This year's the Pacific Dataviz Challenge is on May 28, in Suva.
Source: SPC
Fiji will host the official launch conference of the fifth edition of the Pacific Dataviz Challenge, a regional competition that brings together students, creatives, data analysts and professionals to transform Pacific data into compelling visual stories.
Taking place on tomorrow (May 28) from 11am to 12:30pm (Fiji time), at Japan Pacific ICT Centre, University of the South Pacific (USP), Suva, the event will be held in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend both in person and online.
A networking lunch will follow from 12:15pm.
A regional platform for innovation and impact
Now in its fifth edition, the Pacific Dataviz Challenge continues to grow as a leading platform for data storytelling in the region.
Open to participants of all ages and skill levels, the competition encourages the use of open data—particularly from the Pacific Data Hub—to create impactful visualisations that inform, engage and inspire.
The 2026 theme, Climate Change, invites participants to explore one of the most pressing challenges facing the Pacific.
Entrants will be encouraged to highlight climate-related issues such as changing land use, greenhouse gas emissions, ocean and temperature anomalies, environmental policies, and natural resource management , using data-driven storytelling.
Participants may submit either static entries (infographics, posters) or interactive projects (dashboards, apps, animations) and can compete individually or in teams. The competition offers a share of more than USD $15,000 in prizes, including dedicated awards for Pacific Island participants and youth.
Fiji at the heart of regional engagement
Fiji continues to play a central role in the Pacific Dataviz Challenge.
The country co-hosted the 2025 prize ceremony at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and celebrates strong local talent, including Lusiana Boutu and Elia Komaitoga of the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, who were among the 2025 prize recipients.
Hosting the 2026 launch at USP reflects Fiji’s leadership in fostering innovation, education and regional collaboration in data and digital development.
The introduction of a dedicated Pacific schools’ competition in 2026 further strengthens the Challenge’s focus on youth engagement.
As part of the launch, SPC will invite a selection of secondary schools from the Suva area to attend the event and discover the Challenge first-hand.
Building on outreach activities already carried out in the Cook Islands, SPC will also organise visits to selected secondary schools in the Suva area during the week of May 25.
These sessions will offer hands-on opportunities for students to explore Pacific datasets and create their own visualisations.
Empowering Pacific voices through data
Led by the Pacific Community (SPC) in collaboration with regional partners and supported by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Challenge aims to strengthen data literacy, support evidence-based decision-making and amplify Pacific perspectives globally.
Through workshops, webinars and community engagement activities held throughout the campaign period, participants will have opportunities to build skills, connect with peers and contribute to meaningful regional conversations.
The Challenge has so far inspired hundreds of participants to engage with data, tell compelling stories and share Pacific perspectives with the world.
Winners have gone on to present their work on international platforms and even launch new ventures.
As well as cash prizes, the top award this year includes funded participation in an international conference Visualising Climate in Italy.
Event Details
- Date: Thursday May 28, 2026
- Time: 11am – 12:30pm (Fiji time)
- Venue: Japan Pacific ICT Centre, University of the South Pacific, Suva
- Format: Hybrid (in-person and online participation available)
- Languages: English with French interpretation
- Networking: Light catering provided from 12:15pm
Visit the SPC website for more information.