2006 in Oceania 4189300 191121167 2008-02-13T11:57:19Z LarRan 4795501 /* Incumbents */ ''See also:'' [[2005 in Oceania]], [[2006|other events of 2006]], [[2006 in Australia]], [[2006 in New Zealand]], [[2007 in Oceania]] . ---- ==Summary== ==Incumbents== * '''[[American Samoa]] ([[United States|U.S.]] territory)''' **[[Togiola Tulafono]], Governor of American Samoa (2003–present) * '''[[Australia]]''' ** Monarch - [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]], [[Queen of Australia]] (1952–present) ** Governor-General - [[Michael Jeffery]], [[Governor-General of Australia]] (2003–present) ** Prime Minister - [[John Howard]], [[Prime Minister of Australia]] (1996–present) * '''[[Cook Islands]] (self-governing territory of [[New Zealand]])''' ** High Commissioner - [[John Bryan (diplomat)|John Bryan]], High Commissioner of the Cook Islands (2005–present) ** Queen's Representative - [[Frederick Goodwin]], Queen's Representative in the Cook Islands (2001–present) ** Prime Minister - [[Jim Marurai]], [[Prime Minister of the Cook Islands]] (2004–present) * '''[[East Timor]]''' **President - [[Xanana Gusmão]], [[President of East Timor]] (2002–present) **[[Prime Minister of East Timor|Prime Minister]] - [[Marí Alkatiri]], (2002 – [[26 June]] [[2006]]), [[José Ramos-Horta]] ([[8 July]] [[2006]] - present) * '''[[Fiji]]''' ** President - [[Ratu Josefa Iloilo]], [[President of Fiji]] (2000–present) ** Prime Minister - [[Laisenia Qarase]], [[Prime Minister of Fiji]] (2001–present) * '''[[French Polynesia]] ([[Collectivité d'outre-mer|French Overseas Country]])''' ** High Commissioner - [[Anne Boquet]], High Commissioner of French Polynesia (acting) (2005–present) ** President of the Government - [[Oscar Temaru]], President of the Government of French Polynesia (2005–December 2006). [[Gaston Tong Sang]] ([[December 26]] [[2006]] onward) * '''[[Guam]]''' ** Governor - [[Felix Perez Camacho]], [[List of Guam Governors|Governor of Guam]] (2003-present): * '''[[Hawaii]]''' ** Governor - [[Linda Lingle]] (R)| ** Senators - [[Daniel Inouye]] (D) [[Daniel Akaka]] (D) ** Representatives - [[Neil Abercrombie]] (D) [[Ed Case]] (D) * '''[[Kiribati]]''' **President - [[Anote Tong]], [[President of Kiribati]] (2003–present) * '''[[Marshall Islands]]''' **President - [[Kessai Note]], President of the Marshall Islands (2000–present) * '''[[Federated States of Micronesia]]''' **President - [[Joseph Urusemal]], President of the Federated States of Micronesia (2003–present) * '''[[Nauru]]''' **President - [[Ludwig Scotty]], [[President of Nauru]] (2004–present) * '''[[New Caledonia]] ([[French Overseas Country]])''' ** High Commissioner - [[Michel Mathieu]], High Commissioner of New Caledonia (2005–present) ** President of the Government - [[Marie-Noëlle Thémereau]], President of the Government of New Caledonia (2004–present) * '''[[New Zealand]]''' ** Monarch - [[Elizabeth II of New Zealand|Elizabeth II]], [[Monarchy in New Zealand|Queen of New Zealand]] (1952–present) ** Governor-General - Dame [[Silvia Cartwright]], [[Governor-General of New Zealand]] (2001–2006) ** Prime Minister - [[Helen Clark]], [[Prime Minister of New Zealand]] (1999–present) * '''[[Niue]] (associated state of [[New Zealand]])''' ** Resident Commissioner - [[Sandra Lee-Vercoe]], Resident Commissioner of Niue (2003–present) ** Prime Minister - [[Young Vivian]], Prime Minister of Niue (2002–present) * '''[[Norfolk Island]]''' ** Administrator - [[Grant Tambling]], [[Administrator of Norfolk Island]] (2003-present) ** Chief Minister - **# [[Geoffrey Robert Gardner]], [[Chief Minister of Norfolk Island]] (2001-2006) **# [[David Buffett]], [[Chief Minister of Norfolk Island]] (2006-present) * '''[[Northern Mariana Islands]] (Commonwealth of the [[United States|U.S.]])''' ** Governor - [[Juan Babauta]], Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands (2002–present) * '''[[Palau]]''' **President - [[Tommy Remengesau]], President of Palau (2001–present) * '''[[Papua New Guinea]]''' ** Monarch - [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]], [[Queen of Papua New Guinea]] (1975–present) ** Governor-General - Sir [[Paulias Matane]], [[Governor-General of Papua New Guinea]] (2004–present) ** Prime Minister - Sir [[Michael Somare]], [[Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea]] (2002–present) ** '''[[Bougainville Province|Bougainville]]''' - [[Joseph Kabui]], [[President of Bougainville Autonomous Government]] (2005-present) * '''[[Pitcairn Islands]] (overseas territory of the [[United Kingdom]])''' ** Governor - [[Richard Fell]], [[Governor of the Pitcairn Islands]] (2001–present) ** Commissioner - [[Leslie Jacques]], [[Commissioner of the Pitcairn Islands]] (2003–present) ** Mayor - [[Jay Warren]], [[Mayor of the Pitcairn Islands]] (2004–present) * '''[[Samoa]]''' ** Monarch - [[Malietoa Tanumafili II]], Head of State of Samoa (1963–present) ** Prime Minister - [[Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi]], Prime Minister of Samoa (1998–present) * '''[[Solomon Islands]]''' ** Monarch - [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]], Queen of the Solomon Islands (1978–present) ** Governor-General - [[Nathaniel Waena]], Governor-General of the Solomon Islands (2004–present) ** Prime Minister - Sir [[Allan Kemakeza]], Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands (2001–present) * '''[[Tokelau]] (territory of [[New Zealand]])''' ** Administrator - [[Neil Walter]], Administrator of Tokelau (2003–present) ** Head of Government - [[Pio Tuia]], Head of Government (2005–present) * '''[[Tonga]]''' ** Monarch **#[[Taufa'ahau Tupou IV|Tāufa{{okina}}āhau Tupou IV]], King of Tonga (1965–2006) **#[[George Tupou V]] (2006-present) ** Prime Minister - **# [['Aho'eitu 'Unuaki'otonga Tuku'aho|{{okina}}Aho{{okina}}eitu {{okina}}Unuaki{{okina}}otonga Tuku{{okina}}aho (Lavaka Ata {{okina}}Ulukālala)]], Prime Minister of Tonga (2000–2006) **# [[Feleti Sevele]], Acting Prime Minister of Tonga (2006–present) * '''[[Tuvalu]]''' ** Monarch - [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]], [[Queen of Tuvalu]] (1978–present) ** Governor-General - [[Filoimea Telito]], [[Governor-General of Tuvalu]] (2005–present) ** Prime Minister - [[Maatia Toafa]], [[Prime Minister of Tuvalu]] (2004–[[August 14]] [[2006]]), then [[Apisai Ielemia]]. * '''[[Vanuatu]]''' ** President - [[Kalkot Mataskelekele]], President of Vanuatu (2004–present) ** Prime Minister - [[Ham Lini]], Prime Minister of Vanuatu (2004–present) * '''[[Wallis and Futuna]] ([[France|French]] overseas [[Collectivité d'outre-mer|collectivity]])''' ** Administrator-Superior - [[Xavier de Furst]] Administrator-Superior of Wallis and Futuna (2005-present) ** President of the Territorial Assembly - [[Apeleto Likuvalu]] President of the Territorial Assembly (2005-present) == Events == ===January=== ===February=== *[[February 13]]: [[Tonga]]n Prime Minister Prince [['Aho'eitu 'Unuaki'otonga Tuku'aho|{{okina}}Aho{{okina}}eitu {{okina}}Unuaki{{okina}}otonga Tuku{{okina}}aho (Lavaka Ata {{okina}}Ulukālala)]] 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]]. [http://www.pacificislands.cc/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=20227 (Pacific Magazine)] *[[February 16]]: [[Tokelau]] will remain a [[New Zealand]] territory after a [[Tokelau self-determination referendum, 2006|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 [[Sea level rise|rising sea levels]]. [http://www.pacificmagazine.net/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=20421 (Pacific Islands)] *[[February 20]]: The [[Papua New Guinea]] Electoral Boundaries Commission presents its report suggesting [[Elections in Papua New Guinea|26 new Open electorates]] be created for the scheduled 2007 election. [http://www.thenational.com.pg/022106/nation1.htm (The National)] *[[February 20]]: Officials in [[Guam]] warn people not to eat fish caught in [[Merizo, Guam|Merizo]]'s Cocos Lagoon due to major [[polychlorinated biphenyl]] (PCB) contamination from a former [[United States Coast Guard]] station on [[Cocos Island (Guam)|Cocos Island]]. [http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060221/NEWS01/602210302/1002 (Pacific Daily News)] *[[February 24]]: [[Benigno R. Fitial]] announces the [[Northern Mariana Islands]] will host the [[2006 Micronesian Games]] from [[June 23]], [[2006]] to [[July 7]], [[2006]]. [http://www.pacificmagazine.net/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=20528 (Pacific Magazine)] [http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060221/NEWS01/602210302/1002 (Pacific Daily News)] *[[February 27]]: [[Vanuatu]]'s Commodities Marketing Board has taken over the export of [[kava]], Vanuatu's third largest export earner. The Fisheries and Quarantine department previously responsible for kava is protesting that VCMB does not have the expertise needed. [http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/bulletins/rnzi/200602271309/20241d5 (Radio New Zealand)] *[[February 27]]: More than a quarter of the soldiers in [[Military of East Timor|East Timor's Army]] have quit in the last few weeks in protest over conditions and promotion rules. [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1579429.htm (ABC)] ===March=== *[[March 1]]: [[Fiji]]an Prime Minister [[Laisenia Qarase]] announces that the [[Fiji election of 2006|2006 Fiji general elections]] will be held in the second week of May from the 6th to the 13th. [http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=22559 (Radio New Zealand)] *[[March 2]]: The [[Pitcairn]] Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal against the [[Pitcairn sexual assault trial of 2004|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 of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]] in London. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10370756 (NZ Herald)] *[[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 [[History of Bougainville|Bougainville]]. [http://www.unpo.org/news_detail.php?arg=11&par=3886 (UNPO)] *[[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 will take effect in 2007. [http://www.pacificmagazine.net/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=20649 (Pacific Magazine)] *[[March 4]]: A fire damages the central [[Papeete]] power station, resulting in limited power for some areas of [[Tahiti]] for a couple of weeks. [http://www.pacificmagazine.net/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=20702 (Pacific Magazine)] *[[March 8]]: Fijian [[President of Fiji|President]] [[Ratu]] [[Josefa Iloilo]] and Vice-President [[Ratu]] [[Joni Madraiwiwi]] are [[Fiji presidential election, 2006|re-elected]] to another five-year term. *[[March 9]]: 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. [http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/bulletins/radionz/200603111200/37120481 (Radio NZ)] *[[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 (Honolulu StarBulletin)] *[[March 17]]: The [[United States|US]] offers [[Japan]] the use of its military bases on [[Guam]], after Japan refuses to pay for the relocation of 8000 marines and their families from [[Okinawa]] to [[Guam]]. [http://www.pacificmagazine.net/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=20908 (Pacific Magazine)] *[[March 21]]: [[Solomon Islands Labour Party]] leader Joses Tuhanuku alleges [[Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands|Prime Minister]] [[Allan Kemakeza]] is directly implicated in corrupt aid payments by [[Taiwan]] to local politicians. [http://www.pacificmagazine.net/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=20961 (Pacific Magazine)] *[[March 26]]: [[Réseau France Outre-mer|RFO]] television news in [[New Caledonia]] was cancelled for two days due to a strike in protest at the sacking of a technician. [http://www.pmw.c2o.org/2006/kanaky4902.html (Pacific Media Watch)] *[[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 [[Military of East Timor|army]] in the previous week after deserting their posts. [http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200603270616/2726d9cb (Radio NZ)] *[[March 29]]: A sewer pipe leak at [[Waikiki]] in [[Hawaii]] is repaired, but several popular beaches were left polluted. [http://starbulletin.com/2006/03/30/news/story01.html (Honolulu StarBulletin)] *[[March 30]]: Hiro Tefaarere, the [[French Polynesia]]n minister for small and medium enterprises, resigns due to disagreements with the ruling coalition, and his failure to gain support for two development projects. [http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=23131 (Radio NZ)] *[[March 30]]: [[Feleti Sevele]] is confirmed as the new [[Prime Minister of Tonga]]. [http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/government/Tonga_primeminister310306.shtml (Matangi)] ===April=== *[[April 2]]: The [[Human Rights Protection Party]] wins [[Samoa]]'s [[Elections in Samoa#Latest election|general election]]. The HRPP was already the ruling party, and its leader [[Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi]] the [[Prime Minister of Samoa|Prime Minister]], but the party did better in the election than polls had indicated. [http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200604020859/42ee7c1 (Radio NZ)] *[[April 5]]: [[Air Kiribati]] has given redundancy notices to its staff due to a lack of revenue. Up to half the staff may be laid off. [http://www.pacificmagazine.net/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=21248 (Pacific Magazine)] *[[April 5]]: Voting in [[Elections in the Solomon Islands|Solomon Islands 2006 election]] is incident free. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10376393 (NZ Herald)] *[[April 6]]: [[Papua New Guinea]] has put an agricultural quarantine over the province of [[East New Britain]] to contain the spread of the [[cocoa]] pod borer. [http://www.pacificmagazine.net/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=21277 (Pacific Magazine)] *[[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. [http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=23509 (Radio NZ)] *[[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. [http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=23532 Radio NZ)] ===June=== ===July=== ===August=== ===September=== ===October=== ===November=== ===December=== ==Arts and literature== ===New Books=== ===Awards=== ===Music=== ===Television=== ===Film=== ===Web sites=== ==Sport== *[[2006 Micronesian Games]] ==Births== ==Deaths== *[[February 9]]: [['Ahome'e|{{okina}}Ahome{{okina}}e]], Tongan noble, 35, heart failure *[[February 24]]: [[Tūtoatasi Fakafānua]], Tongan noble, 44 *[[10 September]]: [[Taufa'ahau Tupou IV|Tāufa{{okina}}āhau Tupou IV]], Tongan king, 88, old age <!-- Oceania isn't a country, but this category is otherwise a good fit --> [[Category:2006 by country|Oceania]]