Pacific Reach

08/07/2026

28/06/2026

As the only Fijian currently serving in the British Army Photographer trade, he hopes his journey will inspire young people to pursue opportunities they may never have thought possible.

28/06/2026

Two 11-year-old boys have separately been rescued from the rubble of collapsed buildings within hours of each other, after powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela.

Rescuers spent six hours carefully digging to reach one of the boys, as many residents continue searching through the rubble by hand, still waiting for heavy machinery to arrive.

15/06/2026

𝐌𝐎𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐉𝐈

The Minister for Education, Honourable Aseri Radrodro, in consultation with the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) and the Fiji Meteorological Service, has been closely monitoring the evolving weather situation across the country.

While earlier assessments indicated that schools could operate as normal, the latest weather forecasts and reports recently received point to a significant deterioration in conditions overnight. Persistent heavy rainfall, strong winds, coastal inundation, and flooding continue to affect many parts of Fiji, with several flood-prone areas already impacted and further flooding expected this morning.

With the safety and wellbeing of students, teachers, and school communities as the Ministry's highest priority, all schools throughout Fiji will be closed today, Tuesday 16 June. Tertiary institutions are encouraged to make their own decisions based on the situation.

The Education Minister said that this precautionary decision has been made to minimise unnecessary travel and reduce the risk to students, teachers, and families as weather conditions remain unpredictable. He strongly urges parents and guardians to keep children safely at home and not to attempt to cross flooded roads, bridges, creeks, or rivers, or travel through affected areas.

Heads of Schools are requested to remain in close communication with their School Management Committees and District Education Offices, continue monitoring local conditions, and report any weather-related impacts to school facilities through the appropriate channels.

The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the NDRMO, the Fiji Meteorological Service, and other relevant authorities, will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide timely updates as conditions evolve. Further advice on the reopening of schools will be issued when it is safe to do so.

Hon. Radrodro thanked parents, guardians, school leaders, teachers, students, and the wider public for their understanding, cooperation, and continued support, emphasizing that the the decision was made with the safety and the wellbeing of Fiji’s children and school communities as the highest priority.

-ENDS-

15/06/2026

15/06/2026

More than 20 farmers in the Sigatoka Valley and surrounding areas were part of the Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agri-food Systems (STODAS) training program aimed at enhancing their capacity in fruits and vegetables.

The three-day program was focused on strengthening domestic agriculture, market participation and supporting farmers in improving productivity, increasing income opportunities, and strengthening engagement with domestic markets

More than 20 farmers in the Sigatoka Valley and surrounding areas were part of the Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agri-food Systems (STODAS) training program aimed at […]

04/06/2026

Rest in eternal love Moira 😞❤️

19/05/2026

13/05/2026

SUNIL KUMAR RETIRES AFTER MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF SERVICE

After 44 years of unbroken service to Fiji’s maritime industry, Mr. Sunil Kumar has officially "anchored" into retirement, leaving his post at the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) as the Senior Navigation Safety Officer.

Sunil Kumar’s journey began in 1982, long before the establishment of MSAF, when he joined the Republic of Fiji Navy back when it was formerly known as the Royal Fijian Navy. Serving as a Hydrographic Assistant onboard the survey ship HMFS Ruve, he discovered a fascination for the science of hydrography and nautical charting, a specialized field that would become his life’s work.

“I was initially drawn to the industry through the field of hydrography and the specialized profession of nautical charts,” he recalls.

Throughout his career, Kumar contributed significantly to the development and continuity of Fiji’s maritime navigation and safety services through various organizational transitions within the maritime sector.

In his role as Senior Navigation Safety Officer, he was involved in supporting and overseeing key navigation safety functions, including the maintenance and improvement of maritime aids to navigation and other initiatives aimed at improving safety at sea.

He also contributed to maritime safety coordination efforts through navigational information management, technical advisory support, and work related to nautical charting and maritime safety systems.

Among his many achievements, Kumar was instrumental in modernizing Fiji’s maritime infrastructure. He often oversaw the construction and rehabilitation of lighthouses that had long been neglected and led the introduction of state-of-the-art solar LED marine lights and internationally compliant navigation buoys in Fiji's ports of entry.

“LEDs have a longer life than traditional lights,” he explains, noting the shift from old systems that required external power to the efficiency of self-contained solar technology.

His role often placed him at the heart of international cooperation. Kumar served as a trainer for the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO), sharing his knowledge with member countries across the South West Pacific such as Wellington, Niue and New Caledonia. One of his proudest milestones was achieving the Marine Aids to Navigation Manager Level 1 qualification from the IALA World-Wide Academy.

Kumar also played a critical role in the 2017 oil spill response for the vessel MV Southern Phoenix, deploying specialized equipment he had helped secure through a partnership with the New Zealand Government just a year earlier.

Kumar stressed the importance of using updated official sea charts and navigation information to help keep vessels and passengers safe at sea.

As he prepares to trade his charts for a well-deserved break, Kumar is looking forward to the simple joys of life beyond the office.

“I want to maintain my physical fitness and take a long break to visit relatives and friends living abroad,” he says. “I’m not quite sure what is in the bag thereafter.”

For the next generation of officers tasked with keeping Fiji’s waters safe, his parting advice is simple yet meaningful: “If you have chosen to serve, do it with passion, pride, and discipline.”

MSAF thanks Mr. Sunil Kumar for his incredible 44-year legacy and wishes him a happy and fulfilling retirement.

04/05/2026

Seruvakula Names 50-Member Extended Squad for Nations Championship

Acting Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula has named a formidable 50-member extended squad for the FIJI Water Flying Fijians ahead of the upcoming Nations Championship in July, with the final 32-player traveling squad to be confirmed two weeks before the opening match against Wales.

Read more: https://shorturl.at/BUxtu