The deep sea mining company leading the global push to mine the seafloor in international waters says it could start as early as 2026; Pacific policing, regional security, climate change and the New Caledonia crisis were the main talking points for regional leaders heading into their retreat on Neiafu in Tonga's Vava'u island group on Thursday; The United States Deputy Secretary of State says they have listened carefully to countries in the region in their efforts to boost their diplomatic footprint; Both the Papua New Guinea and Indonesia Governments have been censured by an international media watchdog after a journalist was banned from attending the arrival in Port Moresby of Indonesia's President-elect Prabowo Subianto.

Today on Pacific Waves

Deep Sea Mining company to apply for operating license

Pacific leaders enter retreat on Vava'u

US "listened carefully" to the Pacific - Campbell

Media watchdog censures PNG and Indonesia

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details