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.

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Pacific Waves 20 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Norfolk Island to hold elections on New Years Day; Plans for Pasifika fale in Wellington underway; Young Cook Islanders take to the stage in Manukau.
New episode
Projected image of the Fale Malae Trust cultural centre

Pacific Waves 19 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: No compensation yet for Samoa villages from Manawanui disaster; Fiji lawyers push back on contentious bill; The people of Atafu in Tokelau are working hard on self-reliance.
Diesel fuel slicks from HMNZS Manawanui observed from aerial shots.

Pacific Waves 18 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: One year since devastating Vanuatu earthquake; Report reveals Fiji may be at risk of losing US aid; Niuean PhD scholar advances health equity for Pacific.
Only authorised personnel are allowed in the "Red Zone" that covers all of downtown Port Vila. 15 January 2024

Pacific Waves 17 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: What the new Tongan PM appointment means for democracy; France ruled as not giving enough security to New Caledonia in 2024; Report reveals Fiji's health workforce crisis.
Ra Maternity Hospital on the Fiji mainland

Pacific Waves 16 December 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Tongan noble Lord Fakafanua elected prime minister; Fiji's first Indo PM says there's still no justice for his people; Auckland Samoan Catholic centre celebrates 30th anniversary.
Lord Fakafanua after the nobles' results announcement in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 20 November 2025

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.
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.
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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.

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