9 April 2026, Alofi – Niue has welcomed enhanced connectivity to support its weather monitoring and forecasting operations after the Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) Programme handed over three new Starlink satellite internet units to the Niue Meteorological Service.

The timing is particularly significant.

Alofi, Niue – In a small island nation where a single passing storm can affect every household, the ability to communicate timely and clear weather information is more than a technical challenge: it is a matter of community safety. On 24-25 March 2026, representatives from Niue Meteorological Services, government sectors, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), communications companies, women’s groups, community elders, and local media came together for a two-day training facilitated by the Weather Ready Pacific

The Pacific’s ability to protect lives, livelihoods, and economies from increasingly frequent and severe weather hazards has taken another important step forward through the Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) Programme. The programme is the brainchild of the Pacific Meteorological Council and is being implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

The Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) programme has received a major boost with Tonga’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, graciously accepting the role of championing the Weather Ready Pacific Programme.

Confirmed during his recent meeting with the Director General of SPREP on 30 January 2026, this marks a significant milestone for regional efforts to strengthen weather and climate resili-ence across the Pacific.