Pacific Waves for Thursday 4 February 2016

4:06 PM.Tonga declares Zika epidemic amid 265 suspected cases; Vanuatu government lobbying fluid despite pact signing; Pressure on Australian government to allow asylum seekers to stay; Suspension of Fiji… Read more Audio

4:05 PM.Tonga has declared a Zika epidemic after confirming a number at least two people have contracted the virus and 265 could have it. Audio

4:04 PM.An agreement to look to form a coalition government has been signed by most of Vanuatu's leading political groups, comprising around 36 of the 52 MPs elected in last month's snap election, but the… Read more Audio

4:03 PM.Pressure is mounting on the Australian government to allow asylum seekers who face imminent return to offshore detention on Nauru to stay in the country. Audio

4:01 PM.A chance find of Lapita pottery in Fiji's north last month is expected to spark further interest in the ancient people who settled islands in the Pacific. Audio

6:06 AM.Suspension of Fiji party prompts complaints of excessive force; Vanuatu coalition government-in waiting forms; Niue broadcaster defends programming quality; Australia's highest court throws out a case… Read more Audio

6:05 AM.There's a dispute in Fiji over whether the suspension of a political party, the National Federation Party, was an excessive move by the Supervisor of Elections. Audio

6:04 AM.An agreement has been signed by over two thirds of the Vanuatu's 52 MPs, or 36 members, to commit to forming a new coalition government. Audio

6:03 AM.Niue's state broadcasting says it has no option but to occasionally run repeats, because of the cost of programming. Audio