Tagata o te Moana for 21 August 2026

PNG says West Papua likely to be discussed by Pacific leaders in Palau; A deep sea expedition in the Cook Islands uncovers new information about marine life and seabed minerals; Samoa's historic Manu'a islands face deep-sea mining proposal; Access the biggest challenge for humanitarian workers in the Pacific; Two new reports show illegal round log exports are still ongoing in Papua New Guinea; The United Auckland Gospel Choir takes gold at the 2026 World Choir Games in Sweden, and events celebrating the Tongan language have been held across the country over the past week.