Johnny Blades
MSG faces major challenges amid lingering fractures
The future appears uncertain for the Melanesian Spearhead Group after its director-general announced his sudden resignation last week. Audio
MSG faces major challenges amid lingering fractures
The future appears uncertain for the Melanesian Spearhead Group after its director-general Peter Forau announced his sudden resignation last week. Audio
Indonesia urged to embrace transparency in Papua
The secretary general of Dewan Adat Papua, the Papua Customary Council leader says recent tentative steps by Indonesia to open up West Papua must be expanded on, as Jakarta still faces a big challenge… Audio
Dateline Pacific morning edition for 19 November 2015
Pacific rugby fraternity remembers Jonah Lomu; Outgoing MSG head felt members' support had gone; Fiji media seek support for Moce family; Filmmaker aims to dispel AIDS stigma in Papua. Audio
Outgoing MSG head felt members' support had gone
The outgoing Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat says declining commitment and resourcing towards the MSG secretariat from member countries played a part in his decision to… Audio
Activist issues warning about New Guinea forests
An environmental and social activist says the governments of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia cannot claim to be serious about climate change impacts when they continue to allow rampant forest clearance… Audio
Dateline Pacific morning edition for 12 November 2015
Concerns for rule of law in Fiji after police chief exit; Pacific students' economic disadvantage affecting achievement; Human Rights Watch says Papua access remains poor; Pacific focus on next… Audio
Dateline Pacific morning edition for 11 November 2015
Fiji Police chief resigns amid apparent standoff with military; Police powers apply across Fiji, says law professor; New Samoa political party planned; Jail sentence for former New Caledonia… Audio
Late Edition for 10 November 2015
PM's 'backing rapists' taunt triggers Labour walkout in Parliament; Christmas Island updates from both a journalist and a detainee; doping in Russian athletics; a theft of finished exam papers; a call… Audio
West Sepik Governor looks to grow links with Indonesia
The Governor of West Sepik province in Papua New Guinea says the border with Indonesia should not be seen as a barrier to greater engagement between the two countries in areas of culture, trade… Audio
West Papuans fear extinction looms under Indonesian rule
West Papuans say their survival as a people is increasingly threatened under Indonesian rule. Audio
Jakarta urged to release all Papuan political prisoners
Despite a handful of Papuan political prisoners being freed recently by Indonesia's president, there's a lot more still languishing behind bars in West Papua. Audio
International engagement on West Papua encouraged
An Indonesian government consultant on West Papua-related issues says that increasing awareness about West Papua in the Pacific Islands region and beyond is a healthy thing, but that for any… Audio
Jakarta looks to empower Papuans in modern mechanisms
Jakarta focuses development approach in Papua on enabling grassroots communities to become equipped with the tools and skills to compete in modern market mechanisms. Audio
Papuans feel let down by development record
The Indonesian government under new president Joko Widodo has pinpointed grassroots empowerment as its core approach to development in Papua region, however Jakarta continues to face criticism about… Audio
Glimpse at Papuan experience under Indonesian rule
For the first time, Radio New Zealand International journalists have been able to enter Indonesia's eastern region of Papua, offering us a glimpse at a Melanesian society long closed off from outside… Audio
Rare visit by New Zealand journalists to West Papua
A relaxation of the ban on media in the Indonesian-controlled province of West Papua has allowed Radio New Zealand International to send journalists into the region. Audio