Pacific Islands, explained.

Ta' u Island, American Samoa (Photo: US Dept of the Interior)

Pacific links: PNG election database, the solar-powered island of Ta’u, longboards and more

The latest news, research and commentary from around the region.

Harriet Smith

22 March 20171 min read

DevPolicy has launched a PNG Elections Database providing downloadable datasets of past election results. It also includes an interactive map and analysis of electoral trends in PNG.
The Pacific Islands Forum has called on the United Nations to recognise the unique impact that regional climate change has on Pacific women and their livelihoods.
Wesley Morgan has warned climate change will set Pacific nations on a collision course with Australia over coal and greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbate diplomatic and environmental challenges.
A joint Pacific fisheries surveillance operation has ended with seven vessel facing illegal fishing charges, after nine Pacific nations co-ordinated out of the Solomon Islands.
The islands of Ta’u in American Samoa is now 100% solar powered after closing its diesel power plant.
The hospitalisation of child in Tonga who was severely beaten by a teacher has sparked debate around increased disciplinary training for teachers. Corporal punishment was officially banned in 2014 but is still used.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has confirmed PNG is backing out of the PACER PLUS talks with Australia and New Zealand in order to focus on its trade relationships with other Melanesian countries.
HIV/AIDS incidence in PNG has recently increased after awareness and education activities were reprioritised by health services that were forced to focus on a surge of tuberculosis.
A recent interview with representatives from the office of the National Information and Communications Technology Authority of PNG has shed light on the future of the industry in PNG, and discussed issues including cybercrime and ICT, mobile telecommunications, and the transition from analogue to digital TV services.
The World Surf League has brought its longboard competition to Papua New Guinea for the first time, joining forces with Surfing Association PNG, and is livestreaming the event around the world.

Harriet Smith

About the author

Harriet Smith

Harriet Smith is a former Research Associate in the Melanesia Program, where she worked primarily on the Aus-PNG Network .

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DevPolicy has launched a PNG Elections Database providing downloadable datasets of past election results. It also includes an interactive map and analysis of electoral trends in PNG.
The Pacific Islands Forum has called on the United Nations to recognise the unique impact that regional climate change has on Pacific women and their livelihoods.
Wesley Morgan has warned climate change will set Pacific nations on a collision course with Australia over coal and greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbate diplomatic and environmental challenges.
A joint Pacific fisheries surveillance operation has ended with seven vessel facing illegal fishing charges, after nine Pacific nations co-ordinated out of the Solomon Islands.
The islands of Ta’u in American Samoa is now 100% solar powered after closing its diesel power plant.
The hospitalisation of child in Tonga who was severely beaten by a teacher has sparked debate around increased disciplinary training for teachers. Corporal punishment was officially banned in 2014 but is still used.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has confirmed PNG is backing out of the PACER PLUS talks with Australia and New Zealand in order to focus on its trade relationships with other Melanesian countries.
HIV/AIDS incidence in PNG has recently increased after awareness and education activities were reprioritised by health services that were forced to focus on a surge of tuberculosis.
A recent interview with representatives from the office of the National Information and Communications Technology Authority of PNG has shed light on the future of the industry in PNG, and discussed issues including cybercrime and ICT, mobile telecommunications, and the transition from analogue to digital TV services.
The World Surf League has brought its longboard competition to Papua New Guinea for the first time, joining forces with Surfing Association PNG, and is livestreaming the event around the world.

Pacific links: PNG election database, the solar-powered island of Ta’u, longboards and more

The Interpreter on Pacific Islands

Australia’s Pacific amnesia

Vanuatu’s bid to settle France’s claim to Matthew and Hunter

The donor-dependency trap in multilateral finance

More on Pacific Islands

Pacific unity on the line: The 2026 PIF Leaders' Meeting

The Pacific’s deep-sea fault line

Fault lines beneath the Blue Pacific: Deep-sea mining and the future of Pacific unity

2026 Allan Gyngell Lecture: Senator Penny Wong

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The Interpreter on Pacific Islands

Australia’s Pacific amnesia

Vanuatu’s bid to settle France’s claim to Matthew and Hunter

The donor-dependency trap in multilateral finance

More on Pacific Islands

Pacific unity on the line: The 2026 PIF Leaders' Meeting

The Pacific’s deep-sea fault line

Fault lines beneath the Blue Pacific: Deep-sea mining and the future of Pacific unity

2026 Allan Gyngell Lecture: Senator Penny Wong

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