Untold Pacific History - excerpts

Land ownership is one of the worst things in the Polynesian culture. We will be friends today and we will fight each other tomorrow over land.

– Raratongan elder Mike Tavioni, in episode four

If you take a look at the conditions, as human beings, regardless of ethnicity, you’d think about it as 'man, this is hell'.

– Fijian historian Jope Tarai on the treatment of early Indian workers in Fiji, in episode five

It’s a bit like why the Chinese were taken to Samoa, or why the Solomon Islanders were taken to Queensland. The whole business is based on the need for cheap labour.

– Historian Michael Field on the arrival of Indian labour in Fiji, in episode five

Niue 1953. Population 4600, one of whom was New Zealand High Commissioner Cecil Hector Larsen, New Zealand’s only diplomat to be murdered while serving oversees. It’s an incident that changed Niue, and all Niueans. There’s still like a sense of shame about it and Niueans, we still don’t talk about it. Well I think it’s time we did.

– Episode two presenter Shimpal Lelisi

To me Niue has always been happy — a peaceful place ... but 70 years ago, that wasn't the case.

– Presenter Shimpal Lelisi introduces the tragic events of episode two

On this picture perfect playground stands a monument that has birthed its own myths, and been muse to its own mysteries of murder, makutu and mafia ties.

– Episode four narrator (and director) Tuki Laumea