Johnny Blades
PNG tourism figures lament great unrealised potential
With PNG tourism lagging far behind what it could be in terms of visitor numbers and economic benefits, industry figures indicate a more concerted national effort is needed if PNG tourism hopes to tap… Audio
Papuans not consulted in Freeport negotiations
A church leader says West Papuans are not considered in negotiations over control of a lucrative mining contract in Indonesia's Papua province, but that mining company Freeport and Jakarta continue to… Audio
Vanuatu media pioneer retires
The man largely responsible for building independent media in Vanuatu, Marc Neil-Jones of the Daily Post newspaper, has retired after two decades in the firing line. Audio
Vanuatu media pioneer retires
The man largely responsible for building independent media in Vanuatu has retired. Audio
Blurring of the line between PNG and Indonesia
The 750-kilometre land border between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea has long been problematic but there's an increasing blurring of the line as links between the two sides grows. Audio
Blurring of the line between PNG and Indonesia
Papua New Guinea communities along the border with Indonesia say growing links with the other side are inevitable. Audio
Dateline Pacific morning edition for 18 December 2015
PNG officials meet to develop drought plan; Views conflict over abortion policy in Cook Islands; Report highlights Samoan culture to counter violence against women; Clarity still sought over Vanuatu… Audio
Political will to stop illegal logging in PNG questioned
Questions remain over the Papua New Guinea government's commitment to ending illegal logging despite issuing a stop work order against small illegal logging operations in Oro province. Audio
Political will to stop illegal logging in PNG questioned
Questions remain over the Papua New Guinea government's commitment to ending illegal logging despite tough words against a small logging operation alleged to have breached the law. Audio
Forest fires devastating for Papua, says Greenpeace
The environmental group Greenpeace has criticised Indonesian authorities over the inadequate response to forest and peatland fires raging out of control across the republic including Papua. Audio
Dateline Pacific evening edition for 14 December 2015
Catastrophic outcome still feared despite COP21; Tongan media unhappy with level of govt transparency; Jail sentence sought for Tahiti benefit fraud; Disappointment at a fisheries commission's lack of… Audio
Villagers still cross PNG/Indo border despite abuses
A representative from a Papua New Guinea village close to the border with Indonesia says traditional border crossing rights still have a place despite some abuses of the system. Audio
Capitalism accelerating eco-collapse says Pacific academic
A Wellington-based academic from Vanuatu says that left unchecked, capitalism will continue to accelerate ecological collapse. Audio
Casualties in West Papua on Flag Day
A deadly response to West Papuan expression of independence aspirations puts the Indonesian security forces in the spotlight again as thousands of people across the world took part in demonstrations… Audio
Civilians shot in West Papua
Reports are emerging from Indonesia's Papua region that up to four civilians were shot dead by police and military on West Papuan Flag Day. Audio
Dateline Pacific morning edition for 3 December 2015
Police and military in PNG promise to clean up their act after another violent run-in; There are reports of arrests and one death at rallies for West Papuan independence; Jakarta accused of failing… Audio
Jakarta accused of failing Papua autonomy package
A West Papuan customary representative says lawmakers in Jakarta still lack the political will to re-design Papua region's Special Autonomy status so that it benefits the indigenous people. Audio
Pressure grows for greater fisheries observer measures
The WWF has called for the Tuna Commission to adopt greater measures to ensure the safety of fisheries observers onboard fishing vessels after the disappearance of another observer working on Pacific… Audio