IN PICTURES
In a historic presentation, West Papuan leaders representing their newly unified movement, have applied for membership of the MSG. Dan McGarry captures the ceremony in a photo essay.
politics
West Papuans unite to form new umbrella group
In a gathering of West Papuan leaders in Vanuatu, the different factions of the independence movement united in one group and one struggle under the new body called the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.
PNG’s 2015 budget – first impressions
Papua New Guinea must get its public finances back on track if the country is to avoid macroeconomic instability and wasted resource revenues. Presenting agreeable numbers is not enough; there must be sufficient political buy-in to deliver these plans.
The information age collides with older generation thinking
The New Zealand media is more interested in ISIL activities in Syria and Iraq than the horrendous human rights violations happening right under their noses in their own Pacific “front yard, such as in Fiji and West Papua, argues David Robie.
The pro-democracy movement rises again
'Akilisi Pohiva is the first commoner to become Tonga's Prime Minister. Kalafi Moala argues that Pohiva's election is of historical significance at this juncture of Tonga’s march into a full democracy as he holds hope for a new Tonga - a small nation that must change in every sphere of development.
Down but not out in French Polynesia
As French president Francois Hollande visits the region for the G20 summit, Nic Maclellan looks at recent developments in French Polynesia with the removal of one of the Pacific’s longest serving politicians, Gaston Flosse as President of the territory.