Oceania

Queenstown area, home to some of NZ's most expensive properties, has seen a stable-to-rising housing market as global billionaires and Australians hit by new tax system look for crisis-proof housing market

An additional $9 million in financing from the World Bank will help the Marshall Islands respond to sharply higher energy costs that are placing pressure on families, businesses, public services, and the national budget

As tuna stocks increasingly move beyond national waters, a new climate warning system is including tuna fisheries in its evaluation, helping governments assess risks to economies, food security and livelihoods

Lautoka City Council's efforts to maintain a clean and safe environment at the Bus Terminal have resulted in regular inspections targeting vehicle oil leaks, with 441 oil leakage reports in Jan-June 2026

The Solomon Islands Ports Authority has celebrated its 70th Anniversary; staff, government representatives, stakeholders and partners acknowledged its role in connecting communities and its contribution to the economic development of the country

NF Party leader, former Finance Minister Professor Prasad called on Sugar Minister for an immediate government top-up to the recently announced forecast cane price, warning that the current rate could create instability in the sugar industry

At the Island States Ocean Summit held in Tokyo, Japan, Tuvalu's President underlined that climate action and ocean management should merge into one single global agenda, warning that low-lying states can no longer afford to plan for the two separately

Parody comedian L.J. Spencer posted a video of a white woman transitioning to Aboriginal, dancing barefoot, clapping sticks, and simulating petrol sniffing; following widespread backlash, refused to apologize for the video and has been fired from her job

Another 100 nurses could be recruited from Solomon Islands as Vanuatu's Ministry of Health continues to face a major shortage of health workers and professionals

The New Zealand fashion industry has seen a wave of business closures; in a shrinking manufacturing sector, it is harder to find people to make the 'Made in New Zealand' and for businesses to absorb rising costs

NEC's East Micronesia Cable System EMCS now connects Kiribati with FSM and Nauru; the submarine fiber-optic cable has been handed out to state-owned telecommunications company Bwebweriki Net Limited BNL for local operations