NEWSROOM: 03 February - 09 February 2007

NZ privileged to play its part in Solomon Islands development
09 February 2008 - Source: RAMSI Press Release
 
Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands Acting Special Coordinator, Dr Jonathan Austin, said New Zealand is privileged to play its part in working together with the region to help a neighbour.

"On the occasion of Waitangi Day my fellow New Zealanders serving with RAMSI look forward to celebrating our National Day in Solomon Islands with our Solomon Islands friends and colleagues," Dr Austin said.

Dr Austin thanked those working with the mission saying they can be proud of their efforts in supporting Solomon Islands to become a safe, well-governed and prosperous nation.

New Zealand makes a significant contribution to RAMSI in both personnel and funding, including senior leadership roles across the mission. There are almost 100 New Zealanders currently working with RAMSI in law and order and capacity development activities.

Matthew Hodge-Kopa from New Zealand Treasury is helping develop the capacity of Solomon Islands Economic Reform Unit. He works with his government counterpart, Dalcy Tozaka, on State Owned Enterprise reform. Together they are working on a number of issues including improving the supply of basic utilities like water and power to the public.

"Delivering key infrastructure services improves people's lives by improving the business environment here. In the long run, better electricity and water services can generate more jobs and opportunities for people in Honiara and rural areas," Mr Hodge-Kopa said.

Dr Austin said that New Zealand shared a long history and a great deal of culture with the other 14 Pacific Island nations contributing to RAMSI and was another rewarding aspect of working with the mission.

"RAMSI has a good story to tell and is something all contributing countries and Solomon Islands can be proud of," Dr Austin said.

"While the situation in Solomon Islands remains challenging and there is much work still to be done, New Zealand is committed to RAMSI and working with Solomon Islanders to ensure a better brighter future for all."

15 countries contribute to RAMSI: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
 

Pacific performers promise powerful performance
08 February 2008 - Source: Auckland City Council Press Release
 
Herbs Unplugged, Teuila Blakely, Sunga and groups representing 10 Pacific island nations are among those appearing at Auckland City Council’s Pasifika Festival ACC Opening Night Concert on Friday, 7 March.

This year’s festival embraces the eel connection (Western Springs: Te Wai Orea – lake of eels). The free concert from 7pm to 9pm at Western Springs Park will provide entertainment centred on this theme and explore the different ways Pasifika people are connected through their stories of the eel.

It sets the scene for festival day on Saturday, 8 March, where more than 200,000 expected visitors can enjoy all day entertainment, traditional Pacific foods, crafts, contemporary art, music and more at one of the world’s largest free community events.

Festival director Ole Maiava says the cultural villages spread throughout the park, including a new Tangata Whenua (people of the land) village, will have their own stages to celebrate the breadth of talent among our Pacific Islands communities.

“Pasifika Festival 2008 has some exciting new elements. New to the Push Play Contemporary Stage is a section called honouring families, which will acknowledge notable family groups that have made a major contribution to the entertainment and arts industries in New Zealand.

“There will also be international Pacific artists, traditional tattooists in the Samoa village, and an international area featuring arts, crafts and music from the Solomon Islands, American Samoa and other Pacific nations,” says Mr Maiava.

“It’s not just the entertainment, it’s the aromas from each village, the arts and crafts, and the Pasifika communities of Auckland and beyond turning it all on for that incredible Pasifika experience, which I encourage all Aucklanders to be a part of.”

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 Māori Television.
 

Laban encourages Pacific women to have regular mammograms
07 February 2008 - Source: New Zealand Government Press Release
 
Luamanuvao Winnie Laban advised on Tuesday that following a regular mammogram late last year, she was diagnosed with treatable breast cancer.

"I started chemotherapy before Christmas and after three cycles I am feeling great and I look forward to a positive outcome.

"The treatment that I have received through the public health system at Wellington Hospital has been fantastic and I would like to thank staff for the excellent service they provide.

"I encourage Pacific Island women, and all women, to have regular mammograms as early diagnosis provides a greater chance of a good outcome.

"I am committed to my role as Minister of Pacific Island Affairs and continuing the Labour-led government's good work with Pacific communities, and plan to run in the 2008 general election to continue to serve the people of Mana as their Member of Parliament," Laban said.

For more information about mammograms and the BreastScreen Aotearoa free national screening programme, visit: http://www.nsu.govt.nz/Current-NSU-Programmes/559.asp
 

Vula - from BATS to The Barbican and beyond
06 February 2008 - Source: New Zealand Fringe Festival Press Release
 
Ground breaking New Zealand Theatre work Vula from director Nina Nawalowalo, which took the Sydney Opera house by storm in 2007, is back in Wellington for a Fringe Festival season before embarking on an extensive tour to Europe including a six city tour of Holland and a 10 night season at London's Barbican Theatre as part of their prestigious BITE programme.

The season at The Barbican, described by The Times as "the worlds top arts centre", is part of a programme which includes companies such as The Ninagawa Company, Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre, the Maly Drama Theatre of St Petersburg, Ronnie Burkett's Theatre of Marionettes, Cheek by Jowl and Peter Brook's Theatre des Bouffes du Nord is a huge achievement for a production which began life with practically no budget at BATS Theatre in 2002.

Nina Nawalowalo, recipient of the 2007 Creative New Zealand Pacifica Excellence and Innovation Award is thrilled to realise a life time goal to take Pacific Island theatre back to Europe. It has been a steady journey of six years hard work to achieve this, taking the work through a constant process of refinement and national and international touring.
Nawalowalo and The Conch are proud to represent the wealth of Pacific and New Zealand performing arts on the world stage.

For the first time the show will incorporate a Maori performer in the shape of Toi Whakaari graduate and former Mai Time presenter Ngapaki (Marama) Emery. Responding to a challenge laid down by a Kaumatua from Sydney's Campbell town Maori community that a Pacific show from Aotearoa should have its indigenous culture incorporated Nawalowalo is excited by having Ngapaki on board.

"The time is right to take this next step with the work and we are very lucky to have Ngapaki on board," says Nawalowalo. "Setting a Maori woman performer in a Pacific context is a deep recognition of the powerful web of connections that weave us together as Pacific Island people."

Vula (Fijian for 'moon') is performed on a stage flooded with water, combines magic and illusion with traditional song and dance to create a captivating piece of Pacific Island visual theatre. Vula explores the sensual and spiritual relationship between Pacific Island women and the sea - a space where the worlds of the natural, mythological and everyday coexist. Under the power of the moon and swayed by the constant motion of the tide, Vula takes the audience on a journey through a Pacific day and night. The performers move and dance over, in, and through the water, creating image upon sensual image while moving from intense spirituality to uproarious comedy.

'Nawalowalo is the master of the hypnotic image.' THE HERALD, AUCKLAND

'Nothing short of awesome. a must see.' THE DOMINION POST, WELLINGTON

VULA
14-16 February @ 7.30pm, Sat 16 Matinee 2.30pm, Sun 17 Matinee 2.00pm
Te Whaea Theatre, 11 Hutchison St, Newtown
Bookings: Ticket Direct 0800 4 TICKET or www.ticketdirect.co.nz
Cost: $20/15/14.
 

Trips to the Pacific Islands and Asia increase
05 February 2008 - Source: Statistics New Zealand Press Release
 
In December 2007, there were more trips by New Zealand residents to countries in the Pacific and Asia than in December 2006, Statistics New Zealand said today. The biggest increase was in trips to Fiji (up 1,900 or 32 percent), followed by China (up 1,700 or 22 percent), India (up 900 or 19 percent), the Cook Islands (up 800 or 23 percent) and New Caledonia (up 800 or 188 percent). Overall, New Zealand residents departed on 199,700 short-term overseas trips, up 9,200 or 5 percent from December 2006. December month departures of residents have been steadily increasing since 2001.

In the year ended December 2007, New Zealand residents departed on 1.980 million overseas trips, up 116,400 (6 percent) from the December 2006 year. Trips to Australia were up 48,500 (5 percent), but trips to Fiji were down 8,800 (8 percent), influenced by the political situation in that country.

In December 2007, the number of visitor arrivals to New Zealand decreased by 1,800 (1 percent) compared with December 2006. There were fewer visitor arrivals from the United Kingdom (down 4,400 or 10 percent) and Korea (down 3,600 or 31 percent), but these were partly offset by more visitor arrivals from Australia (up 4,600 or 4 percent).

In the year ended December 2007, there were 2.466 million visitor arrivals, up 44,100 (2 percent) from the previous year. There were more visitors from Australia, China, South Africa and Thailand, but fewer visitors from Japan, Korea, the United States, Fiji, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, permanent and long-term (PLT) arrivals were the same as departures in December 2007. Seasonally adjusted monthly arrivals had been greater than departures since May 2001.

The net PLT migration inflow was 5,500 in the December 2007 year, down from a net inflow of 14,600 in the December 2006 year. The net outflow to Australia was 28,000 in 2007, compared with 20,700 the previous year. This takes the net outflow to Australia to its highest level for a December year since 1988 (when it was 33,400). Net PLT inflows were recorded from the United Kingdom (7,100), India (3,600) and the Philippines (3,200).
 

Ten Samoan boxing pioneers receive honorary awards
04 February 2008 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Ten recipients of the Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing Honorary Awards were presented their awards at the Pre-fight Cocktail on Friday 1st February 2008.

According to Mr. Teleiai Su’a Edwin Puni, Managing Director of Event Polynesia, “It is fitting that the pioneers of Samoa boxing are honoured at the inaugural Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing event for their service in boxing. This weekend Samoa will not only host representatives from the four main world boxing bodies, but will make boxing history with local referee and judges officiating the WBO Oriental Cruiserweight title.”

“Contrary to what most think, it is very hard to raise funds in Samoa to promote boxing and especially to stage international fights here. This is the first and very likely to be the last time Event Polynesia Boxing will bring such an international boxing gathering here to Samoa.”

“Event Polynesia Boxing is committed to promoting Samoan boxers. However, the international title fights will have to be in Auckland where we stage our New Zealand fights because of the huge expenses that we incur to bring such events to Samoa.”

Mr. Puni and boxing officials made a courtesy call to personally thank the Prime Minister, Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi and to thank the Samoa Government for the financial assistance towards the amateur expenses of this event.

Mr. Reginald Leca, President of Oceania Boxing Association and representative for PABA and WBA at a media conference yesterday, compared Samoa to Cuba as a force in world boxing. But unlike Cuba, Samoa needs to move its amateur boxers to professional boxing earlier rather than very late as is the case with Maselino Masoe.

“This requires amateur boxing to work together with professional boxing in Samoa in association with promoters such as Event Polynesia Boxing, who are helping Samoan professional boxers to get ranking for title fights.”

The 10 recipients of the Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing Honorary Awards are:
Hon Peter Paul – Promoter, Hon Sala Ulugia Suivai – Promoter / Coach,
Savaiinaea Malo Slade – Boxer / Trainer / Coach,
Oscar Meredith – Trainer / Coach,
Hon Fa’asootauloa Sam Saili – Promoter,
Galumalemana Afeleti Betham – Trainer / Coach / Promoter,
Hon Polataivao Fosi Schmidt – Boxer / Promoter / Coach,
Lesa Eric Fatupaito – Trainer / Coach,
Maposua Rudolf Keil – Promoter, and
Ulugia Elijah Stanley – Promoter

Photo #1: Mr. Tuilagi Maiava Saipele Esera (Event Polynesia Boxing) with Mr. Lincoln Hudson, Mr. Lawrence Tauasa and Mr. Ale Vena Ale (South Pacific Boxing Incorporated).

Photo #2: Mr. Reginald Leca and Mr. Charles Baou with Mr. Teleiai Su’a Edwin Puni (Event Polynesia Boxing).

Photo #3: Mr. Walter Pupu’a and Mr. Lawrence Tauasa with Mrs Suia Talosaga (Event Polynesia Boxing).
 

Faleomavaega on assignment in New Zealand
03 February 2008 - Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega
 
As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, Faleomavaega is on assignment in New Zealand. While in New Zealand, Faleomavaega met with the U.S. Consulate in Auckland to review the progress of the visa pilot program which was established at his request to assist Samoan citizens married to U.S. Nationals.

“As a result of new security measures in a post 9-11 world, Samoans, like many others, had to travel costly distances in order to obtain an in-person interview for visas. This new security requirement also affected Samoan citizens married to U.S. Nationals,” Faleomavaega said.

“To address the concerns of our people, former Chairman Henry Hyde of the House International Relations Committee supported my efforts in asking U.S. Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice to work out a solution that would not require Samoan citizens married to U.S. Nationals to fly to New Zealand at an approximate cost of over $1,000 for travel and accommodations.”

“The U.S. State Department heard our concerns and in late 2006 instituted a pilot program which now allows for Samoan citizens married to U.S. Nationals to be interviewed in Apia. Samoans from Apia also benefit as a result of this program,” Faleomavaega said.

“The good news is our pilot program is now permanent. In discussions I had yesterday with U.S. Consulate General John Desrocher and Consul Nicholas J. Greanians, over 500 Samoans per year are now being interviewed in Apia.”

“As our people may know, four times a year the U.S. Consulate in Auckland sends an officer to Apia to conduct in-person interviews. Prior to the interviewer’s arrival in Apia, a public announcement is made approximately 30 days in advance informing the public that interviews will be made available. Interviews are made on-line on a first-come, first-serve basis, and slots fill up very quickly.”

“From the outset of this program, I have invited those living in American Samoa who may need assistance to contact my district office for help. My office stands prepared to do whatever it can to help those applying for their visas and appointments since the process requires a computer and must be done on-line.”

“According to my discussions with Consul General Desrocher, each quarter the officer sent to Apia is able to interview approximately 125 people. However, I am pleased to announce that serious efforts are underway to increase the amount of interviews an officer can conduct each quarter.”

“I was pleased to learn in my meeting with the Consulate General that they are pursuing new technologies to speed up the interview process. Right now, because our internet service is slow in Apia or Pago Pago, the interview time takes longer. But with efforts underway to constantly improve our visa program, we may be able to vastly increase the number of our interviews in the very near future.”

“So far, as a result of this program, more than 625 Samoans have been interviewed without having flown to New Zealand. This has been a savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars for residents of Samoa and American Samoa and, for this reason, I thank our U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, The Honorable William McCormick for his dedication and commitment and for making our program a high priority of his service.”

“I also thank Consulate General Desrocher and Consul Greanias for their hard work. I also thank their staff working in the U.S. Consulate in Aukland. While on assignment in New Zealand, I had an opportunity to visit our U.S. Consulate and see first-hand how the visa processing works. I can tell you that our Consulate in Auckland, like all other U.S. Consulates around the world, is understaffed making the workload almost impossible for our Foreign Service officers. Our U.S. Consulate in Auckland is to be commended for the outstanding service it is providing, and I do appreciate the Consulate’s commitment to our people.”

“While in New Zealand, I will also personally be meeting in Wellington with Ambassador McCormick to extend our thanks to him. On Monday, I will meet with The Honorable Winnie Laban, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs; The Honorable David Parker, Minister of Climate Change; and Mr. Huhana Rokx, Chief Executive Officer of the Maori Language Commission,” Faleomavaega said.

“As a guest of the government of New Zealand, I will also attend Waitangi Day at the request of Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Waitangi Day is a celebration of the treaty signed between the Maoris and the British which led to the protection of the Maori lands and culture.”

“During my discussions with these leaders, it is my intent to find ways for us to collaborate together as Pacific Island nations to address climate change. I will be holding a hearing upon my return regarding climate change and vulnerable societies, and I have invited small island nations from our region to brief the Subcommittee.”

“Finally, I am extremely pleased to meet with the Maori Language Commission because I believe there is much we can learn from its success. In fact, I believe it is critical that we adapt some of the knowledge the Maoris have gained as we seek to preserve our Samoan language. This is an issue that I am deeply committed to and I look forward to working with the Governor hopefully to establish a Samoan Language Commission similar to the Maori Language Commission which has made tremendous advancements for the preservation and enhancement of the Maori language.”

“Again, I thank the government of New Zealand for their gracious hospitality and, as always, I thank the people of American Samoa for the outstanding contributions they make to our great nation,” Faleomavaega concluded.
 

Back to Top               News & Info               Newsroom Archive