Pacific Waves

In Pacific Waves today: Pacific leaders take the podium at the 79th UNGA; PNG journalism great passes away; George Speight's release triggering for some Fijians - academic; PNG landowners claim 'unpaid commitment' from government.

In Pacific Waves today: Peaceful handover ceremony of Philip Mehrtens captured on video; New survey reveals greatest threats to press freedom for Pacific; An academic says Fiji's George Speight unlikely to pursue a career in politics; Improvements needed to monitor transshipment in the Pacific tuna fishery.

In Pacific Waves today: Claims of bribery involved in NZ pilot's release in West Papua; UNFPA report reveals health disparities for Pacific women; Archival film highlights US Samoan community.

In Pacific Waves today: New Caledonia in limbo as France's political chaos drags on; Indonesian government denies Papuans its rights - report; Cook Island protesters call for 'more time' on seabed mining.

In Pacific Waves today: Rabaul locals recall volcanic eruptions 30 years on; Pacific states increasingly taking charge over diplomat visits; Cook Islands competition brings out best local performers.

In Pacific Waves today: PNG Government looks to extending grace periods; Campaign to remove Tonga's openly gay chief justice ongoing; PNG Kava market injects jobs into a nation with stifling unemployment rates; Phasing out fossil fuel key focus for the Pacific.

In Pacific Waves today: PNG police struggle to cope with tribal 'revenge killings'; PNG deputy PM speaks on country's justice system; Pacific meteorologists gather in Vanuatu this week; Reigning dance champion reflects on his inspiring journey.

In Pacific Waves today: 50 people believed to be dead near PNG mine; New French PM spells bad news for pro-independence NCAL groups; The downside of seasonal work schemes for Pacific families; Siva Afi competition brings the heat down under

In Pacific Waves today: A high-profile Cook Islands inmate has been caught having breakfast at a popular Rarotonga cafe in the middle of her 18 month prison sentence; The vice president of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua has called on Pacific leaders to talanoa with them before engaging with Indonesia; New Zealand's Mental Health Minister says the same approach to suicide prevention for Pasifika may not work for other New Zealanders; The residents of the Tonga island group of Vava'u, are promising to honour the late Maori King's call for whales to be given personhood.

In Pacific Waves today: The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape has easily defeated a vote of no confidence brought by the opposition; There has been a major political shift in New Caledonia's congress amid ongoing unrest in the troubled French territory; The involvement of former New Zealand Governor General Sir Jerry Mataparae in leading the Bougainville Peace Monitoring Group is the key factor in him being brought in as a moderator to try and solve an impasse over the region's push for independence; And then there were eight! NRL finals week 1 kicks off on Friday night in Penrith.

In Pacific Waves today: After nine months finally PNG to hold confidence vote; Refugee advocate welcomes federal court decision; Pacific health provider backs BSA report findings; Auckland's Māori and Pasifika students go 'All Out'.

In Pacific Waves today: Lawyers in Tonga petition to remove chief justice; Pasifika audiences view media as harmful - Broadcasting Standards Authority; Culturally relevant children's books launched in Vanuatu; Miss Samoa Fa'afafine breaks down barriers for youth in NZ

In Pacific Waves today: Samoan crash victims remembered in Auckland service; Pope Francis asks PNG faith members to keep their 'hearts open'; Samoa and Fiji crown their beauty queens; Miss Universe Fiji pageant takes an ugly turn.

In Pacific Waves today: Pope Francis visit a chance to 'unify' PNG; Fiji govt backs commissioner despite internal investigation; Norman Kirk's Tongan tapa goes on display; New Cal receives more aid from France to stay 'afloat'

In Pacific Waves today: Niue announces official results of its referendum; New Australian visa seems a resounding success; Rat eradication project gets underway in the Cooks