Pacific news in brief for 18 June

Last year, the late Kiingi Tuheitia and Cook Islands Kaumaiti Nui Toa Ariki signed a treaty that seeks to grant more protections for whales.
Photo:
Supplied: Operation Cetaces
Tonga's princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku'aho is backing other Pacific leaders to grant whales legal personhood.
Last year, the late Kiingi Tuheitia and Cook Islands Kaumaiti Nui Toa Ariki signed He Whakaputanga Moana, a treaty that seeks to grant more protections for whales.
The University of Auckland's Dr Justin Sorbion said the treaty is a win for the Pacific.
However, he told
Pacific Waves
it would not stop harmful activity against whales.
"So just the fact that you are saying that whales have a legal personality, that's not going to stop the problem," he said.
"But especially for the present generations - and the future generations - it shows that they have legal standing."
Photo:
RNZ / Nick Monro
Australia's bid to host the COP31 climate summit came up during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to Fiji.
During the trip, Albanese and Fijian PM Sitiveni Rabuka reaffirmed their commitment to the advancement of the Vuvale Partnership.
Albanese said the pair discussed the significant impact of climate change internationally and particularly in the Pacific region, and Australia's COP31 bid in partnership with the Pacific.
This year's COP30 will be hosted by Belem, Brazil.
Two executives of a Papua New Guinea Government-owned company are being sought by police for allegedly paying 2.4 million kina in unauthorised security arrangements.
NBC
reported that NiuSky Pacific Limited's acting managing director Graham Blythe and the board chair, Robin Kawat, are wanted by police.
Police assistant commissioner, Benjamin Turi, said both men have evaded police efforts to bring them in for questioning over alleged payments made to 23 regular police officers and 13 police impersonators in 2023 and 2024.
He told
NBC News
the warrant of arrest is already out, and they expect both men to comply and come forward to police, or they will use force to bring them in.
Police say the two NiuSky executives authorised the payments for security services to the state-owned air navigation service provider without legal clearance or proper engagement procedures.
Community leaders and civil society organisations are urging Solomon Islands citizens to get involved in public consultations on the Mineral Resources Bill.
The
Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation
said the bill could significantly reshape how mining operations are approved, monitored, and enforced.
The legislation would give the national government broader authority over mineral resources, impacting land rights, the environment, and the community's role in decision-making.
Organisations such as the Development Services Exchange, Apunepara Ha'amwa'ora Natural Resources Association, and the International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination, want everyone to join in the public submission process.
They say the bill would conflict with the Constitution and the international obligations the Solomons has.
The Chiefs of Army of New Zealand and Australia have combined for a joint visit to Timor-Leste.
Topics of discussion included shared security priorities, a number of upcoming exercises and planned cooperation.
There were also 'positive discussions' around assisting Timor Leste's defence forces to be able to realise a key ambition - to further contribute to United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world.
Australia's Chief of Army lieutenant-general Simon Stuart said Timor-Leste is an important security partner to both Australia and New Zealand.

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RNZ News

10 hours ago

• RNZ News

Christopher Luxon concludes China trip: 'No evidence' of collaboration with Russia, Iran or North Korea

Photo: Supplied / Dan Brunskill Christopher Luxon has wrapped up his trip to China, dismissing suggestions the superpower is working with Russia, Iran or North Korea to undermine the West - as alleged by NATO's top official. The prime minister says he also stressed to China's leaders that engagement in the Pacific must advance the region's interests, but refused to say whether the recent Cook Islands crisis was raised by either side. Speaking late Friday at New Zealand's embassy in Beijing, Luxon said he was leaving "very, very convinced" the bilateral relationship was in "a really strong place and in good heart". The comments followed a day of top-level meetings at the Great Hall of the People, capping a three-day visit to China, Luxon's first as prime minister. The prime minister and his officials now fly on to Belgium and then to the Netherlands, where he will attend the annual NATO summit. Photo: Supplied / Dan Brunskill Asked about NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte's recent warning that China is working together with Russia, Iran and North Korea, Luxon noted the "Dutch directness" - but indicated a "difference of opinion". "We haven't seen evidence of those four powers coordinating in a way, actively against the West," Luxon said. "We've seen bilateral associations, say, between Russia and North Korea, with respect to the war in Ukraine. We've seen bilateral arrangements between Iran and Russia as well, but we haven't seen evidence of a wholesale force." The rest of the delegation was now returning to New Zealand on the air force 757. Photo: Supplied / Dan Brunskill The talks came a day after revelations New Zealand suspended nearly $20 million in funding to the Cook Islands , after its agreements with China earlier this year. Luxon repeatedly refused to say whether that issue, or any other, was discussed behind closed doors. "We need to respect that they are private diplomatic conversations that need to be respected in the privacy of the sanctum." A media statement issued at the end of the trip said Luxon had raised "the need for engagement in the Pacific to take place in a manner which advances Pacific priorities". Pressed to clarify, Luxon said the concern had been well-canvassed: "Making sure that… all major powers that aren't part of the Pacific family… respect the centrality of the Pacific Island Forum." While none of China's leaders directly mentioned the Cook Islands crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun earlier said China's cooperation with the Pacific nation "should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party". Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on Friday labelled the funding pause "patronising" and pointed out he had not been consulted on any agreements New Zealand entered with China this trip . Luxon denied any double standard, but said he had "nothing more to add" on the subject. "I'm not going to get into it. I've spoken ad nauseam about the Cooks and the challenge." The prime minister's statement also said he raised "rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific" including the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Photo: Supplied / Dan Brunskill Before speaking to reporters, the prime minister took part in an official welcome ceremony at the Great Hall and then a sit-down with his counterpart, Premier Li Qiang. In opening remarks, Li spoke of global turbulence and the need for "mutually beneficial cooperation". He said he had been "deeply impressed" by Luxon's friendship and hospitality during his 2024 visit to Wellington. In response, Luxon said the international challenges made ongoing dialogue more important "even where we differ". The meeting ended with the signing of 11 agreements, promising cooperation in areas including customs, food safety, and tourism. Luxon - and the wider business delegation - then stayed on for a banquet dinner at the Great Hall. Earlier on Friday, Xi said the bilateral relationship had experienced "many ups and downs" but remained respectful and at the forefront of China's Western ties. Luxon meanwhile described the bilateral relationship as "long-standing" and of "great consequence" to New Zealand. "The world looks to China as a major global power to play a constructive role in addressing many of the challenges that are facing us all," he said. Speaking to RNZ before departure, Luxon said he had established "good rapport" with both leaders during their previous meetings. The prime minister last met Xi in November at the APEC summit in Peru . At the time, Luxon characterised their conversation as "warm, positive and constructive" but noted clear differences over the AUKUS defence pact and missile testing in the Pacific. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

RNZ News

11 hours ago

• RNZ News

NZ's pause on funding is 'patronising'

Pacific politics 18 minutes ago Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says pausing nearly 20 million dollars in development assistance is "patronising" and "inconsistent with modern partnership".

Scoop

a day ago

• Scoop

PM Luxon Meets With President Xi Jinping

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. 'My meeting with President Xi was a valuable opportunity to reflect on the depth and breadth of this important relationship, and to reaffirm our bilateral ties,' Mr Luxon says. 'I outlined how our strong and innovative economic relationship has grown to cover a broad range of areas. Our trade and economic links are complementary and contribute to prosperity in both countries. These links also directly support New Zealand's ambition to grow our economy. 'We discussed the diversity of our people-to-people ties – from business, education, to cultural and science – and how they help build mutual understanding. I also welcomed progress made in increasing aviation links and tourism connections between our two countries.' Mr Luxon emphasised the importance of open, direct dialogue at the leader level to navigate some challenging regional and global developments. 'Engaging to share perspectives is more important than ever in a rapidly changing world. Where we have different views, our comprehensive and mature relationship allows New Zealand and China to speak frankly and constructively. 'I raised the importance to New Zealand of the international rules-based system, as well as the key role that China can play in helping to resolve global challenges, such as the war in Ukraine,' Mr Luxon says. Mr Luxon reaffirmed New Zealand's direct interest in the maintenance of peace, security and prosperity in the Pacific, our enduring support for Pacific-led priorities, and the central role of the Pacific Islands Forum. 'I also discussed the necessity of a stable region and reduced tensions in the Indo-Pacific' Mr Luxon says. While in Beijing, Mr Luxon will also meet with Premier Li Qiang and National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji.