Johnny Blades
West Papuans eye business opportunities in PNG
Indigenous West Papuans are exploring business opportunities in neighbouring Papua New Guinea, following talks between the governor of PNG's Madang province and his counterpart in Indonesia's Papua… Audio
NZ Foreign Minister defends assistance to PNG for APEC
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters has defended his government's 10 million US dollar-assistance to Papua New Guinea to help the Melanesian country host APEC, saying it's important that PNG… Audio
Northern Marianas takes stock of typhoon damage
The scale of damage from powerful Typhoon Yutu in the Northern Marianas is slowly becoming more clear. The US territory was directly hit by the category five storm on Thursday, with winds exceeding… Audio
PNG to host APEC - but is it leaders before locals?
Johnny Blades looks at Papua New Guinea's road to hosting the APEC leaders' summit as it teeters on the verge of social breakdown. Video, Audio
NZ defends $15m given to Papua New Guinea for APEC summit
New Zealand's government has defended giving Papua New Guinea $15 million to help it get ready to host the APEC leaders summit.
PNG is relying heavily on help from the likes of Australia, China and… Audio
PNG govt focuses on APEC while grassroots struggle
New Zealand's government has defended giving Papua New Guinea 15 million dollars to help it get ready to host the APEC leaders summit. Audio
Dateline Pacific evening edition for 25 October
Super Typhoon Yutu's impact in the Marianas described as like being in a washing machine; Blocked roads hampering relief effort in CNMI; Giant conch shell unveiled as NZ's memorial to Pacific… Audio
APEC security law violates PNG's constitution, says Singirok
A former Papua New Guinea defence force commander says special security legislation giving foreign security forces and personnel unprecedented powers to respond to threats during next month's APEC… Audio
MPs' convictions set a standard in Vanuatu
Vanuatu judge Oliver Saksak says as a result of recent court rulings, public office holders are learning that they must be accountable. Audio
Tagata o te Moana for 20 October 2018
Ouvea voters ponder New Caledonia independence vote; Greater autonomy for Bougainville still to be defined; Call for transparency in PNG government luxury car deals; NZ's Pacific Minister wants to… Audio
Call for transparency in PNG government luxury car deals
Transparency International in Papua New Guinea has urged the government to come clean on how it procured a batch of luxury vehicles for the APEC summit. Audio
PNG Maseratis & Tongan league fever
Johnny Blades with this week's Pacific wrap, Fakaalofa lahi atu, it is Niuean language week. Also controversy over Papua New Guinea's purchase of luxury Maseratis and Bentleys to transport VIPs… Audio
Vanuatu and NZ parole boards meet for exchange of ideas
Members of the Vanuatu Community Parole Board are in New Zealand for a week of professional development with their local counterparts. The programme is being seen as mutually beneficial, offering an… Audio
New NZ book a call for action on climate change
The author of a new book about the impacts of climate change on coastlines says the sea level is rising more in the South Pacific than in other regions, ansd that urgent action is required on… Audio
PNG weighs up big Chinese-developed infrastructure projects
There are questions in Papua New Guinea around the affordability of new major Chinese-developed infrastructure projects. Audio
Dateline Pacific evening edition for 11 October 2018
Seven to eleven cyclones forecast for this season; Niue Premier blames NZ for audit backlog; Hopes forum for Micronesian community in Hawaii will have big impact; IPCC Climate reports highlights… Audio
PNG landowners push for miner's exit from Porgera
Canadian mining company Barrick Gold is seeking a renewal of its licence in Papua New Guinea at Enga province's Porgera gold mine. But the Justice Foundation for Porgera group, which claims to… Audio
