Tagata o te Moana for 4 February 2023

We spoke with Massey University Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies, Anna Powles, about the significance of Kiribati's intention to return to the Pacific Islands Forum ahead of its leaders meeting early this year; Aotearoa New Zealand's new Prime Minister says he is committed to strengthening Pacific ties and agrees to look at an overstayer petition launched by Pacific community leaders almost three years ago; It's been a busy first month for Fiji's new coalition government which has set about restructuring the public service hierachy amid constant criticisms from the opposition group; The Cook Islands is seeing if it can import medicinal cannabis without changing any of its laws.The country voted in favour of cannabis being allowed for medicinal use, in a referendum during the 2022 general election; We talanoa with two contributors the 'We Are Still Here' project a unique film that explores the effects of colonisation on indigenous peoples in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific through eight separate stories; The president of Henderson Eels Football Club in Solomon Islands, Hudson Wakio, says the secret behind securing Solomon Islands first ever professional European Football contract for a locally based player is sending the right candidate.