Tagata o te Moana is a weekly Pacific programme, broadcast on Radio New Zealand National (Saturdays at 5.30pm). It features news, interviews, and discussion of issues. Presented by Don Wiseman.
The programme for 1 December 2007 includes the following:
- Thousands of families are still in need of food, water and shelter more than two weeks after the devastating floods in Oro province, Papua New Guinea. The Australian military started a massive relief operation last weekend, but many locations are yet to be reached. The confirmed death toll remains at 164, and thousands are left homeless. France and New Zealand are also aiding the relief efforts. People are also beginning to suffer medical issues as a result of the floods, such as diarrhoea and malaria.
- Change is in the air in the Marshall Islands, with the eight-year rule of President Kessai Note and his United Democratic Party is almost certainly over. Although the final vote counts from the recent Marshall Islands elections are not expected until shortly before Christmas, the opposition party has already declared victory. The change of government could bring key changes to the Marshall Islands key international relationships. Litokwa Tomeing, who has been the Speaker in Government, will likely be the new President.
- There has been a sharply opposed reaction to a move in Fiji to change the status of the Ministry of Fijian Affairs. The interim government has announced plans to re-designate the Ministry as the 'Ministry of Indigenous Affairs', and to put it under the Prime Minister's portfolio. Philippa Tolley has been following the debate, and reports that the announcement sparked a furious reaction from the ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.
- A number of Pacific countries are working towards legislation governing freedom of information. A hundred and eighty people attended a conference of 'Information Commissioners' in Wellington this week. Megan Whelan attended, and reports that a number of Pacific countries have Freedom of Information (or FOI) recognised in their constitutions, but none have legislation governing it.
- New Zealand has refused to ban exports of fatty meats to the Pacific, despite expert advice. The government's decision goes against a Parliamentary Health Select Committee's recommendation that exports of mutton flap should be phased out, for the good of people's health. Jennifer Craddock reports that mutton flap cuts are cheap and high in fat, they are essentially off-cuts from the belly of the sheep. There is debate over whether keeping the fatty cuts off the dinner tables of Pacific families will help their health, or if a ban will just mean people look for other equally unhealthy cuts of meat.
- After three weeks of political crisis, the political impasse in the Solomon Islands appears to have turned in the government's favour, with the defection of two MPs from the opposition. These are the latest defections since the mass resignation from government of at least 10 MPs earlier in November, demanding the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's removal from office. The delay in the convening of parliament has worked to the government's advantage. Johnny Blades reports that the latest defection has put the government even with the opposition, with 24 MPs of the 48 occupied parliamentary seats.
- The government of American Samoa is doing its part to reduce gas emissions, by introducing tough new eco-friendly restrictions on government departments from 2008. The territory is one of many in the Pacific region which are moving towards specific projects to introduce renewable energy, and cut back on carbon emissions. Small island states are the most vulnerable to the impacts of global warming and climate change. The matter was discussed as a regional priority at a Pacific community meeting in Samoa last month. Sara Vui-Talitu reports.
- A new book by veteran Pacific academic Professor Ron Crocombe 'Asia in the Pacific Islands Replacing the West', he details the diminishing levels of influence and involvement by Western countries, and the growing significance of Asian nations across all sectors across the region. Professor Crocombe is interviewed.