Pacific Islands

Gerhardt Konig appears in court before closing arguments in his attempted murder trial, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Honolulu.

Hawaiian doctor convicted for trying to kill wife on cliffside hike

Gerhardt Konig tried to push his wife off a cliff and stab her with a syringe, and then struck her with a rock before the attack was interrupted by two hikers

Thu, Apr 9

As clarity in the forecast increases, it is highly likely that Severe Weather Warnings for both severe gales and heavy rain will be issued.

Explainer: What is a tropical cyclone and what do the categories mean?

Think of them as a swirling oceanic engine, taking energy from the warm waters and generating enormous amount of energy.

Thu, Apr 9

Fiji Airways on Tuesday said the flight from Sydney to Nadi was diverted to the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa as a precautionary measure due to adverse weather conditions impacting the region.

'Spewing in the aisles': Cyclone Vaianu diverts Fiji flight from Sydney

Fiji Airways said the flight from Sydney to Nadi was diverted to the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa as a precaution due to adverse weather conditions in the region.

Wed, Apr 8

Cyclone Vaianu tracks south towards New Zealand.

'Significant and damaging' Cyclone Vaianu churns toward NZ

MetService has issued a preliminary severe weather watch ahead of Tropical Cyclone Vaianu's potential landfall this weekend.

Wed, Apr 8

A diverted fuel shipment has extended diesel and jet fuel supplies in the Cook Islands, but industry leaders warn the country remains at the very end of a fragile and increasingly costly supply chain.

Cook Islands faces fuel supply crunch as prices loom

With limited tanker deliveries and contracts falling over, the diesel‑dependent nation has just weeks of fuel in reserve and rising costs ahead.

Tue, Apr 7

Hawaiian doctor convicted for trying to kill wife on cliffside hike

Gerhardt Konig tried to push his wife off a cliff and stab her with a syringe, and then struck her with a rock before the attack was interrupted by two hikers

Thu, Apr 9

Explainer: What is a tropical cyclone and what do the categories mean?

Think of them as a swirling oceanic engine, taking energy from the warm waters and generating enormous amount of energy.

Thu, Apr 9

'Spewing in the aisles': Cyclone Vaianu diverts Fiji flight from Sydney

Fiji Airways said the flight from Sydney to Nadi was diverted to the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa as a precaution due to adverse weather conditions in the region.

Wed, Apr 8

'Significant and damaging' Cyclone Vaianu churns toward NZ

MetService has issued a preliminary severe weather watch ahead of Tropical Cyclone Vaianu's potential landfall this weekend.

Wed, Apr 8

Cook Islands faces fuel supply crunch as prices loom

With limited tanker deliveries and contracts falling over, the diesel‑dependent nation has just weeks of fuel in reserve and rising costs ahead.

Tue, Apr 7

Cook Islands PM mark Brown welcomes NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters. (Image: MFAT)

China out, NZ back in as new deal struck with Cook Islands

Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the declaration signed today clarifies the relationship between NZ and the Cook Islands.

Thu, Apr 2

March 2026

Relations between Mark Brown (left) and Winston Peters have become more cordial in recent weeks.

Is the big thaw in frosty ties between Cook Islands and NZ now underway?

Analysis: Foreign Minister Winston Peters is heading to the Cook Islands tomorrow in a move that signifies a further improvement in relations between the two countries.

Tue, Mar 31

Countries across Asia have taken measures to reduce fuel consumption.

Short weeks and free transport – the fuel crisis responses NZ could copy

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced governments overseas to get creative.

Tue, Mar 31

Magnitude 7.6 quake strikes near Tonga, no tsunami risk for NZ

The quake struck 153km west of Neiafu, in Vavaʻu.

Tue, Mar 24

Eli Katoa receives treatment during the Tonga v Kiwis match at Eden Park.

Tonga star may never play again after brain injury - Storm coach

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy told Channel 7 that Eli Katoa was "doing really well at the moment," but was unsure if doctors would clear him to return to the game.

Tue, Mar 24

Kiwi woman drowns while snorkelling in Cook Islands

The 66-year-old was pulled from the water unresponsive at a lagoon in Vaimaanga, Rarotonga, on Wednesday afternoon.

Sat, Mar 21

Samoan PM says Christopher Luxon didn't ask for title

The Samoan Government says the honour was a traditional courtesy for visiting leaders and was not linked to any policy obligations.

Mon, Mar 16

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon pictured in December 2025.

PM Luxon's office denies he asked for a Samoan matai title

Samoa’s Prime Minister claimed in a recent interview Luxon himself had asked for the title, and the request came via New Zealand’s High Commissioner.

Sat, Mar 14

Locked up, alone, fearing torture: Barbara Dreaver's terrifying night in Fiji

In this extract from her new memoir Be Brave, Barbara Dreaver recalls the night she was detained and locked up in Fiji.

Sun, Mar 8

The Tongan team is led by manager and Tonga Athletics Association secretary general Alifeleti Tuihalamaka.

First Polynesian track and field event in a decade held in Auckland

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade funded athletes from seven Pacific countries to participate with support from Athletics New Zealand.

Sat, Mar 7

Increased volcanic activity at the Manaro volcano.

Vanuatu holds emergency meeting as active volcano stirs

Prime Minister Jotham Napat said activity at Manaro volcano was increasing, with Penama province preparing evacuation plans for a possible eruption.

Fri, Mar 6

TVNZ Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver (Composite image: Vinay Ranchhod)

Barbara Dreaver: I've never defended who I am, why should I?

TVNZ Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver on identity, prejudice and standing up to power.

Thu, Mar 5

Pests devastating parts of the Pacific are being turned back with help from New Zealand communities.

Pacific Island in battle to bring rare bird from brink of extinction

Feral cats, rats and invasive taro vine devastating parts of the Pacific are being pushed back with support from New Zealand communities in a bid to protect rare wildlife.

Wed, Mar 4

February 2026

The crew of the Mysterious Wonder wave as the P-3 Orion.

Air Force and Navy rescue men on small boat 200km from Tonga

The crew of the small wooden boat had been drifting in the Pacific Ocean for more than a week.

Thu, Feb 19

Pacific transit of narcotics raises alarm after a massive shipment is seized

Four tonnes of cocaine, worth $1.5b on the street, was enroute to New Zealand when it was intercepted – enough to supply our current illicit appetite for nine years.

Thu, Feb 12