NEWSROOM: 02 March - 08 March 2008

Smallest School hosts Largest Festival
08 March 2008 - Source: Poly Fest Media Release

The 2008 ASB Polyfest, which takes place at the Manukau Sports Bowl from 12 – 15 March, sees the smallest host school in the 32 year history of the event, host the largest festival ever staged. With 360 students, Wesley College is the 2008 host school for a festival that will involve 9000 performances and crowds of 80,000 people during its four day duration.

The upcoming festival is the largest ASB Polyfest staged, with 200 cultural groups entered for the first time, from 66 secondary schools across the Auckland region.

In looking at the challenge ahead, the principal of Wesley College, Ian Faulkner said “we are the smallest school to ever attempt to host this huge event. We current have 360 students (318 boys and 42 girls) including two on exchange to us from Kamehameha High School in Hawaii”

The role of Wesley College as the festival host school is a varied one, and in the words of Ian Faulkner includes – “being the host to the organising committee (komiti whakahaere), confirming budget decisions, liaise with the event managers regarding decisions such as the theme for the festival, responsibility for the powhiri, and all matters to do with the Maori stage. We will greet and host the Governor General at this Polyfest – a significant and welcome visit to this huge celebration of Maori & Pacific Culture.”

The ASB Polyfest features traditional music, dance, costume and speech and is now recognised as an important showcase of New Zealand’s diverse cultures, celebrating youth performance.

In describing the importance of the festival to secondary school students, Ian Faulkner said – “the ASB Polyfest is the biggest and most celebrated opportunity for young people to identify with and display their cultural taonga.”

“The competitive nature of the event raises the passion and energy of the performers to the extent that the very best quality of speeches, songs and dances are brought forward for the public to appreciate and for the individuals and groups involved to gain huge pride in who they are and where they’ve come from.”

“The discipline involved in learning the various routines and in conforming to expected patterns of behaviour helps young people to realise the need for commitment and perseverance in order to reach the standard required to become a winner in this festival and in life”.

In looking at the importance of the festival to Wesley College, Faulkner said – “Our school is about 95% Polynesian, so the ASB Polyfest plays a very significant role in programming the first term. The commitment shown by our students and the tutoring staff has been immense but the spin-off has been to enable aspiring leaders to emerge and talent’s to be identified that would otherwise be missed in a ‘normal’ school day.”

“The night prior to the festival opening we have a Fiafia Night at which all groups in the school contribute to an amazing spectacle of song, dance, haka and waiata to which we get upwards of 500 spectators. Our recreation centre becomes our huge performance auditorium in which to celebrate the efforts of all our cultures, even if they have not entered in the ASB Polyfest.”

In looking at the preparation that the cultural groups from Wesley College put into the ASB Polyfest, Ian Faulkner said that - “From about four weeks out from the festival the college campus echoes to the sounds of drums, hakas and songs late into the evening, almost every night. Weekend ‘live in’s’ at our whare have enabled the close bonding of our Maori performers with those from Waiuku College, who we are doing a combined Maori performance with this year. The woodwork shop buzzes to the sound of saws and sanders, creating the ‘bats’ for the Tongan performers, and groups can be seen plaiting or weaving the Tongan skirts or manafu. The art department has much cutting, gluing and painting going on to produce the Tongan hats for the Kailao. So the festival pretty much absorbs the whole school into its preparation and performance.”

The public can experience the 2008 ASB Polyfest for the admission of only $3, at the Manukau Sports Bowl from 12 – 15 March.

The first major role for host school Wesley College will be at the Powhiri on Wednesday, 12 March. They will be involved with the flag raising at 7am, and then the school will perform a large kapa haka for the Powhiri which starts at 9am.

Answers to Pacific trade imbalance
07 March 2008 - Source: TVNZ

Business and political leaders from around the Pacific are using an Auckland Trade Expo to help address a trade imbalance.

While New Zealand exports $1.1 billion of goods to the Pacific the region is struggling to come close to that.

"It's difficult to get a balance in goods trade. Although everyone acknowledges there could be more exported from the Pacific to New Zealand," says New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.

It is an upward battle for island exporters. Part of the problem is most Pacific exports are agricultural, and farmers struggle to meet New Zealand's strict food and quarantine requirements.

"It's about being deadly serious about informing the island grower and the island farmer of requirements, and second being a bit lenient. Some of the strictures we apply may be too strict," says Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters.

And, a group of Samoan women are expected to make a difference with what is pure running gold to the Samoan economy - coconut oil.

Up to 30 tonnes a year will be shipped off to cosmetic giant the Body Shop and by mid-year shops in all continents will sell products containing Samoan virgin coconut oil.

"This is a family project in this village. Anyone who has no job, which is mostly everyone, will come and work here and everyone will benefit from it," says business woman Sheree Stehlin.

A business like this one is good news for the Pacific.

NZ Pacific Business Council – 2008 Trade Expo
06 March 2008 - Source: NZPBC Press Release

The New Zealand Pacific Business Council (NZPBC) will hold its two yearly Expo, bringing together more than 110 Exhibitors from 14 Pacific nations, representing a diverse range of industries and services. The 2008 Pacific Trade Expo, being held on 5 and 6 March at the Waitakere Trusts Stadium, Auckland, will be officially opened by Prime Minister, Rt Hon Helen Clark on Wednesday, 5 March at 9.00 am.

Auckland the largest Polynesian city in the world is the natural venue for this event. Major sponsors the Auckland, Manukau and Waitakere City Councils together with the PITIC - Pacific Trade and Investment Commission are delighted to be associated.

"NZPBC staffs have successfully promoted the event to the participating nations, which has been timed to compliment the annual Pasifika Festival 7 and 8 March.," NZPBC Chairman Gilbert Ullrich said.

Countries in attendance include Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Norfolk Island, the French Territories New Caledonia and French Polynesia and American Samoa.

"The 2008 Trade Expo will include forums and workshops pertinent to Pacific Business Growth such as The New Era in Pacific Branding, Business and Environment in the Pacific, Banking and Investment Prospects in the Pacific, Helping Small Businesses to export to the Pacific, and Bio Security and Food Safety regulations. New Caledonia will hold its own workshops "New Caledonia - Land of Opportunities", New energy, Agriculture and Tourism."

A business centre will be available and a VIP Lounge, courtesy of Expo partner, ANZ Bank.

The 2008 Trade Expo is an exciting opportunity for New Zealand and the Pacific Island Traders to grow their business, and keep an eye to the future. With over a billion dollars in export sales to the Pacific during 2007 alone, on our doorstep lies a market that we have only just begun to tap.

As Pacific a nation we have the added advantage of strength through our cultural ties. I believe this is the point of difference in our competitive edge, and one we should continue to build upon," said Melino Maka, Deputy Chairman NZPBC.

Spotlight On Pasifika Festival 2008
05 March 2008 - Source: Auckland City Council Press Release

Three original members of the band Herbs will take to the stage as Herbs Unplugged for Pasifika Festival's free Accident Compensation Corporation Opening Night Concert on Friday, 7 March.

Herbs produced a stream of Pacific reggae hits during the 1980s and 1990s, performing alongside the likes of Dave Dobbyn, Tim Finn, Annie Crummer, UB40, Tina Turner, Neil Young and Stevie Wonder.

Other acts including Big Belly Woman, Sunga and Vela will appear at the Auckland City Council-organised concert at Western Springs Park from 7pm to 9pm. Performances from groups representing 10 Pacific island nations will also explore this year's eel theme, which reflects the festival's location (Western Springs - lake of eels).

The evening's MC will be Teuila Blakely (Sione's Wedding).

The concert is a great prelude for festival day on Saturday, 8 March which will see in excess of 200,000 people enjoying all-day entertainment on two stages, plus traditional Pacific foods, crafts, art, cultural performances, music and interactive activities in 10 cultural villages at what is one of the world's largest free community events.

Auckland City Council's 16th annual Pasifika Festival is the place to experience the best tastes, sights and sounds of our city's diverse Pacific cultures.

Visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/pasifika for more information about Pasifika Festival 2008.

Pasifika Festival 2008 is proudly sponsored and supported by Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), Pacific Media Network (Radio 531pi and Niu FM), Sport & Recreation New Zealand (SPARC), New Zealand Post, Ministry of Education's Team-Up, Air New Zealand, Flava 96one, New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT), Creative New Zealand, Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Limited, McCallum Industries' Palm Corned Beef and Maori Television.

Manukau Rovers Womens Rugby Team returns home
04 March 2008 - Source: Greyson Funeral Services

The Manukau Rovers Womens Rugby Team returned home last week from Samoa after
winning the Marist St Josephs International Sevens held at the Apia Park Stadium before a crowd of 2500.

The Rovers beat local favourites 'Town Warriors' 17-5 after finding themselves down 0-5 at the break. Quick tries early in the second half to Bella Milo, Margaret Tai and Otahuhu College student Maitua Feterika sealed Town Warriors fate. Town Warriors were largely made up
of the Samoa 7's team to Papua New Guinea in December of last year.

Earlier in the tournament Manukau disposed of Falefa 38-0 and Vaimauga Raiders 25-0. The winning of the tournament was also accompanied by Margaret Tai being named player of the tournament. Manukau Rovers completed a 100% winning tour after their 31-12 win over the Presidents XV earlier in the week.


The Samoa Womens Rugby Steering Committee will look to the Rovers tour as the start of future tours between New Zeand and Samoa club teams. Balls and ties gifted by the Auckland Rugby Union were presented to the Falefa Village Team, referees and key local stakeholders.

Call for Pacific Islands Forum summit to be held in NZ not Niue
03 March 2008 - Source: Radio New Zealand International

A Niue Opposition MP says this year’s Pacific Islands Forum summit should be held in New Zealand because the island lacks the resources to run it properly.

Niue is scheduled to host the summit in August at a cost of around five million US dollars.

But the island, which has been in financial strife for years, has no reserves with which to fund such an event.

MP Terry Coe says if Niue is unable to provide suitable accommodation and security for the leaders then it should pull out.

“I said in the House that they should hold it in New Zealand and let New Zealand with all their facilities there. We also have a lot of Niueans in Auckland that could give [a hand ] easily. And we would just have to send down our delegation which would probably be 20 people, and that would be the total cost to us. And it would certainly be a lot cheaper for New Zealand to do it that way.”

Maori Television International Documentaries: Mar 18- May 13 2008
02 March 2008 - Source: Maori Television Press Release

Maori Television’s International Documentary slot, Pakipumeka o te Ao, screens every Tuesday at 8.30 PM. It features critically-acclaimed and award-winning works from celebrated filmmakers from throughout the world, highlighting unique and contemporary themes with a focus on people and popular culture. Upcoming documentaries include:

CLOTH OF THE GODS – Tuesday March 18 at 8.30 PM: As recently as 150 years ago, when a Fijian chief died, his wives were strangled with a sacred fabric called tapa cloth and it’s still widely used for all ceremonial occasions including birthdays and funerals. This documentary takes the viewer from the harvesting of the mulberry tree to a village near Suva where some of the best designers and printers create the richly patterned fabric. Each pattern and piece of cloth tells a specific story. This is the tale of a unique and ancient artform which resists modernisation and helps Fijians connect with their past.

OUR SMALL WORLD – Tuesday March 25 at 8.30 PM: Life on the tiny atolls of Tokelau, tucked just beneath the equator, is precarious. There is no airstrip, no harbour, not even a safe anchorage. The greatest challenge the Tokelauans face is the same confronted by all Pacific islanders. How to give their children a good education without losing them to the outside world? This programme looks at how a community tries to keep up with the 21st century, without abandoning the traditions that make them who they are.

NEXT WAVE: THE SCIENCE OF TSUNAMIS – Tuesday April 1 at 8.30 PM: Most Pacific Rim countries participate in an advanced tsunami warning system – but when the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami struck, no such system existed for that region. This documentary recounts the events of the disaster and explores the potential for more occurrences like it including scenarios involving vast destruction in the United States. Following a country-by-country breakdown of the 2004 tragedy, it explores how landslides can cause tsunamis of almost unimaginable power, how such a collapse in the Canary Islands could swamp America’s East Coast, and how a truly global tsunami warning system might be established.

All documentaries carry English subtitles where required. Maori Television’s International Documentary slot, Pakipumeka o te Ao, screens every Tuesday at 8.30 PM.

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