Independence remembered: Samoa's story
On Nesia Daily, hosts Jacob McQuire and Michael Chow reconnect with one of the very first voices they featured nearly two years ago — marking Samoa's Independence Day on June 1st with a powerful reflection on identity and progress.
On Politok, journalist Scott Waide dives deep into PNG's energy crisis. He unpacks how decades of power cuts are putting lives at risk — and why the system still hasn't been fixed.
And on Nesian Footy, Sam Wykes and Tinirau Arona sit down with Oneata Schwalger. She's gone from playing both codes to chasing a new dream — coaching at the top level.
Relax into your Sunday morning with two hours of the best stories from across the Pacific. Host, Kuntamari crofts, will take you on a Pacific Sundays journey, bringing you stories that will inspire, entertain and inform you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
5 hours ago
- ABC News
Pacific rugby league players 'caught between two worlds' when choosing a national team to represent
Samoan rugby league fans are celebrating the news that one of the game's superstars, Australian Kangaroos front-rower Payne Haas, has switched allegiances. Joining the likes of Brian To'o, Stephen Chrichton, and Jarome Luai, 25-year-old Haas has announced he will represent Toa Samoa in the upcoming Pacific Championships as well as the next Rugby League World Cup, which will be held in both Australia and Papua New Guinea in 2026. Defections like this are a huge boost for tier 2 nations, but it also reminds us that for decades, the best Pacific Island players have often found themselves stuck between two worlds, having to choose between their islander heritage or representing a tier 1 nation like Australia or New Zealand. It's as much a personal choice as it is a professional one, and high-profile Pacific players such as Xavier Coates and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui have received backlash from Pacific footy fans over their decision to play for Australia. Unitec Associate Professor and proud Samoan man Lefaoali'i Dr Dion Enari joined Nesia Daily to unpack the experience Pacific players go through in deciding what jersey to wear.
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Professor Katerina Teaiwa believes if we heal the land of Banaba, we heal the people
Katerina Teaiwa's family was forced from their home of Banaba in Kiribati when almost the whole population was displaced and relocated to Rabi Island in Fiji in 1945, to make way for more mining. From 1900, the UK, Australia and New Zealand mined phosphate for 80 years to use for fertiliser. Today, Katerina's scholarly and artistic work highlights the history and current situation of Banabans, which she describes as fragmented and resilient culture. And despite the trauma caused to an entire population, there are talks to mine Banaba again. This week's episode of Stories From The Pacific is a repeat of the show broadcast on 13th September 2023
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
‘I thought he was mucking around': Origin camp played role in Payne Haas switching from Australia to Samoa
Stephen Crichton thought Payne Haas was just mucking around in Origin camp when they discussed the possibility of him playing for Samoa later this year, but those Leura chats have become a reality with the world's best prop committing his allegiance to the reigning World Cup finalists. Haas made the decision on Sunday morning in a huge boost to a Samoan side that could boast one of the most formidable forward packs ever assembled if Tino Fa'asuamaleaui joins Haas, Terrell May and other stars for the Pacific Championships. There was a strong Samoan contingent in Blues camp this year, with Crichton, Brian To'o, Jarome Luai and Spencer Leniu able to chat with Haas, who has switched from Australia in a huge boost for the international game. 'We mucked around a lot about it, and I thought he was mucking around as well. But seeing the announcement was pretty cool,' Crichton said. 'You see a lot of the Samoan and Tongan boys going back and representing (their heritage) and it's cool and you can see what it means to their people.' Crichton was born in Samoa and can understand why the national anthem played a key role in Haas' decision after the star prop felt emotional standing in line during a 2023 Test while playing for the Kangaroos. His move could mean others follow suit, with Crichton excited about what the future held for his nation while also feeling sorry for his teammates who helped them make the World Cup final a few years ago but could now lose their spots. 'Seeing a player of his calibre make the switch over to Samoa (is great) and hopefully a few more boys make the move as well,' he said. 'It's pretty likely, I hope (that others will follow). Seeing a big name coming over is going to definitely bring confidence and hopefully brings a lot of other big names. 'I feel for a lot of the boys that have already played for Samoa and have put their hand up for Samoa first, but it's good to get those calibre players.' Wests Tigers co-captain Api Koroisau proudly represents Fiji and hopes the surge in players opting to honour their heritage will end Australia's dominance on the world stage. 'I think the game has taken massive steps forward by allowing these international players to play,' he said. 'Australia has been so strong for so long that it's sort of been one-sided, but I think seeing that players want to play for their heritage (could change that). 'These teams are only getting stronger. Tonga and Samoa have really been picking it up over the last few years, so I'm excited to see what this year brings.'
