# Pacific Waves A daily current affairs programme that delves deeper into the major stories of the week, through a Pacific lens, and shines a light on issues affecting Pacific people wherever they are in the world. Page: Feed: --- ## [Pacific Waves 20 August 2026](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/datelinepacific?share=a9fb3a65-1b90-487c-86db-49dbcc4a9974) _2026-08-19_ In Pacific Waves today: PNG says West Papua likely to be discussed by Pacific leaders in Palau; Cook Islands women raise awareness on menopause; United Auckland Gospel choir receives gold at world competition. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1787125878/audio/pacn/dateline-20260819-0603-pacific_waves_for_20_august_2026.mp3) ## [Pacific Waves 19 August 2026](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/datelinepacific?share=d6d63cd8-e89b-43e9-a676-ac82cc674f0e) _2026-08-19_ In Pacific Waves today: Access the biggest challenge for humanitarian workers in the Pacific; Scientists explore Samoa's deep ocean; New data about marine life unearthed in Cook Islands. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1787036732/audio/pacn/dateline-20260819-0604-pacific_waves_for_19_august_2026.mp3) ## [Pacific Waves 18 August 2026](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/datelinepacific?share=2d5d4f49-e691-434d-b1b2-51a8829cd98e) _2026-08-17_ In Pacific Waves today: Pacific urged to prepare for H5 bird flu; Samoa’s historic Manu’a islands face deep-sea mining proposal; Ilegal log exports ongoing in PNG despite govt ban; Tongan language week begins in NZ. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1786950453/audio/pacn/dateline-20260818-0604-pacific_waves_for_18_august_2026.mp3) ## [Pacific Waves 15 August 2026](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/datelinepacific?share=7fe14ecc-320b-4f6f-a4b5-d17da590f6a2) _2026-08-14_ In Pacific Waves today: Samoa's former PM claims govt is trying to silence him; Cook Islands Party looks to retain its power; US crackdown on birth tourism as Pacific territories face scrutiny. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1786694694/audio/pacn/dateline-20260815-0603-pacific_waves_for_15_august_2026.mp3) ## [Pacific Waves 14 August 2026](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/datelinepacific?share=34e9285a-b91b-4215-b8df-9dbe9c481a8c) _2026-08-13_ In Pacific Waves today: Thousands registered to vote for Cook Islands election; Former NZ cabinet minister begins new role at Pacific NGO; Pacific musicians celebrated at this year's awards. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1786607582/audio/pacn/dateline-20260814-0603-pacific_waves_for_14_august_2026.mp3) ## [Pacific Waves 13 August 2026](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/datelinepacific?share=59a86ecf-9293-492c-8c58-c48ebf5ab650) _2026-08-13_ In Pacific Waves today: Future of Pacific music awards hangs in the balance; Fallout over China's recent missile test continues; All Blacks legend Ma'a Nonu faces former team. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1786521723/audio/pacn/dateline-20260813-0603-pacific_waves_for_13_august_2026.mp3) ## [Pacific Waves 12 August 2026](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/datelinepacific?share=6a384915-c997-48b9-acf1-1ae0150c907e) _2026-08-11_ In Pacific Waves today: Cook Islanders head to the polls this week; Forum's China missile response reflects 'Pacific Way' - academic; US threatens to pull out of project in Micronesia. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1786435781/audio/pacn/dateline-20260812-0603-pacific_waves_for_12_august_2026.mp3) ## [Pacific Waves 11 August 2026](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/datelinepacific?share=f20ee07b-d66d-4db7-9087-274973aa7ca5) _2026-08-11_ In Pacific Waves today: Waqa says Kiribati and Nauru did not block China missile test statement; Concerns late enrolment law changes could disenfranchise Pasifika voters; Study considers diaspora voting rights for Samoan elections; Educator hopes Aotearoa will become the Pacific education hub for region. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1786347814/audio/pacn/dateline-20260811-0604-pacific_waves_for_11_august_2026.mp3) ## [Pacific Waves 08 August 2026](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/datelinepacific?share=b1505a2a-603d-4f4e-958f-ef8c24ef740f) _2026-08-11_ In Pacific Waves today: Security features heavily at Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers meeting; Drought reaches parts of Papua New Guinea; Tokelau is one of the most sought-after locations in amateur radio; The Cook Islands celebrates its relationship with New Zealand. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1786135010/audio/pacn/dateline-20260808-0604-pacific_waves_for_8_august_2026.mp3) ## [Pacific Waves 07 August 2026](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/datelinepacific?share=9ed26fff-97ad-4506-a428-979d4c22ecaa) _2026-08-11_ In Pacific Waves today: Rescued climbers recovering well in Honiara; Pasifika unemployment figures paint a grim picture; Big political and economic challenges for New Caledonia's new president; Aotearoa marks 15 years of celebrating Te Reo Maori Kuki Airani. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1786001633/audio/pacn/dateline-20260807-0604-pacific_waves_for_7_august_2026.mp3) ## [Find what they just said (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/deQONVyfwDMp) _2026-08-11 · **Sponsored**_ Surface recent public signals so you can send policy-aware, relevant outreach ## [Pacific Waves 06 August 2026](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/datelinepacific?share=f313db7c-d818-4ed3-8b18-c33bc514a167) _2026-08-11_ In Pacific Waves today: Cost of living is a dominant issue for Cook Islanders ahead of general election; Foreign policy of new-look Solomon Islands leads to fiery criticism in parliament; Rota residents welcome disaster relief package; New Caledonia's new President is the first Wallisian to hold the role. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1785915315/audio/pacn/dateline-20260806-0604-pacific_waves_for_6_august_2026.mp3)