched from a Chinese nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific on Monday, July 6, 2026.

China missile test: Is the real story the panic it triggered?

It’s not at all clear the test or its timing were intended as intimidations, writes public safety lecturer James Dwyer.

Thu, Jul 9

Anthony Albanese talks with Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

Australia and Fiji ink new mutual defence alliance

Australia's prime minister inked Fiji as Australia's fourth ally in a signing ceremony with counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka at State House in Suva on Monday.

Mon, Jul 6

This satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Typhoon Bavi nearing the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam on Sunday, July 5, 2026

'Catastrophic' winds hit Pacific as Super Typhoon Bavi nears Guam

Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the strongest tropical cyclone this year, also battered islands in the region in April.

Mon, Jul 6

1:35

1News reporter Barbara Dreaver said campaigning for next month's Cook Islands general election – scheduled for August 12 – is ramping up.

Pasifika Update: The brutal side of Pacific politics

1News Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver provides an update of the goings on across the island nations neighbouring New Zealand.

Fri, Jul 3

5:21

Drug offences in Fiji have risen despite existing penalties to control the trade.

Drug demand in NZ and Australia drives calls for death penalty in Fiji

Fiji is at the centre of an illicit narcotics crisis described as a national emergency, driven by an escalating demand for hard drugs in Australia and New Zealand.

Wed, Jul 1

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