2006 in Oceania

none Incumbents American Samoa (U.S. territory) Governor – Togiola Tulafono Australia Monarch – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Michael Jeffery Prime Minister – John Howard Cook Islands (self-governing territory of New Zealand) High Commissioner – John Bryan Queen's Representative – Frederick Goodwin Prime Minister – Jim Marurai East Timor President - Xanana Gusmão Prime Minister - Marí Alkatiri (until 26 June), José Ramos-Horta (8 July onward) Fiji President - Ratu Josefa Iloilo Prime Minister – Laisenia Qarase, Prime Minister of Fiji (until 5 December), Jona Senilagakali (5 December onward) French Polynesia (overseas collectivity of France) High Commissioner - Anne Boquet (acting) President of the Government - Oscar Temaru (until 26 December), Gaston Tong Sang (26 December onward) Guam Governor - Felix Perez Camacho Hawaii Governor - Linda Lingle (R) Senators - Daniel Inouye (D) and Daniel Akaka (D) Representatives - Neil Abercrombie (D) and Ed Case (D) Kiribati President - Anote Tong Marshall Islands President - Kessai Note Federated States of Micronesia President - Joseph Urusemal Nauru President - Ludwig Scotty New Caledonia (special collectivity of France) High Commissioner - Michel Mathieu President of the Government - Marie-Noëlle Thémereau New Zealand Monarch – Elizabeth II Governor-General - Dame Silvia Cartwright (until 4 August), Anand Satyanand (4 August onward) Prime Minister – Helen Clark Niue (associated state of New Zealand) Resident Commissioner - Sandra Lee-Vercoe Prime Minister – Young Vivian Norfolk Island Administrator - Grant Tambling Chief Minister - Geoff Gardner (until 2 June), David Buffett (2 June onward) Northern Mariana Islands (Commonwealth of the U.S.) Governor - Juan Babauta (until 9 January), Benigno Fitial (9 January onward) Palau President - Thomas Remengesau Jr. Papua New Guinea Monarch – Elizabeth II Governor-General - Sir Paulias Matane Prime Minister – Sir Michael Somare Bougainville (autonomous region of Papua New Guinea) President - Joseph Kabui Pitcairn Islands (overseas territory of the United Kingdom) Governor - Richard Fell (until 2 May), George Fergusson (2 May onward) Commissioner - Leslie Jacques Mayor - Jay Warren Samoa O le Ao o le Malo – Malietoa Tanumafili II Prime Minister – Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi Solomon Islands Monarch – Elizabeth II Governor-General - Sir Nathaniel Waena Prime Minister – Sir Allan Kemakeza (until 20 April), Snyder Rini (20 April – 4 May), Manasseh Sogavare (4 May onward) Tokelau (territory of New Zealand) Administrator - Neil Walter (until 17 October), David Payton (17 October onward) Head of Government - Pio Tuia (until 15 February), Kolouei O'Brien (15 February onward) Tonga Monarch – Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV (until 10 September), George Tupou V (10 September onward) Prime Minister – Prince ʻUlukālala Lavaka Ata (until 11 February), Feleti Sevele (13 February onward) Tuvalu Monarch – Elizabeth II Governor-General - Filoimea Telito Prime Minister – Maatia Toafa (until 14 August), Apisai Ielemia (14 August onward) Vanuatu President - Kalkot Mataskelekele Prime Minister – Ham Lini Wallis and Futuna (overseas collectivity of France) Administrator-Superior - Xavier de Furst President of the Territorial Assembly - Apeleto Likuvalu Events January February February 13: Tongan Prime Minister Prince ʻUlukālala Lavaka Ata resigns suddenly on 11 February 2006, and also gives up his other cabinet portfolios. He was replaced in the interim by the elected Minister of Labour, Dr. Feleti Sevele.TONGA: Prime Minister Resigns, Effective Immediately http://www.pacificislands.cc/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=20227 1 August 2026 Pacific Magazine 13 February 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060813221052/http://www.pacificislands.cc/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=20227 13 August 2006 dead February 16: Tokelau will remain a New Zealand territory after a referendum on independence. A 60 percent majority voted in favor of independence, but a two-thirds majority was required for the referendum to succeed. February 20: Retired scientist Don Kennedy suggests the entire population of Tuvalu should move to the Fijian island of Kioa, to preserve Tuvaluan culture as their homeland becomes uninhabitable due to rising sea levels.FIJI: Political Parties Cautious On Tuvalu-Kioa Plan http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2006/02/21/fiji-political-parties-cautious-on-tuvalu-kioa-plan 1 August 2026 21 February 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061023191321/http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2006/02/21/fiji-political-parties-cautious-on-tuvalu-kioa-plan 23 October 2006 dead February 20: The Papua New Guinea Electoral Boundaries Commission presents its report suggesting 26 new Open electorates be created for the scheduled 2007 election.PNG electoral officials recommend the creation of new seats https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/160441/png-electoral-officials-recommend-the-creation-of-new-seats 1 August 2026 RNZ 21 February 2006 en-nz February 20: Officials in Guam warn people not to eat fish caught in Merizo's Cocos Lagoon due to major polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination from a former United States Coast Guard station on Cocos Island.Cruz Manny Fishermen lack details on Cocos contamination https://www.postguam.com/news/local/fishermen-lack-details-on-cocos-contamination/article_fc143350-8958-11e7-8432-578e250cb6a8.html 1 August 2026 The Guam Daily Post 4 September 2017 en February 24: Benigno R. Fitial announces the Northern Mariana Islands will host the 2006 Micronesian Games from June 23, 2006 to July 7, 2006.CNMI: Micronesian Games To Go On, Governor Says http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2006/02/25/cnmi-micronesian-games-to-go-on-governor-says 1 August 2026 Pacific Magazine 25 February 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20070313104746/http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2006/02/25/cnmi-micronesian-games-to-go-on-governor-says 13 March 2007 February 27: Vanuatu's Commodities Marketing Board takes over the export of kava, Vanuatu's third largest export earner. The Fisheries and Quarantine department, who were previously responsible for kava, protested the move due to their view that the VCMB did not have the expertise needed.Control of kava again given to Vanuatu's Commodities and Marketing Board https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/162181/control-of-kava-again-given-to-vanuatu%27s-commodities-and-marketing-board 1 August 2026 RNZ 22 May 2006 en-nz February 27: More than a quarter of the soldiers in East Timor's Army quit in protest over conditions and promotion rules.Nelson denies East Timor security risks over resignations http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1579429.htm 1 August 2026 ABC 27 February 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20070311050505/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1579429.htm 11 March 2007 March March 1: Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase announces that the 2006 Fiji general elections will be held in the second week of May from the 6th to the 13th.Hassall Graham Bolenga Jeannette Fraenkel Jon Firth Stewart From Election to Coup in Fiji 2007 ANU Press 52-63 https://www.jstor.org/content/oa_chapter_edited/j.ctt24hbbn.16 1 August 2026 en 5 Election observation missions to the 2006 Fiji election March 2: The Pitcairn Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal against the 2004 sexual assault trial. Randall Christian's appeal against indecent assault of a girl aged under 13 was upheld, but this doesn't affect his sentence of six years on other charges. The men will now appeal to the Privy Council in London.Pitcairn Islanders now appeal to Privy Council https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/pitcairn-islanders-now-appeal-to-privy-council/OSZL77K7MIIRGA3PNWNLCC2SOU/ 1 August 2026 NZ Herald 2 March 2006 en-NZ March 2: The United Nations working group on mercenaries asks Fiji and Papua New Guinea for permission to send a team to investigate the presence of former Fijian soldiers in Bougainville.Bougainville: UN Asks for Invitation to Investigate Mercenaries https://unpo.org/article/3886 Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization 1 August 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20100903033837/https://unpo.org/article/3886 3 September 2010 2 March 2006 March 3: Papua New Guinea Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Don Polye announces an open air policy, which would allow other airlines to compete with Air Niugini on international routes into and from Papua New Guinea. The policy took effect from 2007.Air Brunei set to offer competition for Papua New Guinea carrier https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/160665/air-brunei-set-to-offer-competition-for-papua-new-guinea-carrier RNZ 3 March 2006 March 4: A fire damages the central Papeete power station, resulting in limited power for some areas of Tahiti for a couple of weeks.Fire damages Tahiti power plant https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/160704/fire-damages-tahiti-power-plant 1 August 2026 RNZ 6 March 2006 en-nz March 8: Fijian President Ratu Josefa Iloilo and Vice-President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi are re-elected to another five-year term. March 10: The Pasifika Festival opens in Auckland New Zealand. The annual festival is the largest Pacific Islands community event. It lasts for a month, and covers cultural, sporting and business events.Star-studded line-up announced for Pasifika Fest Scoop News https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0601/S00098/star-studded-line-up-announced-for-pasifika-fest.htm www.scoop.co.nz 1 August 2026 25 January 2006 March 14: The Ka Loko Reservoir dam in Kauai, Hawaii bursts, killing one man and leaving six others missing.http://starbulletin.com/2006/03/15/news/story01.html Crisis on Kauai Honolulu StarBulletin) https://web.archive.org/web/20060408115319/http://starbulletin.com/2006/03/15/news/story01.html 2006-04-08 dead March 21: Solomon Islands Labour Party leader Joses Tuhanuku alleges Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza is directly implicated in corrupt aid payments by Taiwan to local politicians.Solomons party leader loses seat https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-04-06/solomons-party-leader-loses-seat/1725486 1 August 2026 ABC News 6 April 2006 en-AU March 26: RFO television news in New Caledonia was cancelled for two days due to a strike in protest at the sacking of a technician.NEW CALEDONIA: RFO TV news back on air http://www.pmw.c2o.org/2006/kanaky4902.html Pacific Media Watch 1 August 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20060421091745/http://www.pmw.c2o.org/2006/kanaky4902.html 21 April 2006 26 March 2006 dead March 26: East Timor's Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, calls for calm after former soldiers looted shops and threw stones at opponents in Dili. 591 soldiers were dismissed from the army in the previous week after deserting their posts.E. Timor president pleads for calm - May 29, 2006 https://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/05/29/timor.unrest/index.html 1 August 2026 edition.cnn.com 30 May 2006 en March 29: A sewer pipe leak at Waikiki in Hawaii is repaired, but several popular beaches were left polluted.Leone Diana Still nasty http://starbulletin.com/2006/03/30/news/story01.html 1 August 2026 Honolulu StarBulletin 30 March 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060407091610/http://starbulletin.com/2006/03/30/news/story01.html 7 April 2006 March 30: Hiro Tefaarere, the French Polynesian minister for small and medium enterprises, resigns due to disagreements with the ruling coalition, and his failure to gain support for two development projects.French Polynesian minister Tefaarere resigns https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/161179/french-polynesian-minister-tefaarere-resigns 1 August 2026 RNZ 30 March 2006 en-nz March 30: Feleti Sevele is confirmed as the new Prime Minister of Tonga.Sevele confirmed as Tongan PM https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/161205/sevele-confirmed-as-tongan-pm 1 August 2026 RNZ 31 March 2006 April April 2: The Human Rights Protection Party wins Samoa's general election. The HRPP was already the ruling party, and its leader Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi the Prime Minister, but the party did better in the election than polls had indicated.Ruling party wins Samoan poll https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-04-02/ruling-party-wins-samoan-poll/1721914 1 August 2026 ABC News 2 April 2006 en-AU April 3: Solomon Islands Police Commissioner Shane Castles confirms Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza is under investigation for fraud.Solomons police confirm PM under fraud investigation https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/161234/solomons-police-confirm-pm-under-fraud-investigation RNZ 3 April 2006 en-nz April 5: Air Kiribati has given redundancy notices to its staff due to a lack of revenue, with half of their staff laid off through the process.Air Kiribati to lay off half of its employees https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/161274/air-kiribati-to-lay-off-half-of-its-employees 1 August 2026 RNZ 4 April 2006 April 5: Voting in the 2006 Solomon Islands general election takes place, with observers reporting a free and fair election.http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=130/focusContentID=4221/tableName=mediaRelease/overideSkinName=newsArticle-full.tpl Observers endorse elections Islands Business 29 January 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070310194310/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=130/focusContentID=4221/tableName=mediaRelease/overideSkinName=newsArticle-full.tpl 10 March 2007 dead April 6: French police apologise for tear gassing women and children during clashes with Kanak activists in New Caledonia over environmental protections.French police sorry for teargassing women and children in New Caledonian clash https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/161315/french-police-sorry-for-teargassing-women-and-children-in-new-caledonian-clash 1 August 2026 RNZ 6 April 2006 April 6: Papua New Guinea imposes an agricultural quarantine over the province of East New Britain to contain the spread of the cocoa pod borer linked to logging companies.Logging companies in PNG blamed for presence of cocoa disease https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/161349/logging-companies-in-png-blamed-for-presence-of-cocoa-disease 1 August 2026 RNZ 7 April 2006 April 18: The announcement of the new Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Snyder Rini, is met by riots in Honiara. Australia and New Zealand promise to send more troops to keep order.Jones Tony Australian troops arrive in the Solomon Islands https://www.abc.net.au/lateline/archive/articles/2006/04/19/s1619486.htm ABC Lateline 19 April 2006 en-AU April 20: 15,000 people march in Nouméa, New Caledonia to protest the high cost of living. The march is part of a 24-hour strike called by several trade unions.Thousands march in New Caledonia strike https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/161547/thousands-march-in-new-caledonia-strike 1 August 2026 RNZ 20 April 2006 April 25: Japan agrees to pay US$6.1 Billion towards the cost of moving 8,000 US Marines from Okinawa to Guam.McCurry Justin Japan to pay 60% of costs of moving US troops to Guam https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/apr/25/usa.japan 1 August 2026 The Guardian 24 April 2006 Sport 2006 Micronesian Games Deaths February 9: Ahomee, Tongan noble, 35, heart failure February 24: Tūtoatasi Fakafānua, Tongan noble, 44 July 5: ʻUluvalu, Tongan noble, 55, car accident September 10: Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, Tongan king, 88, old age References 2006 Oceania