Tagata o te Moana is a weekly round up of news from the Pacific from Radio New Zealand International, broadcast on Radio New Zealand National on Saturdays at 5.30pm. This week's edition is presented by Johnny Blades.
This week's programme focusses on the earthquake and tsunami which hit parts of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga on September 30 (NZ time), claiming more than 150 lives and causing widespread destruction. The items are:
From the hills above the coast of the island of Upolu, Samoa journalist Cherelle Jackson surveyed the aftermath of the five large waves which pounded the shores;
The head of the Samoa Hotel Association, Nynette Sass says the devastation is immense on the South coast;
Taking stock of the ruin in American Samoa's capital is the government's petroleum officer Sione Lousiale Kava;
In Tonga, Alfred Soakai from the National Emergency management office, flew over Niuatoputapu after it was overwhelmed by 3 large waves;
A meeting has been held in Apia to consult with the families of victims about government assistance for funeral arrangements - our reporter in Samoa, Leilani Momoisea;
The Federal Emergency Management Agency says relief efforts in American Samoa have shifted from providing basic necessities to restoring the territory's electricity supply;
Supplies and assistance is continuing to arrive in the tsunami devastated Tongan island of Niuatoputapu;
Various governments and International organisations have been pouring in their support for victims of the disaster;
The tsunami tragedy has cast a shadow over this week's Pacific Mini Games in the Cook Islands where flags have been flying at half mast;
Tsunami warning systems have been criticised following the disaster although others say the preceding earthquake should have been a warning to flee;
In other news:
French Polynesia's veteran politician, Gaston Flosse, has been charged with corruption;
A number of Pacific Island leaders have addressed the United Nations General Assembly;
The sixth mini games in the Cook Islands have ended with Fiji dominating the results.
Source: Radio New Zealand iNEWS.