Pacific Waves

A daily current affairs programme that delves deeper into the major stories of the week, through a Pacific lens, and shines a light on issues affecting Pacific people wherever they are in the world.

Presented by Susana Suisuiki

On air:

Weeknights at 9.45pm on RNZ National and weeknights 6.00am on RNZ Pacific

An illustrated motif representing people from the Pacific gathered around a sun sits behind a photographic portrait of Susana Suisuiki.

Follow this podcast

RSS

Get this podcast straight from the source in the free RNZ app: Apple App Store or Google Play

Pacific Waves 13 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Pacific news wrap with Christina Persico; Tongan royals lend support for new public library; Pacific sports wrap with Iliesa Tora.
New episode
The Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Tonga

Pacific Waves 12 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: US Marshallese threatened by aggressive deportation; Australia records largest number of indigenous deaths in custody; One election petition in Samoa still before the court; The Pacific's big fisheries body takes new conservation steps.
Demonstrating the ramped up focus on deportations under the Trump administration, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement used a military plane for the first time ever in June to deliver 18 Marshallese deported from the US to Majuro. Photo: Office of National Security, Marshall Islands.

Pacific Waves 11 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Ilegal sale of medical drugs in PNG a persistent concern; Pacific families urged to be vigilant against measles; Homeownership a reality for Pacific families in Porirua.
Central Pacific Collective initiative 'Our Whare Our Fale' re-imagines the Pasifika village in New Zealand

Pacific Waves 10 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Kiwi optometrist works to restore eyesight in the Pacific; Cook Island youth in NZ urged to 'step forward'; University of Auckland opens new Pacific space.
The mobile eye clinic will travel into rural Fijian communities that wouldn’t otherwise have access to eye care. By breaking down accessibility barriers, it will help clear the backlog of avoidable blindness in Fiji and tackle the growing issue of diabetes-related eye disease.

Pacific Waves 09 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: One of conjoined PNG twins die; Cook Islands war heroes eligible for service medals; Pacific sports wrap with Iliesa Tora.
Papua New Guinea conjoined twins.

Pacific Waves 06 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: A crucial leg of the process to decide Bougainville's future status has begun; Pacific leaders urged to think twice about deep sea mining; Cannabis movement in Fiji calls for law reform.
No caption

Pacific Waves 05 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Tongan short film under consideration for the Oscars; Lack of human rights groups in the region concerning - report; Rugby World Cup 2027 pool groups released.
Lea Tupu'anga Mother Tongue, directed by Vea Mafile'o (far right) is a short film that delves into cultural identity and language trauma told through the film's main character portrayed by Luciane Buchanan (standing second from left).

Pacific Waves 04 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Tahiti community mourn for landslide victims; Former Kiribati president weighs in on next year's climate summit; Cook Islands paddling tournament wraps up.
The search operations involved about 200 emergency staff.

Pacific Waves 03 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Tonga's caretaker PM leadership 'weak' - journalist; PACER Plus agreement marks five years; Prevalence of burnout among NZ Pacific people 'alarming' - study.
Supplementary image for episode: Pacific Waves 03 December 2025

Pacific Waves 02 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Fiji Prime Minister fronts up on past military coups; Samoan news anchor wins Emmy award for Maui coverage; Pacific sports wrap with Iliesa Tora.
U.S based Samoan news anchor, Tamara Vaifanua has won an Emmy award for her coverage of the Maui wildfires.

Pacific Waves 29 November 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Vanuatu opposition leader accuses govt of being lazy; Pacific content creators win big at the Tiktok awards; Pacific news wrap with Koroi Hawkins.
Ismael Kalsakau

Pacific Waves 28 November 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Hundreds march in Fiji for women abuse survivors; Fiji military presents traditional apology to high chiefs; Pacific sports preview with Iliesa Tora.
No caption

Pacific Waves 27 November 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Papuan activists sentenced to seven months imprisonment; PNG government tables national budget; Marshall Islands citizens to receive free money from government; Solomon Islands student showcases cultural heritage.
The National Parliament House of Papua New Guinea, in Port Moresby

Pacific Waves 26 November 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Solomon Islanders in NZ celebrating language; Improved access to diabetes monitor a 'gamechanger'; International athletes compete in Cook Islands paddling event; Pacific news wrap with Koroi Hawkins.
A huge community presence was waiting in Seghe for the high level delegation to step out of the plane opening ceremony.

Pacific Waves 25 November 2025

In Pacific Waves today: What countries have agreed on as COP30 concludes; Samoan employer in NZ found guilty of slavery; Cook Islands govt working on repairing relationship with NZ; Pacific sports wrap with Iliesa Tora.
Prime Minister Mark Brown in Parliament on February 24, 2025.

Other podcasts
like this one

More podcasts with similar themes or ideas that you might enjoy.

  • Test reads "The detail" where the dot on the "I" is highlighted.

    The Detail

    Award-winning

    The big news explained, by the country's best journalists and experts.

  • Podcast title 'Here Now' in front of a colourful background with overlaid shapes. A map of New Zealand is also overlaid over the coloured shapes.

    Here Now

    What do 27% of NZers all have in common? They were born overseas.