Public utility services are slowly being restored in Vanuatu's north after a big earthquake.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters will visit the Cook Islands on Wednesday for talks with Prime Minister Mark Brown.

Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu has defended the government's handling of the country's HIV crisis, saying initiatives have been put in place to "get this under control".

A round-up of news from around the region, including new Green Climate Fund developments in the Pacific.

Papua New Guineans are being urged to heed weather and marine alerts before going to sea

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says he will respect the outcome of a judicial review into the country's political standoff which starts at 9:30am in Honiara on Tuesday.

The US Geological Survey reports the 7.3 quake hit 35 kilometres northeast of Luganville, around 7:45pm Monday local time.

The resumption of direct flights between the Northern Mariana Islands and the Philippines is being framed as more than just a tourism boost.

Former South Sydney and St George Illawarra halfback Willie Peters has been given the job.

Both sides, alongside New Zealand, made up the three Oceania Football Confederation teams in action during the FIFA Series fixtures this year.

A University of PNG lecturer says the firearms buyback initiative "can lower immediate threats", but "it alone would not automatically address the underlying drivers of law and order issues".

The Marshall Islands has declared a 90-day state of economic emergency amid a growing fuel crisis due to the United States and Israel's war in Iran.

Round seven has come and gone and, unfortunately, for both the Pasifika clubs, their attempts get their Super Rugby season back on track remains way off the mark.

The number of Fijians who are HIV positive has risen to at least 9000 one percent of the population as infections surge.

Tuvalu is seeking a new treaty with New Zealand.

New Caledonia's domestic airline Air Calédonie filed for bankruptcy on Friday.