The politicians pontificate and manoeuvre with eloquent manifestos and pronouncements saying little about the challenges we must confront. - Joni Madraiwiwi

Back then (in 1985) the issue of the day was nuclear testing, now we are faced with problems such as climate change, overfishing, deforestation, shipments of radioactive materials through Pacific waters and nuclear proliferation. We need to remain vigilant so that we won't become victims again.

There will necessarily be a tension between the church and tradition on one hand and human rights on the other.

It will be impossible to achieve this (keeping the people together) if the elders and chiefs have their own way and are too proud of their chiefly status to not bring themselves down to the people.