Commentary

Pacific island countries are starved for data, and that affects development. We are, collectively, on the back foot where data gathering and sharing is concerned. That has to change. And with the tools available to us now, it can, says Dan McGarry.

With a referendum on self-determination looming, New Caledonia must make crucial decisions in coming months about its economy, electoral system, and future political status, notably the Kanak quest for independence, writes Nic MacLellan.

The concern about government workers spending too much time attending regional meetings has clearly risen to the attention of heads of state in the region as it made it into print in the communiqué from the meeting in Palau that ended earlier this month, writes Giff Johnson.

National security is no longer the preserve of the uniformed services. Approaches to regional peacekeeping and national peace-building are important if the Pacific is to better manage its periodic disasters – natural and man made, writes Ben Bohane.

6 months into 2014, the government appears to have fallen short in sticking to its budget plans. What we see is a government struggling to play by its own fiscal rules or to deliver on its own budget plans. It’s not obvious how long the country can safely continue down this path, writes Mark Evans.

Tonga’s judicial reform has proven to be flawed, unworkable and autocratic in structure. It should serve as a caution to other Pacific nations who are going through their own reform activities, particularly in relation to the Judiciary, writes Kalafi Moala.