Telebere News

Young entrepreneurs in Honiara will soon have a new platform to showcase their talents and grow their businesses following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) and the King Solomon Hotel. The agreement, signed today at the hotel’s Troppo Restaurant, formalises a partnership to host a Monthly Sunday Arts and Crafts Market at the King Solomon Hotel. The MOU was signed by Hotel Manager Ms Carolyn Blacklock and YECSI Vice Chairlady Ms Debbie Lukisi. Speaking at the signing, Ms Lukisi acknowledged the strong support shown by the hotel’s management in endorsing YECSI’s proposal. She said the partnership offers a meaningful opportunity to begin 2026 on a positive and empowering note for young entrepreneurs. “This collaboration creates an accessible and supportive space for our members to promote and market their products while building confidence and business skills,” Ms Lukisi said. Moses Jnr Aumana, Co...

Nominations are now open for the second annual Women’s Leadership Award under the Australia Awards program, recognising outstanding women leaders who are driving development across the Solomon Islands. The award honours a female alumna of the Australia Awards for her exceptional contribution to national development and community progress. The successful recipient will receive a cash grant of AUD 5,000 to support her ongoing professional development and leadership journey. The Women’s Leadership Award celebrates women who demonstrate excellence, resilience and dedication in their respective fields. It recognises leaders who inspire positive change, break barriers, create opportunities for others and serve as role models for future generations. Women leaders in the Solomon Islands continue to play a vital role in shaping communities and strengthening institutions across sectors including education, health, business, governance and civil society. Through this award, Australia ...

Tourism development in Solomon Islands’ Western Province has received a significant boost with the official opening of Phase One of the new Zaru Hotel in Gizo. The hotel was officially opened by Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Choylin Yim Douglas, who described the development as a milestone for the province and the country’s broader tourism growth strategy. Minister  Choylin Yim Douglas  officially opening Zaru Hotel assisted by Wendy Kwan the daughter of the hotel’s owner, Mr Jacob Kwan. The first phase of the project features 16 guest rooms, a fully equipped conference facility, and commercial rental spaces. The new infrastructure is expected to strengthen Gizo’s position within the Solomon Islands’ main tourism corridor by supporting leisure visitors, business travellers, and small-scale events. The addition of conference facilities marks a notable shift for Western Province, which has traditionally been known for leisure tourism. The new space opens opportuniti...

Pig farmers in Gwaonaoa village, West Kwara’ae, Malaita Province, are transitioning from traditional subsistence farming to a structured commercial agribusiness model through a partnership between the Solomon Islands Government and the World Bank. The initiative is supported under the Solomon Islands Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART) Project, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) with funding from the World Bank. Through the project, the Gwaonaoa community has established the Arise Rural Farm Community Company Limited to modernise and strengthen its local piggery operations. The company is one of 45 Agribusiness Producer Organisations (ABPOs) in Malaita Province currently receiving targeted support under SIART. Infrastructure and Financial Support The transition is backed by a $200,000 grant agreement aimed at upgrading infrastructure and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the piggery business. Chairperson Anthony Aumae said the funding i...

When it comes to building first-class infrastructure, Patrick Sali proves that disability is no barrier to excellence. Leading a team of 15 plasterers on the Australian-supported Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre, Patrick, who has a speech and hearing impairment, is setting new standards for both craftsmanship and inclusion in Solomon Islands’ construction sector. Using sign language to communicate, Patrick coordinates his team with precision and professionalism. Patrick Sali (Left) uses sign language to communicate with his team while completing plasterwork at the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre . His colleagues say working alongside him has been a learning experience, gaining new skills while appreciating the dedication and expertise he brings to every project. “Patrick’s leadership demonstrates that inclusive workplaces not only empower individuals with disabilities but also elevate the quality and efficiency of the work delivered,” said Australian High Commissione...

Insight from the World Bank’s “A Healthy Future” report, tailored to local challenges and priorities A new health study released by the World Bank underscores the growing challenge of chronic diseases and the importance of strong primary health care systems across East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) — lessons that resonate strongly with the Solomon Islands’ own health goals. Titled A Healthy Future: Primary Health Care and the Chronic Disease Epidemic in East Asia and Pacific, the report finds that while overall health outcomes like life expectancy have improved in the region, many people are living longer but spending more years in poor health due to chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) — including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. A Health Challenge Across the Region — and at Home In the Solomon Islands, non-communicable diseases already account for a large share of deaths each year. Recent data suggest that about seven out of ten deaths are linked to NCDs...

Efforts to strengthen collaboration and coordination across the Solomon Islands’ growing calendar of cultural, music and sporting events are gathering pace following a high-level meeting between the Ministry of Culture & Tourism (MCT), Tourism Solomons and national event organisers. Chaired by MCT Director of Tourism, Greg Auta’a, the meeting was held at the national tourist office in Honiara and focused on developing a more coordinated approach to planning and promoting major events across the country. Pictured, third from left, MCT Director of Tourism, Greg Auta’a with members of the Tourism Solomons team and event organisers attending the meeting. Discussions centred on how MCT and Tourism Solomons can better support organisers through improved coordination, earlier engagement in the planning process and strengthened marketing efforts. Participants also explored practical measures to help event organisers and provincial tourism authorities better align their timelines to m...

Reflecting significant developments currently shaping the Solomon Islands’ tourism landscape. Tourism Solomons has announced ‘Strategic Transition’ as the theme for the 2026 Tourism in Focus conference taking place at the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel on Thursday. Tourism Solomons Acting CEO, Dagnal Dereveke said the ‘Strategic Transition’ theme represents refocused progress and signals clear direction for the tourism sector’s next phase of sustainable growth. The new direction, he said, is seen as timely with Tourism Solomons’ Organisational Strategic Plan (2023–2025) having concluded on 31 December 2025 and dovetails with the Ministry of Culture & Tourism’s National Policy and National Tourism Strategy, which is now underway. Tourism Solomons Acting CEO Dagnal Dereveke - standing second left - with the Tourism Solomons Head Office team. Photo - Tourism Solomons A major component of this transition is the evolution of the destination brand from the highly-successful ‘Solomons I...

In a strategic move to turn local culture into a global drawcard, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) and Tourism Solomons have issued a call for a unified approach to national event planning. A high-level engagement meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, 12 February 2026, inviting organizers of the country’s premier annual festivals to the Tourism Solomons Head Office. The goal is to address a long-standing hurdle in the industry: the lack of early, confirmed event dates that has previously hindered international marketing and travel packaging. Culture as the "DNA" of Tourism Events like the Roviana Lagoon Festival, Shell Money Festival, Wogasia Festival, and Tinakula Festival are considered the bedrock of the Solomon Islands' tourism identity. Beyond cultural preservation, these celebrations are increasingly vital to local economies. When visitors travel for these events, they provide a direct financial boost to provincial transport providers, accommodat...

More than SBD3 billion (AUD550 million) in new Australian grant financing is set to flow into Pacific infrastructure, with renewable energy and climate-resilient projects at the centre of the investment, positioning Solomon Islands to benefit both immediately and long term. The funding announcement, made last week by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, reinforces Australia’s growing financial footprint in clean energy infrastructure across the Pacific. In Solomon Islands, that investment is already delivering savings, cutting fuel costs, and reducing reliance on imported diesel. The solar and battery system at Buala Market will support clean, renewable power to essential services event during extended periods of rain. At the soon-to-open Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre, 350 solar panels will supply free daytime electricity, significantly lowering operating costs for the health facility while improving energy reliability. Across the provinces, newly constructed markets in ...

Preparatory work for the construction of new Agriculture office buildings in Auki, Malaita Province and Kirakira, Makira/Ulawa Province are currently underway. The construction of the two modern office buildings is funded under a partnership between  the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and the World Bank through the Solomon  Islands Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART) Project. A SIART Project team travelled to both provincial capitals in January 2026 to conduct site  visits and inspections and to engage with the contractors and provincial government  representatives. Preparatory works for the construction of the Auki Provincial MAL Office are ongoing while a  retaining wall construction currently underway onsite is under technical review. Timely design review and formal guidance are required to ensure that construction proceeds  safely and in compliance with approved project requirements. In Kirakira, pre-construction work will now ...

A young changemaker from the Solomon Islands, Maverick Peter Seda, has been named one of 20 regional finalists for the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work. The announcement was made today by the Commonwealth Secretariat, recognising outstanding young leaders from across the 56 member nations. The Commonwealth Youth Awards celebrate the contributions of young people aged 15–29 who are leading innovative, community-driven development work that supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year’s awards attracted a record 977 applications, underscoring the growing commitment of youth to drive positive change around the world. Among this year’s finalists, Maverick Peter Seda, representing the Solomon Islands, and he stands out for his exceptional work in community leadership, innovation and sustainable impact. Seda joins other finalists from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada, and the Pacific. “At the Commonwealth Secretariat,...

From kitchens, cafés, and training rooms across Honiara, thirteen Solomon Islanders recently completed a hands-on workshop in Hospitality Drink Preparation Skills, delivered through the Pacific Australia Skills program. These professionals are stepping forward with newfound confidence and skills that can open doors to work, small businesses, and future opportunities. Students proudly showcasing their end products after a hands-on practical in cocktail and smoothie preparation. Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Jeff Roach, acknowledged the importance of training that is practical and responds to the needs of industry, and enhances employability for Solomon Islanders. “Australian programs are creating jobs and building a skilled workforce in Solomon Islands, focused on long-term economic growth and creating opportunities for young people and women”, High Commissioner Roach said. “We know that jobs and growth are the top priority for the Solomon Islands Government, ...