RNZ: Tagata o te Moana

This week on Tagata o te Moana: FAST party wins Samoa's snap general election; Bougainvillieans hit the polls; It's Pacific Islands Forum leaders week; New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters is on the show; France voices 'frustration' over donor exclusion from PIF Leaders' Summit in Honiara; Pacific leaders are expected to reaffirm their recognition of Indonesia's sovereignty over West Papua at PIFLM; A small Maori community is celebrating a huge win against 80 years of sand mining on their coastline; Hundreds of Pacific delegates at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia, paying tribute to Maori monarch Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In Tagata o te Moana this week: Samoa's snap election, the latest from our reporter on the ground; Bougainville's incumbent-President relaxed ahead of this Thursdays election; Also, controversy over a childrens book in Cook Islands and Fiji's kava shortage all that and more stories of the week from RNZ Pacific. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week on Tagata o te Moana: dengue continues its march in Samoa. The King of Tonga is undoing democratic reforms. Vanuatu's security and economic deal with Australia is closer. Also today Pacific heart health, outside nations told not to meddle in the Pacific. Also Pacific youth on security, Bougainville's election and mining the Cook Islands sea floor.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week on Tagata o te Moana from RNZ Pacific with Don Wiseman; Samoans turn to traditional remedies to try and overcome dengue; Bougainville's path ahead as it pushes towasrd independence; Tonga is coming ever closer to mining the sea floor in a remote part of the Pacific; Pasifika unemployment in New Zealand is soaring; and the concerns in the Cook Islands at the side effects of the very healthy tourism numbers.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

On Tagata o te Moana this week:The great new deal for New Caledonia loses some of its sheen. The Cook Islands celebrates without Winston. How did meth become such a huge problem in the Pacific. And more on mining the ocean floor, elections in Bouugainville, Bislama in New Zealand and Davis Cup tennis.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week on Tagata o te Moana, great news for Pacific climate change campaigners; Winston Peters says the Cooks Govt needs to ask its people whether they still want citizenship; Dengue extends its grip over the region and the Pacific loses a music legend.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In Tagata o Te Moana this week: Sam Kauona is again vying to become President of Bougainville. An agreement is signed that may end the political impasse in New Caledonia. Nauru gets closer to a controversial seabed mining deal. The NZ government in a fit of pique ignore Cook Islands 60th anniversary celebrations. All these stories and more from the RNZ Pacific team.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

On Tagata o te Moana today: What is needed to curb the violence in Papua New Guinea; We remember the original Rainbow Warrior; A newly anointed Fiji chief could follow in his father's footsteps and become PM.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week on Tagata o Te Moana: Gun violence in Papua New Guinea fueling an internal refugee crisis. Bougainville and PNG reach agreement on its quest for independence.Guam in the dark over decoy role in US bombing of Iran and Pacific communities celebrate their new All Blacks.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In Tagata o te Moana this week: More reports of civilian casualties out of West Papua amid fighting between the Indonesian Military and the West Papua National Liberation Army. Inconclusive end to PNG Bougainville independence talks in Christchurch. And New Zealand education advocates are critical of the coalition government's decision to remove special funding for Pacific and Maori students in vocational courses.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

On Tagata o te Moana this week: New Zealand hosts independence talks between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. The Samoa Electoral Commission is preparing for an August election. And there's a lot at stake for the World's oceans as leaders, civil society groups, scientists and businesses gather in France.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

On Tagata o te moana this week: Politically it is unsettled in parts of the region, while the Pacific is also trying to cope with dengue outbreaks. The continuing washup involving the Manawanui and next week academics in Auckland look at the links between health and climate.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week on Tagata o te Moana: No solution yet to New Caledonia's political impasse. Polio is again on the rise in Papua New Guinea. The New Zealand Budget delivers substantial cuts to the Ministry of Pacific Peoples and work is underway to improve the response to ciguatera poisoning. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

On Tagata o te Moana this week: Reports of some of the worst violence in 60 years in West Papua. Will former Fiji Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, be allowed to stand in the next election? An Auckland kava business celebrates its achievements but finds itself embroiled in a culture argument. And a Samoan legend of New Zealand politics and education steps away.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Is Samoa closer to an election? An ex-pat judge in Kiribati gets another shot in court, why is Australia planning to recruit soldiers in PNG, New Zealand police involvement in curtailing drug trafficking in the Pacific, and the difficulties faced by Fiji garment workers.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Talofa lava! This week on Tagata o te Moana: There are calls in Tonga for a rethink of the Sabbath Observance Laws; Tinian Island, in the Northern Marianas, was a pivotal site for US Forces in WW2 and there is now a US military resurgence there; In Papua New Guinea women continue to face hardship in maternity hospitals, where giving birth on the floors is not uncommon; The former Fiji attorney general Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum attacks the current government and we hear from a Bougainvillean carver who has been in New Zealand for the past month, showing his skills and learning from local artists.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Halo oketa! First up this week on Tagata o te Moana: What's behind the growing assertiveness by the Bougainville Government; A report details systemic issues in the Solomon Islands election process; And why are turtles washing up malnourished in the Cook Islands? All that and more stories from the week on RNZ Pacific.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Kia orana, This week on Tagata o te Moana: A foreign policy expert says Trump's domestic policies are affecting US competition with China in the Pacific. New Zealand announces more recovery assistance for quake stricken Vanuatu. And Tokelau turtle hatchlings Popo and Uto have now tripled in size.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week on Tagata o te Moana: Pacific nations are disappointed and are trying to wrap their head around US tariffs; The ADB says economic growth in the Pacific is projected to moderate to 3.9 per cent in 2025 and 3.6 per cent in 2026; Bougainville, which is seeking independence, continues to face trauma that can be traced back to the eight years of civil war from 1989; A National Geographic rapid assessment expedition has found Tokelau's coral reefs appear to be recovering following coral bleaching.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Halo oketa wantok! First up this week on Tagata o te Moana: Tonga shaken awake by massive earthquake, Samoa declares a state of emergency to try and address crippling power outages and Tuvalu receives a new state of the art passenger and cargo vessel! All that and more stories from the week on RNZ Pacific.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week on Tagata o te Moana, French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls returns to New Caledonia; the Australian government looks to fill some of the gaps left by USaid in the Pacific; the widow of the former Green Party MP Fa'anana Efeso Collins calls for an inquiry into his death; deep sea mining company denies branding accusation; Samoan tech expert Namulau'ulu Nu'uali'i Eteroa Lafaele named Young New Zealander of the Year.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week on Tagata o Te Moana with Don Wiseman: There will be more talks between the leaders of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea to try and resolve an impasse blocking the province's referendum on independence being tabled in parliament, we also hear from the newly installed Ulu of Tokelau and other fascinating and important stories from the wider Pacific. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Halo oketa! This week on Tagata o te Moana: The dangers of not providing enough police to regions in PNG, A Bougainville leaders group say they want to be independent by September 2027, Deep sea mining campaigners in the Cooks are accused of using charity to win people over and Tokelau prepares to celebrate a century of its relationship with New Zealand. All that and more stories from the week on RNZ Pacific.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Halo oketa wantok! This week on Tagata o te Mona: Samoan PM survives second vote of no confidence, Cook Islands considers becoming a Christian nation, we talk to a Kanak academic about possible political futures for New Caledonia and the Rainbow Warrior will return to the Marshall Islands to mark the 40th anniversary of Operation Exodus. All that and more stories from the week on RNZ Pacific.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Halo oketa wantok! This week on Tagata o te Moana: The prime ministers of Samoa and the Cook Islands both defeat votes of no confidence in their respective parliaments. We speak with a meteorologist about the three cyclones that formed in the Pacific. And a mural honoring the late Fa'anana Efeso Collins was unveiled in Manukau this week. All that and more of this week's stories from RNZ Pacific.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Kia orana! First up on Tagata o te Moana week Cook Islanders express their feelings over the Mark Brown spat with Winston Peters, New Caledonia readies to speak about a replacement for the Noumea Accord, Fiji police try to counter the illicit drug trade and we hear from Norfolk Islanders seeking self government. All that and more stories from the week on RNZ Pacific. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Kia ora! This week on Tagata o te Moana: The Cook Islands versus Wellington, Vanuatu has a new leader, a Pacific beauty pageant judge is accused of fiddling the votes and a Fiji MP shrouded in controversy after her private naked video was leaked could end up in court. All this and more stories from the week on RNZ Pacific.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Kia orana! This week in Tagata o te moana: The Cook lslands spat with New Zealand, Tonga's new leader is left with little time to make his mark, Kiribati rebuts criticism from New Zealand and the Finance Minister of Fiji is calling for a de-colonising of aid. All this and more great stories from the week on RNZ Pacific.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Kia Orana! This week in Tagata o te Moana a new government is on the way in Vanuatu. The US President Donald Trump's immediate impact on Pacific aid. A Kiribati MP has a different view on Winston Peter's cancelled visit and the King of Tonga seems to have got his way in the formation of the new government. All this and more of the best stories of the week from RNZ Pacific.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Halo oketa! In Tagata o Te Moana this week search and rescue efforts continue in the aftermath of the Vanuatu quake. Tonga is preparing to elect a new prime minister and Australia's latest refugee deal with Papua New Guinea is called a death sentence. All this and more stories of the week from RNZ Pacific. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Kia orana! In Tagata o Te Moana this week: Tonga is poised to elect a new leader after the PM resigned ahead of a vote-of-no-confidence. An MP in Bougainville welcomes a report confirming there were negative environmental and human rights impacts by the long defunct Panguna Mine. The Wellington Chocolate Factory is extending its Pacific involvement. All that and more of the week's stories from RNZ Pacific.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Malo ele lei! Coming up in Tagata o te Moana will Tonga have a new government installed next week as a vote of no confidence looms? Whats been the impact of political instability in France on its troubled Pacific territory New Caledonia? And Vanuatu's plea for nations to be held accountable for climate change is being heard at the International Court of Justice. All that and more stories of the week from RNZ Pacific.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Kia Orana! In Tagata o Te Moana this week a new generation of leaders is emerging in New Caledonia, Cook Islanders in New Zealand are consulted on seafloor mining and Samoa's opposition leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says the now passed Samoa Citizenship Bill needed more work. All that and more from RNZ Pacific.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Talofa lava first up in Tagata o te Moana this week Samoans who had their New Zealand citizenship stripped by the Muldoon government get the opportunity to have it restored, the Australian seasonal worker scheme is in trouble with participant numbers declining and thousands making bogus asylum claims. All this and more Pacific stories from RNZ Pacific.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week....China exerts its influence at the Pacific Forum...Pasifica attend the Tangihanga of kiingi Tuheitia in numbers....The Pacific is embracing Starlink...cops going bad in Fiji...Winston Peters on the Samoa Citizenship Bill and the Pacific Music awards.

I'm Don Wiseman and today the Pacific Islands Forum summit, the next stage of the Kiribati election process ....deep sea mining drawing closer, there's upset in PNG after a journalist is shut out of a visit by the incoming president of Indonesia....and a call for spiritual leaders to be sent to NZ with RSE workers.

At the midway point in the Kiribati election newcomers to parliament could hold significant sway.......Concerns are being raised on Guam about a build up in US military assets ....Winston Peters visits the North Pacific and later on......An all-female Pacific-crewed research vessel arrives in Tonga.

Malo e lelei in Tagata o te moana today....the impasse over New Caledonia....we hear from a new woman MP in Kiribati...what can we expect from the Forum summit in Tonga and Palau claims that China is weaponising tourism.

The Kiribati election is drawing close; Fiji's soaring drug issues; The people of Guam are not happy as the US plans its new missile architecture; Google is keen to translate more Pacific languages; RNZ Pacific gets a new shortwave transmitter, and Tahiti's waves rein in Olympic surfers.

This week on Tagata: More violence in PNG; France says it will talk about New Caledonioa in September; Is mining the ocean floor now very close? A media operator in Solomons unjustly targetted by Facebook; How to save the forests of PNG; Is divorce in Fiji putting kids on the street? What Pacifika abuse victims now expect.

Today....the problems with a lack of land for homes in Papua New Guinea...France ships out armoured cars for the securiity forces in New Caledonia. and...questions are raised about invoking custom practice as mitigation in court trials in Samoa.

Ni sa bula vinaka in Tagata O Te Moana this week...Uncertainty continues to hamper efforts to return New Caledonia to normalcy as France heads into its snap election....A significant shift in the Fiji's political landscape is in the offing as time runs out for the FijiFirst opposition party to address constitutional anomalies.....There are concerns in Guam as US military activity on the island ramps up at an unprecented rate...And later on we talk to the director of the theatre adaptation of Tongan comedy Red White and Brass