Stories by Johnny Blades

PNG says its relationship with China is being tested after Chinese workers came to PNG having been used in a Covid-19 vaccination trial.

Vaccine diplomacy is heating up in the Pacific, and in the case of Papua New Guinea maybe a little too quickly.

Environmentalists are warning Pacific countries exploring deep sea mining opportunities that the fledgling industry is too risky.

Indonesian students becoming engaged in the West Papuan human rights struggle are under pressure from authorities. Audio

Australian Federal Police have hailed the work of Papua New Guinea counterparts for their collaboration in a major drug bust.

A Papua New Guinea academic says without enforcement of health measures it will be difficult to contain Covid-19. Audio

A West Papuan church leader has been 'invited' by Indonesian police to 'clarify' an article he wrote about a shooting incident in which a New Zealander was killed.

Covid-19 is exposing the weakness of Papua New Guinea's border security.

An Indonesian human rights expert has called for New Zealand police help after a deadly attack on mine company staff in West Papua.

Vanuatu's political leaders are taking stock of the damage from Cyclone Harold amid protracted negotiations over the formation of government.

A New Zealander has been shot dead at an office of a mining company in West Papua.

A 43-year-old woman has reportedly died due to Covid-19 in Indonesian-administered West Papua province.

Researchers say 59 people died in a month of unrest in West Papua late last year.

Papua New Guinea's prime minister has warned of the risks in having Parliament deliberate on the Bougainville referendum result too soon. Audio

Analysis - A rare visit by a prime minister of Papua New Guinea to New Zealand highlights a strong friendship, but one which could be closer, writes Johnny Blades.

Vanuatu's caretaker prime minister denies that his government made extra concessions to China.

Papua New Guinea's proposed gun buyback scheme would be "counter-productive", says a former military commander. Audio

Papua New Guinea's government says it had to reject a major gas deal because energy giant ExxonMobil was unwilling to offer fair terms.

A master carver in Bougainville says living off the land is how the autonomous Papua New Guinea region can be economically independent. Audio

There are signs of an influx of West Papuans into Papua New Guinea amid a protracted conflict across the border.

Papua New Guinea's government has defended its efforts to protect human rights. Audio

As a new decade dawns much of the Pacific is grappling with major upheavals, from climate and health crises to self-determination struggles. Jamie Tahana and Johnny Blades look at the state of play.

Following an overwhelming majority vote in their historic independence referendum, Bougainvilleans are focussing on nation-building.

A 97 percent majority has voted for independence in Bougainville's historic referendum.

Despite a peaceful independence vote in Bougainville, there are fears of potential security problems in the post-referendum period.