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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Episode shared with you:

Pacific Waves 21 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Polyfest attracts thousands on Day Three; Round three of NRL comp celebrates multiculturalism; Super Rugby Pacific almost halfway through
Pacific Waves 21 March 2026shared with you
A group of women in Samoan dress perform onstage.

All episodes:

Pacific Waves 21 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Polyfest attracts thousands on Day Three; Round three of NRL comp celebrates multiculturalism; Super Rugby Pacific almost halfway through
Pacific Waves 21 March 2026shared with you
A group of women in Samoan dress perform onstage.

Pacific Waves 20 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Cook Islands PM visits NZ; Green Party vows to 'fill in gaps' for Polyfest funding; Green Party MP says NZ govt needs to 'step up'; Samoa's former PM weighs in on matai bestowment.
Fiame Naomi Mata'afa. Smaoa general election 2025. 29 August 2025

Pacific Waves 19 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Colourful start to ASB Polyfest 2026; Social media a double-edged sword in disasters; Paper stands by article blaming lesbianism for poor performance; Big aviation developments in Pacific Business Update.
SINGLE USE LDR

Pacific Waves 18 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Solomons foreign minister asked to lead government takeover; Fiji Prime Minister non-committal about resigning; Canterbury Pacific students reconnect with heritage; Polyfest marks 51st anniversary.
Solomon Islands Parliament complex.

Pacific Waves 17 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Solomon Island government loses ten ministers; NZ PM bestowed Samoan matai title; Tonga government changes legal age of marriage to 18; Crowds pack Western Springs for Pasifika Festival; Fiji sevens mens team come up short in New York.
Prime Minster Christopher Luxon attends a ceremony to bestow on him a matai title, 16 March 2026, Apia.

Pacific Waves 14 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Thousands expected at Auckland's Pasifika Festival; Canterbury celebrates 25 years of Polyfest; Fiji have a shot at the HSBC Sevens series title
Performers take the stage during Auckland’s annual Pasifika Festival at Western Springs, celebrating Pacific culture through dance and traditional dress.

Pacific Waves 13 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Samoa cracks down on illegal diving at Manawanui wreck; Speculation rife over Tana Umaga's All Blacks move; New play on Maori and Pacific sexuality draws strong reactions.
Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga.

Pacific Waves 12 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Pacific broadcasters discuss navigating the digital landscape; Three Pacific nations to host pre-COP31 meetings; In Pacific Business: Fuel costs and NZ looks at Kava standards.
General view of the Leaders’ Round Table during the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) in the framework of the COP30 UN Climate Change Conference in Belem, Para State, Brazil, on November 6, 2025. (Photo by Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP)

Pacific Waves 11 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: 'Be Brave': Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver releases her memoir; Trumps choice for top ambassador to NZ speaks on the role; Otara to Las Vegas: Samoan-Kiwi boxer follows family's footsteps.
Be Brave by Barbara Dreaver

Pacific Waves 10 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Vanuatu's Ambae Island remains on high alert; Nadi flooding raises questions about alleviation project; Pacific dancers show off siva afi skills in Auckland; Moana Pasifika thumped by Chiefs in Hamilton.
The Manaro Voui volcano is spewing ash and smoke as high as four kilometres above sea level. The alert level remains at three on a scale of five and a 3km danger zone has been declared around the crater. 24 February 2026

Pacific Waves 07 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Acid rain from Vanuatu volcano affecting waterways; New biopic on Samoan opera stars Pene and Amitai Pati; 'Music Portrait of a Humble, Disabled Samoan' gets standing ovation.
Tenor Pene Pati.

Pacific Waves 06 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: PNG authorities halt eviction exercise in city settlements; Cook Islands PM congratulates new ABs coach; Moana Pasifika prepare for Chiefs clash in Hamilton.
Papua New Guinea police are preparing to crack down on illegal weapons but there are allegations they're a key part of the problem.

Pacific Waves 05 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Dave Rennie is the new All Blacks coach; Carnival cruise rolls back Pacific voyages; Samoan muso on life, success and tragedy.
Dave Rennie

Pacific Waves 04 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Charges laid against naval officers over vessel sinking; Mental health survey concludes in Niue; Fuel prices expected to increase in the Pacific; PNG govt requests help to evacuate nationals in Middle East.
Supplementary image for episode: Pacific Waves 04 March 2026

Pacific Waves 03 March 2026

In Pacific Waves today: Pacific governments alert nationals amid Middle East conflict; Tongan national in UAE marked safe but says airstrikes 'frightening'; Fijian Flying Circus wows crowd in Hamilton; Fiji Drua secure first win of the Super Rugby season in Lautoka.
This video grab taken from UGC images posted on social media on March 1, 2026 shows an explosion following a strike on Tehran that appears to have occurred near state television channel IRIB. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that the Iranian supreme leader had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. (Photo by UGC / AFP) / NO USE AFTER MARCH 16, 2026 20:56:18 GMT - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT AFP - SOURCE: UGC / UNKNOWN - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - NO RESALE -

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