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Artwork for Pacific Waves

Pacific Waves

RNZ
Fiji
Papua New Guinea
New Zealand
Samoa
Tonga
Solomon Islands
Cook Islands
Australia
Climate Change
Pacific Islands Forum
New Caledonia
Pacific Islands
Moana Pasifika
Nauru
West Papua
Vanuatu
Bougainville
Aotearoa
Deep Sea Mining
OFC Pro League

A daily current affairs programme that delves deeper into the major stories of the week, through a Pacific lens, and shines a light on issues affecting Pacific people wherever they are in the world.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1100Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Pacific Waves

Latest Episodes

In Pacific Waves today: Pacific health leader appointed top role at World Obesity Federation; Last of Tonga prisoner escapees recaptured; PNG authorities managing separate cases of missing people at sea; PNG claims Pacific's first medal at Commonweal... more

YouTube

In Pacific Waves today: Fiji working on diaspora policy to encourage investment; Tuvalu works with Sea Shepherd to nab illegal fishers; Eleven Pacific teams at Commonwealth Games.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

YouTube

In Pacific Waves today: Victims of match-making scam in China warn others to steer clear; Tonga police issue bounty for information on two fugitives; Corruptions charges against ex-head of Fiji public prosecutions dropped.

Go to this episode on rnz... more

YouTube

In Pacific Waves today: PNG's East New Britain province devastated by unfolding maritime tragedy; Nursing researcher explores indigenous healthcare in the US; NZ Labour MP looks to fix country's remittances system.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz f... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Katrina Whatiaki
Representative from the Dare to Dream Foundation
Dare to Dream Foundation
Episode: Pacific Waves 21 July 2026
Johnny Blades
RNZ Pacific senior journalist
RNZ Pacific
Episode: Pacific Waves 18 July 2026
Elieza Tora
Senior sports journalist
RNZ Pacific
Episode: Pacific Waves 18 July 2026
Elizabeth McGregor
Award-winning costume designer for Disney's Moana live-action film
Disney Moana live-action
Episode: Pacific Waves 17 July 2026
Mahindra Chaudhry
Former Fiji Prime Minister
Fiji Labour Party
Episode: Pacific Waves 16 July 2026
Denise Fernandez
Oceanographer from Earth Science New Zealand
Earth Science New Zealand
Episode: Pacific Waves 15 July 2026
Wayne King
Climate Change Cook Islands Director
Cook Islands government
Episode: Pacific Waves 15 July 2026
Tangimitua Tango-Pairau
Elder/NGO observer onboard the voyage
Kōrero o Te O Rau
Episode: Pacific Waves 15 July 2026
Tony Tevi
Director of Vanuatu's maritime department
Vanuatu government
Episode: Pacific Waves 15 July 2026

Hosts

Susana Suiswiki
Host of Pacific Waves with multiple appearances across episodes.
Susana Suisui-Kee
Host of the show; appears across multiple editions.
Kaya Selby
News/hosting contributor focused on Pacific updates.
Kaya Salby
RNZ Pacific correspondent and host contributor.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 46 ratings
  • Great podcast!

    From the music to the topics to the guests to the voices and accents, I just love this show. It’s informative and infused with the Pacific. Recommended listening for everyone!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Podcast Fanner
    Australia2 years ago
  • Hi I just wanted you know I have been in contact to

    The only way I could see the picture is by looking in a window of a mirror in a mirror in a window in a mirror and then looking up from the mirror and then I see a

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    chef cut
    Australia3 years ago
  • Best source of news throughout the Pacific.

    Podchaser
    5
    Charles T.
    3 years ago
  • Thank you for your valuable service!

    I look forward to every new episode. Thanks from the USA.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Malvaraq
    United States3 years ago
  • Awesome

    Awesome. Totally informative. Non biased reporting. My go to for Pacific news.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bonga
    United Kingdom4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Shows strong regional coverage, with thoughtful interviews and on-the-ground reporting.
Guests are consistently diverse, adding depth to regional discussions.
Listeners appreciate credible, Pacific-centered reporting and the mix of policy with culture.
Some feedback notes sound quality and repetition concerns from a few listeners.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Pacific Waves 17 July 2026
Q: How did you ensure that pieces and attire shown on screen reflected all Pacific cultures?
The approach combined deep cultural research, direct input from Pacific practitioners, and careful terminology work to distinguish authentic items like siapo, masi, ngatu, and related textiles, ensuring respectful representation across Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, and other Pacific traditions.
Pacific Waves 04 July 2026
Q: Johnny, we understand the Liberation Army claimed they killed the man because civilian pilots had been ferrying Indonesian troops into the region. What does this signify for the broader conflict?
It underscores the volatility in Highland Papua and the way outside actors, including the US and Indonesian authorities, are viewed through the lens of historical accords; the incident is framed as a political message within a longer struggle for autonomy and regional influence.
Pacific Waves 07 July 2026
Q: How did bananas influence Pacific regionalism and political power?
Bananas connected everyday farmers to larger economic and political narratives, driving a collective regional identity and eventually enabling formal institutions like PIPA and the Pacific Islands Forum, illustrating how trade can catalyze political unity.
Pacific Waves 26 June 2026
Q: Kia ora Jonny, is this announcement significant?
Jonny Blades explains that Bougainville leadership is moving away from an immediate, unconditional push for independence and is adopting a more cautious, realistic stance, given PNG Parliament's likely reluctance and broader economic considerations.
Pacific Waves 20 June 2026
Q: How important are these elections for New Caledonia?
They are crucial because they will determine the composition of the three provincial assemblies, which in turn shape the territorial congress and ultimately the collegial government, thereby influencing governance for years ahead.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Pacific Waves

What is Pacific Waves about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A Pacific-focused daily current affairs program that covers major regional issues through a Pacific-wide lens, with topics spanning politics, health, culture, sport, and climate. Guests range from policymakers and researchers to athletes and journalists, producing a mix of hard policy analysis, human-interest stories, and cultural context. Notable strengths include bridging regional news with local voices, highlighting indigenous knowledge and Pacific identities, and featuring in-depth interviews alongside on-the-ground reporting. This blend is probably appealing to listeners who want credible analysis, diverse perspectives, and stories that connect policy to everyday life in Pacific communities around the world.

Where can I find podcast stats for Pacific Waves?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Pacific Waves. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Pacific Waves and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Pacific Waves get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Pacific Waves, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Pacific Waves?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Pacific Waves, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Pacific Waves have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Pacific Waves has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Pacific Waves?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Pacific Waves:

1. Pacific Beat
2. Ain't Slayed Nobody | Call of Cthulhu Actual Play
3. Health Report
4. Conversations
5. Lowy Institute

How many episodes of Pacific Waves are there?

Pacific Waves launched 13 years ago and published 1100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Pacific Waves?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Pacific Waves?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Pacific Waves from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Pacific Waves?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Pacific Waves. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Pacific Waves?

Recent guests on Pacific Waves include:

1. Katrina Whatiaki
2. Johnny Blades
3. Elieza Tora
4. Elizabeth McGregor
5. Mahindra Chaudhry
6. Denise Fernandez
7. Wayne King
8. Tangimitua Tango-Pairau

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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