French Polynesian politicians' visit to Taiwan irks Beijing envoy

Lixiao Tian, China’s Consul in French Polynesia and French High Commissioner Alexandre Rochatte at a function to celebrate PRC’s anniversary. 20 September 2025 Photo: Haut-Commissariat en Polynésie française China's top diplomat in French...

French Polynesia calls for moratorium on deep sea mining

French Polynesia's President Moetai Brotherson in Honiara for the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting from 8-12 September 2025. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Caleb Fotheringham French Polynesia's president wants Pacific countries to agree to a...

Image of the day: Expansive new marine sanctuary in French Polynesia

Far out in the South Pacific Ocean, the remote Gambier Islands lie scattered like emeralds across a wide turquoise lagoon. These volcanic islands, fringed by coral reefs, are part of French Polynesia and are home to rich marine life and...

Aranui Cruises will have two ships sailing French Polynesia in 2027

New ship, Aranoa will join Aranui 5 to cruise all-year round in French Polynesia. The company is offering 20 per cent discount for the first two voyages onboard Aranoa. There are early bird deals of between 10 and 15 per cent discount if bookings...

Building climate ambition through regional partnerships in the French Pacific

New Caledonia and French Polynesia step up climate ambition with new NDCs committing to deep emissions cuts and stronger adaptation by 2035. New Caledonia and French Polynesia are stepping up their climate commitments with updated Nationally...

Exploring the Tuamotu Atolls in French Polynesia

raphaëllesmn/stock.adobe.com We cleared through the Panama Canal and sailed back into Pacific waters for the first time in a decade—but I looked west from our 50-footer, Atea, with a sense of despondency. All of our sailing friends had worked hard...

Guam at the Pacific Islands Forum: ‘Business as Usual’ Despite External Partner Ban 

At this year’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting, the story that seemed to capture headlines was the decision by this year’s host, Solomon Islands, to disinvite all external partners from attendance. The reporting around this decision...

Beyond The Checklist: Embedding Sustainability Into Hotel Strategy for Lasting Impact

Let’s start with the obvious: there is a lot going on in the world today. In a rapidly changing and increasingly unpredictable global landscape, hotels must find ways to remain competitive and resilient in the long term, even when the realities of...

Our pick of the world’s best cruise lines to suit every style of traveller

Choosing a cruise can be complicated. There are countless lines and ships to choose from and each has its own appeal and target audience. Some go all-out to entertain families, with kids’ clubs, extravagant theatre shows, water slides and...

From Silk Road to Blue Pacific: Tourism as a Bridge to Shared Prosperity

Tourism has always been about connection. From the ancient Silk Road to the vast ocean highways of the Blue Pacific, it links cultures, fosters understanding, and creates prosperity through shared journeys. The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO)...

Pacific voyagers deliver strong Ocean and Climate call in Honiara

By Pita Ligaiula in Honiara, Solomon Islands Pacific voyagers arriving in Honiara after a 15-day journey from Suva have called for urgent climate action, ocean protection, and a fossil fuel–free Pacific. Speaking on behalf of Uto ni Yalo and the...

Pacific Islands leaders meet with climate change, security on agenda

Pacific Island leaders have kicked off their annual summit in the Solomon Islands, with climate change and security expected to take centre stage amid the battle for influence in the region between China and the United States. The weeklong...

I Went To The Maldives And Avoided The Beach—And I Don't Regret It

Forget the beaches—the real Maldives is found beyond the tourist-filled shores. Of course, the turquoise waters and white sand are breathtaking, but the islands’ true magic lies in adventure and culture. For those who want to skip the beach and...

Mom urges people to eat fish that's wreaking havoc in waterways: 'So good'

"Eating the invasion." by Joseph ClarkOctober 1, 2025 What if you could help save an entire ecosystem just by making dinner? It sounds like a stretch, but that's exactly what one family in Hawaiʻi is doing. The main ingredient is an invasive fish...

Nuclear Testing Threats are Returning & Saber Rattling is Getting Louder, warns UN Chief

Armed Conflicts, Editors' Choice, Featured, Global, Headlines, IPS UN: Inside the Glasshouse, Nuclear Disarmament, Nuclear Energy - Nuclear Weapons, TerraViva United Nations A nuclear test is carried out on an island in French Polynesia in 1971....

Pacific urged to strengthen unity in safeguarding the ocean

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU Director General of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP), Noan Pakop, has called on Pacific nations for collective action to protect the region’s ocean, describing it as both “our identity and our...

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban relationship timeline as couple divorce after 20 years

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

Pacific Islands Ocean Conference opens with call for unity and action

The Second Pacific Islands Ocean Conference opened in Honiara Monday, with a strong call for unity, science and traditional knowledge to guide Pacific-led solutions for sustainable ocean governance. Speaking on behalf of the Council of Regional...

Seasteading is making a comeback — but these utopian paradises on the high seas have a history of failure

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

Call to safeguard ocean

The 2nd Pacific Islands Ocean Conference is underway in Honiara following its opening on Monday morning, with a strong call for unity, science and traditional knowledge to guide Pacific-led solutions for sustainable ocean governance. Speaking on...