Melanesia
Melanesian Update for 10 December 2018
The latest Melanesian Update for 10 December 2018. Audio
MSG seen as supporter of Kanak cause
A leading New Caledonian pro-independence politician says governments of Melanesian countries have quietly supported the New Caledonian independence cause.
NZ MPs support gender progress in Melanesian parliaments
New Zealand's parliamentary speaker has led a cross party group of politicians including five women on a six day tour to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands this week. Audio
Melanesian police forces to assist PNG with APEC security
Melanesian Spearhead Group countries are considering deploying police to Papua New Guinea later this year to assist with security for the APEC summit.
Indonesia warns MSG states not to meddle in other countries' affairs
Indonesia has warned Melanesian Spearhead Group member states against meddling in other countries' affairs.
'Everything can be burnt' - West Papua in the Jokowi era
The face of West Papuan society is changing but RNZ International found that the core ideology of these Melanesian people is not easily destroyed. Video
Melanesian states urged to move towards 'blue economy'
Governments of Melanesia are being urged to move towards a "blue economy" approach on protecting their marine assets.
Sense of urgency on protecting Melanesia's ocean resources
A co-author of a new report demonstrating the importance or the ocean to Melanesia's economy and future prosperity says there is a sense of urgency about protecting this asset. Audio
Blackbirding's dark secrets revealed
More than 150 years on, many descendants of the victims of blackbirders still don't know about the dark history which brought around 60,000 Pacific Islanders to Australia.
Instability in Melanesia linked to poor consultation
Lack of consultation over changes to governance systems is being blamed for instability in Melanesia. Audio
Instability in Melanesia linked to perceptions of exclusion
Lack of consultation over changes to governance systems is being blamed for instability in Melanesia.
Etienne Clement - Plunder in the Pacific
Etienne Clément is UNESCO's man in Apia. In the 1990s he was instrumental in having Angkor Wat in Cambodia declared a World Heritage site. Now he's calling on Pacific nations to put a halt to the… Audio
The Melanesian Spearhead Group and West Papua
Radio New Zealand International's Johnny Blades on the recent decision by the MSG to allow Indonesia full membership while denying it to the indigenous Melanesian people of West Papua. Audio
Academic says future shape of MSG hinges on West Papua
A Solomon Islands academic says the unity of the Melanesian Spearhead Group hinges on how its leaders vote on West Papuan membership in its upcoming meeting.
Geopolitical storm coming to a head in MSG
A geopolitical storm is coming to a head in the Melanesian Spearhead Group as the Pacific islands sub-regional organisation considers a membership bid by West Papuans of Indonesia. Audio
Insight, Sunday 22 June: Melanesia
Insight looks at the massive challenges facing Melanesia - the Pacific's "arc of instability." Audio