Oceania Kiribati The government will work with New Zealand Institute of Environmental Science and Research for population health in areas like antimicrobial resistance, water quality and morbidity/mortality for double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases
Oceania Fiji The term 'Micro' will be included, from 1 August, in the name of the Ministry that will be known as the 'Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications', given the growing importance of this category
Oceania New Zealand A dentist with a private practice in Ashburton complained that Māori still receive inadequate dental care and that the coalition government's policies on oral health care remain ambiguous
Oceania Samoa A review of the minimum wage in Samoa is closer after Finance Minister Lautimuia Uelese Va'ai said the government is looking to set up a committee to guide it; the current minimum wage in Samoa is $3 per hour and came into effect in 2020
Oceania Palau Charter flights from Macau to Palau doubled in February compared to January, with 19 flights scheduled for the Chinese New Year holiday; this is expected to bring up to 2.800 visitors from China, a boost for the island nation's tourism industry
Oceania Tonga After a three-month break, the Legislative Assembly of Tonga will meet today, 12 February 2024, at 2pm to continue work on the 2023 parliamentary session
Oceania Vanuatu Live & Learn Vanuatu announced the launch of a cutting-edge application designed to facilitate data collection by rangers in conservation areas in March, in an innovative initiative to preserve Vanuatu's rich biodiversity
Oceania Nauru After China and Nauru officially resumed diplomatic relations, 26 international students from Nauru arrived in Beijing to participate in a month-long learning programme focusing on China's national conditions and Chinese language
Oceania Papua New Guinea Detective Senior Constable Hakaiwa and Constable Koma, both serving with Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, have advanced police forensic skills in East Sepik and Morobe, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Australian High Commission in the country
Oceania Tuvalu Stormy weather has delayed the formation of a new government in Tuvalu, with newly elected legislators still unable to reach parliament, weeks after the Pacific nation went to the polls, as they are stranded on the outer islands
Oceania Fiji The newly built hospital in Rotuma was officially handed over to the Ministry of Health by the military forces of the Republic of Fiji and is now ready to serve the public
Oceania Micronesia The crew of the USCGC Oliver Henry arrived at the port of Dekhitik in Pohnpei on 1 February as part of an international effort to deliver essential supplies and equipment to the drought-stricken outer islands of Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi
Oceania Samoa To promote a cashless economy, ANZ Bank of Samoa announced its decision to waive Visa debit card payment fees from all local banks under WST15