Pacific news in brief for 19 March
· RNZFiji - tourism
Fiji's tourism sector recorded strong growth last year, with latest figures indicating total earnings reached US$1.40 billion (FJ$2.81b).
In a bumper year in 2025, Australian visitors made up half the tourism earnings to Fiji.
Fiji's Bureau of Statistics said its latest earnings data shows an increase of 10.9 percent compared to 2024.
Tourism earnings are calculated based on visitors' average daily spending and total visitor days in the country.
The Fiji Times reports that Australia remained Fiji's largest source market, accounting for 49.4 percent of total earnings.
New Zealand followed on 22.5 percent, while the US is at 11.2 percent, and other Pacific Island countries at over 4 percent.
Vanuatu - wastewater
Vanuatu has signed a co-operation agreement with Japan regarding waste management and wastewater treatment.
The Daily Post reports that Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu signed the agreement on Tuesday in Japan with Japan's Minister of Environment Ishihara Hirotaka.
The agreement is expected to advance projects utilising Japan's latest technologies in areas such as decarbonisation, waste management, and wastewater treatment to help resolve Vanuatu's environmental challenges.
Marshall Islands - Iran war
The Marshall Islands Marine Administrator has advised vessels registered under its flag to stay away from the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf
Attacks on oil tankers near the Strait in the Persian Gulf have increased after regional conflict was sparked by the attack on Iran by Israel and the US.
The US-owned and Marshalls-flagged oil tanker Safesa Vishnu was attacked in the Gulf last week.
Indian media has reported that the attack was launched by Iran and killed an Indian national aboard the ship.
The Marshalls Administrator says it is not in a position to disclose specific details regarding crew welfare or the vessel's condition at this time.
However its latest advice puts the threat level in the Strait of Hormuz at critical, urging commercial operators against transiting the Strait until the operational situation stabilises.
New Zealand/Pacific
The police commissioner says the flow of illicit drugs to New Zealand is enabled by corruption in the island countries.
New Zealand police are increasing their work with counterparts in Samoa and Tonga to try and stop illicit drugs coming through the region.
Commissioner Richard Chambers told Checkpoint that regional police co-operation can help disrupt criminal networks prospering from the drug trade.
He said across the networks have grown their influence by corrupting police officers, customs baggage handlers, port workers, and government officials
Pacific Islands Forum
Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Baron Waqa has paid tribute to one of his predecessors in the role, Sir Noel Levi.
The Papua New Guinean, who led the Forum from 1998 to 2004, died last week.
Waqa has acknowledged Sir Noel's significant contribution to strengthening Pacific regional cooperation.
Waqa said Sir Noel was a principled leader who played a key role in shaping regional responses to emerging political and security challenges.
He noted Sir Noel's contribution in mobilising support for the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands in 2003, saying he was deeply committed to upholding Pacific values.