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

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

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Pacific Waves for 27 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: PNG police blame overrun prisons on mass breakouts; Guam removed from US nuclear compensation Vanuatu completes WHO disaster evaluation; Dream come true for new All Black recruits.
New episode
Timoci Tavatavanawai with his biggest supporter, his mother Melania Raqina.

Pacific Waves for 25 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: 'Pray for us' - Solomon Island students in Israel awaits repatriation; Majority of Pacific continue to show support for Israel; New poll shows respondents views on Cook Islands; Pacific Music Awards 2025 finalists announced.
Emergency workers check the damage caused to a building from an Iranian missile strike in Beersheba in southern Israel.

Pacific Waves for 21 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Kapa haka group celebrate Matariki in NZ's Northland; NZ's pause on funding is 'patronising' - Cook Islands PM; New faces eager to enter Samoa politics; Experts brought in after cyber-attack on Tonga health database.
Mark Brown speaks at a news conference in Avarua, Rarotonga on Monday (Sunday Cook Islands time) after returning from China. 17 February 2025

Pacific Waves for 20 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: NZ pauses millions of dollars in funding for the Cook Islands; China could be major beneficiary of Peters' move on Cooks - Powles; Pacific economy is growing slowly but surely - World Bank; Getting ready for the biggest Cook Islands festival in Aotearoa.
The diplomatic row between the Cook Islands and New Zealand has come to a head.

Pacific Waves for 19 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Auckland flood residents still facing uncertainty; Debate on deep sea mining in the Cooks ongoing; Moana Pasifika's inspirational captain leaves for Japan.
Flooding in Mangere.

Pacific Waves for 18 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Political instability hindering Pacific unity - Cook Islands foreign secretary; PNG PM seeks to strengthen ties with France; Pacific women shown to have highest rates of womb cancer.
Flags at the Twelfth Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders, East-West Center, Honolulu, 2022

Pacific Waves for 17 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Celebrated Samoan designer tragically shot in protest; Three Pacific nations considered for US travel ban list; UN oceans conference in France ends; A conversation with rising star and counter-tenor Samuel Mataele.
Renowned Samoan fashion designer Afa Ah Loo was fatally shot at a "No Kings" protest in Salt Lake City on Saturday.

Pacific Waves for 14 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Fiji national describes Israel-Iran conflict as 'freaky'; Bougainville independence talks conclude; Tonga's Princess calls for whales to have legal rights; Pacific Climate Warriors take climate change message to Pasifika in Porirua.
This handout photo released by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official Sepah News Telegram channel on June 13, 2025 shows smoke billowing from a site reportedly targeted by an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital Tehran early in the morning. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement in the early hours of June 13 that Israel carried out strikes on Iran and the military operation against the Islamic republic would  "continue for as many days as it takes". (Photo by SEPAH NEWS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / SEPAH NEWS  " - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Pacific Waves for 13 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: More deaths reported in West Papua clashes; NZ police not doing enough to tackle corruption in the region - report; Funding cut hurting Pacific and Māori students - advocates; Mumbai to host sevens rugby tournament.
Indigenous Papuans at a rallying in Merauke, West Papua.

Pacific Waves for 12 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Tuvalu PM calls for treaty on sea level rise in France; Registrations for overseas Samoan voters open; Self-described misogynist obtains Vanuatu citizenship; New breast screening campaign creating a cultural shift.
Tuvalu's Prime Minister Feleti Teo delivers remarks during the opening session of the third United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC3) in the French Riviera city of Nice on June 9, 2025. A global summit on the dire state of the oceans kicks off on June 9, 2025 in France, with calls to ban bottom trawling and bolster protections for the world's overexploited marine areas. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)

Pacific Waves for 11 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Los Angeles protests show no signs of slowing down - Pasifika journalist; Bougainville independence talks underway in Christchurch; NZ govt's new visa excludes Pacific - Green Party MP.
Immigrant rights supporters protest outside of the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C. on June 9, 2025. Around 1,000 demonstrators called for an end to national ICE raids and for the release of SEIU-USWW President David Huerta, who was injured and detained by federal agents during protests in Los Angeles, (Photo by Bryan Dozier / Middle East Images via AFP)

Pacific Waves for 10 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: New report reveals 2024 as the 'hottest year' on record; Aid organisations help farmers in PNG's Sepik get ahead; Corporate companies adopt Samoan cultural attire.
Episode image

Pacific Waves for 07 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Samoa's early election date confirmed; Ship in Fiji's harbour capsizes after removal; Ni-Vanuatu teachers strike continue one year on; Researchers unlock new secrets of early Pacific migration.
Map showing the migration of people of the Lapita culture around when they first reached the Bismarck Archipelago for the first time. Later, Bismarck Archipelago migrants arrived in Vanuatu.

Pacific Waves for 06 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: PNG and Bougainville to hold talks at Burnham military camp; Samoan teacher pens children's book on cultural values; Pacific journos face increasing pressure; Black Ferns rugby player embraces Samoan heritage.
Shiray Kaka in her traditional Samoan attire performing a Siva Samoa.

Pacific Waves for 5 June 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Tonga's 'Aisake Eke led Government has produced its first budget, pumping up spending by more than 10 percent compared with last year. World leaders, civil society groups, scientists and businesses will gather in France next week for the third UN Ocean Conference. Dengue Fever cases have been surging in recent decades, according to the World Health Organization there were just over 500 thousand reported cases in 2000 ballooning to 5.2 million in 2019.
Aerial view of Tongatapu.

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