July
Australia doubles down on its subsea cable diplomacy in South Pacific
The rollout of undersea cables has become a major focus of the strategic competition between Western nations and China to gain influence in the Pacific.
- Updated
- Staff
May
This tiny airline wants to give the big guys a run for their money
Fiji is home to fewer than 1 million people, but its flag carrier is taking the charge to Qantas with an elaborate dining experience for long-haul travellers.
- Ayesha de Kretser
- Updated
- Street Talk
Nauru Airlines flies in for a look at collapsed Air Vanuatu
The national carrier of Vanuatu collapsed into liquidation on Friday. Fiji Airways has already expressed interest in acquiring whatever is left of the airline.
- Updated
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Fiji Airways keen to keep Virgin Australia at bay
The Pacific’s biggest airline would consider a tilt at Air Vanuatu if its liabilities are limited to keep Virgin sidelined.
- Ayesha de Kretser
April
Bula billionaires! Welcome to Fiji’s most expensive island
For $9000 a night, it’s little wonder Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney check in to COMO Laucala Island resort – because too much luxury is never enough.
- Myriam Robin
March
US passes long-delayed deal to fund crucial Pacific Island agreements
Although the three island nations involved are tiny, they span 4000 km across the Pacific, providing critical access for the US to operate in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Demetri Sevastopulo and Kathrin Hille
January
How Lang Walker got the most out of life
From burnt toast to knock-off panama hats, time with Lang Walker at his great passion project Kokomo Private Island revealed what made this old-school Rich Lister tick.
- Fiona Carruthers
October 2023
Where the Rugby World Cup semis will be won and lost
Don’t believe reports that the semi-finals will be walkovers for New Zealand and South Africa.
- Simon Poidevin
Pacific ‘realistic’ on call for Australia to stop fossil fuels
Australia and Fiji have upgraded ties following prime ministerial talks in Canberra.
- Andrew Tillett
‘Don’t make us choose’: Fiji PM’s fears over US-China tensions
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the rivalry between the United States and China is intensifying.
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Rugby World Cup
Classic matches show the best of rugby, and what the Wallabies must do
It’s hard to remember a set of four quarter-finals of this quality, showing just how good rugby can be when played at its best.
- Simon Poidevin
All Blacks resist Ireland fightbacks to win epic Rugby quarter-final
Ireland goes home after falling short again with an eighth Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat.
- Updated
- Jerome Pugmire
Winning strategies for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals
A deep dive into the performance stats reveals how the teams should approach these four matches between northern and southern hemisphere nations.
- Updated
- Simon Poidevin
A weekend of rugby drama sets up titanic quarter-final clashes
A match with two winners confirmed the Wallabies as the Rugby World Cup’s biggest losers, and sets up a mouthwatering series of Rugby quarterfinals.
- Simon Poidevin
- Analysis
- Rugby World Cup
Crunch games as Wallabies’ World Cup hopes hang by a thread
Australia still have a slim chance of reaching the quarter-finals if Portugal beat the favoured Fiji in the last round of group games at the Rugby World Cup.
- Simon Poidevin
Westpac to maintain Pacific presence, cancels sale of PNG, Fiji banks
The federal government is keen for Westpac to maintain its foothold in the South Pacific, as China’s influence in the region expands.
- James Eyers and Andrew Tillett
September 2023
- Opinion
- Rugby World Cup
Farewell Eddie, it’s time for the Wallabies to move on from the misery
It is unconscionable that the Wallabies’ coach carries on. Forget all the flannel that he could yet turn Australia into world-beaters in 2027.
- Updated
- Oliver Brown
- Analysis
- Rugby World Cup
Do or die: Time for the Wallabies to step up against Wales
The world has got very ugly for the Wallabies since their loss to Fiji, and will get worse unless they bring the mongrel, determination and smarts needed to beat Wales.
- Simon Poidevin
- Analysis
- Rugby World Cup
Poidevin’s take: Wallabies hang by a thread after Fijian heroics
Australia were dominated by an inspired Fiji, and with key forwards still unfit that is a big headache for Eddie Jones.
- Simon Poidevin
Wallabies fall to Fiji in World Cup horror show
In the biggest upset of the event, Australia’s hopes have suffered a hammer blow with their first loss to the Pacific nation in the history of the tournament.
- Melissa Woods