‘Radio is still king’

A Radio New Zealand (RNZ) Pacific veteran is highlighting the broadcaster’s enduring connection with Pacific communities as the company marks a century of broadcasting.

Speaking on Pacific Mornings, Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor, the manager of RNZ Pacific, notes the continuing importance of traditional radio due to limited internet access and high costs in many Pacific areas.

“Radio is still very much king in parts across the Pacific,” Tuilaepa-Taylor says.

A vital aspect of RNZ Pacific's service is its Cyclone Watch, activated during cyclone seasons.

"We are contacted by the New Zealand Met Service then we activate the service and we rebroadcast information, important, vital information also from the authorities and the local communities.”

Despite the broadcaster’s vital services, 2025 has proven to be a tough year.

Budget 2025 saw a cut of $18 million over four years to RNZ, around 7 per cent of its current $67m allocation.

RNZ National’s radio audience also faced a drop to its lowest number in more than five years.

Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor. Photo/RNZ Pacific

Reflecting on changes over her tenure, Tuilaepa-Taylor recalls working in Samoa after Cyclone Val.

"A lot of our correspondents in the old days would, before email, would fax all their stories to us, so we would be manually typing in all the stories into the system.”

Major historical events covered by RNZ Pacific include coups in Fiji, riots in Tonga, and the increasing geopolitical influence of nations like China and the United States in the region.

In 2017, RNZI was rebranded as RNZ Pacific. Photo/RNZ

These stories underscore the importance of authentic local voices and perspectives, says Tuilaepa-Taylor.

Reflecting on her long career, Tuilaepa-Taylor attributes her ongoing passion for journalism to her vibrant and dedicated team.

“For me as a journalist, it's really important for us to see ourselves reflected in a story and that then means that we at least know that other people will be able to see and hear the story about us.”

Listen to Moera's full interview on Pacific Mornings