Stories by Daniela Maoate-Cox

Parliament's calendar has just three weeks left in the year for MPs to work on legislation. This week will include bills on referendums, foreign donations, and education. Audio

Building relationships with Pacific countries is important for New Zealand's border security says New Zealand's High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr.  Audio

Good relationships with Pacific countries are essential to promote New Zealand's interests says its High Commissioner to Tonga, Tiffany Babington. Audio

New Zealand's Speaker Trevor Mallard says MPs have a disproportionate amount of contact with parliamentarians from Europe and need to work more with their Pacific neighbours. Audio

Taxpayers paid thousands of dollars for five New Zealand MPs to go to Tonga and Fiji so what does New Zealand get out of it asks Daniela Maoate-Cox.  Audio

The founder of housing project Koroipita says New Zealand Aid is critical but he recognises New Zealand has its own housing problems and he's working to find alternative funding too. Audio

A group of MPs spent five days travelling through Tonga and Fiji. Was it part of the job or tropical holiday? Daniela Maoate-Cox follows them through Fiji to find out. Audio

Fiji MP Salote Radrodro says visits by New Zealand MPs to Fiji help improve the inter-parliamentary relationship. Audio

Fiji's Supervisor of Elections says international media have a difficult time digesting that Fiji elections are now run properly Audio

Fiji's National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad says it appreciates New Zealand's support for its elections but Fiji still hasn't made enough progress towards its democratic ideals Audio

Fiji MP Lenora Qereqeretabua says a fear of 'going under the knife' is preventing women from seeking treatment for breast cancer. Audio

A group of MPs spent five days travelling through Tonga and Fiji. Were they on a junket or was it work? Daniela Maoate-Cox follows them through Suva, Fiji to find out. Audio

Fiji Parliament's Speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau says a Parliament is only as good as its members. Audio

Fiji's Minister for Women says she's encouraged by the work New Zealand has done on gender equality but both countries have work to do. Audio

New Zealand should trust and support the work being done already in the Pacific says the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre. Audio

National MP Jo Hayes says gender based budgeting in Fiji would be useful to examine as a potential model for New Zealand. Audio

A group of MPs spent five days travelling through Tonga and Fiji. Were they soaking up some sun or was it work? Daniela Maoate-Cox follows them through Fiji on day three to find out. Audio

Environmental scientist and parliamentary candidate Netatua Pelesikoti Taufatofua says she wants to use her knowledge to improve policies, legislation and decision making in Tonga's Parliament. Audio

The Speaker of Tonga's Legislative Assembly says meetings between Tongan and New Zealand parliamentarians help to strengthen democratic processes in both countries. Audio

Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe reflects on the New Zealand delegation's last day in Tonga including thought provoking questions from Tonga's MPs. Audio

The Tonga Netball Association says a partnership with New Zealand netball is working well and comments likening NZ aid to 'welfare' are inaccurate. Audio

A New Zealand funded certificate in technical and vocational training at Tongan secondary schools is helping to keep students in school longer says its coordinator. Audio

A group of MPs spent five days travelling through Tonga and Fiji. Were they sunning around the Pacific or was it work? Daniela Maoate-Cox follows them to workshops, schools, and chapels to find out. Audio

Tonga 2018 Youth MP 'Aulola 'Ake says Tongan youth are often seen as problematic and national leaders need to create more opportunities for youth to change the stereotype. Audio

National MP Tim MacIndoe reflects on day one of the Speaker-led delegation to Tonga and Fiji including talks on climate change and youth MPs. Audio