A weekly wrap-up of news, issues and current affairs from the Pacific. The programme is broadcast nationwide every Saturday evening on Radio New Zealand National and is produced by the newsroom of Radio New Zealand International. The following rundown is supplied from the broadcaster’s news system:
1. Human rights in the Marshall Islands is under the spotlight as it heads into a UN review which follows a critical US State report.
2. The Chief Trade Advisor of the Pacific Island Forum Countries [i.e. Dr Edwini Kessie] says significant progress was made on development assistance negotiations in this round of PACER-Plus talks.
3. Bougainvilleans go to the polls from Monday to choose just their third autonomous government since the Peace Agreement was signed in 2001.
4. Transparency Solomon Islands says concerned Solomon Islanders are preparing to challenge the controversial granting of income tax free salaries for Parliamentarians in court.
5. A New Zealand company which says it had its offer of relief shelter for Vanuatu rejected by aid agencies following cyclone Pam says a conversation on how aid is distributed following disasters is needed. [Interview with managing director of Shelter Stations, Daniel Thompson]
6. Preparations are underway in Tonga for the coronation of King Tupou VI in July.
7. A Samoan company [i.e. Maiden South Pacific] hoping to gain a foothold in New Zealand's high-end organic food market says its focus is on providing sustainable products for future generations. [interview with Tiana Epati]
8. The International Rugby Players Association says it's time for World Rugby to reassess the way it funds second tier nations, to ensure their best players can afford to take part in the World Cup.