Pacific Beat

Focusing on the Pacific region, the program brings you interviews with leaders, newsmakers, and people who make the Pacific beat.

Concerns that NRL betting is harming the vulnerable in PNG

In Papua New Guinea, betting on the NRL is growing in popularity and it's happening with little to no regulatory oversight sparking concerns over its impact on the vulnerable.

10-02
43:37

Survey says 'fear' and 'political pressure' are key challenges to Pacific journalists

Self-censorship, political pressure and fear of reprisals were among the key challenges faced by journalists according to a new Pacific Media Forum Index. 

10-01
44:27

Tuvalu celebrates 46 years of independence

Today, Tuvalu – a nation of eight islands and over 10,000 people is celebrating 46 years of independence. 

09-30
43:25

Manu Samoa coach charged with sexual assault

The coach of Samoa’s national rugby team, Mase Mahonri Schwalger has been arrested on sexual assault charges just four months after he was appointed to the top job.

09-29
43:37

Friday Sports edition featuring the rugby crisis in Fiji, PNG NRL bid on a bizarre track, Manusina's quest for a World Cup place and how Samoa's soccer talent search paid dividends

As more World Cup players come forward to ask the Fiji Rugby Union what happened to their money, it has emerged that a promised bonus payment from World Rugby for reaching the last eight never actually existed..

09-26
48:26

Speight should only be released after truth commission: Deposed PM

Former Fijian prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry says failed coup leader George Speight, should have been release after a truth commission had been established. Speight had been serving a life sentence for leading an attempted coup in 2000.

09-25
52:56

Trillions needed by Pacific states to address Climate Crisis, says Ni-Van climate delegate

A Vanuatu climate delegate, Ralph Regenvanu says trillions of dollars are needed to finance climate resilience in the Pacific. Climate financing and levies are set to be discussed in meetings organised in London by the International Maritime Organisation.

09-24
49:53

Public calls for George Speight to apologise for 2000 coup

In Fiji, the family of the George Speight says he has no plans to make a public statement anytime soon after his release from prison last week. Speight led a failed attempt at a coup back in 2000 during which he and his followers held the then prime minister Mahendra Chaudry and his government hostage for 56 days. Since his release, there have been public calls for Speight to come clean on who his supporters were back in 2000.

09-23
45:00

West Papuan rebels release Kiwi hostage Phillip Mertens

After serving more two decades in prison, failed coup leader George Speight is now a free man. He succeeded in securing a presidential pardon after his application was received by a mercy commission last year.

09-22
47:37

Friday sporting edition - Oceania Weightlifting Centre to be relaunched in Samoa; no Hayne plane for Fiji Bati, and the FRU under scrutiny again after former captain goes public on World Cup strike threat.

Apia will be the new base for the Oceania Weightlifting Centre, which closed the doors at its previous location in Noumea as a result of travel restrictions imposed during the COVID 19 pandemic.

09-19
48:11

Vanuatu Govt approves $40 million payout to striking teachers

In Pacific culture, death is a unifying occasion that brings families together to mourn and to reflect. In Papua New Guinea however, the rising cost of living is robbing families of the opportunity to pay respects to their loved ones.  

09-18
43:55

PNG Police and Army reinforcements arrive to Porgera Valley

In Papua New Guinea, Police and military reinforcements will arrive in Porgera today to help restore law and order. More than two dozen people have been killed in fighting between illegal miners and landowners in the Porgera Valley.

09-17
47:09

Porgera woman leader says violence is at extraordinary level as dozens die in PNG mine fight

The Governor of Papua New Guinea's Enga Province is calling for a state of emergency to be implemented after dozens of people were killed in tribal fighting. Human rights activist Cressida Kuala a human rights activist says police need to extend their protection beyond the mine site and into villages.

09-16
51:42

PNG celebrates 49th year of Independence

It was on this day in 1975 that the Australian flag was lowered at Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby marking the end of 70 years of colonial rule by Australia, and a new day of independence for the people of Papua New Guinea.

09-15
43:45

More than 600,000 turn out for Pope in Timor Leste visit

More than 600,000 people in Timor Leste — nearly half the country's population — have turned out for an outdoor mass by Pope Francis. It's one of the biggest ever crowds to have attended a papal event.

09-10
42:51

Thosands turn out to welcome Pope FrancIs in Timor Leste visit

Pope Francis has been welcomed by tens of thousands in the capital Dili. It's the first visit by the Pontiff in 35 years. Timor Leste may be the world's youngest Catholic country. but it has the largest catholic proportion of any population outside the Vatican.

09-09
48:10

Pope Francis calls for peace in Papua New Guinea

Pope Francis celebrated mass with more than 35thousand Papua New Guineans, as he spent the weekend in the Pacific's largest and most populated nation. While in PNG the Pontiff called for a peaceful resolution to Bougainville's bid for independence, better use of natural resources and an end to tribal violence. He now makes his way to Timor-Leste and is expected to touch down in the capital Dili later this afternoon. 

09-08
45:12

Remote town of Vanimo in PNG highlands eagerly awaits Pope visit

Excitement is building in Vanimo in PNG's North West with final preparations being made ahead of what will probably be the small town's most high profile visitor ever, Pope Francis. 

09-04
43:57

Division in New Caledonia pro-independence movement over FLNKS appointment of new leader

Changes in the political landscape have been taking place in New Caledonia with major shifts within the powerbase of the pro-independence movement. The Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front has appointed jailed activist Christian Tein as their leader, but this appears to have met with a disagreement between pro-independence factions.

09-03
47:56

New Zealand mourns Maori King Tuheitia Paki

There has been a spate of party hopping in Papua New Guinea’s parliament ahead of its resumption later today. Two MPs have left the government, while another has returned to the government side after defecting to the opposition a few months ago.

09-02
44:37

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