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Pacific Update: Solomon Islander reunited with family after 47 days lost at sea

September 9, 2022

Barbara Dreaver has her Pacific news round-up for the region. (Source: 1News)

Welcome to Pacific Update, our weekly news round-up for the region.

This week, Solomon Islander Webster Malefo Anisi, missing at sea for 47 days before being rescued in Papua New Guinea, has been reunited with his family.

Also, a Samoan couple in their 60s earn their doctorates at the University of Canterbury, and a mum and daughter of Tongan heritage share the flight deck for Hawaiian Airlines.

As ever, we have our favourite videos from social media.

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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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