Mary Baines

The Cook Islands government is planning on dredging Muri lagoon to rid it of an algal bloom it has labelled a national disaster. Audio

There are reports of arrests and one death at rallies for West Papuan independence; An Australian NGO and the Bougainville government are at loggerheads over mining; We hear about concerns that the… Audio

A West Papua independence activist says scores of people have been arrested and one person shot dead by Indonesian police in Papua yesterday for commemorating its independence day. Audio

Tonga's Ministry of Agriculture says the misuse of pesticides there is contaminating food crops, affecting the health of farmers and could be causing cancer. Audio

Pacific Island nations have told the United Nations climate change summit in Paris they are already bearing the brunt of the effects of climate change and urgent action is needed. Audio

Refugee advocates are concerned for a Sri Lankan asylum seeker on Nauru who has been jailed after he attempted to commit suicide at the detention centre there. Audio

Samoa cop criticised over domestic violence message; PNG's Budget cut for Bougainville called unconstitutional; Same-sex renewal of vows barred in Cook Islands; Australia criticised for silence over… Audio

The Cook Islands High Court is set to hear an application which aims to stop the government from allowing more purse seiners to fish in its waters. Audio

Court application to stop purse seiners in Cooks; Head of regional body says gender violence a cancer in the Pacific; Pressure grows for greater fisheries observer measures; We look at Frances… Audio

The Cook Islands High Court is set to hear an application which aims to stop the government from allowing more purse seine boats to fish in its waters. Audio

An increase in Fiji's military budget has been slammed as money poorly spent, unaffordable and unnecessary. Audio

An increase in Fiji's military budget has been criticised as money poorly spent, unaffordable and unnecessary. Audio

There is a push in American Samoa to introduce a law which prohibits the sale of junk food close to schools. Audio

A Papuan separatist leader walks free from jail after more than a decade in prison; Also in Papua, Indonesia told to embrace transparency; NZ's Pacific community rallies for Jonah; Vanuatu releases… Audio

The PNG drought situation is as grim as ever despite recent rain; Pacific media are urged to promote gender equality; There are differing views on the best way forward for development in Vanuatu; The… Audio

Gender inequality, discrimination and stereotypes in the region's media are on the agenda at a workshop in Noumea this week. Audio

The Court of Appeal in French Polynesia has heard the case of two former nuclear test workers who claim they experienced health problems after being exposed to radiation from French nuclear weapons… Audio

El Nino affected communities in Solomon Islands are being urged to adapt prepare for ongoing drought; a PNG governor looks to grow links with Indonesia; a French Polynesia court is to decide the… Audio

The Cook Islands Herald publisher is defending his right to freedom of speech after publishing information on government spending the High Court ordered him not to. Audio

The first female ophthamologist in Solomon Islands says a new eye clinic there has allowed for 300 percent more patients to be treated every day. Audio