A daily current affairs programme covering the major Pacific stories of the week, with background and reaction from the people making the news.
In Pacific Waves today: Fiji abuse survivor calls on new pope to adopt zero-tolerance policy; PNG declares polio outbreak; The "Cinderella" children being held as slaves in Auckland and Wellington; "Poly flair" adds spark to Super Rugby Pacific competition. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: This week marks a year since civil unrest erupted in Kanaky New Caledonia; PNG media council appeals to PM James Marape; Former Cooks PM role in mining company 'conflicting'; Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban receives honour. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Pacific parents react to Luxon's proposed social media ban; Auckland schools work to put an end to 'confession pages'; Pasifika rugby teams look to secure strong standings. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Fiji PM will ensure Bainimarama cannot contest - academic; Fiji garment makers reject union claims; Pacific NGO leaders share impacts of Trump aid cuts; Detector dog retires after decades of service. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Fiji commemorates 146th Girmit Day anniversary; Violence in West Papua most intense - researcher; Pasifika unemployment rate increases in NZ; Pasifika influencers slam kava business. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Measles case in Auckland highlights country's low vaccination rates, Australia military look to recruit in PNG; Mining seen as immediate solution for Bougainville's development; Rotuman youth work to keep endangered language alive. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Roman Catholic church reveals new pope; Catholic faithful calls on new pope to show strong leadership; Pay equity change will impact Pasifika 'massively' - PSA rep; Fast party chairman persists in removing Samoa PM. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Tongan PM optimistic ahead of elections; Pacific leaders reassured on handling of drug crisis; Improving work conditions for Fijian garment workers. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Analysis on Sols PM leadership challenge; Study in Tuvalu's waters assesses ocean health; Fisheries management discussed at SPC meeting; Pacific women face barriers from accessing retirement benefits. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Solomon Islands PM defeats leadership challenge; Samoa police calls for stronger firearms usage; Transparency says PNG Govt must tackle corruption, prepare for elections; Scientist tracks warming rates in southern hemisphere.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Albanese wins Australian election by landslide; Samoa drops in ranking in media freedom index; Moana Pasifika and Fiji Drua record wins for round 12. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Trump's deep sea mining order impedes Nauru's commercial ambitions; Half of PNG population barely getting by - World Bank report; Tokelau basketball player makes history; World Vision challenge brings Pacific to forefront. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Calls in Tonga to rethink Sunday observance laws; Bougainville carver to feature work in Thames; Mana Moana to deliver more Pasifika musical magic. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Two deaths in Tonga caused by dengue fever; Solomon Islands parliament adjourned until next week; Mariana Islands draws renewed attention from US military; NZ police providing assistance in Bougainville for 20 years. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Rabuka's coalition is doomed - Fiji's former AG; Ocean conservation group condemns Trump's exec order; Health NZ to slash 22 jobs in Pacific health; 'I'm still emotional' - Samoan nun recalls meeting with Pope Francis. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: More spending on defence will hurt foreign aid ; Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua face off this weekend; Late Hawaiian King lives on through annual festival. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: US government ordered to release funding for Radio Free Asia; Environmental group 'disappointed' over Trump's fishing order; Systemic issues in Solomon Islands election process affect public trust; Dead turtles on Rarotonga's beaches raises alarms. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Two cardinals to represent Pacific islands in Rome; Bougainville strives to move the independence debate on; Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika hold out hope for top six spot. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Samoan national dies of severe dengue in NZ; US policy causing anxiety in the Pacific - NZ DPM; Adventure duo raising funds to rebuild schools in Vanuatu; Moana Pasifika and Drua both beaten in the weekend. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Pacific countries eligible for multi-entry visas to NZ; Pasifika rugby legends recognised for excellence; Trump's domestic priorities impacting Pacific relationship; Niue children's book celebrates cultural knowledge. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: NZ Foreign minister sets off for the Pacific; Pacific women's issues on the forefront in Fiji; Tokelau's coral reefs show signs of recovery. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: ADB projects moderate growth for Pacific economies; Guam's tariff exemption unlikely to be permanent - ex delegate; Tokelau navigates its trifecta of issues. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: PNG parliament to table no confidence motion against PM; 'An attack on Guam & CNMI is an attack on the US' - defense secretary; Tariff impacts likely to be felt by Fiji the most - academic; Power restoration efforts underway in Samoa. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Pacific nations puzzled over Trump's tariffs; Polyfest 50th celebrations end on a high; Intergenerational trauma present among Bougainvilleans; Mixed results for Pacific sports teams over the weekend. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Pacific leaders react to Trump's tariffs list; Polyfest attendees remain positive despite gloomy conditions; Moana Pasifika look to nail first back-to-back win; Actor addresses backlash over Naked Samoans poster. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Wet weather does little to deter Polyfest spirit; BenarNews pause on operations a tragedy - veteran journalist; Tuvalu receives state of the art passenger and cargo vessel; Intergenerational trauma present among Bougainvilleans. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Diversity stage comes to life at Polyfest; NZ show concerns over Cook Islands shipping registry; Tonga and PNG journos collaborate through media scheme; PNG's saint candidate a principled man - bishop. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Polyfest 2025 officially begins this week; West Papua PhD student launches exhibition; Pacific mustn't ignore 'waste management crisis' - recycling advocate. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: PNG health officials to address overcrowding in hospital; Progress still needed on Fiji gender issues - UN Pacific rep; Research underway on Pasifika financial wellbeing. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Earthquake near Tonga leaves minimal impact; Scientist explains Tonga's earthquake; Fiji expat recalls terrifying earthquake experience in Myanmar; Samoa govt declares state of emergency; Moana Pasifika on a high after historic win over Crusaders. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: NZ's new public health director announced; New initiative to address issues facing Pacific youth workers; Mixed outcomes from Tonga's development summit. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Widow of late Green MP calls for inquest into death; Aust govt increase aid to fill in gaps by U.S; French Minister for Overseas returns to New Caledonia; Study investigates premature heart attacks among Fijians. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: NZ and PNG sign new partnership agreement; Hopes vote of no confidence change in PNG will be challenged; Fiji DPM hits back at former attorney-general; Samoan tech wiz named Young New Zealander of the Year. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Rabuka is the best man to rebuild Fiji - deputy PM; NZ qualifies for 2026 FIFA world cup; Tokelau to undergo national survey on cost of living; New water systems installed on Rabi Island. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: New allegations on Fiji PM's rolex watch; Media outlets scrambling following US funding cuts; Deep sea mining company denies branding accusation; NZ Pasifika scholars slam removal of sex-ed guidelines. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Tokelau's head of state looks ahead; Guam senator pushes for statehood; Tongan researcher investigates needles used for covid vax; Metals company accused of supporting US defence. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Head of UN office for disaster visits Pacific; PNG and Bougainville to hold more talks on independence issue; Fiji PM reverses decision to reinstate Lynda Tabuya; Oceania qualifiers for FIFA world cup kicks off. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Kiribati explores deep sea mining deal with China; Foreign aid will survive despite the US wind back - academic; A new study looks at origins of Fiji's iguanas. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Tokelau holds inauguration for new head of state; Independence for Tokelau 'would be nonsense' - anthropologist; Head of PIF affirms US funding pledges on hold; Tonga holds national development summit. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Separation of state and church is healthy - PNG priest; Fiji government fails to pass constitutional amendments; Increase of HIV cases in Fiji linked to 'bluetoothing'; Samoa public frustrated over continuous power outages.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: Potential third referendum for Tokelau's status; Bougainville throws down a gauntlet to PNG over independence; PNG passes constitutional amendment for Christian recognition; Unexploded ordnances littered across Solomon Islands. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
In Pacific Waves today: US trade wars to impact Pacific economies; Programme in PNG breaks social shame around leprosy; Samoan women are made for the global stage - Nicolina Ah Kuoi. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details