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 18 October 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Ex Samoa PM files lawsuit against successor; Pacific leaders criticise reduced methane goals; Fiji teachers advocate for corporate punishment.
New episode
The compounds were first tested in laboratory experiments in rumen fluid.

Pacific Waves 17 October 2025

In Pacific Waves today: NZ foreign minister speaks on Manawanui compensation; Pacific vocalists deliver powerful performances on hit TV show; Pacific sports wrap with Iliesa Tora.
Papua New Guinea had set a total of 117 runs and Samoa reached the target with nine balls remaining and six wickets in hand.

Pacific Waves 15 October 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Candidates confirmed for Tonga's election; Pacific news wrap with Christina Persico; Climate experts address adaptation solutions.
A Tonga Electoral Commission banner with the message: "Vote so you can be counted".

Pacific Waves 14 October 2025

In Pacific Waves today: People are sticking to the status quo - Nauru elections; Five to nine tropical cyclones predicted for the Pacific; New training initiative a game changer for Pacific workers.
Barbara Dreaver, TVNZ reporter.

Pacific Waves 11 October 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Nauru election gets underway; Fiji must focus on the future as it marks 55th independence - academic; Pacific news wrap with Christina Persico.
Nauru national flag

Pacific Waves 10 October 2025

In Pacific Waves today: RNZ Pacific Papua New Guinea correspondent Scott Waide joins Pacific Waves to unpack PNG's defence treaty with Australia and more; NZ govt urged to create new humanitarian visa; Pacific sports wrap with RNZ Pacific senior sports journalist Iliesa Tora.
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (centre R) and Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape (2nd L) pose with Papua New Guinea's Minister of Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko (L), Australia's Minister of Defence Richard Marles (2nd R) and Australian Minister of Defence Industry and Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy (R) after the signing of the Pukpuk treaty at Parliament House in Canberra on October 6, 2025. Australia and Papua New Guinea are to sign a long-awaited mutual defence treaty, as Canberra seeks to deepen ties with Pacific nations and counter Beijing's rising influence. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

Pacific Waves 09 October 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Fijian workers overseas behaviour 'embarrassing' - Fiji PM; Pacific social media wrap with Coco Lance; Pacific advocates recognised for climate campaign.
THE HAGUE - Vishal Prasad (Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change) speaks to the press before the International Court of Justice following the conclusion of an advisory opinion on countries' obligations to protect the climate. The ruling is not binding but has "great legal weight and moral authority. ANP LINA SELG netherlands out - belgium out (Photo by Lina Selg / ANP MAG / ANP via AFP)

Pacific Waves 07 October 2025

In Pacific Waves today: New Zealand pays Samoa millions in compensation over sunken vessel; Te Maeva Nui festival returns to Aotearoa; Embracing my Fijian identity and culture - Esther Traill.
UAS footage of RNZN Divers surveying the area around HMNZS Manawanui on the Southern Coast of Upulo as part of Op Resolution.

Pacific Waves 04 October 2025

In Pacific Waves today: PNG a 'pawn' in defence treaty - former military chief; Pacific weekly news wrap; Tā moko artists study Māori ancestral heads; Tuvalu families celebrate language week through games.
Tuvalu

Pacific Waves 03 October 2025

In Pacific Waves today: New Zealand's foreign minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters speaks on the UN General Meeting in New York and his meetings with the Pacific leaders; The NRL comes to a peak this Sunday night with the Storm and the Broncos playing for the championship title; World Rugby issues new guidelines for player welfare, New Caledonia's under-19 women's football team qualifies for their first-ever world cup, and Pacific Championship rugby league tournament coming up.
Reece Walsh of the Broncos as players melee in the background during the NRL Preliminary Finals match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Penrith Panthers.

Pacific Waves 01 October 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Bougainville re-elects Ishmael Toroama for top job; Pacific news weekly wrap; NZ govt proposal to scrap holidays act unfair - union.
Ishmael Toroama has retained the Bougainville Presidency after surpassing the absolute majority.

Pacific Waves 30 September 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Pacific nations need to consider its Israel stance - academic; Samoa opposition leader confirms final term as MP; Approval granted for new Pacific cultural centre in Wellington; Manu Samoa loses out again for world cup qualifiers.
People take part in a march against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 26, 2025. Netanyahu aggressively ruled out Palestinian statehood in a speech to the UN Friday telling those delegates who stayed to listen that it would be tantamount to "national suicide" for his country. "Israel will not allow you to shove a terrorist state down our throats. We will not commit national suicide because you don't have the guts to face down the hostile media and antisemitic mobs demanding Israel's blood," he said. (Photo by kena betancur / AFP)

Pacific Waves 27 September 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Samoan caregiver gains popularity on Tiktok; US President tells world leaders climate change is a 'scam'; Pacific sports preview.
Sapini Unoi and his mother Mutalau have gained thousands of followers on their TikTok account.

Pacific Waves 26 September 2025

In Pacific Waves today: Solomon Islands scraps tax on menstrual products; Samoan villagers insist on the removal of HMNZ shipwreck; Miss Samoa reflects on pageantry journey.
Miss Samoa Litara Ieremia-Allan

Pacific Waves for 25 September 2025

In Pacific Waves today: New Caledonia beefs up security for historical anniversary; Long way to go for women to enter politics - Pacific leaders at UN General Assembly; Charlie Kirk's death causes stir among Pacific communities and more on social media.
Police reinforcements arrived at Nouméa’s La Tontouta airport last week – PHOTO Haut-Commissariat de Nouvelle-Calédonie

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