Pacific Connections - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Auckland

03/09/2026

SPORTS HIGHLIGHT‼️

Young community leaders from the Cook Islands 🇨🇰, Fiji 🇫🇯, Kiribati🇰🇮, Federated States of Micronesia 🇫🇲, New Caledonia 🇳🇨, New Zealand 🇳🇿, Palau 🇵🇼, Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬, Samoa 🇼🇸, Solomon Islands 🇸🇧 and Vanuatu 🇻🇺 have gathered in Suva last week for the “Basketball for Good” Facilitators Workshop. 🏀⛹⛹‍♀

The workshop, organised by the Oceans Federation of the International Basketball Federation in partnership with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade , has brought Pacific community leaders together with the goal of driving positive social change through basketball. Over the course of the week, the workshop’s participants have received life skills training and leadership development so that they can use their experiences to mentor others in their local communities, and effect positive and inclusive change through the unifying power of sport.

📸: FIBA Ocean

🌺New Zealand High Commission, Suva, Fiji

02/09/2026

New Zealand's Prime Minister Hon Christopher Luxon met with Realm Leaders - Niue's Prime Minister Hon Dalton Tagelagi, Cook Islands Prime Minister Hon Mark Brown, and the Ulu-o-Tokelau Hon Alapati Tavite in an inaugural meeting co-hosted by New Zealand and Niue to discuss the Realm relationship before heading together to the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau.

Read more information below ⬇️

*This article has been updated to correct details around the deal the Cooks signed with China.

01/09/2026

Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of attending the opening of Our Ocean of Islands, a landmark exhibition led by Lagi-Maama Academy & Consultancy and the New Zealand Maritime Museum. It was a moving evening, bringing together indigenous artists, cultural practitioners, and knowledge holders from 24 nations. For one night, it felt as though many of the brightest stars of our ocean region had gathered in the same room, each carrying stories, traditions, and wisdom shaped by generations. 🌊

We were especially proud to support Larry Raigetal’s participation as one of the exhibiting practitioners. As a master navigator, canoe carver, and professor from Lamoireg (Lamotrek atoll) in the Federated States of Micronesia 🇫🇲 and based in Guam 🇬🇺, Larry's work helps keep ancestral wayfinding knowledge alive and ensures it continues to guide future generations. Larry presented the beautifully woven pandanus sail from the Lamotrek voyaging canoe Lucky Star to the museum for the duration of the exhibition. The Lucky Star was built by Raigetal to train younger generations in the living, sophisticated science of non-instrument, star-compass navigation across Moana Oceania. ⛵✨🌠

For Pacific navigators, the stars have long been companions on the ocean, helping chart pathways across vast distances. The opening of Our Ocean of Islands was a reminder that it is people like Larry, and the many cultural leaders, artists, and knowledge holders gathered that evening, who continue to light the way forward for our region. 🌺

For more information about this exhibition please click on the link: https://www.maritimemuseum.co.nz/exhibitions/our-ocean-of-islands

01/09/2026

Ocean of Flavours: One Ocean, Many Flavours

A life source for many, the Pacific Ocean has sustained communities for generations, shaping identity and culture throughout the region.

This month’s Ocean of Flavours: One Ocean, Many Flavours celebrates the Blue Continent, showcasing Pacific culinary excellence, Pacific producers and chefs, while strengthening the economic and cultural connections that bind the region together.

Proudly presented by Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand (PTINZ), the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pacific Connections - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Auckland (MFAT) and Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited Pasifika TV (PCBL), and supported by New Zealand Chef Peter Gordon ONZM, Ocean of Flavours is set to take place from:

📅 September 21-22
🏢 Auckland University of Technology (AUT) School of Hospitality and Tourism
🎟 Book your tickets for the public dinner on Tuesday evening 22nd September 2026 via http://www.aut.ac.nz/events/ocean-of-flavours

Drawing inspiration from Kai Pasifika held in 2022, Ocean of Flavours will see renowned Pacific chefs from Fiji, New Caledonia, Tonga, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea traveling to Aotearoa to join forces with some of New Zealand’s top chefs to demonstrate their culinary skills:

🇳🇨 Alphonse Ishice Kocé, Chef at K2 Gastronomie Locale (Kanak)
🇫🇯 Ashim Singh, Executive Chef at Hilton Fiji Resort
🇸🇧🇻🇺 Denzel Sumsum Owner of Valin Kaba
🇵🇬 Israel Gapi, Head Chef at Coral Seas Hotels
🇳🇨 Lynda Song, Chef at Hotel Koulnoué Village
🇹🇴 Soane Fakatava, Head Chef at Seaview Restaurant
🇼🇸 Su’a Aukusitino Suifaatau, Executive Chef, Culinary Educator, Hospitality leader
🇫🇯 Tracey Powell, Hospitality Consultant

Please visit the Pasifika TV website for more information via https://pasifikatv.co.nz/ocean-of-flavours-one-ocean-many-flavours/

Discover a one‑night‑only dining experience crafted by skilled chefs from the Blue Pacific, guided by Peter Gordon, showcasing the vibrant flavours, stories, an

30/08/2026

HAPI PAPUA NIUGINI TOK PISIN WIK - Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week!!!!!🇵🇬🇳🇿

The 2026 theme for Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week is "Lukautim, strongim na kirapim tokples na pasin blo tubuna" - Preserve, revitalise and promote our language and culture. 🌺

New Zealand High Commission, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

30/08/2026

🇫🇯 Meet Chef Tracey Powell, a Hospitality Consultant who has built an extensive resume, across commercial catering, restaurant ownership, resort kitchens, embassy functions, film and television production catering including for the cast of Anaconda 2 and Australian Survivor, and for large-scale corporate and government events.

👩‍🍳 Taught to cook by the remarkable women in her family — her grandmother, mother, and aunt Elizabeth Sorby, who was regarded as one of Suva’s finest caterers, Chef Tracy aims to bring joy to people’s palates with her culinary creations, while remaining a champion of Pacific cuisine.

“I am especially looking forward to experiencing what the Pacific chefs create with Pacific foods, found in Fiji.”

Ocean of Flavours is set to take place from:
📅 September 21-22
🏢 Auckland University of Technology (AUT) School of Hospitality and Tourism

🇳🇿 Proudly presented by Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand (PTINZ), the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pacific Connections - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Auckland (MFAT) and Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited Pasifika TV (PCBL), and supported by New Zealand Chef Peter Gordon ONZM.

🌐 Read more about Chef Tracey Powell via https://pasifikatv.co.nz/champion-of-pacific-ingredients-set-to-showcase-her-creations-at-ocean-of-flavours/

Taught to cook by the remarkable women in her family—her grandmother, mother, and aunt Elizabeth Sorby, who was regarded as one of Suva’s finest caterers, Chef Tracy Powell aims to bring joy to people’s palates with her culinary creations, while remaining a champion of Pacific cuisine.

28/08/2026

📣Get Ready For…

PAPUA NIUGINI TOK PISIN WIK - Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week!!!!!🇵🇬🇳🇿

Kicking off Sunday 6 - 12 September 2026

The 2026 theme for Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week is "Lukautim, strongim na kirapim tokples na pasin blo tubuna" - Preserve, revitalise and promote our language and culture.

Leading us to PAPUA NIUGINI TOK PISIN WIK - here’s a hymn for you that you could learn just in time for Sunday!🙏🏽

New Zealand High Commission, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea 🌺

28/08/2026

Looking for a career in foreign policy? Applications for our 2027 Early in Careers (Graduate) Foreign Policy Programme are now open!

This programme offers graduates and early career professionals the opportunity to build a broad and rewarding career across some of the most important issues facing New Zealand and the international community.

Find more information and apply ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21x5cWd

28/08/2026

27/08/2026

Countdown to the 55th Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror, Palau!🇵🇼

Pasifika TV 🌺