What independence means
A hardworking 22-year-old ni-Vanuatu woman in a rural community has shared her beliefs on being independent and her dreams.
“Father Lini and our forefathers fought hard for us to be independent,” said Sandrina from Avunatari community, west Malo. “It is our duty to be glad for our independence and be independent. My dream is to be able to…
Air Vanuatu set to order four A220s – report
Air Vanuatu is set to put down a VUV850 million vatu (USD7.46 million) deposit on four Airbus narrowbodies. According to The Daily Post, Minister of Finance and Economic Management, Gaetan Pikioune, and Air Vanuatu Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Derek Nice, signed the instrument on February 15.
According to Nice, the jets will be…
Vanuatu off black list with EU
Vanuatu is among states removed from the EU blacklist due to its intensive monitoring of financial market transactions. Others include Bosnia, Guyana, Laos, and Uganda.
The European Commission added Saudi Arabia, Panama, U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam and Samoa to a blacklist of nations it considers a threat because of…
Australia courts Vanuatu
Richard Butler | RNZ – Andrew Thomas | February 15th, 2019.
Analysts say Australia sees China’s influence as a potential threat to sovereignty, independence, stability and even to peace.
To counter China’s growing influence in the South Pacific, Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he wants to…
011 Paradise offers a low cost Plan B for residency
Paradise offers a low cost Plan B for residency. A decade of amazing growth forecast up to 300% increase in tourism. "We will triple tourism by 2030” proclaimed the head of Vanuatu tourism – our energetic VTO CEO Adela Aru – on the front page of the paper. Huh!?! ...
Imagining Australia’s South Pacific family
Richard Butler | RNZ Graeme Dobel | February 10th, 2019 Part of a leader’s magic is to spin a few words into political gold, capturing the moment and proclaiming the future. Think Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ‘new deal’, Winston Churchill’s ‘iron curtain’, or Ben Chifley’s...
Australia welcomes Air Vanuatu’s new direct connection between Melbourne and Vanuatu
Richard Butler | RNZ | February 10, 2019 THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT has congratulated Air Vanuatu on its decision to resume non-stop flights between Melbourne and Port Vila and looks forward to flights commencing on 17 June 2019. Australians represent 65 per cent of...
Govt’s Vt1.5 Billion Energy Access Program On Track For Kick-off By Mid-2019
Richard Butler | RNZ | February 7th, 2019 The Government’s Energy Access Program (VEAP) is on track for implementation by mid-2019. The project, which will see distribution of grid extensions on Malekula and Santo has been made possible through a loan and grant...
010 Infrastructure +Agriculture = Tourism Boom!
Infrastructure + agriculture = tourism boom! How would you feel if your boss tapped you on the shoulder and said, "Oh by the way, the Prime Minister will be dropping by to check our work on your shift!"? Hear the tale of how this actually happened to some startled...
Air Vanuatu to serve Melbourne from June
CDF to fly the flag as part of tour of the Pacific
Richard Butler | from Defence Connect | 29 Jan 2019 Angus Campbell, AO, DSC, has travelled to Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, building on the Prime Minister’s recent tour of the region to strengthen Australia’s position in the Pacific. GEN Campbell was...
Now we know what colour the 2019 McLaren will be
Richard Butler | from GP Fans | 28 Jan 2019 McLaren have all but confirmed that a papaya livery will remain in situ on the team's 2019 challenger – the MCL34. McLaren have teased elements of their 2019 livery more than any other team on the grid so far, with all...
009 Right Place at the Right Time
You have to be in the Right Place at the Right Time... (and with the Right People!) to Avail Yourself of the Right Opportunity Why should the visit of the Australian Prime Minister ("SkoMo") to Vanuatu and the interview of Sir David Attenborough by Prince William all...
Department of Tourism reveals plans for big cruise ship visit
008 The “Easy Button” for Residency via Investment
Is there REALLY an "Easy Button" for navigating frustrating bureaucratic waters to obtain Residency via Investment? In recent weeks the madness of the western world has hit new peaks. More and more countries in turmoil. Thinking people are wondering if there's an...
007 Vanuatu the newest Offshore Financial Centre?
...and an endless summer destination for the wealthy? This week I received a very interesting paper posing this very question: "Could Vanuatu be the next financial centre for the world? And the answer is yes! I do believe that that is a possibility. This week's...
Cassava grown for Vanuatu workers turns into potential money-maker for NT mango farmer
Richard Butler | from ABC Rural | 30 Dec 2018 A Northern Territory mango farmer who grew cassava at the request of his Pacific Islander workers believes the plant has the potential to be a profitable crop for the Top End. When Katherine farmer Mitchael Curtis...
Vanuatu Vaccines Delivered From the Skies
Richard Butler | Egemen Qazaqstan | 24 Dec 2018 In the village of Cook’s Bay, on the remote side of the remote island of Erromango, in the remote South Pacific nation of Vanuatu, 1-month-old Joy Nowai was given shots for hepatitis and tuberculosis that were...
Sport: Vanuatu defend Oceania beach volley title
Richard Butler | RNZ News | 24 Dec 2018 Vanuatu have defended their Oceania Women's Beach Volleyball title, denying Tahiti a clean sweep of the podiums in Papeete. Top seeds Miller Pata and Sherysyn Toko defeated Emere Maau-Boutry and Vaihere Fareura 21-17 21-17 in...
006 I made a $1.5 Bn Mistake (Oops!)
I made a $1.5 billion mistake! in quoting infrastructure development in the South Pacific Wow... I reported last week (incorrectly as it turns out) that the Australian Government announced at APEC Papau New Guinea, it was going to provide $1.5 billion for...
I made a $1.5 billion mistake in quoting infrastructure development in the South Pacific (Full Article)
Richard Butler | 19th December 2018... I incorrectly reported last week the Australian Government announced at APEC Papau New Guinea was going to provide $1.5 billion for infrastructure into the South Pacific. It is now $3 billion between the Islands of the South...
China International Import Expo: a new opportunity for Pacific states?
![The Big Secret [Vanuatu Dreaming #44]](https://allaboutvanuatu.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Heads-at-APEC-2018-400x250.jpg)
The Big Secret [Vanuatu Dreaming #44]
Issue #44 THE BIG SECRET We teased you about it last week, and now the big reveal... It's about APEC and the hopper-loads of cash cascading down on the South Pacific countries from the many benefactors at the APEC summit last month in Papua New Guinea. Are they really...
US joins Pacific infrastructure development group
Richard Butler | RNZ News | 13 Dec 2018 The United States has joined a regional infrastructure development group which offers Pacific countries an alternative to Chinese finance for big projects. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced yesterday the US was adding...
NZ ups its diplomatic presence in Pacific
Winston Peters Photo: New Zealand Herald/Jason Oxenham Richard Butler | RNZ | 4 Dec 2018 New Zealand foreign affairs minister Winston Peters says New Zealand is to create 14 new diplomatic posts as part of its so called ‘Pacific Reset’. The reset aims...
Asphalt construction works commence on Bauerfield runway
Asphalt works on the Bauerfield runway has started following initial trials and testing early this month. Richard Butler | Daily Post | 3 Dec 2018 Asphalt construction works have commenced on the runway at Bauerfield international airport, following initial...
![It’s Time! [Vanuatu Dreaming #42]](https://allaboutvanuatu.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/PHR-Artist-Impression-400x250.jpg)
It’s Time! [Vanuatu Dreaming #42]
Issue #42 It's Time! Is Vanuatu and the South Pacific the last frontier for development funding in the southern hemisphere?! Yes its time, time to view offshore investment into Vanuatu and specifically into Pacific Haven Resort, after waiting for the airport to be...
Tourism growth could expand to unforeseen numbers
Richard Butler | Island Life | 23 Nov 2018 The tourism industries of SPTO member countries will benefit from the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) through the promotion of the China Pacific Tourism Year 2019 (CPTY). This was announced by President Xi Jinping on Friday...
![So what exactly does a Trade Commissioner do? [Vanuatu Dreaming #41]](https://allaboutvanuatu.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/3a0394ba-0454-4fe8-a5ce-e9a79a81e8a8-400x250.jpg)
So what exactly does a Trade Commissioner do? [Vanuatu Dreaming #41]
Issue #41 So what exactly does a Trade Commissioner do? (And why should you care!) Good morning, and welcome. In this email you will find a link to the new podcast from Melanesian Waterfront Real Estate Ltd. Today I will tell you the story about how I was offered...
Tonga and Vanuatu join China’s Belt and Road
Richard Butler| from RNZ | 20 November 2018 Tonga and Vanuatu have signed up to China’s Belt and Road initiative. The announcements came on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Papua New Guinea last week. Tonga’s memorandum of understanding on Belt and Road was...
Chinese President Xi meets with leaders of seven Pacific island countries including Vanuatu
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with President of the Federated States of Micronesia Peter Christian, Port Moresby, PNG, November 16, 2018. /Xinhua Photo Richard Butler | Xinhua | 17 Nov 2018 Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the leaders of seven Pacific island...
