Pacific Pulse Podcast

Heading into resolution time, we unpack what really helps Pacific people show up, feel good, and stay consistent with their health and fitness. 

Smoking is still a killer across the Pacific, and Samoa is feeling the impact. 

Does your partner do smelly farts after eating ice cream or cheese or does milk make your own stomach twist? 

Rising ocean temperatures are pushing Pacific tuna further into the high seas, making it tougher for island nations to keep control of their own fisheries. 

In Papua New Guinea, a growing number of young men are turning to dangerous penis injections in the hope of improving their performance

Bachata, born in the Caribbean but easily at home in Samoa, is bringing teens and adults onto the dance floor, moving side by side and challenging the usual rules of who leads and who follows.

Across Aotearoa, GP shortages are prompting a rethink of how care is delivered with more patients now seeing nurses or nurse practitioners for everyday health needs. What lessons are there for Pacific GP's? 

Naturally gluten-free and packed with fibre, vitamins, and minerals, breadfruit is a nutrient-rich superfood.

Māori athlete Shane Christie was a rising star of New Zealand rugby, playing for the All Blacks, Highlanders, Hurricanes and Tasman Mako until repeated head injuries changed and ultimately claimed his life. 

In Samoa, midwifery has traditionally been women's work, but Principal Nurse and midwife Fatumanavaoupolu Tuiuli Tagaloa is breaking the mold.  Based at Lufilufi Health Centre on the north coast of Upolu overlooking the ocean, Tuiuli is one of only a few male midwives in the country in a role he calls a gift from God.

Veidogo Settlement in Suva has been at the centre of legal battles over land and questions of belonging, but for the women who live there, safety is shaped just as much by daily struggles with housing, electricity, and community security.  Jasbant Kaur's pilot study gives voice to those women, exploring what safety really means in their lives and how broader issues like land rights, youth challeng...

Old tyres might seem harmless, but they’re prime real estate for dengue-carrying mosquitoes. Luckily, stopping them is easier than you think.

Dr Amanda H A Watson shares how students are navigating digital risks shaped by culture, family, and life between two worlds.

For more than 20 years, Debra has walked alongside mothers from pregnancy to breastfeeding, offering steady guidance and heartfelt support. 

As viral trends like Run It Straight and backyard boxing grow in popularity, Pearce warns that society is becoming increasingly comfortable with brain trauma and that’s putting young people at risk.

Struggling with obesity and fearing for her life, she transformed her health, losing one-third of her body weight and upskilling as a dietitian to help keep it off. 

Tongan parents are bringing vaipala back on TikTok but lemon, garlic, and ginger aren’t the real deal. Sala Walter shares why the la la plant still matters.

The Manalagi Project is Aotearoa’s first health study focused on MVPFAFF+ Pacific communities — like fa‘afafine, fakaleitī, mahu, and vakasalewalewa. It’s collecting real stories to fix health gaps and put Pacific Rainbow+ voices in charge.

HIV is on the rise across the Pacific, but so are efforts to stop it. From confronting stigma to exploring new scientific breakthroughs, Dr Michelle O’Connor shares what it will take to turn the tide starting with open conversations and stronger care, while a new mRNA tool from Australia could be a step towards finding a cure.

Fiji declared an outbreak of HIV earlier this year after recording more than 1000 cases in 2024. As many as 50% of new HIV cases are from intravenous drug use. But the scale of the problem is feared to be even larger than reported, putting the entire Pacific region at risk. 

Scabies is more than just an itchy nuisance. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications and even death.

A brutal last-man-standing game where players slam into each other at full speed has turned deadly and people are wanting answers.

Mark Palm, CEO and co-founder of Samaritan Aviation, shares how faith fuels his work delivering emergency evacuations, birth services, and health education across Papua New Guinea. 

Addiction is one of the most painful challenges families can face, especially when the person struggling is someone you love. 

Pacific Islanders are turning to apps for love, but with the swipe comes the risk of scams, deception, and heartbreak. Here's how to stay safe.