These stories were crafted during and after a training on public finance management media coverage supported by the European Union through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Vaka Pasifika Project. They not only shed light on the challenges faced by the Pacific communities but also highlight the crucial role of media in holding governments accountable. These stories therefore act as a reminder of the power of non-experts, such as journalists, to engage with the big questions: are public funds used well to benefit ordinary people, addressing the pressing needs of the Pacific, such as climate change, natural disasters, and economic growth?