Covid-19 response efforts in the Pacific were high on the agenda for discussions between the governments of New Zealand and Australia this week; Tonga's vaccination program against the coronavirus is going well, says the Ministry of Health's communication officer, 'Aulola Ake; A huge drop in tourists in Fiji due to the pandemic has meant growing your own food is not only making a comeback, it's a matter of survival.

RNZ: Dateline Pacific

Dateline Pacific for 24 April 2021

Covid-19 response efforts in the Pacific were high on the agendas for discussions between the governments of New Zealand and Australia today.

NZ, Aust commit to increase support for Covid-hit Pacific

Political parties in Samoa turn to the courts to try and break parliamentary deadlock; Frustrated Fijians are calling for an investigation into the cause of the latest community outbreak of Covid-19; Papua New Guinea's opposition makes a power play amid spiralling covid-19 crisis; Pacific leaders in New Zealand expect benefits from health systems overhaul.

Dateline Pacific for Friday 23 April 2021

Samoa's political party of the moment, FAST, has faced two set backs in its quest to win the government benches.

Setback in FAST's quest for power in Samoa

Frustrated Fijians are calling for an investigation into how Covid-19 was allowed to get into the community.

Fijians questioning how Covid-19 community outbreak happened

Papua new Guinea's parliament has been adjourned for another four months amid moves to oust Prime Minister James Marape, and at a time when Covid-19 is rife in the parliament precinct.

Power play in PNG parliament while Covid-19 runs rampant

Pacific health leaders expect a radical overhaul of New Zealand's health system to bring benefits for people of Pacific heritage.

Pacific health leaders expect benefits from health overhaul

There are hopes the new Maori Health Authority will have spillover benefits for New Zealand's Pacific people;The Marshall Islands and New Zealand have been given front-row seats at upcoming US Leaders Summit on Climate Change; Tonga National Rugby League expelled from global governing body. [image_crop:117356:full]

Dateline Pacific for 22 April 2021

There are hopes the new Maori Health Authority will have spillover benefits for New Zealand's Pacific people. The New Zealand government has announced a radical shake-up of its health system, replacing its regional services with one new body to look after the whole country. Pacific health expert Dr Colin Tukuitonga has mixed feelings about the new entity.

Hopes new Maori health body benefits Pacific people too

The Marshall Islands and New Zealand have been given front-row seats at today's US Leaders Summit on Climate Change.

Marshall Islands, NZ summoned for Biden's climate summit

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed Tonga National Rugby League's (TNRL) appeal against its expulsion from the global governing body.

Tonga National Rugby League expelled from global governing body

Community covid case sets back Fiji's travel bubble plans; WHO concerned over potential for PNG's Covid-19 outbreak to worsen; French Polynesia preparing to reopen border to tourists; Salvaging the world's largest Pacific dance festival.

Dateline Pacific for Wednesday 21 April 2021

With the threat of more Covid-19 cases in the community, Fiji's hopes of reopening its border to any international travel will be some time away.

Community covid case sets back Fiji's travel bubble plans

The World Health Organisation holds a briefing on Covid-19 in Papua New Guinea where the number of confirmed cases of the virus is climbing steadily towards 10,000, and the death toll is 89.

WHO concerned over PNG's Covid-19 outbreak to worsen

French Polynesia is set to reopen its border at the end of next week and allow foreign tourists back in.

French Polynesia preparing to reopen border to tourists

A daily current affairs programme covering the major Pacific stories of the week, with background and reaction from the people making the news.

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RNZ: Dateline Pacific

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