Monthly Archives: February 2025
Cook Islanders march in Avarua against Mark Brown government
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist, in Avarua, Rarotonga
More than 400 people have taken to the streets to protest against Cook Islands Prime Minister...
Hamas, PIJ slam Israel’s ‘barbaric’ raid on Palestinians at Ofer Prison
Asia Pacific Report
Two Palestinian resistance groups have condemned “the brutal assault” on prisoners at Ofer Prison, saying it was “barbaric criminal behaviour that reflects...
‘No areas of concern’, says Cook Islands PM on NZ’s China deal fears
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist in Avarua, Rarotonga
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown hopes to have "an opportunity to talk" with the New...
Open letter from local Jewish Voices condemns Zionist ‘colonisation’ project
Asia Pacific Report
Two independent Jewish Voices groups in Aotearoa New Zealand have written an open letter to the government condemning the Zionist "colonisation" project...
Paul Buchanan: Trump 2.0 and the limits of over-reach
COMMENTARY: By Paul G Buchanan
Here is a scenario, but first a broad brush-painted historical parallel.
Hitler and the Nazis could well have accomplished everything that...
‘Clandestine’ Cook Islands-China deal ‘damaged’ NZ relationship, says Clark
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/Bulletin editor
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark maintains that Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, should have...
How Israeli propaganda filters into NZ media – drop it, says Mediawatch
COMMENTARY: By Saige England
Mediawatch on RNZ today strongly criticised Stuff and YouTube among other media for using Israeli propaganda's "Outbrain" service.
Outbrain is a company...
Images of prisoners underscore Israeli ‘dehumanisation’ of Palestinians
Asia Pacific Report
Analysts and commentators have described how images of the hundreds of Palestinian detainees and prisoners have "dehumanised" them and revealed their...
China deal ‘complements, not replaces’ NZ relationship, says Cook Islands PM
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says the deal with China "complements, not replaces" the relationship with New Zealand...
Fiji and Israel strengthen bilateral relations, plan embassy opening
Pacific Media Watch
Fiji has reaffirmed its commitment to establishing an embassy in Israel, with plans to open the embassy in Jerusalem, despite global condemnation...
France’s top diplomat confirms ‘unfreezing’ of New Caledonia’s electoral roll back on table
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific Presenter/Bulletin editor
France's top diplomat in the Pacific region says talks around the "unfreezing" of New Caledonia's highly controversial electoral...
RSF demands White House restores AP’s access — and let press do its job
Pacific Media Watch
Trump administration officials barred two Associated Press (AP) reporters from covering White House events this week because the US-based independent news agency...
How would Israel respond if Trump called for death camps in Gaza?
The issue is no longer a hypothetical one. US President Donald Trump will not explicitly suggest death camps, but he has already consented to Israel's...
In the quest to appease Israel, the media undermine our basic rights
In its eagerness to appease supporters of Israel, the media is happy to ride roughshod over due process and basic rights. It’s damaging Australia's...
China confirms ‘in-depth exchange’ with Cook Islands as New Zealand faces criticism for bullying
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist in Avarua, Rarotonga
China has confirmed details of its meeting with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown for the...
‘Damage has been done’ – Miss Pacific pageant statement too late, say critics
By Lagi Keresoma in Apia
The Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) Committee has finally issued a statement -- 5 days after damaging social media attacks...
Will New Zealand ‘invade’ the Cook Islands to stop China? Seriously
COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle
The country’s leading daily newspaper, The New Zealand Herald, screamed out this online headline by a columnist on February 10: “Should...
Civicus Monitor criticises PNG use of cybercrime law to curb free speech
Pacific Media Watch
Papua New Guinea’s civic space has been rated as "obstructed" by the Civicus Monitor and the country has been criticised for pushing...
Cook Islands opposition files no-confidence motion against PM
By Melina Etches of the Cook Islands News
A motion of no confidence has been filed against the Prime Minister and his Cabinet following the...
Powerless – another Asia-Pacific angle on the long siege of USAID
COMMENTARY: By Robin Davies
Much has been and much more will be written about the looming abolition of USAID.
It’s “the removal of a huge and...
French Overseas Minister Manuel Valls to visit Nouméa for key political talks
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk
French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls has announced he will travel to New Caledonia later this month...
Hamas report to mediators accuses Israel of pervasive Gaza ceasefire violations
As Benjamin Netanyahu threatens to resume war, Hamas outlines widespread Israeli ceasefire violations in document sent to the mediators.
By Jeremy Scahill and Sharif Abdel...