Tagata o te Moana

On Tagata o te Moana this week: Still no clear path forward for New Caledonia a month after crippling unrest in the French Territory; We check in on the situation for New Zealand hostage Phillip Mehrtens in West Papua; New research looks at the cost of service for Pacific communities in Aotearoa; And there is stiff competition in the Micronesian Games underway in Majuro. Go to this episode on rnz....

The focus in PNG's Enga is on relocating survivors and the surrounding communities; The role of slush funds in the PNG no confidence saga The people of Vanuatu back a constitutional reform its advocates say will end the persistent political instability. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The search for bodies stops at PNG landslide site; The PNG opposition again fails with a push for a vote of no confidence; Rising concern in Guam over missiles; Who are the Pacifica who recognised in the King's Birthday Honours. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Tensions persist in New Caledonia; The scramble to find the victims of the landslip in Papua New Guinea; The New Zealand Budget comes up short for Pasifika; Some landowners in Bougainville are suing Rio Tinto over the Panguna mine, and Tonga's parliament says no to the death penalty for drug crimes. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

We go behind the causes of the New Caledonian violence, ....highlight the commemorations of the arrival of the first indentured Indian labourers in Fiji 145 Years ago...the building of the biggest double hulled waka in Fiji ....these and other stories on Tagata o te Moana. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The FijiFirst Party says Frank Bainimarama will remain party leader despite his custodial sentence; The Director of Fiji's biggest sporting event has said they will consider dropping the name and branding of it's sponsor Coca-Cola for next years' 50th anniversary; A new project aims to close the existing gap on Pacific Ocean data. New Zealand Geographic and the Cawthron Institute have launched Cit...

Dengue in Samoa; a new approach to elections mooted in Solomon Islands; PNG to look to Africa on how to contain illegal guns; and containing emissions from plastics. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Protests in New Caledonia; Gun violences in Papua New Guinea; Tonga airline review is scathing; New Zealand's MFAT has more to do to make aid spending transparent; Building cultural capability in schools. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The fear Pacific countries are feeling amid the missile build-up; Samoa's quest to right a wrong; The impact of soaring cocoa prices; Tonga happy for China's help; Personhood for whales; A resort owner in Vanuatu shuts down a casino, saying they are unethical, and PNG cricket's on the rise Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Violence erupts in Bougainville, the benefits of marine reserve areas are bigger than we may have thought, a call for a re-think on autism, rough waters for a PNG gold refining scheme, the Americans are growing their own kava and Pacifica rugby greats take the spotlight. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week the horrific violence in Papua New Guinea and the role played by politicians; turtle wars in a Pacific paradise; the Pacific got no deal at the WTO but at least one NGO says it was a lucky escape; the Pacific continues to dominate lists of the most obese nations in the world; and Pacific fest is back on. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Tuvalu appoints a new prime minister Also A new Pasifika theatre show looks at developing healthy relationships And later... Pasifika children in New Zealand continue to live in poverty Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

We learn about digitising tapa from around the Pacific, Wellington's Pasifika community showcase their cultures, The captains of the Pasifika teams in the Super Rugby franchise are confident they can go far in this year's competition. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Keeping the pacific nuclear-free, in line with the Rarotonga treaty has been a recurring theme this week from the leaders of Tonga, Cook Islands and Samoa to New Zealand's visiting ministers; There are now 23 MPs on the opposition benches in Papua New Guinea ahead of an expected vote of no confidence in Prime Minister James Marape; The Cook Islands' now former deputy prime minister Robert Tapaitau...

A wrap of the biggest Pacific news stories of the year; New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peter's meets with some Pacific leaders in Fiji; Pacific community advocate giving back to families doing it tough this Christmas; An education researcher concerned over NCEA pass rates in the Cook Islands and Niue; RNZ Pacific Sports Correspondent wraps up pacific sporting highlights of the year; S...

Coming up first Samoa's health boss says media reports on Covid border restrictions are incorrect Also Frustrations over USP's vice chancellor leads to staff protests. And later we meet the music group that's preserving te reo Maori. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nations vulnerable to the climate crisis are sounding caution over the launch of the long-awaited global fund; The former prime minister and now opposition leader of Tuvalu would scrap the Tuvalu/Australia treaty if elected as prime minister at the upcoming election; Bougainville negotiator says non-binding referendum claim is wrong; RSE schemes in question; Marshall Islands election result delays...

The 17th Pacific Games officially opened in Solomon Islands with a colourful celebration of culture and unity; Cook Islands health advocate on a mission to increase awareness of dyslexia; After 18 months, the longest mural in the South Pacific is finally finished; France's new ambassador to the Pacific focussed on peace and freedom for the region; Pasifika actors dominate in Taika Waititi's latest...

Pacific Games in Solomon Islands kicking off; Outer island community in Fiji reluctant to relocate despite sea level rise; Aitutaki matriarch recalls fond memories of past leaders forum; Cook Island tourism calls on visitors to be climate change conscious; Criminal lawyer explains how NZ justice system fails Pacific peoples; Wellington's Signature choir prepare for upcoming performance. Go to this...

UN rep says America is committed to climate financing for Pacific, Pacific cacao farmers unlocks potential of their beans, RNZ Pacific's shortwave service turns 75 years old, An act of faith leads Samoan teenager to create golfing history, Moana Pasifika new coaches are optimistic for next Super Rugby season. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Schools in Vanuatu grapple with damages and disruptions following Lola; NZ health and defence force tests emergency response; Zero Pacific representation in NZ's next govt; Tonga set for a long drought; Veteran politician takes the top job in Nauru; and Solomon Islands prepare to welcome thousands of athletes for Pacific Games Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Cyclone Lola destroys schools and homes in Vanuatu; Remote island in Solomon Islands also battered by Cyclone Lola; Incoming NZ Pasifika MPs share aspirations for parliament; Melanesian youth in New Zealand lead the way in preservation of their unique cultures; An NGO wants Papua New Guinea to realise the country is experiencing an alarming rise in new HIV infections. Go to this episode on rnz.co....

Typhoon Bolaven passes CNMI leaving minimal damage, Fiji celebrates 53 years of independence, Researcher warns high cost of living will affect Pasifika children's learning, Freedom of religion in Fiji sparks public debate, Award winning theatre show celebrates Pasifika poets and writers, Museum exhibition in Sydney explores Australia's ties with the Pacific. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for mor...

Lack of civic education leads NZ school leavers 'ill-equipped'; Pacific climate champion says big countries lack 'ambition'; Flying Fijians overjoyed after historic win over Australia in Rugby World Cup; PNG struggle to bring HIV infection rates down; Delay in plans for Rarotonga's mural project; Medical student aims to improve Canterbury healthcare for rheumatic fever patients; Dunedin chocolate...

Plans to increase health workforce in NZ 'doesn't go far enough' - Dr Collin Tukuitonga; Large scale logging continues in PNG despite Govt opposition; Pacific nations struggling to retain trained nurses; Young Maori and Pasifika performers take the stage for Otago Polyfest; Mana Moana musical showcase heads to Auckland. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details