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 3 March 2007 includes the following:
- The state of emergency set up in Papua New Guinea’s Southern Highlands province six months ago has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. In August 2006, the national government suspended the provincial administration and sent in around 800 police and soldiers, amid concerns that essential services were not being provided and there was a growing level of lawlessness. The state of emergency in the province lapsed last week, after several roll-overs since August.
- An economic expert in Fiji says the military-backed regime’s budget will stabilise government coffers, but there is little focus on economic growth. The Interim Finance Minister has unveiled a new budget which aims to curb public expenditure and boost capital expenditure. Mahendra Chaudhry has slashed the pay of public servants, including the military, by 5% but vows it will be restored once the economy recovers. Margot Staunton reports.
- The timing of a return to democracy in Fiji has become one of the main issues being focussed on by the international community. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, said this week that logistically, Fiji is ready to hold elections within months. Philippa Tolley reports that the Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, announced that general elections could be held in three years. He also wants to abolish the practice of voting organised by racial classification.
- A report on how to reform the Tongan police force is expected to be delivered to the Tongan government by April. A group comprising members of the Australian and New Zealand police forces undertook an assessment of the Tongan police following a request from the Tongan government. Linda Skates interviews New Zealand Superintendent of Police, Gary Smith.
- The Niue government is to face a vote of no confidence next week, amid more criticism of the country’s dire financial state. The island has been trying to confront a budget shortfall in recent weeks, and has now put in place 10% cuts to the salaries of all public employees, along with other cuts and freezes in government spending. Opposition MP Terry Coe has initiated the vote, which is scheduled for 7 March. Terry Coe and Hima Douglas comment.
- The Cook Islands Ministry of Health says there are nearly 700 confirmed cases of dengue fever on Rarotonga, and it is doing all it can to contain the problem. A team of health officers, police, environmental officers, and local officials will carry out a health inspection next week, to educate people on keeping properties clear of mosquito breeding sites. The Ministry of Health Secretary, Dr Roro Daniel, is interviewed.
- Trade unions in Papua New Guinea are threatening nation-wide strikes if the Prime Minister doesn’t resign over his handling of the Moti affair. Margot Staunton reports.
- The recent outbreak of cases of typhoid in Porirua and South Auckland has renewed calls for travellers from the Pacific to take care in how they take foodstuffs into other countries. The call comes after three people were treated for typhoid after eating food (banana chips and palusami) that was brought from Samoa into New Zealand legally. Elma Maua reports, and there are comments from Wellington Regional Medical Officer of Health, Dr Annette Nesdale, and from Food Safety Authority Board Pacific representative, Melino Maka.
- There is a new move afoot in French Polynesia to try to revitalise the Tahitian language. Janine Sudbury reports that the language has been undermined by a recent French Supreme Court ruling. There are comments from Tea Hirshon and Alex du Prel.