Telebere News

Solomon Islands’ reputation as a world-class diving destination is set to receive a major boost, with Emperor Divers preparing to open a new full-service dive centre in Munda, Western Province, later this year. Based at Zipolo Habu Resort on Lola Island, the Munda dive centre will expand access to some of Western Province’s most sought-after scuba diving experiences, including reefs, wrecks and lagoon sites around Munda, Vonavona Lagoon, Rendova and nearby areas. The expansion builds on Emperor Divers’ existing presence in the country, which includes the liveaboard Emperor Bilikiki and a day diving centre in Honiara. By combining Emperor Divers’ operating standards with the local knowledge of Bilikiki, which has been active in Solomon Islands since 1988, the company says the centre will support both visiting divers and the wider tourism offering in Western Province. The full-service centre will include compressors, cylinders, rental equipment and dive boats, supporting organise...

With around 70 percent of Solomon Islands’ population under the age of 34, strengthening opportunities for young people remains a national priority, particularly as many continue to face challenges accessing employment, practical business skills, finance, markets and mentoring. Against this backdrop, the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) Board and Secretariat paid a courtesy visit to the new Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, Hon. John Maneniaru, on Wednesday, opening discussions on stronger cooperation to advance youth enterprise development. The visit provided an opportunity for YECSI to congratulate Minister Maneniaru on his appointment and brief him on the Council’s work since its establishment in 2018, including its efforts to support young Solomon Islanders who are starting businesses, developing enterprise ideas and seeking pathways to sustainable livelihoods. “Young people should not only be seen as beneficiaries of development, but as...

Young entrepreneurs in Honiara had the opportunity to learn directly from established business owners during the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands quarterly IGNITE Session, held yesterday at the Solomon Islands National Art Gallery. The session brought together YECSI members and local entrepreneurs for an interactive conversation on the realities of starting and sustaining a business in Solomon Islands.  It created a space where young people could hear practical advice, ask questions and draw motivation from those already working in the formal business sector. Featured speakers for the session were Watson Maeletete, owner of Pathways Solutions, and David Siata, owner of Graceland Architect.  Both shared their entrepreneurial journeys, including the lessons, challenges and decisions that shaped their businesses. Their stories highlighted the importance of resilience, mindset, access to information, networking, marketing, planning and long-term commitment.  ...

Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Wale will take Solomon Islands’ voice to the regional stage in Palau next week, where he is set to deliver the keynote address at a Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) side event during the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. The event, to be held in Koror on 31 August 2026, will place the spotlight on fisheries as one of the Pacific’s most important sources of livelihoods, food security, government revenue and future prosperity. Prime Minister Wale, who is the outgoing Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, is expected to use the opportunity to reinforce the need for Pacific-led cooperation in safeguarding the region’s ocean resources and ensuring fisheries continue to benefit Pacific communities. Ahead of the Leaders Meeting, the Prime Minister visited the FFA headquarters in Honiara on Monday, 24 August, where he was briefed on the agency’s work and toured the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC). The RFSC plays a central...

After more than two decades helping shape tourism across Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific, Andrew Nihopara is returning to Tourism Solomons at a defining moment for the national tourism office. Tourism Solomons has announced Mr Nihopara as its new Chief Executive Officer, a decision the organisation says brings experienced leadership, regional insight and a strong international profile to the country’s tourism sector. The appointment comes as Solomon Islands works to sharpen its presence in international visitor markets and position the destination more confidently across the Asia-Pacific region. With the CEO role vacant for more than five years, Mr Nihopara’s arrival marks a significant leadership milestone for Tourism Solomons. For Mr Nihopara , the role is also a return to familiar ground. He previously served as Head of Marketing for Tourism Solomons from 2001 to 2004 , before going on to hold senior regional tourism positions, including Marketing Manager and Deputy C...

Young people across Ngossi Ward have taken an important step forward in community leadership following the establishment of the Ngossi Ward Youth Committee 2026. Formed under the theme “ Youth Voices. Community Actions .” , the committee provides a structured platform for young people to participate in leadership, community development, and the wider national youth structure. The election brought together youth representatives from communities across Ngossi Ward, including Ngossi Valley, Ngossi Ridge, Rock Valley, Independence Valley, Wind Valley, White River Upper Central, Central White River, Wind Valley SDA, Banana Valley, Kanava Youth Association, and TMC Foundation. The event was held at the White River Police Station leaf hut and marked a significant milestone for youth representation in the ward. It created space for young leaders from different communities to come together, share responsibility, and prepare to support development priorities affecting young people. New...

Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Wale has reaffirmed the GREAT Coalition Government’s commitment to empowering provincial governments, following a meeting with Makira-Ulawa Premier Hon. Stanley Siapu and his executive in Honiara. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Makira-Ulawa Provincial Government to present its development priorities and aspirations directly to the Prime Minister, with discussions centred on reforms aimed at strengthening provincial governance and improving service delivery to communities. Prime Minister Wale said the Government’s reform agenda is focused on giving provinces greater responsibility, resources, functions and human capacity so they can deliver services closer to the people. He said work will continue to strengthen the provincial government system, including consideration of revenue-sharing arrangements and further review of the legislative framework that governs provincial governments. “Rather than getting stuck on titles such as state or fe...

For thousands of Solomon Islanders, the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has become more than a pathway to work overseas. It has become a story of skills, opportunity, family support and national pride. That story reached a major new chapter this month, with Solomon Islands marking more than 13,000 deployments to Australia through the PALM scheme. The milestone reflects the strong reputation Solomon Islanders have built with Australian employers, as well as the systems put in place by the Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) to prepare workers for life and work in Australia. Director of the LMU, Christina Maoma, said reaching 13,000 deployments was a proud moment and the result of years of steady work to connect employers with well-prepared Solomon Islands workers. Solomon Islanders work as fruit pickers for Nutrano, an Australian fruit and vegetable producer . “I am very proud we have reached this milestone. There has been a lot of work put into preparing workers and making...

Students in Dala North and Laugwata communities in West Kwara’ae now have access to safer and more spacious learning environments following the completion of two new classroom projects supported through the Solomon Islands–Australia Community Partnerships program. Heather Murphy, Political Counsellor, Australian High Commission officially hands over the keys to the new classroom building at Dala North CHS.   At Dala North Community High School, a new three-classroom building has been completed to help the school accommodate its approximately 400 enrolled students. In neighbouring Laugwata, a new classroom block containing three classrooms and an office is expected to benefit students from six highland communities, representing a combined population of more than 3,000 people. The three new classrooms at Dala North CHS will help the school to adequately accommodate for the 400 students enrolled. Before the project, students in Laugwata faced challenges accessing suitable secondar...

Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Wale says Solomon Islands’ young entrepreneurs, women-led businesses and indigenous companies must have a meaningful place in the country’s growing investment relationship with Papua New Guinea. Speaking at the inaugural PNG–Solomon Islands Investment Conference at Heritage Park Hotel, Prime Minister Wale said investment should create opportunities beyond major companies and urban centres. “Indigenous entrepreneurship is not a footnote to this conference, it is the point of it,” he said. For young Solomon Islanders, the message is particularly important as the country looks for new ways to create jobs, grow businesses and provide opportunities for the next generation. Prime Minister Wale said PNG companies investing in Solomon Islands should build partnerships with local businesses rather than simply operating alongside them. He highlighted joint ventures, local supply contracts, technical skills development and pathways for local ownership as impo...

Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Wale has urged Solomon Islands’ development partners to work more closely with the Government to deliver practical results that support national priorities and improve the lives of Solomon Islanders. Speaking at the opening of the Solomon Islands Development Partnership Summit 2026 at Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara, Prime Minister Wale said development cooperation must move beyond dialogue and individual projects toward a coordinated national effort focused on implementation, accountability and long-term transformation. The Prime Minister acknowledged the major role development partners have played in supporting the country’s progress, noting that between 2016 and 2021 they contributed SBD$8.8 billion of the SBD$13.6 billion mobilised for development. He said the GREAT Coalition Government’s reform agenda is centred on strengthening institutions, restoring public trust, upholding the rule of law and ensuring that Government services respond to the need...

Australia and Solomon Islands have opened a new Western Border Outpost in the Shortland Islands, strengthening cooperation on border management, maritime security and national security. Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, officially opened the facility today alongside Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Public Service, the Hon Francis Sade. The outpost brings together the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, Customs, Immigration and Biosecurity officials in one location, supporting stronger coordination and more effective border operations in the western border region. A partnership investment in border security The opening ceremony was also attended by the Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, the Hon John Tuhaika Jnr., and the Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, the Hon Harry Kuma. The Western Border Outpost is a jointly delivered infrastructure project between the Austr...