NEWSROOM: 09 September - 15 September 2007

Te Vaka singled out by France to represent All Blacks
15 September 2007 - Source: Te Vaka Press Release
 
Well known New Zealand acts are being sent to France by the New Zealand government to cash in on the publicity created by the All Blacks and the Rugby World Cup but Te Vaka is the only New Zealand group to have been officially booked by the French to perform on the prestigious Rugby World Cup stage, singled out to represent both the All Blacks and Manu Samoa. All the teams are represented by top musicians from their respective countries and Te Vaka will perform a total of three 90 minute concerts – two for the All Blacks and one for Manu Samoa.

It all began in December 2006, when the French promoters contacted Te Vaka management to arrange a meeting with Festival director Jean-Pierre Le Pavec. The meeting in Auckland between Jean-Pierre and Julie Foai on the 3rd of Jan confirmed Te Vaka for the Rugby World Cup 2007. Julie was surprised to discover that Te Vaka was the only New Zealand group to have been headhunted for the World Cup and that Jean-Pierre’s sole reason for coming to New Zealand was to secure the group.

Since that time Te Vaka has moved to Sydney and released album number five “Olatia”.
The streets of Sydney are reverberating with the sound of the log drums as Te Vaka performers rehearse daily for this very important event. With their new album entering the European World Music Chart at no. 4, they are anticipating a very exciting time in Europe and it is hoped that the sound of the log drums pounding will help the All Blacks or Manu Samoa bring home the cup.

TOURING NEWS

Apologies to all our friends in the USA as we will not be touring the USA or Hawaii this year.

Te Vaka head off to Europe for the month of October. They will be performing at the semi finals for the Rugby World Cup in France as well as other dates in Europe. In case any of you happen to be in France or Europe here are the dates so far:

Village Rugbycolor festival details: http://www.festival-ovale.fr/

13th October, 7.00pm
Rugby World Cup, Saint Denis, France (All Blacks) free concert
Festival Ovale
Village Rugbycolor
Métro Porte de Paris, au pied du Stade de France
93200 SAINT DENIS

14th October, 6.00pm
Rugby World Cup, Saint-Ouen, France (All Blacks)

14th October, 10.30pm
Rugby World Cup, Saint Denis France (Manu Samoa)
Festival Ovale
Village Rugbycolor
Métro Porte de Paris, au pied du Stade de France
93200 SAINT DENIS

20th October
Donauworth Biergarten, Im Donautal 1, 86609 Schäfstall, Germany

25th October, 8.00pm
Brotfabrik, Frankfurt, Germany
Tickets available from www.brotfabrik.de or www.markusgardian.de

More dates still to be confirmed for Europe.
 

New language resources for young Niueans and Cook Islanders
14 September 2007 - Source: Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Press Release
 
Innovative family and community based language learning resources are being made available to young people across New Zealand interested in learning Te Reo Maori o Kuki Airani, Cook Islands Maori and Vagahau Niue, the Niuean Language.

The Mind Your Language Cook Islands Maori and Vagahau Niue Resources have been developed by the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs in partnership with Pa Metua and Niu Development Inc, two organisations who are committed to seeing an increased increasing number of New Zealand born Niuean and Cook Islands people speaking their native language.

The second phase of Mind Your Language Vagahau Niue sees the launch of the learnniue.com website, an interactive tool which makes the Niuean Language accessible to anyone anywhere in the world, complementing books and audio CDs already in circulation.

The launch of the Mind Your Language Cook Island Maori resource is the first stage of the roll out and sees new Cook Island Maori learners equipped with reading resources and visual aids to start them on their language learning journey.

Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Chief Executive, Dr Colin Tukuitonga says Mind Your Language is designed to get more New Zealand born Pacific people speaking the language of their forebears. “Our communities in New Zealand outnumber those living in the Cook Islands and Niue, and sadly our young New Zealand born people can’t speak these languages. Mind Your Language aims to change that.”

Dr Tukuitonga is calling on communities to collectively support language learners. “Mind Your Language helps our communities to strengthen their sense of cultural identity. We hope every member of the Niue and Cook Islands communities supports the people who make use of this valuable resource.”

For more information contact: Angie Enoka, Senior Communications Advisor (04) 471 8245 or (027) 672 3497.
 

City and church join forces to win safety award
13 September 2007 - Source: Waitakere City Council Press Release
 
A West Auckland Samoan church group hopes other communities will pick up on its award-winning road safety initiative.

The initiative, called Ola Fa’asaoina, which means to save lives, was named a winner at this year’s New Zealand Community Safety and Injury Prevention Awards.

The awards are supported by ACC, the Safe Communities Foundation New Zealand and the New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy. They recognise, reward and promote best-practice community-based injury prevention and safety promotion in New Zealand. The winners of the four categories receive $2000 towards professional development and/or the development of their safety initiative.

And it all started with a parking ticket.

Ola Fa’asaoina began in July 2005 after church members at the Henderson and Ranui EFKAS Church congregations were repeatedly ticketed while attending services. They contacted fellow churchgoer, Constable Fagaesea Siaki of the Henderson Police, and Kitch Cuthbert of the Waitakere City Council, for help.

“Worshippers were getting tickets but they didn’t understand why and didn’t know what to do with them,” says Constable Siaki. “We worked together to develop solutions, which included the Council implementing parking restrictions to make parking more accessible to church members.”

The initiative was so successful that the two congregations decided to tackle other road safety issues, such as driving without a licence, when and how to use child car restraints and the often lethal combination of youth, alcohol, drugs and speed.

A lack of information and language barriers meant it was often difficult for the community to understand the relevant rules, says Constable Siaki.

The Church established a committee that included representatives of ACC, the NZ Police, Land Transport NZ, Plunket and the Waitakere City Council, which developed a module-based programme. Innovative initiatives included training bi-lingual driver licensing tutors and offering cheaper learn-to-drive courses.

Establishing a Car Seat Bank and running a ‘Belt-o-meter’ to encourage the use of safety belts were other key strategies. The church also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ACC that allowed the corporation to work more closely with this community on road safety and injury prevention initiatives.

“We’ve had staggering results, with 116 church members achieving their learners licence, 42 have gone onto achieve their restricted licence and there’s been an increase in the use of car child restraints, from 74% to 96%.

“But perhaps the biggest win has been the greater road safety awareness and the creation of a general safety culture, not only on the roads but also within the home with a focus on issues like falls prevention and safety awareness models such as family violence.”

It’s also encouraging that Ola Fa’asaoina is now being rolled out in other Pacific churches in Waitakere and the North Shore, but the model could also be applied to any community, Constable Siaki says.
 

Homai Te Pakipaki grand final
12 September 2007 - Source: Maori Television Press Release
 
Kia hiwa ra! Kia hiwa ra!
Nau mai haere mai ki te whiringa toa o Homai Te Pakipaki

Texting to vote opens Saturday 8th September, 2007
The texting lines will be open from midday Saturday, up to and including the show.
If you go to Maori Television website, www.maoritelevision.com click on Homai Te Pakipaki on the right hand button, and then click through to the finalists, you will see the ‘how to text vote’ details.

Where & When:
The final will be held at the Beaumont Centre, 98 Beaumont Street, Freemans Bay, Friday 14th September, and screens live on Maori Television from 8PM.

Entry:
You don’t need a ticket but we will ask for a donation at the door.

Let friends and family know, the more the merrier, everyone welcome!
Tell one, tell all – Come along to the final of Homai Te Pakipaki.

You need to be there by 7PM. The show starts at 8PM and latecomers – well need we say more!
There’s limited parking available at the venue, so it may pay to carpool.
It’s going to be a great night; they’ll be stalls on site to get a feed, but no alcohol available or allowed on site.

To view the Homai Te Pakipaki finalists, visit: http://maoritelevision.com/programmes/features/homai_te_pakipaki_finalists.htm or http://homaitepakipaki.blogspot.com/.
 

Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Awards 2007 winners
11 September 2007 - Source: Westfield Style Pasifika Press Release
 
The tradition of the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Awards to deliver the unexpected, extraordinary and brilliant in fashion design - with a twist that celebrates our part of the world – has been achieved once again with this year’s winning design from the Schwarzkopf Osis Three Piece Collection category, Tiki Tour ’62, by Tauranga based designers Donna Dinsdale and Debra Laraman.

The TVNZ Supreme Award was presented at the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Award and Entertainment Spectacular with an audience of over 4,000 at Auckland’s new Vector Arena.

A Retro design that uses the images of a 1960’s Tourism poster digitally printed onto silk – this dynamic 3 piece “contrasts the inappropriate tourism imagery of 1962 with contemporary styling.”

Debra Laraman is Group Leader of Creative Design at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Donna Dinsdale is also a tutor at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and both of them are committed to the success of their students. They have entered Westfield Style Pasifika in other years and been finalists in a number of sections.

They introduced the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Award to their students some years ago and it has become part of the course. They have also created garments of their own to enter and despite being regular finalists they have never won before although several of their students have won and graduates still enter.

The Runner Up to the TVNZ Supreme Award is Kohai Grace, from Porirua in Wellington.

Utilising flax fibre and ancient techniques of traditional Maori cloak weaving, Grace’s garment is hand woven into a stunning modern example of “the little black dress”. Modern threads have been incorporated into the garment for a touch of contemporary “bling”. An experienced weaver with a passion for textile arts, Grace has exhibited her craft both nationally and internationally over a 20 year career.

“Nowhere else in the New Zealand fashion world would unknown and aspiring fashion design stars have the opportunity to think as energetically and freely as they can for Westfield Style Pasifika and we are proud that has become our hallmark,” said Producer and champion of the fashion award and entertainment spectacular for more than 12 years Stan Wolfgramm

“It encourages our designers to be proud of where they come from and uninhibited in their design statements.”

The growth of the Fashion Award is marked this year by moving to the new Vector Arena in Auckland.

“It is a great pleasure for Westfield to be involved as sponsor of this show and we are into our sixth year as a partner," said Deputy Director of Westfield New Zealand Justin Lynch

“This event embraces many elements that embody the essence of Westfield’s’ community focus . . . it is a sponsorship we affectionately refer to as a ‘perfect fit’ and to be able to take this brilliant show nationwide with a television special with TVNZ gives the show the credibility it commands”

Westfield New Zealand sponsors a scholarship to take designers to Air New Zealand Fashion Week and this year a group of four Auckland based sisters under the MENA label, Charmaine Love from Wellington and a collection of the best garments from the Fashion Award will be showcased in mid September.

The TVNZ Supreme Award winner receives $3000 and two tickets on Pacific Blue to the Pacific Islands. Westfield New Zealand Runner Up receives $2000 and 2 tickets on Pacific Blue to the Pacific Islands.

Each category winner receives $1000.

There is also the Westfield Business Scholarship which mentors designers then showcases them at New Zealand Fashion Week.

The ten categories in the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Award are Pasifika Body Art; Kim Crawford Traditionally Inspired; Resene Asia Pasifika; NZ Aids Foundation Pasifika Hero; Schwarzkopf Osis Three Piece Collection; FLAVA Urban Street Wear; Menswear; Evening Wear; Bridal Wear and Te Puni Kokiri Parent and Child.

The judges for the Award are some of New Zealand’s leading fashion designers including Doris De Pont, Denise L’Estrange Corbet, Francis Hooper, Liz Mitchell, and Caroline Church with Pacific Advisor Mary Ama.

CATEGORY WINNERS

Traditionally Inspired
Winner: Kohai Grace, Porirua
Title: Night Lady (Whanine-o-te-po)

Utilising flax fibre and ancient techniques of traditional Maori cloak weaving, Grace’s garment is hand woven into a stunning modern example of “the little black dress”. Modern threads have been incorporated into the garment for a touch of contemporary “bling”. An experienced weaver with a passion for textile arts, Grace has exhibited her craft both nationally and internationally over a 20 year career.

Asia Pasifika
Winner: Juliet Newton, Palmerston North
Title: hana-putiputi

Based on the Japanese form of traditional apparel, Newton’s silk and tulle garment was inspired by the ancient art form of floral arranging – ika bana – using the Mt Cook “Aoraki” lily as her inspiration. A student at Wanganui UniCol, Newton is a first time entrant to the Pacifika Fashion Awards and has garnered the top award in this rapidly growing category.

3 Piece Collection
Winner: Donna Dinsdale and Debra Laraman, Kati Kati
Title: “Tiki Tour ‘62”

1962 New Zealand Tourism Board posters were the basis for this dynamic three piece collection which juxtaposes retro imaging with contemporary styling. The garments are 100% silk which not only creates the draped and fluid style of the each garment, but also an aged appearance that complements the 60s imaging that has been digitally printed on the fabric.

Pasifika Hero
Winner: Sera Hathaway, Taupo
Title: “Look At Me”

Bold and innovative design is celebrated in the Hero section and Hathaway’s aptly titled “Look at Me” encapsulates that spirit. Hathaway was inspired by the Pacific gay community and the garment is designed to reflect “their high spirits and individuality”. The flamboyant and glittering style is characterised by the eye-catching wooden necklace emblazoned with the garment’s title.

Urban Pasifika
Winner: Ana Draca, Hamilton
Title: “Azia Parada”

At only 20 years of age, this Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Fashion Design Graduate has garnered the top award in this ever popular category. Based on architectural themes the bold and angular design represents Draca’s themes of the urban “strut” and “parade”. The golden metal buttons and contemporary red buckled belts, set of this striking outfit.

Pasifika Evening Wear
Winner: Madeleine Gilbert, Warkworth
Title: “Star Gazer”

Warkworth school teacher Madeleine Gilbert has taken the current fashion trend of Samoan pattern motifs (fa’a lau paogo) and incorporated it into a glamorous yet contemporary evening dress. The duchess satin, ribbon and beading creates the garments sumptuous feel, while the Samoan floral “decoration” is the gowns crowning glory.

Pasifika Menswear
Winner: Andrew Smith, Campbells Bay, Auckland
Title: “Melted”

This vibrant and dynamic ensemble is literally “melting” with elements of the clothing such as the ‘drooped’ pockets, designed to represent Smith’s metaphor for New Zealand’s melting pot of many cultures into one nation. A designer for leading children’s brand “Pumpkin Patch” and runner up in this category previously, 2007 is Smith’s year to be the men’s wear champion.

Pasifika Bridal
Winner: Visesio Louis Thomsen, Manurewa, Auckland
Title: Samoan Bride

The ever popular bridal category is a modern interpretation of the traditional Samoan bride. The entire outfit is made of “Ie Toga” or fine mat, the elegant puff shape is inspired by Auckland’s Sky Tower, and the frangipani flower is a key design feature. Thomsen has a BA in Fashion Technology, and the garment reflects his vision of the bold, empowered Samoan Bride on the biggest day of her life.

Parent and Child
Winner: Judy Bathgate, Avondale, Auckland
Title: “for Adam and his Grandad”

“Grandad loved his career as a farmer and Adam greatly appreciated the big city hip hop culture.” Bathgate’s beautiful description of this funky kids urban look captures street styling with an inspired touch of rural farm wear. A finalist in the category last year, the Avondale seamstress has secured this year’s category award.
 

Research and resources critical to stubbing-out Pacific NZers’ smoking
10 September 2007 - Source: Ministry of Pacific Affairs Press Release
 
There has been a call at the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference for specific research into the smoking behaviour of Pacific people living in New Zealand.

Dr. Colin Tukuitonga, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Pacific Affairs, told the 370 international delegates in Auckland that current research is not appropriate for Pacific New Zealanders, and that current interventions are also probably missing the mark for them.

"We are generally aware that Pacific peoples have less knowledge about how to access cessation services or even how important it is to try to quit. English is the second language for some older Pacific peoples, and this is a barrier to their understanding of issues around smoking.

"A lack of targeted research means we don't really know for certain what will work with Pacific peoples. Addictive behaviour is quite complex and there's no point assuming evidence from studies of other ethnic groups or across the larger population will also apply to them."

Dr. Tukuitonga called for more resources to target Pacific peoples, saying health providers who are already working with them could provide cessation services as well.

One in three New Zealanders of Pacific Island descent smoke and Dr. Tukuitonga says this is in large part responsible for their higher mortality and hospital admission rates.

"Unless we launch an effective attack on Pacific people’s rates of smoking, we will never address the unequal status of their health compared to other New Zealanders."

Tobacco Use in Pacific Peoples - Are we doing enough?
Dr. Colin Tukuitonga

Tobacco is the single largest preventable killer of Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa/New Zealand and the in Pacific region. In Aotearoa/New Zealand, smoking rates are higher in Pacific peoples (37%) and Maori (45%) compared with other New Zealanders (21%). Significant variation also exists in tobacco use among young people. A recent review of tobacco smoking in Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs) showed that smoking prevalence ranges from 22% - 57% in males and 1% - 51% in females.

Ethnic, gender and age group differences in tobacco use require better information about similarities and differences that exist within Pacific populations to enable more effective interventions to be developed. A review of major population-level tobacco control interventions in Aotearoa/New Zealand showed a lack of evidence of what works among Pacific Peoples. Continued reliance and adaptation of mainstream tobacco control interventions is unlikely to reduce tobacco use among Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa/New Zealand. More specific programmes for Pacific Peoples are urgently needed, with particular focus on young men. Effective interventions to reduce tobacco-related deaths will substantially reduce health inequalities in the country. Pacific communities need to be resourced and supported to own and participate more effectively in the provision of tobacco control programmes.

In the Pacific region, ratification of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control provides a golden opportunity to scale-up tobacco control efforts in the region. Despite these promising developments, political will varies widely in the region and more effective actions are needed. Control on trade in tobacco is an urgent priority addressing both the supply and demand of tobacco products in the region. Aotearoa/New Zealand needs to curb the supply of tobacco (worth about $5 million per annum) to 12 small island states. Pressures to include tobacco and alcohol in the Pacific Free Trade Agreements should be resisted. Similarly, better regulatory controls are needed to control the marketing and sponsorship of sporting and recreational events by the tobacco industry. Local communities in the region should be supported to take action at the local level e.g. smoke-free villages in Fiji and Samoa. Traditional methods of social control are often more effective than legal measures.

The Oceania Tobacco Control Conference presentation discussed interventions needed to prevent tobacco-related diseases and protect the health or Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa/NZ and actions needed within NZ to control tobacco use in the region.
 

Merciless All Blacks rout struggling Italy
09 September 2007 - Source: Channel NewsAsia
 
Hot tournament favourites New Zealand got their World Cup campaign off to the ideal start at the Stade Velodrome here with a scintillating 76-14 rout of Pool C rivals Italy.

The contest was dead and buried after the first 20 breathless minutes, during which the All Blacks scored five converted tries against an Italian team shown up to be woefully inept in their early defensive alignment.

Dominant in all aspects of the game, the All Blacks scored 11 tries in total through Richie McCaw (2), Doug Howlett (3) - who is now joint equal try scorer in All Black history with Christian Cullen on 46 - Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu (2), Chris Jack, Jerry Collins (2), with a further 17 points coming from the boot of Dan Carter and six from Luke McAlister.

Italy, last season's Six Nations over-achievers after wins over Scotland and Wales, hit back with a Marko Stanojevic intercept try and a late effort from Mirco Bergamasco.

But the Azzurri were no match for the imperious loose-forward triumvirate of McCaw, Collins and Rodney So'oialo, whose ability to turn defence into break-neck attack through their hard-hitting tackles and ball-recycling skills was evident throughout.

The All Blacks, who had posted 272 points past Italy in four previous World Cup encounters, took just over one minute to set the tone and send out a warning to rivals for the William Webb Ellis trophy.

With the Italian defence static and aligned wide, McCaw took a sharp inside pass from outstanding lock Ali Williams from the first line-out and streaked through from 20 metres out and under the posts unopposed.

McCaw crashed over for his second just minutes later after taking a blindside pop from Byron Kelleher.

The Kiwis kept the early onslaught up, Howlett finishing off a scintillating move started by Sivivatu.

And two Carter chips over a struggling Italian defence resulted in tries for Muliaina and Sivivatu to make it 38-0 to the All Blacks after just 20 minutes.

Italy then enjoyed a rare parity in possession and territory for a short while, before Sivivatu got his second after Leon MacDonald had caught the Italian defence napping.

With New Zealand forcing attack, Italy winger Stanojevic pounced on a loose pass by Kelleher for a try converted by Bortolussi to make it 43-7 at half-time.

Italy offered up slightly more resistance early in the second-half, but were soon on the receiving end of a second five-try routing over 20 minutes.

Jack opened the floodgates in the 50th minute. Howlett then completed his hat-trick in quick succession and Collins also scored a brace in two minutes.

Italy centre Mirco Bergamsco grabbed a late opportunist try back for Italy but it was no real consolation for a performance far below that of the All Blacks.
 

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