From Burning Man to Samoa: Thoughts on Belonging, Healing & Change

This year at Burning Man, my wife Mia (our camp lead) and I, together with friends under the banner of “Foamy Homies” (not Dr. Bronner’s), embraced a theme of trans solidarity in the midst of cultural confusion and oppression. Our camp name was...

Samoa Airways sends second aircraft for retrofit in Canada

Samoa Airways has sent its second aircraft off -island for a full retrofit as part of the national carrier’s fleet modernization program. The retrofit will be carried out by Unity Aviation Canada, following agreements signed with Canadian firms to...

SICCI strengthens role in climate action through regional training in Samoa

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) joined regional counterparts in Apia, Samoa, in September for the Strengthening Public and Private Collaboration to Address Climate Change Impacts in the Pacific training course. The...

Pacific economies will grow in 2025, but turbulence ahead, ADB says

Rahman said island nations are expected to largely sidestep the US's one percent tax on remittances. Photo: AFP/SERGIO PITAMITZ The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is offering a sunny outlook on the Pacific economy, but with clouds on the horizon. In...

Samoa’s State of (financial) Emergency continues

Apia, SAMOA — (September 30, 2025) A State of Emergency has been declared in Samoa, effective from September 30 to October 29, 2025, to authorize the release of funds from the Treasury to address an ongoing economic emergency. The proclamation was...

New in-country testing advances breast cancer care in Samoa and Tonga

The Pacific Community (SPC) is enhancing breast cancer diagnosis and management in the Pacific Islands, where it stands as the most common cancer affecting women. Through a vital new laboratory strengthening initiative, Samoa and Tonga are now...

Samoa declares 'economic emergency' over budget crisis

Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Samoa's head of state has declared a 30-day state of emergency due to a financial crisis triggered by the failure to pass an Approbriation Bill, as outlined under the country's constitution. Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a...

Samoa Observer part of ABC program

The Samoa Observer recently took part in the inaugural executive leadership program delivered by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation International Development (ABCID), designed to bring together senior media leaders from across the Pacific and...

Samoa will not pull out of seasonal work schemes

Samoa Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has confirmed that the government will not halt Samoa’s participation in seasonal work schemes overseas. But he has stressed that strong and clear safeguards must be established to protect...

Nordic Aquafarms silent on future of aquaculture facility

The future of the company planning a massive aquaculture facility is up in the air. This week, the Lost Coast Outpost published a story begging the question “Is the Nordic Aquafarms project dead?” The company secured a 30-year lease agreement with...

Samoa validates its NDC 3.0 reaffirmingits leadership under the Paris Agreement

The Government of Samoa, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has successfully hosted the validation workshop of Samoa’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), marking a defining moment in Samoa’s climate...

Samoa validates its NDC 3.0, reaffirming its leadership under the Paris Agreement

The Government of Samoa, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has successfully hosted the validation workshop of Samoa’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), marking a defining moment in Samoa’s climate...

Samoa PM undergoing medical treatment in NZ

Samoa Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt departed on a private chartered plane on Sunday, for medical treatment in Auckland, New Zealand, at the expense of his family. A government statement said the cabinet secured medical...

Samoa PM gives assurance he’s okay

Samoa Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has assured that he is in stable condition after being admitted to Middlemore Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, over the weekend. He told viewers via Facebook link that he was “okay” and...

Pacific Islands News Roundup – September 26 – October 2, 2025

Editor’s Note: We are undergoing a web host migration process and may need to make necessary modifications to our format and frequency over the next several weeks. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Political Leadership and Regionalism,...

Samoa’s new cabinet approves use of an “Emergency Budget”

Apia, SAMOA — (September 18, 2025) A Treasury Office report has revealed that the government has just enough funds left in the salary item of the national budget to cover one more week of wages for public servants. However, the report noted that...

Samoa PM in New Zealand for medical treatment

Samoa’s Prime Minister, Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt, has left the country for medical treatment in New Zealand. The Government said, “Prime Minister, Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt left Samoa Sunday 21...

Who is Samoa's new prime minister, Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi Schmidt?

Apia, SAMOA — Lauano Aukuso Ah Ching sees the divine at work in the landslide election win that brought Samoa's new prime minister to power. He gets emotional as he describes Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi Schmidt's victory, or, as he describes...

Samoa’s Prime Minister In New Zealand for Medical Treatment

Newly sworn in Prime Minister of Samoa Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Leautea Fosi Schmidt alongside his wife is in New Zealand for the week for medical treatment. In a written statement released by the government of Samoa, the Prime Minister left...

Samoa's new prime minister flies to NZ for medical treatment within days of taking office

Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt Photo: Samoa Parliament Samoa's newly elected prime minister is New Zealand for medical treatment. In a statement, the Samoan government said Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt...