Tonga's national election is a month away, but it's not all smiles on the campaign trail, with one candidate allegedly caught up in a scuffle at a press event. Also, Cook Islands makes history, becoming the first Pacific nation to lock in all its maritime boundaries under international law.

Dozens of candidates register for Tonga's national election as the kingdom contends with a meth epidemic, an under-resourced civil service and struggling healthcare system. Also, an extensive marine survey in Fiji finds coastal areas and coral reefs are in decline.

Solomon Islands police are investigating the discovery of a third narco sub — a vessel used by drug cartels to smuggle drugs. 

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister defends the signing a new defence treaty with Australia, saying his country can opt to sit out in the event of a conflict between China and Australia. Also, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele is confident he can stave off any possible no confidence vote after appointing a new finance minister.

In Samoa, parliament will convene without newly-elected prime minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, who is in New Zealand receiving urgent medical treatment. Also, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape arrives in Australia for the signing of the Pukpuk Treaty.

A landmark defence treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea has been approved, with PNG's Prime Minister James Marape saying it will elevate the two countries' security relationship to its highest level in history. Also, Australia's Minister for Climate Change hosts Niue's Prime Minister and ministers from seven Pacific countries in Sydney.

The Fiji Labour Party accuses PM Sitiveni Rabuka of lying about meeting US president Donald Trump after posting a photo with a wax model version of him on Facebook. Also, we look at what it would mean for Pacific people to have COP 31 hosted in their own backyard.

A motion of no confidence is being planned against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele as tensions flare over sufferance wharves. Also, leaders in the Federated States of Micronesia fear a toxic oil leak from a World War Two shipwreck may just be the tip of the ice berg of what is to come.

Business leaders praise counter terrorism operations in PNG's highlands to confiscate all guns and sentence gun owners to long periods in jail. Also, a PNG court throws out a compensation case against mining giant Rio Tinto for human rights violation and environmental damage.

Ishmael Toroama will return as President of Bougainville following a landslide victory which saw him secure close to 70 per cent of votes. Also, Four Fijian men are jailed in Australia over a failed attempt to smuggle more than two tonnes of cocaine in 2022.