Stories by Lydia Lewis
News
Fears of 'mass starvation' in Solomon Islands' Tikopia after Cyclone Lola
Cyclone Lola destroyed "most" of the food crops on Tikopia when it hit as a category 5 system in October.
'We're not judges': Pacific Islands Forum leaders confirm Baron Waqa is secretary-general
Pacific Islands Forum leaders have emerged from their retreat on Aitutaki with their outcomes document, confirming controversial ex-Nauru president as the regional organisation's new top diplomat.
Henry Puna says 'everybody’s in good spirits’ as Nauru abandons Pacific leaders in Rarotonga
RNZ Pacific has confirmed from multiple sources that Nauru's president David Adeang has departed the Cook Islands just 24 hours after he walked out of a plenary meeting in Rarotonga.
Breaking - Nauru president Adeang ditches Pacific Islands Forum leaders in Cook Islands
RNZ Pacific has confirmed from multiple sources that Nauru's president David Adeang has departed the Cook Islands just 24 hours after he walked out of a plenary meeting in Rarotonga.
Nauru snubs Pacific leaders retreat, Fiji's Rabuka says 'they should've been here'
The wounds of last year's rift at the Pacific Islands Forum has been reopened after a dramatic walkout by the Nauru President David Adeang, followed by a no-show for the leaders retreat on Aitutaki.
‘What is your backup?’: Niue's premier says complete phase out of fossil fuels 'very hard'
Niue has nearly exhausted its climate mitigation options and its focus now is on adaptation, the island's Premier Dalton Tagelagi says.
Micronesia 'will continue to support' Baron Waqa to lead Pacific Islands Forum
The controversial former Nauru president Baron Waqa is set to be the next Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general, Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr has confirmed. Audio
'Reunited and refocused': Baron Waqa arrives at Pacific Islands Forum ready to lead
Controversial former Nauru president expected to become the next secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum says his appointment is "decided" and slammed critics who "just want to spoil things".
Don't 'suck up' all the oxygen at Pacific Islands Forum, Mark Brown warns superpowers
Pacific leaders and their delegations are starting to arrive in Rarotonga for the annual heads of governments meeting - the Pacific Islands Forum. Audio
Pacific Islands Forum: What to expect from the region's big political meeting in Rarotonga
The 52nd Pacific Islands Forum in Rarotonga starts on Monday. RNZ Pacific spoke to the Forum chair to preview what the leaders will be focusing on next week.
'Building resilience takes money': Deep sea mining an opportunity, Cook Islands PM says
Cook Island's Prime Minister Mark Brown says he plans on protecting his country against climate change through seabed mining.
Refugee advocate disappointed with Australian govt's latest act
The Australian government's confirmation that 11 "unauthorised maritime arrivals" have been sent to Nauru for regional processing has all been shrouded in secrecy, a refugee advocate says.
'Support us': Tikopians call on neighbouring countries for help post Lola
Almost three quarters of all houses have been destroyed or damaged on the remote Solomon Islands of Tikopia in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Lola.
Cyclone Lola batters remote Tikopia in Solomon Islands - disaster office confirms
A remote island in Solomon Islands has sustained serious damage after it was hit by Cyclone Lola at its highest strength as a category five system.
'A lot of pain': Dave Letele on Pasifika suicide stats
Community initiatives are helping reduce suspected death by suicide stats among Aotearoa New Zealand's Pacific communities.
'Bold Pasifika voice': Fa'anānā Efeso Collins 'elated and humbled' to be in Parliament
First time Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand MP Fa'anānā Efeso Collins is "elated and humbled" to make it into New Zealand's Parliament. Audio
Fiji PM's fossil fuel comments 'harmful and destructive', climate network says
Pacific climate network, representing communities deeply impacted by the climate crisis, are disappointed with the recent remarks made by the Fiji PM regarding the fossil fuel industry.
Cook Islands MP-elect wants to deliver for NZ
The only Pacific MP-elect in New Zealand's National Party has her eye on the Pacific peoples portfolio. Audio
Self-proclaimed 'apostle of peace' Fiji PM Rabuka wants conflict free Pacific Ocean
Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has called for the Pacific Ocean to be declared an "Ocean of Peace".
New coalition could have zero Pacific MPs
Pacific leaders fear they will have little or no voice in the new National-led government with the real possibility of not a single Pacific person making it into the new coalition.
'They've got no rights': Refugee advocate prods Australia over Manus Island debacle
The Refugee Action Coalition says refugees "abandoned" by Australia in Papua New Guinea are experiencing another round of distress.
Pasifika achievement to suffer amid rising food costs in NZ - academic
A health and education researcher says the rising costs of food in New Zealand will impact the academic future of Pasifika. Audio
'Don't let the truth die with you': Dawn Raids era survivor
"We are totally stuffed," says Dawn Raid's survivor's daughter enraged at Labour and National.
'Time will tell': Henry Puna on US funding pledges to Pacific leaders
The Pacific Islands Forum secretary general says time will tell if the US will follow through with its latest Pacific funding pledge.
'This is also our home': NZ Lawyer on decades-long Dawn Raids justice fight
A Tongan RSE worker, whose case sparked an independent review of Immigration New Zealand's "out of hours compliance visit" practices, is still on edge.