Between 1960 and 1990, strong winds of political change swept across Pacific countries. Broadcaster Ian Johnstone has captured this change in a series of interviews with Pacific leaders which he presents with his co-editor Michael Powles, in a series called "New Flags Flying."
The series was broadcast on Sunday Morning with Chris Laidlaw in 2012.
In this episode, Dr Teresia Teaiwa joins Ian, Michael and Chris Laidlaw in the studio to talk about the role of Pacific women in political upheaval, and how some managed to overcome mistrust, suspicion and sexism to make major contributions to political life.
Dr Teresia Teaiwa is a senior lecturer in Pacific Studies at Va'aomanu Pasifika, Victoria University of Wellington.
She says in countries where there has been greater struggle to obtain independence, women tend to be more prominent, such as in New Caledonia and Bougainville.
In today's programme excerpts of three interviews by Ian Johnstone with Pacific women are heard: Carol Kidu of Papua New Guinea, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa of Samoa, Sandra Pierantozzi from Palau.