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PMN News political reporter, Ala Vailala, in Papua New Guinea covering the Prime Minister's visit in August 2025.

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Opinion

Chasing stories and crossing borders as a political reporter

From the Pacific Islands Forum summits in Honiara to APEC in South Korea PMN News political reporter, 'Alakihihifo Vailala takes us on her journey.

Alakihihifo Vailala
'Alakihihifo Vailala
Published
31 December 2025, 5:25pm
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When I applied and got the role as the political reporter for PMN News, I thought I had a fair idea of what I was signing up for. Press conferences, Budget Day coverage and long nights at Parliament.

What I did not know was that a week out from getting the job, I would be boarding the Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 plane on my way to five countries in a week with then-Deputy Prime Minister, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters.

Fast-forwarding to over a year now, and politics, particularly Pacific politics, has a way of pulling you into spaces you never imagined you'd be in.

This year, I had the opportunity to report from eight countries. Eight journeys tied to decisions that affect livelihoods, security and the futures of many across the region.

The photos I'm about to share with you from my travels capture moments of growth, responsibility, but also the moments readers don't get to see behind the articles I write.

So come with me, across tarmacs, conference centres, briefing rooms and cities as I take you through my year on the road, a snapshot at a time.

Arriving in Tongatapu and of course, when it's dark. As you can see the many blurred images which gives you a fair idea of how hectic getting off the plane is. Climate Change Minister, Simon Watts, however in true politician style is camera-ready.

Tonga (April)

Often with these trips, you're given at most a month in advance before you take off and the irony that my first trip this year was back home to Tonga.

I hadn't been back since covering the 2024 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting, which I was fortunate enough to stay a week for.

Early morning press-conference with the Prime Minister of Tonga and NZ Foreign Affairs Minister. The media got to wait in a very flash room with very comfortabl chairs while the bilateral was taking place. It's always a joy to meet fellow colleagues who are based in the region. Here are some journalists from ABC Pacific and Matangi Tonga.

One of the events we attended the next day included the launch of a maritime safety community awareness and education programme Safer Waters, Safer Communities. What you don't see is how much I am losing my mind being so close to the edge and praying to God I don't fall into the water with my gear in front of dignitaries.

In the midst of it all, we managed to watch the TongaHealth Secondary Schools Athletics Competition held at Teufaiva Stadium. The then Prime Minister, Dr 'Aisake Eke was gracious to offer us a ride to the stadium and VIP seats at the event.

Hawai'i (April)

The journey to Hawai'i actually began a month prior to landing in Honolulu. The journalist visa process was a journey in itself but rewarding at the end. Now this leg of the trip was taking place during an interesting time. Trump was inaugurated a few months earlier, and USAID funding to the Pacific region was put on hold. It was my first time in Hawai'i and what an eye-opener. We visited a lot of military bases, learnt a lot about indigenous Hawaiian culture and ate A LOT of fresh tuna.

Arriving at the airport, I was amazed at how intricate the design of Peters' lei was!

The next day at the USS Missouri, an Iowa-class battleship built for the United States Navy in the 1940s and is the last battleship commissioned by the United States. One of the many things this trip taught me was how amazing Americans are at storytelling. Our tour guide for this stop almost had me crying from the way he explained stories with such great detail and emotive language.

At the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) which is their military's largest and oldest geographic combatant command headquartered in Honolulu. Being there was like being on an American spy movie set.

Couldn't wrap up Hawai'i without some fresh poke. We went to Foodlands and spent a fortune on a few items lol. The poke however was divine and now I am a self proclaimed poke connoisseur after trying one bowl in Hawai'i and from Foodlands of all places.

Vanuatu

This was an emotional leg of the trip. It was my first time being back after the December earthquake. The CBD was almost completely red-taped, the sea wall barely there and the beloved markets no longer in business.

What did remain, though, was the kindness of the Ni-Vanuatu people. I always tell people that Vanuatu is a very underrated destination with views just as beautiful as the people. If you're looking for your next stop in the Pacific, Vanuatu is calling your name. Not sponsored at all by the way, just facts.

Port Vila cbd. It was difficult seeing a city that used to buzz with life become so quiet and empty. Despite the mass destruction, people were still smiling and waving us in.

We visited the South Paray Wharf where the site had a landslide. I had taken a photo last year when I visited not knowing we'd be back again, this time to see the damage first-hand.

A more light hearted photo with my colleagues in Vanuatu!

It's been hard to find a beer that beats the Tusker. A few of these and you'll be dancing with the locals to some feel-good Vanuatu music. Just don't try and out-sing them.

Papua New Guinea

One thing about these trips, you never really know when or where the next trip will be.

This fell right during the Cook Islands' 60th anniversary Constitution Celebrations and the Prime Minister was in Papua New Guinea instead, lol.

However this was an interesting trip, I always find Papua New Guinea a very fascinating place. It's got twice the population of New Zealand and twice the land mass.

It's often portrayed as a dangerous country which I find isn't completely true. The people are the friendliest and if you play to their rules, the respect will come back to you.

Selfie on the plane with the PM before taking off to PNG. Not dressed to the best, I know but it was going to be a six-hour-long flight and I was going to endure it comfortably.

Smiles off the plane, the media were told to stand almost 100 metres from where the show was happening. My camera was not taking it well with how dark it was so I took a selfie and did the best I could with the light exposure.

What you don't see is the very bumpy road our poor van had to endure to get us the Goldie River which is where NZ and PNG military train together. Here I am along with my media colleagues with a mortar. This was also where I found out PNG has snakes when I overheard the PM's security say "check for snakes" upon their arrival.

I got to witness takeoff in the cock-pit! Alwyas such a treat.

Solomon Islands

Finally got to venuture beyond the Honiara Airport.

The Solomon Islands was a treat, although the programme was al over the place.

The island put on its culture on full display and as a long-admirer of Solomon Islands music, it was almost like a dream come true getting to hear it live.

We were in Honiara for the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting and it was an intense one.

Media were almost completely barred from most events however it was a good learning point and teaches one to adapt when a situation is almost completely out of your hands.

Landed in Honiara at 2am, tired and sweaty. However it was a nice break from the cold New Zealand winter.

One of my favourite fruits, Malay Apple. It was in abundance while I was in the Solomon Islands. I've never seen them so big and red. Sadly didn't get to try any as I'd spent all my money on beautiful traditional jewelery.

Bumped into one of my favourite artists, Jaro Local. He might not look like it in the photo but he was very nice to talk to. I was actually talking to the reception desk for directions when I heard him talking to someone behind me and I yelled "OMG you're Jaro Local" lol.

Whenever you're in a foreign country, ask the locals where to shop. Thankfully had some free time to visit the Honiara Central Market, a must-go if you're ever in town. Thing is, I felt like a giant. I told my driver and he said, "yeah, you Polynesians are huge".

Malayasia

This was the first time I've reported from somewhere out of the Pacific region.

I'd often pinch myself being in such spaces with leaders from all around the world.

Despite the ASEAN Summit taking place thousands of miles from the Pacific, it turned out to be very relevant to the region with future co-operations to come soon.

For me personally as someone used to reporting from small islands, I’d joke about how overwhelming a summit of this scale felt but it was also a reminder of just how connected the Pacific is to the wider world.

A girl from South Auckalnd taking on one of the most significant summits in Asia!!

The fruit was a real treat! On the left is the infamous durian which is banned from a lot of places including our hotel. I did want to try it but feared I wouldn't be able to stomach the smell. On the right is the snake skin fruit. I really enjoyed this one. The inside almost looks like an overgrown garlic clove and the taste reminded me of a pear.

You just can't go to Kuala Lumpur and not get a selfie with the Petrona Twin Towers.

Thanks to PMN News senior journo, Khalia Strong for catching my cameo on 1News XD.

South Korea

This country has been on my buket-list for a while and I'm glad I got to tick it off for work.

We landed in Busan and travelled an hour to the historic city of Gyeongju.

In Autumn, South Korea is an absoulte gem with the temperature being sunny but a nice cool breeze and the orange and brown leaves peppering the scenes.

Aside from the scenes, I got to witness the U.S.A President's motorcade and what I always tell people, it's something you've never seen before.

From two helicopters monitoring the sky from a curtain being put up as soon as President Trump exits his vehicle so you're not able to see when he gets out.

South Korea was definitely the most hectic leg of the trip, from 7am start times to 10pm press conferences with Prime Minister Luxon.

The gruesome reality behind the words and pretty picutres put out for readers to see.

Views from the APEC Media Center in Gyeongju.

While others caught up on sleep, I went for a wander.

As a big fan of Korean food, getting to have authentic Korean bbq was spectacular.

This photo was taken as we're waiting over an hour for Luxon to arrive for our daily media standup. This was about 10pm, we're all tired but the work doesn't stop there as it's filing time as soon as we head back to the hotel.

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