AGP Executive Report

Maritime Security: Kiribati police divers have completed a two-week investigative diving course in French Polynesia, training to spot illicit cargo and support counter-narcotics and search-and-rescue work. Regional Fisheries: Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up after three weeks of patrols and surveillance across 10 Pacific EEZs, with Kiribati among participating countries and dozens of vessel inspections reported. Tourism Data: The Tourism Authority of Kiribati and SPTO released the Kiribati International Visitor Survey 2025, estimating tourism’s 2025 economic impact at USD 12.8 million and detailing visitor spending and satisfaction. Court & Justice: Te Piringa Faculty of Law dean Justice Leilani Tuala-Warren has been appointed to the Kiribati Court of Appeal for a three-year term. Trade & Industry: India and Kiribati met in Suva to strengthen cooperation on copra and coconut oil development. Blue Economy: Fiji and Kiribati signed an MOU to expand sandfish (dairo) aquaculture cooperation. Nuclear Justice: Kiribati renewed calls for nuclear justice at the UN, citing ongoing harms from tests on Kiritimati. Aviation & Fuel: Air Kiribati says it hasn’t yet felt Middle East-linked fuel price rises, but expects impacts soon and is pushing for 24/7 airport operations. Visa Policy Shock (Regional): New Zealand’s Pacific visa fee cuts and longer stays are projected to reduce government revenue by about $1–2 million a year.

Tourism Trade Boost: The South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) is being credited with widening market access across the Pacific, with Fiji hosting the event in March helping smaller islands like Kiribati connect directly with global buyers; SPTE 2026 drew its strongest turnout yet, including 82 sellers from 17 Pacific countries and 60 international buyers from Europe and Asia. Kiribati Visitor Snapshot: The Tourism Authority of Kiribati and Pacific Tourism Organisation released the Kiribati International Visitor Survey (IVS) 2025 Annual Report, based on 333 responses, estimating tourism generated about USD 12.8 million in economic impact in 2025. Maritime Security Training: AFP and French forces in French Polynesia trained Kiribati Maritime Police divers in investigative diving to strengthen counter-narcotics and maritime inspections, with new equipment handed over. Fisheries Crackdown: Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up after three weeks of regional surveillance, with Kiribati among participating countries and dozens of vessel inspections and detections reported. Regional Legal Milestone: Justice Leilani Tuala-Warren was appointed to the Kiribati Court of Appeal for a three-year term, with her first hearing expected in late June. Visa Fee Changes: New Zealand’s planned reduction of Pacific visa fees and longer default visas could cut government revenue by about $1–2 million a year, even as officials say it will deepen regional connections. Nuclear Justice Push: Kiribati renewed calls for nuclear justice at the UN, highlighting the human cost of nuclear testing on Kiritimati and urging accountability.

Immigration Shake-Up: ACT has walked back David Seymour’s earlier suggestion that its proposed $6-a-day “infrastructure surcharge” on temporary visa holders would apply to RSE seasonal workers—after RNZ Pacific flagged that ACT had said it wouldn’t, with Seymour now indicating he “misspoke” and the party reiterating RSE workers would be exempt. Maritime Security: Kiribati police divers have completed AFP and French forces training in French Polynesia to better detect illicit cargo underwater. Fisheries Crackdown: Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up after three weeks of regional patrols, with 61 vessel inspections and more than 200 detections across 10 Pacific EEZs. Tourism Data: SPTO and Kiribati’s tourism authority released the 2025 International Visitor Survey, estimating tourism’s 2025 impact at USD 12.8m. Regional Courts & Climate: UN-backed support for the ICJ climate ruling keeps momentum for climate accountability, while Kiribati’s Court of Appeal appoints Justice Leilani Tuala-Warren.

Immigration U-turn: ACT has backtracked after David Seymour floated a nearly $1,300-a-year “infrastructure surcharge” for RSE seasonal workers, now saying the $6-a-day charge won’t apply to RSE staff—though critics say the confusion alone raises fresh questions for Pacific workers heading to New Zealand. Tourism & Data: The Tourism Authority of Kiribati and SPTO released the Kiribati International Visitor Survey 2025, estimating tourism’s 2025 economic impact at about USD 12.8m and mapping visitor spending and satisfaction. Maritime Security: Kiribati police divers trained in French Polynesia with AFP and French forces, aiming to spot illicit cargo underwater. Regional Enforcement: Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up with 13-vessel boardings and wider surveillance across Pacific waters to deter IUU fishing. Sports Spotlight: Pacific athletes turned in record-breaking performances at the Oceania Athletics Championships, including national relay records from PNG, Guam and the Cook Islands.

Maritime Security Training: Kiribati police divers just completed a two-week investigative diving course in French Polynesia, learning underwater inspection and search-and-rescue skills to help spot illicit cargo and strengthen port and maritime operations, with AFP and French forces handing over specialised equipment. Nuclear Diplomacy: The 2026 NPT Review Conference ended without consensus on nuclear disarmament—its third straight failure—fueling fresh warnings that nuclear complacency is winning again. Pacific Cooperation on Fisheries: Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up after three weeks of patrols and inspections across 10 countries’ waters, with authorities boarding 13 vessels and running wider surveillance to deter IUU fishing. Regional Costs & Travel: New Zealand’s reduced Pacific visa fees and longer default visas could cut government revenue by about $1–2 million a year, even as officials say it supports stronger regional links. Local Observance: Waukesha debuted a quieter Memorial Day march focused on those killed in service.

Visa Shock for Pacific Travelers: New Zealand is cutting Pacific visa fees from $216 to $161 next week for a 12-month period, while Pacific Islands Forum nationals keep a permanent shift to a default two-year multi-entry visa (up from one year). Officials warn the change could cost about $1–2 million a year, adding pressure to an immigration system mainly funded by fees. Regional Security: Pacific nations wrapped up Operation Tui Moana 2026, with crews boarding 13 vessels and inspecting more than 200 detections across 10 countries’ waters to deter illegal fishing and other maritime crimes. Nuclear Justice Push: Kiribati and the Marshall Islands renewed calls at the UN for nuclear justice, citing the lasting human toll of decades of testing. Kiribati in Focus: Kiribati also faces aviation and connectivity pressure, even as major upgrades like the East Micronesia Cable System aim to boost high-speed internet.

Global Realignment: A week of fast-moving diplomacy and tech change is being driven by overlapping crises, with the biggest diplomatic headline pointing to US-Iran de-escalation talks—Rubio says “significant progress,” while Trump says an agreement is “largely negotiated,” though key details stay secret. Pacific Fisheries Security: Closer to home, Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up after nearly three weeks of patrols across 10 Pacific EEZs, with 13 vessel boardings by Cook Islands’ Te Kukupa II and broader regional inspections aimed at cracking down on illegal fishing. Fuel Pressure on Islands: Air Kiribati says it hasn’t felt Middle East-linked fuel hikes yet, but expects prices to hit soon—and wants the main airport to run 24/7 so airlines aren’t stuck waiting after 7pm. Climate Accountability: In a major legal push, UN members backed an ICJ climate ruling, strengthening the argument that countries have duties—and potential liability—when climate harm is caused. Digital Leap: NEC says the East Micronesia Cable System is complete, bringing faster, more reliable internet to Kiribati, Nauru, and parts of FSM.

Aviation & Fuel Pressure: Air Kiribati says it hasn’t felt Middle East-linked fuel hikes yet, but expects prices to bite soon—while pushing for 24/7 airport operations because the main airport currently shuts after 7pm, leaving international flights waiting. Fisheries Crackdown: Cook Islands’ Te Kukupa II wrapped up boarding and inspections of 13 fishing vessels under Operation Tui Moana 2026, with the wider three-week patrol effort spanning 10 Pacific EEZs to deter IUU fishing. Digital Leap: NEC has completed the East Micronesia Cable System (about 2,250 km), bringing faster, steadier internet to Kosrae, Tarawa and Nauru after satellite-only links. Climate Accountability: The UN General Assembly backed the ICJ’s landmark climate ruling, with 141 countries voting yes—cementing states’ duties and climate-related human rights. Local Growth Stories: Fiji’s FNU graduate and police officer Jovesa Saumaki credits leadership study for building confidence after grief, while Fiji Airways rolls out its FlyWell wellness program in lounges and select flights.

Air Kiribati Watch: Chairman Kevin Rouatu says the airline hasn’t felt higher Middle East fuel prices yet, but expects the hit soon—and he’s pushing for 24/7 airport operations because the main airport currently shuts after 7pm, leaving international flights waiting. Maritime Enforcement: Cook Islands’ Te Kukupa II wrapped up boarding and inspections under Operation Tui Moana 2026, stopping 13 fishing vessels and supporting fuel delivery to Mitiaro as the regional push targets illegal fishing across multiple EEZs. Climate Accountability: The UN General Assembly backed a landmark ICJ climate ruling, with 141 countries voting in favour—cementing states’ legal duties and opening the door to climate-related human rights protections. Digital Connectivity: NEC says the East Micronesia Cable System is complete, linking Kiribati, Nauru and FSM to improve reliability beyond satellite. Local Leadership: Kiribati’s Court of Appeal has a new judge, Justice Leilani Tuala-Warren, appointed for a three-year term.

Fisheries crackdown: Cook Islands’ Te Kukupa II has just intercepted and boarded 13 fishing vessels during Operation Tui Moana 2026, with three yachts also checked as they transited through the Cook Islands’ EEZ, while the crew also ran an urgent fuel delivery to Mitiaro before returning to patrol duties. Regional unity: The three-week operation, led by the Forum Fisheries Agency and backed by partners including the RNZN, covered 10 Pacific EEZs using sea boardings, aerial surveillance, and compliance monitoring to deter IUU fishing and other maritime crime. Climate accountability: In a major UN vote, countries backed an ICJ climate ruling that strengthens the argument for legal duties and possible reparations for climate harm. Digital resilience: NEC says the East Micronesia Cable System is now complete, bringing faster, more reliable internet to Kiribati, Nauru, and parts of the FSM.

Pacific Security & Fisheries: Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up after three weeks of coordinated surveillance across the Western and Central Pacific, with regional teams inspecting 61 vessels and flagging more than 200 detections to crack down on IUU fishing and other maritime crime. Climate Justice: In a rare show of unity, UN member states backed a landmark ICJ climate ruling, with 141 votes for a resolution endorsing countries’ legal duties to cut emissions and address climate harm. Women, Disasters & Safety: As back-to-back cyclones strain services and evacuation centres become both refuge and risk, Pacific women’s groups warn that violence protection often collapses when roads, clinics and phone networks go down. Digital Connectivity: NEC says the East Micronesia Cable System is complete, bringing high-speed links to Kiribati, Nauru and parts of the FSM. Kiribati Courts: Justice Leilani Tuala-Warren has been appointed to the Kiribati Court of Appeal for a three-year term.

Climate & Safety: Cyclones Maila and Vaianu hit multiple Pacific countries at the same time, stretching emergency services—and for many women, the real danger didn’t pass with the storm. Evacuation centres can strip away privacy and make violence harder to escape when roads are damaged, clinics are overwhelmed, and phone networks go down. Women’s Rights Response: Pacific ministries are increasingly treating violence against women and girls as a cross-cutting issue tied to climate shocks, pushing for coordinated police, health, justice and social services support. Health Burden: A new global look at smoking-linked COPD tracks how the disease burden has shifted over decades. Fisheries Enforcement: Operation Tui Moana 2026 wrapped up after three weeks of joint surveillance, with dozens of vessel inspections and hundreds of detections aimed at cracking down on IUU fishing. Diplomacy in the Courts: UN member states backed a landmark ICJ climate ruling, strengthening the push for legal accountability.

UN Tourism Shake-up: Shaikha Al Nuaimi took over as UN Tourism chief on 1 Jan 2026, inheriting a push to make tourism more operational—now facing big questions on how small island states fit into global tourism governance. Pacific Power Play: Australia is scoring wins in the “Great Game” for the Pacific, with Vanuatu cooperation back on track and Solomon Islands choosing a new PM with a tougher line on Beijing. Climate Court Pressure: The UN General Assembly backed a landmark ICJ climate ruling, cementing that states must act urgently on emissions and face legal consequences when climate harm hits others—especially vulnerable countries. Kiribati Leadership: Justice Leilani Tuala-Warren was appointed to the Kiribati Court of Appeal. Digital Leap: NEC says the 2,250 km East Micronesia Cable System (EMCS) is complete, linking Kiribati, Nauru, and FSM with faster, more reliable internet. Local Politics: Fiji has delayed local government elections until national polls. Fuel Shock: A regional oil crisis is already squeezing Pacific economies and prices.

UN Climate Court Push: The UN has backed a landmark ICJ climate ruling, with New Zealand joining 141 countries, shifting climate harm from politics to enforceable state obligations. Kiribati Judicial Boost: Justice Leilani Tuala-Warren has been appointed to the Kiribati Court of Appeal for three years, with her first sitting expected in late June. Pacific Blue Economy Deal: Fiji and Kiribati signed a major sandfish aquaculture agreement, aiming to grow livelihoods while protecting marine life and building climate resilience. Women, Safety, and Storms: A new Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre study on intimate partner violence highlights how disasters can cut off protection—damaged roads, closed clinics, and downed phones leave women exposed. Digital Connectivity Upgrade: NEC says the 2,250 km EMCS submarine cable is complete, linking Tarawa, Nauru, Kosrae and Pohnpei for faster, more reliable internet.

UN Court Climate Push: The UN backed a landmark ICJ advisory opinion on climate harm, with New Zealand joining 141 countries—turning climate responsibility into a legal question, not just politics. Pacific Sandfish Deal: Fiji and Kiribati signed an MOU to boost sandfish (dairo) aquaculture, aiming for livelihoods plus strict environmental stewardship. Women, Storms, and Safety: A new report ties violence against women to climate disasters—when cyclones knock out roads, clinics, and phone lines, protection systems fail fast. Wellness in the Air: Fiji Airways launched FlyWell, bringing red light therapy to its Premier Lounge and select long-haul flights. Security Talks: Pacific police ministers met in Fiji to coordinate responses to transnational crime, and urged leaders to consider police ministers in the region’s wider security setup. Digital Connectivity: NEC says it has completed the 2,250 km East Micronesia Cable System linking Kiribati, Nauru, and FSM—an upgrade from satellite-only links.

Intimate Partner Violence Study Completed: Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) has finished the country’s second national prevalence study on intimate partner violence, using World Health Organization best-practice methods and reporting that the last survey found 64% of women in Fiji experienced intimate partner violence; the final report with recommendations is due before year-end. Pacific Security Talks: Fiji and other Pacific police ministers wrapped their first Pacific Police Ministers’ Meeting in Momi Bay, agreeing to report outcomes to leaders and push for a stronger police role in the region’s security architecture as transnational crime grows. Digital Connectivity Push: NEC says it has completed the 2,250 km East Micronesia Cable System (EMCS), linking Kiribati, Nauru, and FSM, bringing first-time optical cable connectivity to places that previously relied on satellite links. Money and Risk: The IMF warns Kiribati’s growth and poverty reduction are strong, but external shocks, fuel costs, and climate vulnerabilities still threaten the outlook. Airline Wellness: Fiji Airways is rolling out its FlyWell wellness program, including red light therapy, starting June 1.