Johnny Blades
Controversy mars first half of polling in PNG election
Halfway through its designated polling period, Papua New Guinea's national election has become mired in controversy. Audio
Senior election officials detained in Papua New Guinea
A Papua New Guinea election official has been arrested after he was found with $57,000 American dollars in his car and a signed document from an unnamed candidate. Our reporter Johnny Blades is in… Audio
Voting gets underway in Papua New Guinea's election
Voting has begun in Papua New Guinea's general election. The two week polling period follows almost two months of intense campaigning involving more than 3,000 candidates across the country. Our… Audio
PNG electoral commission ready for polling
Papua New Guinea's electoral commission says it is ready for polling despite claims the general election has been rigged. Audio
Elections begin in PNG amid claims of vote rigging, corruption
It's a country of eight million people in New Zealand's Pacific backyard, where corruption, tribal warfare and domestic violence are rife and it's about to head to the polls in national and local… Audio
Dateline Pacific evening edition for 19 June 2017
Vanuatu prepares to farewell head of state following sudden death; proponents of Tonga's participation in New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employment scheme say it has room for improvement; A refugee… Audio
National Alliance seeks to form next PNG government
With Papua New Guinea's election fast approaching, divisions are widening between the two biggest political parties, the People's National Congress and the National Alliance, on management of the… Audio
Deported NZer seeks answers from PNG Immigration
A New Zealand Catholic missionary deported from Papua New Guinea says it's unclear how he was supposed to have breached the conditions of his visa. Douglas Tennent says his work helping local people… Audio
Spotlight on Australian govt financing role in LNG Project
The Australian government's Export Finance Insurance Corporation has been questioned in the senate about its role in Papua New Guinea's LNG Project. Audio
Dateline Pacific evening edition for 12 June 2017
Crippled by drug shortage, PNG doctors threaten to strike; New Zealand Treasury takes a look into the country's Pasific futures; The UN says protecting PNG's rainforests is a global responsibility… Audio
Dateline Pacific morning edition for 8 June 2017
Fiji's NFP proposes health reforms; Cultural diversity seen as the key to achievement rates for Maori and Pasifika students in NZ; The new Indonesian ambassador to New Zealand defends human rights… Audio
Indonesian ambassador to NZ says Papuan rights protected
Indonesia's new ambassador to New Zealand says there's been a lot of misinformation in international media about treatment of human rights in Papua region. Audio
Papuans love being part of Indonesia, says ambassador
Indonesia's new ambassador to New Zealand says the indigenous population of Papua region is not pushing for independence. Ambassador Tantowi Yahya says that Indonesia acknowledges the mistakes of the… Audio
Dateline Pacific evening edition for 5 June 2017
Cook Island musician and All Black legend honoured on Queen's Birthday; Nauru Govt accused of judicial interference; Safety questions raised in Fiji over slow reaction to asbestos concerns; New… Audio
Former PNG political heavyweight seeks return to ring
Papua New Guinea's Kantri Party, which is fielding 40 candidates in the upcoming general election, is seeking to prioritise rural development. Audio
Dateline Pacific evening edition for 2 June 2017
NZ deflects Manus asylum plea to Australia; Bigger faster patrol boats to be rolled out for security and fisheries surveillance in the Pacific; Samoan musicians sweep the 2017 Pacific Music Awards… Audio
Dateline Pacific evening edition for 31 May 2017
Memoir of Samoa PM Tu'ilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi released; Students embrace free Samoan language classes; Tongan push to stop young marriages; Atoll vegetables to fight NCDs; Tongan wear moving away… Audio
PNG police force feeling manpower and capacity pinch
Feeling the pinch with manpower and capacity shortcomings as it confronts major security challenges, Papua New Guinea's police force has sought outside help to fulfil its role enforcing law and order.
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