Pacific Beat

Episodes

• 
  Pacific leaders call for emission cuts and climate funding at COP31 13.11.2026 45m

  Pacific leaders have used their platform at COP31 to send a unified message, industrialised nations must cut emissions, and take climate funding for the most vulnerable seriously.
• 
  iTaukei woman lays out climate change reality to world leaders 12.11.2026 50m

  A young iTaukei woman travelled from one of Fiji's most remote islands to be at COP31 to directly tell world leaders the difficulties they face from climate change.
• 
  Pacific climate groups say COP31 'overshoot' concessions are not acceptable 11.11.2026 55m

  Pacific climate activists at COP31 climate talks in Antalya, Türkiye say concessions of a 1.5 degree Celsius "overshoot" are not acceptable.
• 
  Two-week UN Climate Summit begins in Türkiye 10.11.2026 48m

  As COP31 gets underway, the Pacific are hoping the region's interests will be front and centre when the hard talking begins.
• 
  New Zealand national elections could take weeks to call 09.11.2026 50m

  Incumbent New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's National Party has the most seats in parliament at the moment but New Zealand's national elections could take weeks to call. 
• 
  New Zealanders will head to the polls after a closely fought campaign 06.11.2026 45m

  The upcoming New Zealand election results will have implications across the Pacific region with military spending and visa-free entry for Pacific Islanders up for debate.
• 
  Solomon Islands community saw no royalties for sample in 90s French hit song 05.11.2026 51m

  A 1990s French hit song sampled a lullaby from Solomon Islands' Baegu district in Northeast Malaita that has been misattributed for decades, and the community has yet to see any royalties.
• 
  Guam US midterms see Governor and House of Reps delegate both ousted 04.11.2026 55m

  US midterms in Guam have seen Republican Tony Ada elected governor, ending eight years of Democratic leadership. 
• 
  Five survivors rescued after three months adrift in the Pacific Ocean 03.11.2026 51m

  Five survivors have been rescued after three months adrift in the open Pacific, a journey that claimed the lives of four others.
• 
  Transnational crime analysts warn that drug smugglers will adapt quickly to AI maritime drones in the Pacific 02.11.2026 48m

  AI bluebottle maritime drones are set to be deployed in Fiji to help stop drug smuggling, but experts warn cartels will evolve quickly to meet that challenge.
• 
  Tongan whale watcher operators accuse foreign businesses of rule breaking 30.10.2026 48m

  Local whale watching operators in Tonga are concerned the government is handing out too many licenses while foreign operators flout the rules, putting the whales and their breeding grounds at risk.
• 
  Timor-Leste vows to continue gas project despite Woodside withdrawal 29.10.2026 49m

  Timor-Leste has vowed to press ahead with its controversial 'Greater Sunrise' gas project after Woodside Energy sold its 33 per cent stake, leaving the project without an operator.
• 
  Twelve dead in PNG after armed robbery ends in gunfight with police 27.10.2026 49m

  Twelve people are dead after an armed robbery ended in a vehicle rollover and a gunfight with authorities.
• 
  6.9 magnitude earthquake followed by strong aftershocks in North Vanuatu 26.10.2026 47m

  An earthquake off Northern Vanuatu has been followed by a series of strong aftershocks throughout the weekend.
• 
  Members of Vanuatu's "Second Republic Movement" could face sedition charges 23.10.2026 42m

  Vanuatu's government has described the actions of the so-called "second republic movement" as illegal, warning that participants could be charged with sedition.
• 
  The PNG Chiefs have stamped their identity on the sporting world, but controversy over the brand rolls on 22.10.2026 47m

  The PNG Chiefs now have an identity of their own with the unveiling of the club's inaugural logo and jersey ahead of its debut NRL season in 2028. The Chiefs' colours and logo are out there, and replica shirts are set to go on sale to fans in PNG, but they won't be in the shops in Australia or New Zealand, as the trademark dispute with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise rumbles on. 
• 
  PNG university students will be able to apply to join the ADF next month 21.10.2026 44m

  Papua New Guinean university students will be able to apply to join the Australian Defence Force from next month.
• 
  Death of notorious PNG conman Noah Musingku met with mixed reactions 20.10.2026 52m

  Reactions are mixed over the death of the South Pacific's most infamous conman Noah Musingku.
• 
  Super Typhoon Champi narrowly misses Guam by 16 kilometres 19.10.2026 46m

  Guam breathed a sigh of relief over the weekend when Super Typhoon Champi narrowly missed a direct hit on the island.
• 
  Fijian conjoined twins separated successfully in Saudi Arabia 16.10.2026 48m

  Fijian conjoined twins have just undergone a 12-hour separation surgery in Saudi Arabia successfully.