Pacific leaders not inclined to criticise Nauru - academic

15:03 pm on 30 August 2016

A New Zealand academic says there is a need for Pacific leaders to develop a new approach to regional issues at their summit next month.

This comes after the muted reaction from governments in the region to reports that have further revealed the extent of abuse and maltreatment of asylum seekers at the Australian run camps on Nauru.

Two weeks ago the Guardian newspaper released more than 2,000 incident reports alleging violence and abuse.

It followed research on the island conducted by Amnesty International.

Australia and New Zealand have had little to say, no island leader has spoken out and organisations like the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat have said nothing.

Nauru's government says it is all a left-wing fabrication and implies everyone is happy and content on the island.

The head of the Pacific Centre at Massey University, Malakai Koloamatangi, spoke to Don Wiseman about the muted reaction.

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