The missing Cook Islands fisherman was able to wave to the crew of the P-8A after they found him west of Pukapuka Island

Family of Cook Islands fisherman rescued by NZDF feel 'overwhelming joy'

The crew of an RNZAF P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane found the missing fisherman on Thursday morning.

Saturday 1:14pm

Chris Dudgeon with the shark.

New shark species which walks on its fins discovered in the Pacific

The fish is a type of epaulette shark, a group of small sharks native to New Guinea and Australia, famous for their ability to waddle between rock pools at low tide.

Fri, Jun 19

The missing Cook Islands fisherman was able to wave to the crew of the P-8A after they found him west of Pukapuka Island

Air Force plane finds fisherman missing for a week in 4m dinghy

Nearby fishing vessels were able to pick the man up in the northern Cook Islands.

Fri, Jun 19

Maeverlyn Pitanoe from Bomb Free Solomon Islands.

The unexploded bombs still threatening a Pacific nation 80 years on

A new documentary highlights the issue, which causes deaths and injuries every year.

Wed, Jun 17

RFNS Savenaca was able to rescue the five people on board after the RNZAF plane relayed the vessel's location.

RNZAF plane finds two missing Pacific boats within five hours

A P-8A Poseidon diverted mid-flight to find a stranded vessel in Fijian waters before resuming its search for a Kiribati fishing boat thousands of kilometres away.

Fri, Jun 12

A 3D-rendering of Shewanella, which are rod-shaped bacteria found in marine environments.

Mystery infection after Cook Islands trip traced to rare marine bacteria

The patient returned to NZ after visiting family in the outer islands.

Fri, Jun 12

May 2026
Two men living in Samoa were arrested in Vietnam following the killing of Australian gang "Coconut Cartel" leader Lamalu Lorenzo Tovia outside a Ho Chi Minh City restaurant.

Concern over organised crime networks in Pacific after Vietnam killing

New Zealand's Police Commissioner is calling for greater regional cooperation after a brazen gang killing in Vietnam implicated nationals from Samoa, Australia and beyond.

Sat, May 30

Mase Mahonri Schwalger

Former Manu Samoa coach appeals sex offence convictions

Mahroni Schwalger played for the Highlanders, Hurricanes and the Chiefs, and was head coach of Manu Samoa until the end of 2024.

Thu, May 28

One baby is diagnosed with HIV in Fiji every week.

Calls for NZ to better prepare for possible HIV transmission

With one baby diagnosed with HIV in Fiji every week, health officials in the Pacific nation are struggling to contain a growing outbreak.

Sat, May 16

Newsmakers: Island on trial — the scandal that shocked the world

Newsmakers: Island on trial — the scandal that shocked the world

A tiny, remote island in the Pacific was thrust into the spotlight in 2004, when seven men, including the mayor, were put on trial over child sex abuse charges.

Sat, May 9

April 2026
Fiji Airways on Tuesday said the flight from Sydney to Nadi was diverted to the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa as a precautionary measure due to adverse weather conditions impacting the region.

'Spewing in the aisles': Cyclone Vaianu diverts Fiji flight from Sydney

Fiji Airways said the flight from Sydney to Nadi was diverted to the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa as a precaution due to adverse weather conditions in the region.

Wed, Apr 8

Cyclone Vaianu tracks south towards New Zealand.

'Significant and damaging' Cyclone Vaianu churns toward NZ

MetService has issued a preliminary severe weather watch ahead of Tropical Cyclone Vaianu's potential landfall this weekend.

Wed, Apr 8

A diverted fuel shipment has extended diesel and jet fuel supplies in the Cook Islands, but industry leaders warn the country remains at the very end of a fragile and increasingly costly supply chain.

Cook Islands faces fuel supply crunch as prices loom

With limited tanker deliveries and contracts falling over, the diesel‑dependent nation has just weeks of fuel in reserve and rising costs ahead.

Tue, Apr 7

Cook Islands PM mark Brown welcomes NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters. (Image: MFAT)

China out, NZ back in as new deal struck with Cook Islands

Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the declaration signed today clarifies the relationship between NZ and the Cook Islands.

Thu, Apr 2

March 2026
Relations between Mark Brown (left) and Winston Peters have become more cordial in recent weeks.

Is the big thaw in frosty ties between Cook Islands and NZ now underway?

Analysis: Foreign Minister Winston Peters is heading to the Cook Islands tomorrow in a move that signifies a further improvement in relations between the two countries.

Tue, Mar 31

Countries across Asia have taken measures to reduce fuel consumption.

Short weeks and free transport – the fuel crisis responses NZ could copy

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced governments overseas to get creative.

Tue, Mar 31

File picture of a seismograph.

Magnitude 7.6 quake strikes near Tonga, no tsunami risk for NZ

The quake struck 153km west of Neiafu, in Vavaʻu.

Tue, Mar 24

Eli Katoa receives treatment during the Tonga v Kiwis match at Eden Park.

Tonga star may never play again after brain injury - Storm coach

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy told Channel 7 that Eli Katoa was "doing really well at the moment," but was unsure if doctors would clear him to return to the game.

Tue, Mar 24

Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

Kiwi woman drowns while snorkelling in Cook Islands

The 66-year-old was pulled from the water unresponsive at a lagoon in Vaimaanga, Rarotonga, on Wednesday afternoon.

Sat, Mar 21

Christopher Luxon

Samoan PM says Christopher Luxon didn't ask for title

The Samoan Government says the honour was a traditional courtesy for visiting leaders and was not linked to any policy obligations.

Mon, Mar 16

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon pictured in December 2025.

PM Luxon's office denies he asked for a Samoan matai title

Samoa’s Prime Minister claimed in a recent interview Luxon himself had asked for the title, and the request came via New Zealand’s High Commissioner.

Sat, Mar 14

Barbara Dreaver.

Locked up, alone, fearing torture: Barbara Dreaver's terrifying night in Fiji

In this extract from her new memoir Be Brave, Barbara Dreaver recalls the night she was detained and locked up in Fiji.

Sun, Mar 8

The Tongan team is led by manager and Tonga Athletics Association  secretary general Alifeleti Tuihalamaka.

First Polynesian track and field event in a decade held in Auckland

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade funded athletes from seven Pacific countries to participate with support from Athletics New Zealand.

Sat, Mar 7

Increased volcanic activity at the Manaro volcano.

Vanuatu holds emergency meeting as active volcano stirs

Prime Minister Jotham Napat said activity at Manaro volcano was increasing, with Penama province preparing evacuation plans for a possible eruption.

Fri, Mar 6

TVNZ Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver (Composite image: Vinay Ranchhod)

Barbara Dreaver: I've never defended who I am, why should I?

TVNZ Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver on identity, prejudice and standing up to power.

Thu, Mar 5