In the Loop
Pacific teams aim to break Aussie Rules
28 August 2008
The Samoans think they can win it. The Papua New Guineans almost won it the last two times. The Nauruans believe they deserve it most of all because it is their national sport. And they're all competing with teams from Europe, Asia and the Middle East to prise the Australian Rules Football International Cup away from from New Zealand.
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Becoming strictly Samoan
26 August 2008
For Sydneysiders after a good dose of Samoan arts, culture and celebration, the surburb of Penrith will be the place to be for the next few weeks. A major event called Strictly Samoan is taking place to bring Samoa to non-Samoan Australians as well as introduce young Samoans to the way of their ancestors.
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Stage play tackles Fiji tensions
25 August 2008
'Visitors', a new play by one of Fiji's leading writers, Larry Thomas has left audiences reeling with it's explicit portrayal of violence and racial tensions in Fiji. He explains why he tackled the issues head on and is joined In the Loop by Michelle Reddy, a cast member from a recent production of "Visitors".
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PNG's shark callers fear miners
19 August 2008
The shark callers of New Ireland are reknowned for their extraordinary abilities to lure and kill the finned ones. But there are grave fears about the impact of proposed undersea mining activities on the interaction between man and shark around the province. Chris Togui, chair of New Ireland's recent Shark Callers Festival explains the issues.
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Oceania's champions in Beijing
18 August 2008
Gold may be the ultimate prize for many of Oceania's athletes in Beijing. But achievement of personal bests and impressive world rankings have already won hearts and minds in their home countries. This week will be a busy one for Samoa's athletes. Find out why.
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NZ hip hop crew score gold in Vegas
14 August 2008
A New Zealand dance crew has put the country on the hip hop dance map after scoring gold at the World Street Dance Championships in Las Vegas. They were greeted with hakas and loud cheers when they arrived back home this week. More with Hadleigh Pouesi, leader of the golden crew.
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NZ artists ponder masculinity and sport
13 August 2008
As the medal tally reflects the muscle and might of Olympians in Beijing, an art exhibition in New Zealand is inviting the public to reflect on sport, masculinity and NZ culture. Artist Michel Tuffery talks about his carving knife which was inspired by the story of a Tahitian who found himself in Australia in the 1800's.
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Climate change message for world youth
12 August 2008
Today is International Youth Day, and this year young people are being urged to take action on the climate change front. We cross to Honiara to find out about events there, as well as discuss the responsibilities of young people and the current leaders of the country.
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PNG's mighty Sepik celebrates the crocodile
11 August 2008
Thousands of people have gathered in the Ambunti district of East Sepik province for the annual Crocodile Festival. The reptile is held sacred by communities living along the Sepik, PNG's longest river. But their populations are also on the decline. And the popular festival was initiated as part of a conservation campaign.
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Visionary Poetry Project Takes Us On A Journey Through The Pacific
8 August 2008
Launching early August is poetry and sound project "I Can See Fiji". The CD is an intimate journey into Teresia Teaiwa's experiences of her mixed heritage (Kiribati and USA) and the adjustments of settling into her adopted homeland, Fiji. It's Teresia's story brought to life by poet, playwright and musician Hinemoana Baker. Baker has interspersed intriguing soundscapes to capture our imagination and she joined Teaiwa to chat In The Loop about this collaborative project.
- Listen:
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