AGP Executive Report

Pacific Security Shock: China’s reported missile drill in the Pacific drew condemnation after Australia and Fiji signed the “Ocean of Peace” mutual defence pact, with officials calling it destabilising. UN Police Training Pitch: Australia’s AFP chief Krissy Barrett is set to promote a faster, cheaper “lean” peacekeeper training model at a UN summit, as peacekeeping budgets face pressure. Women’s Football (Solomons-linked): Hekari Women FC crushed Henderson Eels 9-1 to reach the OFC Women’s Champions League semis, while Ba and Hekari also traded results in Group A action in Honiara. Solomon Games & Community Sport: The 8th Solomon Games kicked off with a unity message from the Governor-General, and Team Solomon fundraising keeps building momentum with a venue change for a Commonwealth Games dinner and live show. Culture Spotlight: NATPAN 2026 is underway at the National Art Gallery, with panpipe masters, plus a Naghoniara Vaka Flea Market planned for Independence Week in Honiara. Chess & Youth: FIDE GM Nigel Short’s visit sparked fresh plans for youth, school and community chess programmes in Solomon Islands.

OFC Women’s Champions League: Hekari Women FC roared into the semi-finals with a 9-1 demolition of Henderson Eels in Honiara, topping Group A after a blistering start and a dominant second-half surge. Solomon Games: Governor-General Sir David Tiva Kapu urged unity as the 8th Solomon Games kicked off at the National Stadium, with provincial teams marching in and sport reaffirming its role in spotting future talent. Team Solomon fundraising: NOCSI’s National Olympic Fundraising Committee announced a venue change for the Justin Wellington and Demas Saul corporate dinner and live show, now set for Cowboys Bar & Grill. NATPAN: The National Panpipe Festival (NAPTAN) opened at the National Art Gallery, bringing together 20+ panpipe groups and setting up a panpipe symposium alongside the performances. School rugby: White River Community High School won the 2026 Credit Corp High School Boys 15s title, with sponsor Credit Corporation confirming support for 2027. SINIS sports science link: Southern Cross University highlighted how a four-week placement at SINIS is turning into a lasting Solomon Islands–Australia sports development partnership. Chess boost: FIDE Grandmaster Nigel Short’s visit helped SICF push youth, school and community chess, including blitz games with local players.

Independence & Culture: Honiara’s National Panpipe Festival (NAPTAN) 2026 is underway at the National Art Gallery (July 1–5), bringing together 20+ panpipe groups and masters, with a symposium on panpipe traditions set for July 2–3. Community Markets: HCC’s Naghoniara Vaka Flea Market 2026 launches July 5–7 at Lawson Tama Stadium Carpark, then moves to a permanent Sunday format for local vendors and artisans. Sports & Youth: White River Community High School won the 2026 Credit Corp High School Boys 15s title, with sponsor support locked in for 2027. Commonwealth Games Push: NOCSI’s Team Solomon fundraising dinner and live show shifts venues to Cowboys Bar & Grill (July 4), with more entertainment acts announced. Chess Boost: FIDE GM Nigel Short’s visit (June 25–27) sparked youth and school chess plans after blitz games with local players. Football (Regional): Hekari FC edged Fiji’s Ba 3-1 in the OFC Women’s Champions League, keeping PNG’s campaign on track.

School Rugby Spotlight: White River Community High School were crowned the 2026 Credit Corp High School Boys 15s champions, with Credit Corporation confirming sponsorship for 2027 after a prize presentation at Town Ground Rugby Stadium. Sports Science Partnership: Southern Cross University says a four-week placement at SINIS is turning into a lasting Australia–Solomons collaboration, with students working alongside coaches and national athletes on strength and conditioning. Commonwealth Games Fundraising: Team Solomon’s corporate dinner and live show gets a venue change to Cowboys Bar & Grill, with Gold sponsor SISCC, Silver Solbrew, Bronze SolRice, and in-kind support from Our Telekom. Panpipe Culture Week: NATPAN 2026 is underway at the National Art Gallery, alongside a panpipe symposium on traditions and preservation, as Solomon Islanders celebrate living heritage and cultural tourism. Independence Week Markets: Honiara City Council launches the Naghoniara Vaka Flea Market 2026 (5–7 July) to boost local enterprise and tourism, with plans to make it a permanent Sunday fixture. Chess Boost: FIDE Grandmaster Nigel Short’s visit helps SICF push youth, school, and community chess, including blitz games at White River Bridge. Football (OFC Women’s Champions League): Hekari FC rally to beat Fiji’s Ba 3-1, while Ba and Tafea set the pace in Group A as the tournament heats up in Honiara.

School Rugby Spotlight: White River Community High School were crowned the 2026 Credit Corp High School Boys 15s champions, with Credit Corporation confirming sponsorship will continue into 2027 after a prize presentation at Town Ground Rugby Stadium. Commonwealth Games Fundraising: Team Solomons’ push for the 2026 Commonwealth Games keeps building momentum as SISCC signs on as Gold Sponsor, Solbrew backs as Silver, SolRice as Bronze, and Our Telekom chips in with in-kind support ahead of a fundraising dinner and live music show. Independence Week Culture & Markets: Honiara City Council’s Naghoniara Vaka Flea Market 2026 launches 5–7 July at Lawson Tama Stadium Carpark, then shifts to a permanent Sunday market to back local vendors and cultural tourism. Panpipe Festival Fever: NATPAN 2026 is underway at the National Art Gallery (July 1–5), with a panpipe symposium planned for July 2–3 and performances drawing panpipe masters and groups from across the country. Football (Women’s Champions League): Hekari FC rallied to beat Fiji’s Ba 3-1 in Group A, keeping semi-final hopes alive in Honiara. Chess Boost: FIDE Grandmaster Nigel Short’s June 25–27 visit helped SICF push youth, school and community chess, including blitz games at White River Bridge.

Ocean Arts & Learning: A Cudjoe Key underwater photography gallery is drawing visitors with vivid metal-print images of sea life, plus tips like using a strobe and getting “super close” for true colour. Team Solomons Fundraising: Telekom (in-kind) and other corporate sponsors are backing Team Solomon’s 2026 Commonwealth Games push, with SISCC as Gold Sponsor and Solbrew and SolRice following as Silver and Bronze. Panpipe Culture Week: NATPAN 2026 is underway at the National Art Gallery, featuring panpipe masters from across the country, with a festival theme celebrating “Echoes of the Past” and a separate symposium on panpipe traditions. Independence Week Markets: Honiara City Council is set to launch the Naghoniara Vaka Flea Market (July 5–7), then move it to a permanent Sunday spot for local vendors and artisans. Independence Commemoration: The government will hold a National Thanksgiving Church Service on Sunday, 5 July, at St Barnabas Anglican Cathedral, with live broadcast and streaming. Football Spotlight: Hekari FC’s late surge keeps Pacific Women’s Champions League hopes alive, while local coverage also highlights the wider pool action. Chess Boost: FIDE Grandmaster Nigel Short’s visit is credited with fresh momentum for youth and school chess programmes.

Underwater Arts & Travel: A new oceanside gallery in Cudjoe Key lets visitors view vivid underwater life up close through long-lasting metal prints, with the photographer sharing tips like using a strobe and getting within three feet. Sports Fundraising & Live Entertainment: Telekom has joined Team Solomons’ Commonwealth Games push with in-kind support, as sponsors including SISCC, Solbrew and SolRice back a fundraising dinner and live music show—now with a venue change to Cowboys Bar & Grill for July 4. Culture Spotlight (Panpipes): NATPAN 2026 is underway at the National Art Gallery, bringing together 20+ panpipe groups, plus a symposium on panpipe traditions and performances from groups like Haroro Cultural Group. Independence Week Community Events: Honiara’s HCC launches the Naghoniara Vaka Flea Market (July 5–7) to boost local vendors and tourism, while the government hosts a National Thanksgiving Church Service on July 5 ahead of Independence celebrations. Football (Women’s Champions League): Hekari FC’s late surge beats Fiji’s Ba 3-1, keeping PNG’s charge alive in the OFC Women’s Champions League in Honiara.

Underwater Arts & Travel: Cudjoe Key’s oceanside gallery is drawing visitors with close-up metal prints of manatees, turtles, sharks and more, plus tips from Michael and Suzanne Lombard on using strobe lighting and getting within 3 feet—there’s also a new book planned for November. Commonwealth Games Support: Team Solomon’s fundraising drive keeps building momentum as SISCC signs on as Gold Sponsor, Solbrew backs as Silver, SolRice as Bronze, and Our Telekom chips in with in-kind support ahead of the July 4 dinner and live music show. Panpipe Culture: NATPAN 2026 is underway at the National Art Gallery with more than 20 panpipe groups, while a symposium on panpipe traditions runs July 2–3 and groups like Haroro Cultural Group prepare Ngella performances for the festival. Independence Week Events: Honiara City Council launches the Naghoniara Vaka Flea Market (July 5–7) before it becomes a permanent Sunday feature, and the government holds a National Thanksgiving Church Service on July 5 at St Barnabas Anglican Cathedral. Football Spotlight: Hekari FC’s late surge beats Fiji’s Ba 3-1 in the OFC Women’s Champions League, keeping Pacific semi-final hopes alive.

Museum & Culture: The MFA is spotlighting “Watson and the Shark” as a pointed reflection on a young nation’s complicated roots, using art to spark uncomfortable conversations about identity, trade, and history. Women’s Football: Hekari FC surged late to beat Fiji’s Ba 3-1 in the OFC Women’s Champions League, while Tafea and Hekari played out a 2-2 draw in another Group A clash. Panpipe Festival (NATPAN): NATPAN 2026 is underway at the National Art Gallery, with more than 20 panpipe groups in Honiara, plus a two-day symposium on panpipe traditions and fresh sponsor support for travelling groups. Independence Week Events: Honiara City Council launches the Naghoniara Vaka Flea Market (5–7 July) at Lawson Tama Stadium Carpark, and the government will hold a National Thanksgiving Church Service on 5 July at St Barnabas Anglican Cathedral. Sports & Community: SICF is pushing chess beyond Honiara with a Gizo mini tournament, and the National Olympic Fundraising Committee moved its Team Solomon corporate dinner and live show to Cowboys Bar & Grill (4 July). Music & Tourism: Temotu Bash 2.0 drew around 1,000 people in Lata, featuring guest artists Trabol Sum and Kayler and boosting the province’s tourism push.

National Panpipe Festival (NATPAN) 2026: The festival is now underway at the National Art Gallery in Honiara (July 1–5), bringing together 20+ panpipe groups and masters, with performances, cultural storytelling, and a theme of “Echoes of the Past, Sounds of the Hapi Isles.” Panpipe Festival Extras: A two-day symposium on panpipe traditions is set for July 2–3 at the National Art Gallery, while the Haroro Cultural Group will showcase Ngella traditions during the main festival. Independence Week Markets & Events: Honiara City Council’s Naghoniara Vaka Flea Market 2026 launches July 5–7 at Lawson Tama Stadium Carpark, then moves to a permanent Sunday slot. Team Solomons Fundraiser: The NOCSI fundraising committee has shifted the Justin Wellington and Demas Saul corporate dinner/live show to Cowboys Bar & Grill (Saturday July 4), with more live-show planning for July 6. Sports Spotlight: Hekari FC’s late surge beat Ba 3–1 in the OFC Women’s Champions League, while Ba’s Likuculacula says they’ll take it “one game at a time” as the pool heats up. Independence Thanksgiving Service: The government will hold a National Thanksgiving Church Service on Sunday July 5 at St Barnabas Anglican Cathedral, with live broadcast via SIBC Radio and Online TV.

Independence Week Market: Honiara City Council is launching the inaugural Naghoniara Vaka Flea Market 2026, a three-day event (5–7 July) at Lawson Tama Stadium carpark, with plans to turn it into a permanent Sunday market after the debut. Panpipe Festival Build-Up: NATPAN Festival 2026 opened in Honiara at the National Art Gallery, bringing together 20+ panpipe groups, with a theme focused on “Echoes of the Past, Sounds of the Hapi Isles,” plus a two-day panpipe symposium (2–3 July) at the same venue. Sports & Culture on the Move: Tavella is set to host a Ward 7 Independence Day seven-a-side knockout (6–10 July), while the Solomon Islands Chess Federation ramps up chess beyond Honiara with youth and school-focused plans after FIDE GM Nigel Short’s visit and a Gizo mini tournament (27 June). Regional Film Spotlight: Fiji’s FBC has been selected as host broadcaster for the People of the Pasifika 48-Hour Film Challenge, with Solomon Islands among the participating host nations this September. Football Results: Ba Women kicked off the OFC Women’s Champions League in Honiara with a 6-0 win, while Temotu Bash 2.0 drew about 1,000 people and boosted its tourism push.

Independence Week Markets: Honiara City Council will launch the inaugural Naghoniara Vaka Flea Market 2026, running 5–7 July (7am–7pm) at the Lawson Tama Stadium carpark, then shifting to a permanent Sunday fixture to back local vendors, artisans, and food sellers with a cleaner, recycling-focused approach. Panpipe Festival Build-Up: NATPAN 2026 gets a cultural boost with a two-day panpipe traditions symposium at the National Art Gallery (2–3 July, 9:30am–12 noon), bringing academics and living practitioners together to discuss origins, preservation, and protection of traditional knowledge. Independence Through Sport: Tavulea Village in North-East Ngella hosts a Ward 7 Independence Day Seven-a-Side Knockout (6–10 July), themed “Youth Engagement Through Sports,” with registration open until 4 July. Chess Development: Solomon Islands Chess Federation marks a big push beyond Honiara after FIDE GM Nigel Short’s visit (25–27 June), and announces a free Gizo Mini Chess Tournament on 27 June at the Gizo Youth Centre. Football & Community: Ba Women opened the OFC Women’s Champions League in Honiara with a 6–0 win over Henderson Eels, while Hekari Women’s campaign continues after a 2–2 draw with Vanuatu’s Tafea. Culture & Tourism: Haroro Cultural Group (Central West Ngella) will showcase Ngella traditions at NATPAN (1–5 July), and Temotu Bash 2.0 drew about 1,000 people in Lata on 10 June, positioning the province for more visitors.

OFC Women’s Champions League: Ba Women kicked off in style in Honiara, topping Group A after a 6-0 win over Henderson Eels. Forward Koleta Likuculacula said the team will “take it one game at a time” as they prepare for Papua New Guinea’s Hekari. Matchday drama: In the same group, Vanuatu’s Tafea Women fought back from behind to draw Hekari 2-2, with coach Ericson Komeng pointing to lessons learned ahead of Ba. Chess development: Solomon Islands Chess Federation says FIDE Grandmaster Nigel Short’s June 25–27 visit boosted youth, school and community chess, including blitz games where he won all eight local matches. National Panpipe Festival build-up: NATPAN 2026 is set for July 1–5, with VFresh and Solrais donating water and rice products to support travelling panpipe groups. Sports on the rise: Duddley’s Taekwondo Academy celebrated a best-ever Honiara Games haul (12 medals, including five gold), while the National Sports Council marked the National Tennis Centre’s ITF “White Level” recognition. Culture & tourism: Temotu Bash 2.0 drew about 1,000 people in Lata, with organisers calling it a growing annual spotlight for the province.

OFC Women’s Champions League: Ba Women kick off in style in Honiara, leading Group A after a 6-0 win over Henderson Eels, with Koleta Likuculacula scoring twice and vowing to “take it one game at a time” ahead of a tough clash with PNG’s Hekari. OFC Women’s Champions League: In the same group, Vanuatu’s Tafea Women fought back to draw Hekari 2-2, after Hekari led at the break—setting up a big next round when Ba comes calling. Chess Development: Solomon Islands Chess Federation is pushing growth beyond Honiara, with a free Gizo Mini Chess Tournament this Saturday at the Gizo Youth Centre, plus a recent boost from FIDE GM Nigel Short’s blitz sessions. National Panpipe Festival: NATPAN 2026 is gearing up for July 1–5 at the National Museum and National Art Gallery, with VFresh and Solrais donating water and rice for travelling panpipe groups. Sport & Culture Spotlight: Temotu Bash 2.0 drew about 1,000 people in Lata, cementing the event as an annual tourism push. Inter-Ministry Games: Forestry teams debuted in the Healthy Lifestyle and Sports Program, while Rural Kings opened their men’s soccer campaign with a 1-0 win. Regional Security (Pacific influence): Australia and Vanuatu sign the Nakamal agreement, aiming to reassure sovereignty while locking in policing cooperation and keeping critical infrastructure from militarisation.

OFC Women’s Champions League: Ba Women kicked off their campaign in Honiara with a dominant 6-0 win over Henderson Eels, with Koleta Likuculacula scoring twice and captain Charlene Lockington urging the team to sharpen fitness ahead of Papua New Guinea’s Hekari. OFC Women’s Champions League: In the same Group A action, Vanuatu’s Tafea Women fought back to draw 2-2 with Hekari after a first-half lead, setting up a big next clash for both sides. Chess Development: Solomon Islands Chess Federation says FIDE Grandmaster Nigel Short’s June 25–27 visit boosted youth, school and community chess, including blitz games where he won all eight local matches. National Panpipe Festival: Haroro Cultural Group will showcase Ngella traditions at NATPAN 2026 (July 1–5), with live panpipe music and signature dances like “Vulevao.” Sports Facilities & Recognition: The National Sports Council celebrates the National Tennis Centre’s ITF “White Level Facility” status, a major step for coaching and athlete development. Inter-Ministry Healthy Lifestyle Games: Forestry teams made competitive debuts this week, with the men’s football side falling 1-0 to MCILI in their opening match. Regional Film & Storytelling: Fiji’s FBC has been selected to host the POP48 Film Challenge across the Pacific this September, with Solomon Islands among the host nations. Temotu Tourism & Culture: Temotu Bash 2.0 drew about 1,000 people in Lata, now positioned as an annual event under the Discover Temotu initiative.

OFC Women’s Champions League: Hekari Women were held to a 2-2 draw by Vanuatu’s Tafea Women in their Group A opener in Honiara, after Tafea led early, Hekari struck back before halftime, and a second-half long kick leveled the match. Chess Development: Solomon Islands Chess Federation says FIDE Grandmaster Nigel Short’s June 25–27 visit sparked fresh momentum, with youth and school/community chess plans plus blitz games where Short won all eight local matches. Regional Film & Storytelling: Fiji’s FBC TV has been picked as the official broadcaster for the inaugural People of the Pasifika 48-Hour Film Challenge, running across Pacific host nations including Solomon Islands this September. National Panpipe Festival Build-up: Haroro Cultural Group (Ngella traditions) is set to perform at NATPAN 2026 in Honiara (July 1–5), with VFresh and Solrais backing festival supplies. Sport Facilities & Recognition: The National Tennis Centre has been named an ITF “White Level Facility,” a major international milestone for player development and coaching in Solomon Islands. Local Sports Spotlight: Forestry teams debuted in the Inter-Ministry Healthy Lifestyle and Sports Program, while Duddley’s Taekwondo Academy celebrated a best-ever medal haul at the Honiara Games.