Bougainville's attorney-general has labelled the Australian government cowardly over its stance on the island's desire for independence from Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea has signed a  security deal with Australia after months of delay with a focus on ramping up PNG's police force.

Fiji's government wants public consultation before putting in place regulations to deal with the growing problem of internet pornography.

There was a sea of colour and plenty of dancing when the 17th Pacific Games opened in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara.

Australia's governor general will be there along with thousands of regional athletes for the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands.

Pacific leaders have gathered in Rarotonga for the Forum Leaders meeting with Australia's Anthony Albanese flying in from China. Despite his long-haul journey, there are plenty of regional leaders who aren't flying in for this year's meeting.

Pacific island nations have long been used by criminal organisations as a transhipment point to smuggle illicit drugs. But in Samoa, an increase in arrests involving methamphetamines suggests the country has also become a market for them as well. Police and other groups say its having a devastating social impact, particularly among young people

An out-of-season category-five cyclone has alarmed forecasters as it destroyed schools, homes and crops in Vanuatu.