AGP Executive Report

Rugby League World Cup: Fiji begin against the Cook Islands on October 18 as the 2026 tournament kicks off across Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. Kiribati Football: The national team won its first international title in Fiji, defeating Seaqaqa 6-1 in the final of the IDC’s second-tier competition. Fiji’s Musical Legacy: FijiFest Hawaiʻi will honour George “Fiji” Veikoso and the artists he inspired at a November 21 festival featuring island music favourites and emerging performers. Pacific Arts: Fiji’s Paradise Roots joined artists from across the region at Vanuatu’s inaugural Wan Pasifika Festival, celebrating music and culture while raising awareness of climate change.

FijiFest: A new annual festival in Hawaiʻi will celebrate the music and legacy of George “Fiji” Veikoso on November 21, with island music favourites and emerging artists on the lineup. Pacific Sounds: Fiji’s Paradise Roots joined artists from across the region at Vanuatu’s inaugural Wan Pasifika Festival, which paired music and cultural performances with a climate-awareness message. Fijian Language: Vatu Dei and the KaRs have released a new children’s song, bringing Fiji’s language and culture to young listeners. Fiji Day Traditions: Suva’s Golden Age Home marked the holiday with singing, dancing and storytelling, celebrating community and Fiji’s diverse heritage.

Fiji Day & Community: Volunteers brought music, action songs and companionship to elderly residents in Lautoka, while Suva’s Golden Age Home marked the holiday with singing, dancing and storytelling. Language & Culture: Hindi Divas at the UN celebrated the language’s global reach, including Fiji’s evolving Hindi and the role of migration and cultural exchange. Fiji on Screen: Love Island Australia has revealed its 2026 cast, with filming set at the show’s Fiji villa; the announcement follows backlash over the series’ use of AI in a promotion. Rugby Pathways: Kaiviti Silktails players Tevita Wanisi and Maikeli Sadranu are building careers through hard work, while Fiji’s women prepare for their first Rugby League World Cup, aiming to inspire young players and strengthen pathways at home.

Fiji Day Celebrations: Golden Age Home residents in Suva marked the holiday with singing, dancing, storytelling and artwork, while Lautoka volunteers brought music and companionship to elderly residents. Reality TV in Fiji: Love Island Australia has revealed its 2026 cast, who will film in Fiji, as the show faces criticism over AI use in a promotional video. Culture and Craft: Fijian artisans shared masi, weaving and cultural stories in Auckland during Fijian Language Week, which highlights the role of families in keeping Vosa Vakaviti alive. Pacific Screen: Solomon Islands team BigEye won the 48-hour POP48 film challenge with Our Culture Matters, earning a place in a filmmaking masterclass in Hawai‘i. Music and Heritage: Fijian artists Vatu Dei and the KaRs have released a children’s song in Fijian, while a government grant has helped secure a 61-year-old Ba temple after repeated thefts of musical instruments and sound equipment.

Cultural Heritage: A 61-year-old temple in Ba has secured a government grant for fencing after repeated break-ins left musical instruments and sound equipment at risk. TV & Film: Love Island Australia is bringing its 2026 season to a villa in Fiji, while a Solomon Islands short film, Our Culture Matters, has won a place in a filmmaking masterclass in Hawai‘i. Fijian Arts Abroad: Fijian craftspeople and women from Lomaiviti shared masi, pottery, weaving and cultural performances in Auckland as communities celebrated Fijian Language Week and worked to pass language and traditions to younger generations. Music: Vatu Dei and the KaRs have released a children’s song in Fijian, adding to efforts to keep the language alive through music.

Fijian Culture Abroad: Families in Aotearoa are keeping Vosa Vakaviti alive at home and through crafts, songs and community events, as Fijian artisans share their work and stories in Auckland. Pacific Film: Solomon Islands short film Our Culture Matters has won a place in a filmmaking masterclass in Hawai‘i after taking top honours in a 48-hour challenge. Bulikula Breakthrough: Fiji’s women are preparing for their first Rugby League World Cup, with the team hoping to inspire young players and build pathways back home. Sevens Collectibles: Fiji Rugby and Coca-Cola have launched limited-edition packs featuring five national sevens stars, celebrating the sport’s close bond with fans.

Fiji on Screen: Love Island Australia’s 2026 season is heading to the Love Island USA villa in Fiji, bringing the reality show’s tropical romance to a new setting. Cultural Heritage: A $13,012 government grant has funded fencing for Ba’s 61-year-old Shiri Sanatan Dharam Ramayan Mandali temple after repeated break-ins and thefts of musical equipment. Pacific Voices: At a Fiji climate gathering, Kiribati’s Ruth Cross Kwansing called for climate funding to recognize the grief and cultural loss caused by rising seas exposing ancestral graves and damaging traditional food gardens. Fijian Music: Vatu Dei and the KaRs have released a children’s song putting the Fijian language in the spotlight. Community Traditions: Vanuabalavu Day brought families together around community development and cultural preservation.

Reality TV: Love Island Australia has unveiled its 2026 cast ahead of an October 26 premiere, with the show’s Fiji villa back in the spotlight. Cultural Heritage: A $13,012 government grant has funded fencing for a 61-year-old temple in Ba, helping protect its community and cultural traditions after repeated break-ins. Pacific Showcase: Fiji’s Trade and Tourism Expo in Port Moresby is featuring Fijian arts, products and cultural performances as the two countries strengthen ties. Community Culture: Vanuabalavu families are gathering in Suva for their three-yearly festival, celebrating traditions and raising funds for village projects. Fijian Music: Vatu Dei and the KaRs have released a children’s song in the Fijian language, bringing local language and music to young listeners.

Fiji on Screen: Survivor 51 keeps Fiji in the global spotlight, with 19 castaways still competing in the island-set season. Rugby Collectibles: Coca-Cola and the Fiji Rugby Union have launched limited-edition packs featuring five Fiji sevens stars, celebrating the team’s place in the country’s sporting culture. Culture and Community: Fiji’s first Trade and Tourism Expo in Port Moresby is showcasing Fijian arts, products, cuisine and cultural performances, while the Vanuabalavu Festival in Suva brings together 17 villages for entertainment, traditional food and cultural preservation. Fijian Music: Vatu Dei and The KaRs have released a new children’s song, putting the Fijian language centre stage.

Fijian Culture Abroad: Fiji’s first Trade and Tourism Expo in Port Moresby is showcasing local products, textiles, arts and cultural performances, while building business and tourism links with Papua New Guinea. Rugby Stars on Display: Five Fiji 7s players feature on Coca-Cola packaging in a campaign celebrating the team’s proud moments and inspiring young fans. Vanuabalavu Festival: Families from 17 villages are gathering in Suva for food, entertainment and fundraising, with the three-yearly event also celebrating Lauan culture and traditions. Fijian Music: Vatu Dei and The KaRs have released a new children’s song in Fijian. On Screen: Survivor 51’s latest episode brings another dose of Fiji-set reality TV, with castaways facing a new twist and a tense vote.

Vanuabalavu Culture: Families from across Fiji are gathering in Suva for the three-yearly festival, with traditional Lauan food, entertainment and fundraising for village projects. Reality TV & AI: Love Island Australia used AI in a promo featuring host Ariana Madix handing over the Fiji villa, but she says she wasn’t told her footage would be altered—raising questions about consent in entertainment. Fijian Language & Music: Vatu Dei and the KaRs have released a children’s song in Fijian, putting the language centre stage.

Vanuabalavu Festival: The sixth Vanuabalavu Festival kicks off in Suva today, reuniting all 17 villages for three days of culture, fundraising and entertainment, with soli money returned to each village for local projects like church rebuilding after TC Winston. Pacific Violence Prevention: A 27-member Pacific delegation is in Bangkok for SVRI Forum 2026, presenting Pacific-led prevention work against violence against women and girls, including sport-and-faith approaches from Solomon Islands. Community Safety: Fiji Police in the Northern Division flag rising drugs and HIV alongside teenage pregnancies, school dropouts and youth crime, urging stronger family, school and church partnerships through renewed crime prevention committees. Rugby Pathways & 7s: QVS student Viliame Tuilaucala Bale has joined the Fijian Drua development squad, while Axellerate extends its Coral Coast 7s apparel partnership for three years. Flying Fijians Coaching Watch: Defence coach Shaun Edwards is shortlisted for the Flying Fijians head coach role, with Fiji Rugby Union saying the final process is underway. Climate Pressure: Pacific climate advocates at pre-COP31 in Fiji urge Australia to stop approving coal mines, arguing the ICJ climate ruling should be applied first.

Vanuabalavu Festival: The sixth Vanuabalavu Festival kicks off in Suva today, reuniting all 17 villages for culture, fundraising and entertainment, with each village keeping its own soli funds for community projects like church rebuilding. Fiji Sports Court: The Fiji Sports Council has applied to strike out former CEO Gilbert Vakalalabure’s defamation claim in court, with the case set to return on November 17. El Niño Impact: UNICEF warns El Niño could threaten 347 million children across nearly 100 countries, with Asia and the Pacific among the hardest hit. Yasawa Tourism: A cruise spotlighted the Yasawa Islands and Blue Lagoon Cruises, highlighting village visits, cultural etiquette and sustainable tourism. Flying Fijians Coaching Watch: Fiji Rugby Union says the new Flying Fijians head coach will be announced early next week, with candidates reportedly including Jake White and Warren Gatland. Sukuna Bowl Focus: FBC renews its partnership for live Sukuna Bowl coverage, while organisers push a “Drug Free Fiji” theme tackling drug abuse and HIV. Language Through Music: Vatu Dei and The KaRs release a children’s Fijian-language song for Fijian Language Week, aiming to get tamariki singing Vosa Vakaviti. Skipper Cup Rugby: Naitasiri and Malolo meet in Sigatoka on Friday, with the match airing live on FBC Sports. Community Sport: Pacific Heavy Industries backs Nadi football ahead of the 2026 FMF Inter-District Championship.

Rugby League World Cup: Fiji has confirmed its 23-man Rugby League World Cup squad, with big exclusions including Viliame Kikau and Jahream Bula, while the Fainu brothers are ruled ineligible; Apisai Koroisau is set to captain as Fiji opens against the Cook Islands on Oct 18. World Cup squads shake-ups: Tonga named a stacked 24-man squad with Tyson Frizell in line to play for a third country, while Samoa’s powerhouse list is set despite Payne Haas missing out due to hand surgery. Flying Fijians coaching hunt: Fiji Rugby Union says the new FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach will be announced early next week after a second round of interviews; Jake White and Warren Gatland are among reported contenders. Sukuna Bowl spotlight: FBC has renewed its partnership to broadcast the Sukuna Bowl live, as the tournament ramps up with a strong anti-drug and HIV message. Culture and language: Vatu Dei and The KaRs released a new children’s song in Vosa Vakaviti during Fijian Language Week, aiming to make Fijian language fun for tamariki and whānau. Community arts & sport: Vanuabalavu Day runs this week with a focus on community development, investment and cultural preservation, while Pacific Heavy Industries backs Nadi football ahead of the FMF Inter-District Championship. Public health and youth: Waisale Serevi urged fathers to be present and guide children amid concerns over drugs and HIV, and Justice Selina Kuruleca called on young people to use social media to build understanding rather than division.

Strava Security Alert: A 1News investigation warns that fitness app data can reveal “pattern of life” details about NZDF staff across Pacific bases, with hundreds of accounts mapped under real names. Flying Fijians Coaching Watch: Fiji Rugby Union says the new Flying Fijians head coach will be announced early next week after a second interview round; 31 applications include reports linking Warren Gatland and Jake White. NRL World Cup Focus (Fiji): Fiji confirmed its Rugby League World Cup squad with major injury exclusions (including Viliame Kikau and Jahream Bula) and eligibility issues for the Fainu brothers, with Apisai Koroisau named captain. Climate Diplomacy in Nadi: Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal arrives for Fiji’s Pre-COP Leaders’ Event, while PM Rabuka urges leaders to back climate action that reaches Pacific frontlines now. Pacific Climate Finance Push: Kiribati calls for a COP31 “ex-post” climate finance window that reimburses islands after protection works are built. Community & Sport: Colonial War Memorial Hospital doctors held a sports day to build camaraderie across departments. Youth Peacebuilding: Selina Kuruleca urged young people at Suva’s Walk With Me concert to respect differences and become peacebuilders online. Cuesports Debut: Fiji makes its Commonwealth cuesports debut with a three-player snooker team heading to Ahmedabad. Sukuna Bowl Sponsorship: Vodafone Fiji boosts support for the 75th Sukuna Bowl rivalry between the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Fiji Police.

NRL World Cup build-up: Australia has named its men’s Rugby League World Cup squad, with Kevin Walters hinting at fullback options after the Roosters’ grand final win; Fiji is also in the tournament mix and the full 33-match schedule runs Oct 15–Nov 15 across Australia, PNG and New Zealand. Fiji sport funding: Vodafone Fiji boosts its Sukuna Bowl sponsorship to $100,000 for the 75th rivalry between Fiji Military Forces and Fiji Police. Deaf rugby push: Fiji’s deaf men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams still need $50,000–$70,000 to reach Tokyo for the World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship, with work and family commitments adding pressure. Climate action at pre-COP31: PM Sitiveni Rabuka urges leaders in Nadi to back climate finance that reaches communities “now,” while Pacific ministers demand tangible outcomes like ex-post reimbursement for completed projects. Youth and peace online: Selina Kuruleca backs a “Walk With Me” message—respect differences, build understanding, and think before posting. Cuesports debut: Fiji makes its Commonwealth Cuesports Championship debut with a three-player snooker team heading to Ahmedabad. Fiji Golf Open 2026: Defending amateur champions and a strong pro field set the benchmark at the Fiji Golf Club in Suva from Oct 9–11. Plastic-to-homes idea: A Fiji pilot aims to turn hard-to-recycle plastic into climate-resilient, 3D-printed housing with Pacific Recycling Foundation and UNSW.