Two Insight documentaries (each is 30:00 in duration):
1) Insight - South Pacific Forum. Produced by Phillip Hay.
An analysis of the 1982 South Pacific Forum meeting and its achievements.
Stuart Inder and Robert Keith-Reid, veteran Pacific journalists comment on the relaxed nature of the Forum meetings and how they are enjoyed by Prime Ministers Robert Muldoon and Malcolm Fraser of Australia.
Last weekend the 11th Forum met in Rotorua, attended by 13 Pacific heads of state.
Australian Foreign Minister Tony Street comments on the three major issues which arose: New Caledonian independence and Ratu Mara's mission to Paris, French Pacific nuclear testing and concern over United States' decision not to sign the Law of the Sea Convention in the United Nations.
Robert Keith-Reid comments on this last issue and its implications for Pacific tuna fisheries which have expanded rapidly. Mr Muldoon speaks at the Forum on the American position.
New Caledonian Kanak independence leader Yann Celené Uregei, speaks through an interpreter about his organisation's desire for independence, and the resolution they are presenting at the Forum for their case to be made to the U.N. Committee on Decolonisation.
Cook Islands Premier Tom Davis says he supports the French government's proposed steps towards independence. Mr Muldoon agrees - saying New Zealand wants independence for New Caledonia but does not recognise Mr Uregei as the sole representative of independent New Caledonia. He says New Zealand does not agree with the call for a referendum on the issue.
Forum President, Jeremia Tabai of Kiribati comments. Father Walter Lini of Vanuatu says his country would like to see independence for New Caledonia immediately. He is scathing about New Zealand's soft position on the issue, saying the government is more concerned about its economy than human rights. He comments on the Forum meeting's communique on the issue, which was softer than he would have liked.
New Zealand and Australia agreed to increase aid to the region. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser speaks about his government's Pacific policy. Jeremia Tabai is interviewed on aid and its role in Kiribati's economy and the changing way of life there.
The practice of linking aid packages to fisheries access was criticised by the Forum.
Malcolm Fraser comments on areas of disagreement among Forum members. The financial state of the Pacific Forum shipping line was discussed - with the need for more financial input from members.
Political scientist Rod Alley of Victoria University discusses tangible achievements by previous Forum meetings, including the shipping line, SPEC, the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency and duty-free trade.
The tight security and more formal nature of the Rotorua forum is discussed by journalists Robert Keith-Reid and Stuart Inder of The Bulletin.
2) Insight - Video Games: Are the aliens here already?
Video games first appeared in New Zealand in 1975 with 'Pong'. Bruce Sullivan, an importer who assembles games for the New Zealand market talks about how early games were a spin-off from the NASA space programme.
"Space Invaders" has introduced progressive levels of difficulty and respond to the player's ability. Some good players will play for up to half an hour or more.
Behavioural scientist Jim Moodie talks about the strategies that players develop to beat games and the educational potential. He analyses the psychological appeal of the instant rewards that games provide. Marie, who is unemployed, talks about playing Space Invaders.
Gordon Hogg, President of the Computer Services Association says game-players are acquiring skills.
Bruce Sullivan says New Zealanders tend to like the more straight-forward shooting games, rather than the tactical games popular in America. Mark talks about the games he likes, such as Krazy Kong.
Jim Moodie talks about addiction to gaming, and how games get players hooked on trying to exceed their previous scores: everybody can become Han Solo or Buck Rogers, providing a source of self-esteem for people who have few other sources of self-esteem available to them. New games are constantly being developed to keep them interested.
Bruce Sullivan talks about new, realistic 3D games, and says that holograms and lasers are being experimented with overseas. He discusses the cost of game machines and the returns for parlour owners.
Games are more popular in smaller centres than in cities where there is more available entertainment. Gerry Hindmarsh, video parlour manager talks about the parlours as a social meeting place for kids. Video arcades have taken over from pool halls, with a similar bad reputation initially. Sergeant John Hutton of Police Youth Aid comments on crime and video parlours - they give young people a place to go and gives under-achievers a sense of achievement. He urges parents to get out and see what their children are doing.
Gordon Hogg would like to see games available for free through youth organisations like Scouts. Mark isn't so sure that games and computers have so much in common.