BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The mid-year school breaks are intended for students and should not be treated as an extended holiday by teachers, the Solomon Islands National Teachers Association (SINTA) says.
Acting SINTA President Frank Robolite’e clarified this in an interview with Island Sun today, following concerns over teachers who have been returning late to their respective schools for the second semester.
Mr Robolite’e said teachers are expected to return to their schools and resume duties when the second semester began, unless there were genuine circumstances preventing them from travelling.
He said it is particularly concerning that at times, some teachers are still in Honiara or at their respective homes despite the second semester already having started.
“It is not good for teachers to be absent from their respective schools at the beginning or second semester of the school year,” he said.
Mr Robolite’e said teachers should not regard the first or mid-year term breaks as their main holiday because the school calendar provides specific breaks for teachers and students.
He said the main holiday for teachers is normally at the end of the school year in December, when they have about six weeks of holiday.
He explained that the school calendar provides shorter breaks during the school year.
Mr Robolite’e said teachers are expected to remain at their respective school stations and participate in follow-up workshops or other professional activities when required.
On the other hand, he also acknowledged concerns raised by teachers that their travelling allowance does not adequately cover the cost of returning to their schools after the mid-year break.
The issue was raised by teachers following an earlier Island Sun report on their delayed return to schools, with some saying the travelling allowance provided to them is insufficient to meet the cost of travel.
Mr Robolite’e said SINTA recognises the concern and had previously raised teachers’ employment and benefit concerns with the Government.
He said the Government and SINTA began formal negotiations over teachers’ demands in July 2025, eventually reaching a Master Agreement signed in August 2025.
Mr Robolite’e said the travelling allowance issue remains an important concern because the current arrangement does not always ensure teachers receive sufficient support to meet the cost of travelling back to their schools.
He said the Government provides funds which are later distributed through education providers (EPs), but problems can arise when teachers do not receive the full amount.
“This is where the problem comes in. If the education providers do not give the full amount to teachers, the teachers are the ones affected when it comes to travelling back to their schools,” he said.
Mr Robolite’e said SINTA wants the travelling allowance to be paid directly into teachers’ bank accounts starting next year.
He said this will allow the Government to better monitor the payments while ensuring teachers receive the funds intended to support their travel back to their schools.
Mr Robolite’e said addressing the travelling allowance issue is important, but teachers should also meet their responsibility to return to their schools and resume teaching on time.
He said genuine travel difficulties should be communicated to the relevant authorities rather than teachers remaining away from their stations without explanation.
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BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
Government officials officially handover and opened the new Aligegeo Provincial Secondary School dining hall on Friday.
The new dining hall is worth around $4 million and it replaces the school’s dining hall which was engulfed by fire in 2019.
The new hall will provide comfortable and enough space for students to enjoy their meals.
During the handing over ceremony, Principal of the School, Alick Bebesia expressed appreciation to the National Government for continuing to support the education of young generation.
He said education is a significant investment for the goodness of children of the Solomon Islands.
“A good school gives a good place to learn, eat, play, prayer, grow, develop whatever character that can help to shape our children for the future.
“As we officially received this facility today, we understand that this is not simply a building, it represents a place and opportunity for future of these students. It will help to provide and solve the need of the students and support our teachers to carry out important tasks,” he said.
He added that with the new dining hall, the students will have a proper space to eat.
He also thanks Ropiko Enterprise Ltd for constructing the dining hall.
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BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The Principal of Aligegeo Provincial Secondary School calls on the National Government to provide further financial support to complete the school’s unfinished chapel.
Mr Alick Bebesia made the call during the handing over ceremony of the school’s new dining hall on Friday, August 21, 2026.
He said the chapel is an important facility for the school and will require an additional $500,000 to have it completed.
“There is another building that is very important for the school. It is the building that we are sitting in right now. This building is meant to be the school chapel,” he said.
Mr Bebesia explained that the chapel only has columns and a roof, with no concrete slab or walls.
He said the school administration had used part of the school fees to progress the construction to its current stage.
“I want it to be completed by the end of this year, but it needs an additional $500,000,” he said.
Mr Bebesia also thanked the National Government for funding the new dining hall, saying the facility will provide students and teachers with a safer and more suitable space for meals and other school activities.
“As we all know, this project was funded by the National Government and it cost approximately more than $4 million,” he said.
The new dining hall replaces the school’s previous facility, which was destroyed by fire in 2019.
The paper understands that Aligegeo Provincial Secondary School is among the 1,583 schools that have received support from the National Government.
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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
GOLD Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) has welcomed 15 National Apprenticeship Training (NAT) students from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), who have commenced their six-month practical training at the Gold Ridge Mine.
According to GRML, the apprentices began their training on August 10 th with an induction and orientation programme conducted by GRML’s safety team.
The programme was attended by Chief Labour Officer (Apprenticeship) from the Labour Division of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI), Mr. James Gatu, together with Labour Division officers Sam and Brian, as well as GRML management, department managers and supervisors.
The students are undertaking Certificate I trade programmes in Heavy Mechanics and Electrical, with their practical placement providing an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real industrial environment.
Welcoming the apprentices, GRML Mines Manager, Mr. Xiangwen Song, said the Company is pleased to support the programme and will work with the students to combine their existing skills and knowledge with practical experience gained at the mine.
Mr. Song stressed that safety must remain the highest priority for the students throughout their training, noting the Company’s status as a mining enterprise means safety is always treated as the top priority. He also encouraged the apprentices to consider GRML as a potential future employer after completing their studies and practical training.
The apprentices will be attached to two key GRML departments under the supervision of experienced managers and personnel. Heavy Mechanics apprentices will undertake practical training in the workshop and field operations, while electrical apprentices will be attached to the mill.
During the placement, students will gain practical exposure to mining operations, equipment, workplace safety, maintenance procedures and the professional standards expected in the mining industry. GRML will support the apprentices with daily transportation between Honiara and the mine, and provide assistance with essential safety requirements, including appropriate personal protective equipment.
The reopening of the NAT programme, through a partnership between SINU and MCILI, represents an important step in strengthening technical and vocational education in the Solomon Islands.
The programme was relaunched in 2024, with the Government seeking to rebuild the country’s pipeline of skilled tradespeople through a combination of formal study and practical industry experience.
GRML assured Labour Division officers that it will work closely with the students’ supervisors and the Division to ensure the practical training provides meaningful workplace experience, describing the apprenticeship programme as an important opportunity to contribute to the development of the country’s technical and vocational workforce.
Mr. Song said the mining industry requires qualified tradespeople, including mechanics, electricians, engineers and other technical specialists, and that providing young Solomon Islanders with practical industry experience is an important investment to develop the country’s future workforce.
GRML said it will continue to make a vital contribution to the national economy and local communities.
In 2025, the Gold Ridge Mine generated around $3 billion Solomon Islands dollars (SBD) in revenue, accounting for 23 percent of national GDP, paying SBD$510 million in taxes and royalties, and employing around 1,000 staff, including more than 700 local employees, with indirect employment of more than 3,000 jobs.
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By Charlotte Bedford At the end of July, New Zealand’s Immigration Minister Erica Stanford took the stage at the annual...
The post NZ’s Seasonal Worker Program: Simplified Processes And Stronger Worker Protections appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
By Tess Ikonomou of AAP in Canberra Commercial deep-sea mining in the Pacific could begin in months without policy guardrails...
The post Pacific Faces Deep-Sea Mining Threats as US-China Mineral Race Heats Up appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Former Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) chairman and Member for West Are’are, John Maneniaru has defended the committee’s work on the Mineral Resources Bill, saying its report is complete and thorough.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, August 18, Maneniaru, said the committee worked hard within the timeframe provided and did not cause delays to the Government’s legislative process.
His comments followed Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Derick Manu’ari’s motion to adjourn the second reading debate on the Mineral Resources Bill to Monday, September 7, 2026.
Maneniaru said he felt obliged to clarify the work undertaken by the former BLC during his time as chairman.
“I think it would be a mess-up for me not to mention anything about the work and what happened during my time as the chairman of the BLC. The report from my committee is complete. It is thorough. There are no excuses. We really worked hard on it during the time they gave it to my committee,” he said.
He said the committee had been under pressure to complete its report so the Government could proceed with the Bill.
Maneniaru acknowledged that the committee was unable to undertake consultations at the provincial level because of limited resources.
However, he said technical stakeholders, including Guadalcanal Province, Gold Ridge Mining and provincial premiers, had participated in discussions, with their views included in the committee’s report.
He maintained that the committee had consulted the stakeholders available to it.
Former Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele while acknowledging the work of the former BLC, said the new committee should also examine amendments proposed to the Bill.
Manele said he understood that at least nine or 10 amendments had been proposed by the Minister and highlighted by Prime Minister Mathew Wale during the sitting.
He said it is important for the new BLC to consider those amendments alongside the report already before Parliament.
The second reading debate has been deferred to September 7, allowing the new BLC further time to examine the committee’s report and proposed amendments.
Photo credit: NPSI
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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The issue of stray dogs and who is responsible for removing dogs killed on public roads was questioned in Parliament, with MPs calling for a coordinated government response.
Leader of Opposition Manasseh Sogavare raised the issue on the floor of Parliament on Monday 17 August, questioning who would be responsible for cleaning up the remains of dogs killed on public roads.
Mr Sogavare directed his question to Minister of Infrastructure Development (MID) Ricky Fuo’o, saying the issue remains a challenge even when he was in government.
He asked what would happen when motorists hit stray dogs on public roads and who would take responsibility for cleaning up the remains.
Minister Fuo’o in his response said the Government hopes the Road Transport Board (RTB), once its responsibilities were established, will have a role in road maintenance and cleaning.
However, he urged motorists not to deliberately hit dogs and to drive carefully.
Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Paul Bosawai, said responsibility for stray dogs falls under the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), particularly its public health and safety functions.
Mr Bosawai said he had raised the same issue when he was Minister of Health, particularly in cases where people accidentally hit dogs on the road.
He also called for an animal rights policy to ensure dogs are properly treated, noting that Honiara may already have by-laws dealing with stray dogs.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Matthew Wale said he was concerned about the issue and had previously discussed it.
Mr Wale said the problem involved several government agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Home Affairs, MID, Honiara City Council (HCC) and provincial governments.
He said discussions had included measures to control dog reproduction and called on communities to take responsibility for their dogs.
He also criticised HCC, saying residents were required to pay dog licence fees but questioned whether the council was providing the services expected in return.
Mr Wale said the Government needs a more coordinated policy response to the stray dog problem.
The issue is also covered under the Honiara (Dogs) (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, which amended the Honiara (Dogs) Ordinance to strengthen rules on dog registration, stray dogs and penalties.
Under the amendment, HCC has powers to deal with dogs that are unregistered or unclaimed after the prescribed period. Registered dogs carrying council identification can also be dealt with if their owners fail to claim them within the required period.
The amendment also increased penalties for breaches of the ordinance, including fines and imprisonment for certain offences.
The ordinance was passed by Honiara City Council (HCC) on November 13, 2023, and assented to by the Minister for Home Affairs on the same day.
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BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
People in Malou community in South Malaita, Malaita province are calling on health authorities to urgently deploy a nurse to their local clinic after they have been without one for some time.
The community appeals to the Afio Area Health Centre and Kilu’ufi Hospital to recruit and assign a nurse to serve at the Malou Clinic.
Senior nurse, Cliff Sanau made the call on behalf of the community, saying Malou urgently needs a nurse because the community is located far from other nearby health facilities.
He said the community has already demonstrated its commitment to improving access to healthcare by taking up the initiative to build the clinic.
“The Malou community itself built the clinic years back. Currently, the clinic is still equipped with essential medicines, but it is operating without a nurse.
“The only need here is the completion of the staff house, but honestly, the people here really need a nurse to serve them,” he said.
He said the Malou Clinic serves a population of around 300 people, including children, young people, adults and elderly residents.
He urges health authorities to consider the community’s request and to ensure that a nurse is deployed to the clinic as soon as possible to provide much needed basic healthcare services to the people of Malou.
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By Agnes Menanopo
Solomon Airlines’ 32-seat Dash 8 has been in Cairns, Australia, for repairs for several months, far longer than the eight weeks originally expected.
The airline’s largest domestic aircraft was sent to Cairns for a regular scheduled check required every two years. However, its age and difficulties sourcing parts have extended the repair period.
Speaking to SIBC News, Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer Matthew Findlay said the aircraft is taking much longer to repair because it is an older model and parts are increasingly difficult to obtain.
“They actually don’t make that aircraft anymore. And so, getting parts for repairs to this aircraft is very difficult because they just simply don’t make them.
“We have to obtain these parts from other suppliers around the world, and getting those parts here to the Solomons, of course, takes time.
“And that’s why the extended period of why this aircraft is out of service, which is compounding our challenges with the two Twin Otters that are left in our fleet domestically,” Mr. Findlay said.
The prolonged absence of the Dash 8 is putting additional pressure on the airline’s domestic operations, which are currently relying on two 19-seat Twin Otters.
Mr Findlay also revealed that another aircraft owned by Solomon Airlines has been in California, United States, awaiting repairs.
“One aircraft that we still own is marooned in California, waiting to be repaired, and that’s something that’s been the case for the last two and a half years.
“It saddens me that that aircraft is still in California and is unable to be repaired,” the CEO said.
Mr Findlay said the airline is now exploring funding options either to repair the aircraft in California or secure additional aircraft to strengthen its domestic fleet.
“There are opportunities for us to secure funding to either get that repaired or secure other aircraft to supplement our fleet, and that is the process that we’re starting now.
“It takes time to secure this aircraft,” Mr Findlay said.
He said Solomon Airlines wants the Dash 8 back in service as soon as possible, but maintaining its ageing aircraft remains a challenge because of difficulties sourcing parts and skilled labour.
ENDS//
The post Dash 8 repairs delayed, mounting pressure to Solomon Airlines first appeared on Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) .
BY CAMPION OHASIO, DIGITAL CREATOR
Please GREAT Government can you also start the process of building permanent Government Offices and Homes for Solomon Islands government workers.
Every year, the Solomon Islands government spends millions and millions of dollars paying rent. It pays rent for government offices and rental for housing its workers.
For many decades, past governments have used public money to pay private landowners and landlords every single month. Many citizens see this as a huge waste of money because it is. Instead of paying endless rent, that money could go toward better schools, cleaner clinics, better roads, and development.
The government is here to stay. Public servants will always need places to live and work. Running the country’s property needs like a temporary arrangement makes no sense at all
Why investing in permanent, government-owned buildings and housing is the best long-term decision:
Some examples are; (a) Massive Long-Term Savings
When you rent, the money is gone forever. When you build, you pay a high cost upfront, but eventually, the project is paid off. After that, the government stops paying high monthly rent bills, saving millions of dollars every single year.
(b) Money Saved Can Go to Health and Education
Every dollar not paid to private landlords can stay in the national budget. This money can hire more doctors, buy medicines for regional clinics, build classrooms, and fund scholarships for students.
(c) Creation of Value and Wealth (Assets)
Land and buildings are valuable assets. By constructing its own properties, the government grows the nation’s wealth. These buildings belong to the public and increase the country’s overall financial standing.
(d) A Strong Signal of National Stability and Progress
Permanent, well-constructed public buildings show both citizens and international partners that the country is stable, organized, and planning for the future. It builds national pride and projects strength.
(e) Smart Planning for Future Generations
The government and its workers are not going anywhere. Investing in permanent infrastructure today solves a problem for decades to come, leaving a solid foundation for future generations rather than handing them a heavy burden of endless debt and rent bills.
Moving from constant renting to building permanent infrastructure requires clear planning and honest management, but it changes a continuous cost into a long-term benefit for all citizens and the nation.
BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
COMMUNITIES in Ranongga are facing a new threat to their food gardens, with a wave of pests damaging vegetables and root crops.
The emerging problem has added to the challenges already faced by communities recovering from the devastation caused by Cyclone Maila.
Silas Reuban, an elder from Mondo Community, said the pests were aggressively feeding on crops, creating another struggle for people trying to restore their food gardens.
He said residents had noticed new pests feeding on vegetables and potato leaves—some of which had not been seen in the area before.
“After the cyclone, we witnessed pests invading our gardens. It’s like we are competing to survive. While we try to plant our gardens, these pests destroy them.
“This is a new thing. We did not see some of the pests feeding on plants before,” Reuban said.
He said people in Mondo Community continued to work hard to recover from the damage caused by Cyclone Maila, but the pest outbreak was making their efforts more difficult.
Similar problems have also been reported in Lale Community, where residents are experiencing pest damage to their food gardens.
The emergence of the pests has raised concerns about food security in the affected communities.
Biosecurity teams are being urged to carry out an immediate investigation to identify the pests, determine the cause of their spread and provide appropriate measures to protect food gardens.
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By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
Coral planting training has been conducted in four communities in Ward 24, West Are’are, Malaita Province, to strengthen local efforts to protect and restore coral reefs.
The one-day training was held in each of the four communities including; Taarutona, Pipisu, Haurapi and Uhu, last week.
The training was facilitated by Auki Senior Fisheries Officer Mathew Isihanua and implemented by Malaita Fisheries with funding support from the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme.
The programme provided community members with practical knowledge and skills in coral planting and reef restoration, with a focus on protecting marine biodiversity, fisheries resources and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Participants attending the coral Training at Pipisu and Haurapi, West Are’are. Photo credit: Mathew Isihanua
Mr Isihanua said participants took part in practical activities, including the preparation and installation of coral structures as part of efforts to restore damaged reef areas.
He said the training was well received, with participants and other community members actively taking part in the activities.
“The participants were really happy and enjoyed the training. Not only the participants, but other community members also took part,” Mr Isihanua said.
He said the initiative demonstrated the importance of community-based conservation and the role local communities can play in protecting their marine environment.
He added that locally led reef restoration efforts would help ensure marine resources are protected and preserved for future generations.
Photos from the coral Training at Pipisu and Haurapi, West Are’are. Photo credit: Mathew Isihanua.
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By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The Malaita Provincial Government has commended the GREAT Government for its continued support towards strengthening education and human resource development in the province.
Education remains one of the most powerful instruments for empowering people, creating opportunities and preparing the younger generation to participate meaningfully in the social and economic development of the nation.
Premier of Malaita Province, Elijah Asilau’a, made the remarks during the signing ceremony of the Agency Agreement and Provincial Education Board Agreement between the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) and the Malaita Provincial Government on Friday, August 21.
Premier Asilau’a said the agreements would provide Malaita with an important framework for cooperation, administration, funding, compliance, technical assistance and advisory support from the Ministry.
“On behalf of the people of Malaita, I acknowledge and commend the Solomon Islands GREAT Government for its continued commitment to strengthening education and human resource development as a foundation for national transformation,” he said.
“Education remains one of the most powerful instruments for empowering our people, creating opportunities and preparing our young generation to participate meaningfully in the social and economic development of our nation,” he added.
He said the agreements would further strengthen the administration of the Malaita Education Provider Office and the Malaita Education Coordination Office, while promoting greater coordination among the government, churches, communities and other education providers.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Stephen Kumi, assured the Malaita Provincial Government and education partners that the Ministry would continue to work closely with the province during the transition.
“MEHRD remains committed to supporting Malaita through this transition. Through the Agency Agreement, the Ministry will provide ongoing technical and operational support to the Malaita Education Provider Office, including strengthening capacity in school operations and teacher management,” he said.
The signing marks an important step towards strengthening provincial participation in education administration and improving coordination between the national and provincial governments.
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By Ofani Eremae The National Hosting Authority (NHA) created a special procurement system to speed up the delivery of the...
The post How NHA Bypassed The Rules To Deliver The Pacific Games appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
WOMEN from Ranongga, Vella La Vella, Kolombangara and Kongulavata have completed a special training focused on organic waste management and composting.
The training was conducted by Positive Change for Marine Life (PCFML) through its Black Soldier Fly Larvae initiative, with support from the Western Provincial Government.
The programme provided participants with practical environmental solutions aimed at improving waste management, household food production, sustainable livelihoods and community health.
President of the Western Province Women’s Council, Hellen Wilson, said the training provided a unique opportunity for women to gain knowledge and skills that could help support their families and communities.
She said the knowledge gained from the training would also help communities gradually recover from the impacts of Cyclone Maila.
“I really appreciate this training and I acknowledge Positive Change for Marine Life for facilitating the training,” Wilson said.
Western Province Women’s Council Coordinator Naneth Panda said the workshop demonstrated how practical activities, including composting, healthy diets and environmental management, could contribute to the Council’s broader objectives for women and strengthen their participation in community development.
She said the training also fulfilled one of the organisation’s policy outcomes.
PCFML expressed its appreciation to the Western Province Women’s Council, President Hellen Wilson, Coordinator Naneth Panda and the Council team for the invitation and for providing an avenue for the organisation to share its experience with women from across Western Province.
Following the training, gardening tools and seeds were distributed to participating women, providing additional support for them to apply what they had learned when they returned to their communities.
The combination of composting knowledge with gardening tools and seeds gives the women an opportunity to directly connect organic waste management with household food production, while encouraging practical and sustainable environmental practices in their communities.
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Four New Officers to Strengthen
Education Services in Malaita
By SOLOMON LOFANA
Solomon Star, Auki
Four new officers will be recruited to support the Malaita Provincial Education Provider Office, which is now under the Malaita Provincial Government.
Minister for Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) Stephen Kumi announced the new positions during the signing of an Education Agency Agreement between MEHRD and the Malaita Provincial Government in Auki on Friday, August 21.
Mr Kumi said the additional positions would strengthen the province’s education services and would be supported by the government and its development partners.
“In fact, I am pleased to announce that, upon request, an additional four positions will be allocated to Malaita Education Providers by next year, 2027, to provide the workforce needed to strengthen provincial education services,” Mr Kumi said.
He also announced plans to construct a new office for the Provincial Education Coordination Office (PECO) in Malaita.
The new office will accommodate the various education coordination functions, formerly known as Education Authorities.
Mr Kumi said the initiative would empower education providers to take on their responsibilities with greater confidence, knowing that MEHRD stands firmly behind Malaita Province.
The additional officers and new office are expected to further strengthen the delivery and coordination of education services across the province.
End///////with pix
Photo caption:
Former Malaita Chief Education Officer Andy Siarani left handed over shell money to the Malaita Provincial Premier, who will serve as the new Education Provider Officer for Malaita Province. Photo: Solomon Lofana
SOLOMONS TEAM DISCUSS HONIARA WATER
DILEMMA AT WORKSHOP IN HAWAII
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Honolulu, Hawaii
SOLOMON Islands participants attending a regional leadership programme in Honolulu have turned their attention to one of the country's pressing urban challenges — water scarcity and unreliable water supply in Honiara.
As part of the training hosted by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) in Honolulu, the Solomon Islands team worked together to examine the causes of Honiara's water problems and develop practical approaches to addressing them.
The exercise challenged participants to move beyond simply identifying the problem and instead look at why the crisis exists, who is responsible, and what realistic solutions could be implemented.
The team identified several interconnected causes, including rapid population growth, pressure on water catchment areas, aging infrastructure, high levels of non-revenue water, institutional weaknesses and financial challenges facing the water utility.
The participants also mapped out the key stakeholders involved, including communities, Solomon Water, government, development partners, contractors, catchment landowners, health services and civic groups.
A major focus of the exercise was finding solutions that could improve the financial sustainability of Solomon Water while ensuring that water remains affordable and accessible to low-income households.
The team considered a range of options, including reducing water losses, improving water meters, formalising connections, tariff reform, prepaid water systems, improved catchment monitoring and stronger community engagement.
The exercise was part of the broader leadership and policy training designed to help Pacific participants apply strategic thinking to real problems facing their respective countries.
For the Solomon Islands participants, the Honiara water project provided an opportunity to connect classroom lessons with a problem that directly affects households, businesses and public services.
Rather than treating water scarcity as simply an infrastructure problem, the team examined it as a wider issue involving governance, finance, politics, environmental protection and stakeholder coordination.
The Solomon Islands five member team was among Pacific participants from Solomon Islands, Fiji and Samoa taking part in the Honolulu programme.
The training brought together participants from different professional backgrounds, providing an opportunity to exchange ideas, develop regional networks and learn from each other's experiences.
The Solomon Islands participants said the experience had strengthened their understanding of how complex national problems can be broken down into manageable issues and addressed through evidence-based policy solutions.
The lessons from Honolulu are expected to be taken back to Solomon Islands, where they can contribute to wider discussions on improving public services, infrastructure investment and sustainable development.
ENDS
NH PACKING REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO
SOLOMON ISLANDS WORKFORCE
By FLOYD TERRY JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
New Zealand horticultural company NH Packing has reaffirmed its commitment to employing workers from Solomon Islands, describing its Pacific workforce as an important part of the company’s ongoing operations and growth.
The Hawke’s Bay-based, family-owned company has more than 30 years of experience growing, packing and supplying squash and pumpkin products to domestic and international markets.
According to the Labour Mobility Unit Solomon Islands (LMUSI), NH Packing continues to maintain a strong relationship with Solomon Islands through its recruitment of Pacific workers.
Operating from a purpose-built packhouse in Whakatu, NH Packing uses modern machinery to process buttercup squash for Asian export markets and crown pumpkin for the New Zealand domestic market.
The company said food safety, traceability and quality assurance remain central to its operations, supported by a stable and skilled workforce.
NH Packing also operates through its integrated marketing joint venture, Three Good Men, alongside Freshco and Coxco.
Company management said it was highly satisfied with the performance, conduct and work ethic of employees recruited from Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands workers have developed a strong reputation within the company, with management highlighting the positive working relationships built over time.
Feedback from Solomon Islands team leaders also reflected positively on their experience, with workers reporting good treatment, strong support systems and a rewarding working environment at the Hastings facility.
“We have a strong connection with the Solomon Islands and are fully committed to maintaining and strengthening this relationship,” a company representative said.
Despite being smaller than some other companies in the horticultural sector, NH Packing said it remained committed to working closely with Pacific workers and supporting employment opportunities for them.
The company also expressed confidence in the Labour Mobility Unit, recognising the compliance measures and checks involved in recruitment and worker management.
The Labour Mobility Unit Solomon Islands acknowledged NH Packing for choosing Solomon Islands as a source of workers and expressed hope that the partnership would continue to grow in the future.
MECDM Aligns Work Plan Priorities with GREAT Coalition Government Development Agenda and Advances GEF-9 Programming
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) has completed a strategic workshop focused on aligning its work plan priorities with the development agenda and priorities of the GREAT Coalition Government.
The workshop provided an important platform for the Ministry to review and align its programmes, priorities and planned activities with the GREAT Government’s broader development direction, ensuring that MECDM’s work contributes meaningfully to national development and the sustainable management of Solomon Islands’ environment and natural resources.
The alignment process is expected to strengthen coordination within the Ministry and its partners, ensuring that work plans remain responsive to the Government’s priorities, while maintaining a strong focus on environmental protection, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, disaster management, and meteorological services.
As part of the programme development, MECDM also undertook internal consultations on the Global Environment Facility (GEF‐9) programming. This process provides an important opportunity for Solomon Islands to identify and advance priority environmental initiatives that can be supported through the GEF‐9 funding cycle. MECDM also engaged with relevant stakeholders to ensure that national priorities are aligned with regional and global commitments, thereby strengthening the country’s capacity to access and effectively utilise GEF‐9 resources.
The GEF-9 programming will be used to complement Government’s broader environmental priorities and support national efforts to address key environmental challenges, including biodiversity conservation, climate change, land degradation
The completion of both processes marks an important step for MECDM in strengthening the harmonisation between national, regional and international development priorities and environmental financing opportunities.
Through these initiatives, MECDM is reaffirming its commitment to working closely with development partners, provincial governments, communities and other stakeholders to deliver practical environmental outcomes that support sustainable development of Solomon Islands.
The completion of both processes marks a milestone for MECDM, enabling the translation of work plan harmonisation and GEF‐9 programming into concrete programmes that reinforce resilience, safeguard biodiversity, and strengthen environmental stewardship in line with the GREAT Government’s policy direction.
The Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Hon Wayne Ghemu also participated in the final day of the two‐day workshop, underscoring its significance to national priorities. The workshop also brought together representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and other ministry projects, reflecting broad collaboration across sectors and partners.
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A recent court ruling has clarified the legal requirements surrounding the use of public funds for the 2023 Pacific Games and will allow the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) to complete its outstanding audit work.
Speaking to the media in a Press Conference this morning, the Auditor General, David Teika Dennis says the ruling found that while development budgets for the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2019 to 2024 were validly appropriated by Parliament for the Pacific Games, the way funds were spent through the Sport Solomon Fund did not comply with the Public Financial Management Act.
He says the National Hosting Authority’s (NHA) accountable officer did not have the legal authority to spend funds from the Sport Solomon Fund for the Games, including funds released through four advance warrants.
Read more here
SIBCONLINE.COM.SB
Court ruling clears way for OAG to complete Pacific Games audit - Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC)
2023 GAMES AUDIT: Pacific Games audit flags overuse of customs duty exemptions
The Government’s decision to grant full customs and excise duty exemptions for imports related to the 2023 Pacific Games has come under scrutiny, with an audit finding that the value of duty-free imports for most suppliers appeared to exceed the value of their contracts.
The exemptions were introduced under the Host Agreement and applied from 2019 to 2023 to support imports for the Games.
According to the Office of the Auditor General’s audit of the Pacific Games, a high-level comparison of suppliers’ contract values and their recorded duty-free imports showed that, for most suppliers, the value of goods imported under the exemptions was higher than the value of their respective contracts.
However, the Auditor General, David T. Dennis, the accuracy of the figures could not be confirmed because the Customs system included other exemptions and supporting documentation was often missing.
A review of selected suppliers also raised a number of concerns about the use of the exemptions.
For the Games catering services contractor, the audit found that large quantities of equipment, cutlery and food-related items were imported. Some of the items appeared excessive or lacked clear justification for their use during the Games.
The audit also raised concerns that some of the imported items could have been intended for the contractor’s ongoing business operations rather than specifically for the Pacific Games.
Concerns were also raised over the Multipurpose Hall, where supporting documents were found to be incomplete or inconsistent.
The audit identified mismatched quantities between invoices and exemption forms. Some purchases, including 1,000 standing fans and certain machinery, lacked clear explanations and raised questions about whether they were genuinely required for the Games.
The SIFF Football Academy also came under scrutiny, with significant discrepancies identified between quantities listed on claim forms and invoices.
Key supporting documents, including invoices and bills of lading, were also missing.
The audit further found that some machinery imported under the exemption appeared more suited to general construction work than to the specific SIFF Football Academy project.
The findings add to a series of concerns raised by the Auditor General over the management and use of public resources associated with the 2023 Pacific Games, particularly the adequacy of documentation, controls and justification for expenditure and exemptions.
news@sbmonline2026
Empowering Young People With SRHR Knowledge: A Future Built on Informed Choices
Young people benefit most when information, access, and support come together and that’s exactly what happened when SIPPA joined the SINU Open Day 2026 at Kukum Campus.
SIPPA’s presence created a safe, welcoming space where students could engage openly on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), ask questions, and connect to essential services that protect their health and strengthen their future.
Source: SIPPA
From open-water swimming to competing internationally, 19-year-old Bijay Ghusu Gerry is proudly representing Solomon Islands in swimming.
His journey has been shaped by years of training, dedication and competition as he continues to develop his career in the sport.
From local waters to the international stage, Gerry is carrying the Solomon Islands flag and inspiring the next generation of swimmers.
