NEWSROOM: 12 August -18 August  2007

Crackdown on loan companies in South Auckland
18 August 2007 - Source: NewsTalk ZB

A crackdown is underway on companies specialising in loans to South Auckland's Pacific Island community.

The Commerce Commission is prosecuting one company and has warned six others, claiming they failed to provide important information for their clients who took out personal claims.

The companies advertise in Pacific language newspapers, providing short term cash loans, often using traditional Tongan mats as security.

The Commerce Commission says the lenders did not disclose the annual interest rate, or the amount of interest payable. They are also accused of not telling customers of their right to cancel the loan within a certain period of time.

The six credit providers that have been warned are: Mana'ia Financial Services, Sala Multi Services Ltd, Winston's Finance, Houmatetefa Finance, Mizpah Trading Co. Ltd and Funaki Enterprises. The commission is not commenting further on the prosecution of the seventh credit provider.
 

Build-up to Tua-Montana fight in Utah
17 August 2007 - Source: NewsTalk ZB

David Tua's stop-start boxing career has taken him to some out of the way places but Salt Lake City, Utah is a first for him this week.

Tua faces the toughest test to date in his boxing comeback, against the Mexican Heavyweight Champion Saul Montana on Sunday.

Tua admits Montana, or La Cobra as he is known, is a bit like himself in some ways. The Mexican has won 42 of his 48 bouts by knockout and can switch into the awkward southpaw style at any time. Tua says Saul Montana is a fighter known for his power.

Tua says while Salt Lake City is certainly different to what he is used to, it is nothing he cannot cope with. He says it was a shock when they told him where the fight was, but says "it is what it is" and he is preparing well.

It is Tua's first trip to the Utah capital, where legendary fighters Gentleman Jim Corbett and Jack Dempsey recorded their first professional wins on their way to much bigger things.
 

Seats for Pacific Dialogue Event Running Out
16 August 2007 - Source: Department of Labour Press Release

It’s not too late to register for the Thought Leaders Dialogue taking place in two weeks time says event sponsor Tofilau Kerupi Tavita of the Department of Labour.

“The allocated 300 places are running out and those thinking of leaving things to the last minute will be disappointed.”

The two day event, sponsored by the Department of Labour and Victoria University, will bring together researchers, Pacific communities and government to describe, discuss and debate research findings from the Pasifika papers.

The Pasifika Project is a series of research papers commissioned by public service Chief Executives that consider New Zealand’s interaction with the Pacific, and was previewed by academics in February this year.

“We want to involve the broader community in this research through facilitating a dialogue between the researchers and Pacific peoples,” says Mr Tavita.

The papers focus on the Pacific economy in New Zealand, the economies of the islands themselves, trade, borders and migration

“The Pacific-expert panels and the ‘open-floor audience feedback’ are two special features of the event intended to draw out some interesting discussion and lively debate.”

Pacific-Expert panel members include former Pacific Business Trust CEO, Paul Muller, Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Monitoring Director Mr Sai Lealea, and Linda Aumua, Pasifika Coordinator, Centre for Pacific Development and Support

Five panellists from the Pacific region have confirmed their participation and include:

• Hon Lisiate ‘Akolo, Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries, Government of Tonga;
• Manjula Luthria, Senior Economist, World Bank, Australia;
• Odo Tevi, Governor, Reserve Bank of Vanuatu;
• Andrew Stoler, Executive Director, Institute for International Trade, University of Adelaide, Australia. (Former Deputy Director-General, World Trade Organisation);
• Brenda Heather-Latu, Partner, Latu, Ey & Clarke Lawyer, Apia, Samoa. (Former Attorney-General of Samoa).

The Department of Labour is putting up 150 scholarships to assist as many Pacific community representatives to attend the event and dinner at no charge.

“The scholarships have been very popular with less than 50 places remaining. Our priority is to assist community leaders and those that can attend the event for the full two days.”

The Thought Leaders Dialogue will be held on the 30-31st of August at the Metotia Fou Hall, Papatoetoe Samoan Methodist Church, 19 Roscommon Road.
Call (09) 970 3988 or (04) 915 6564 to register or download forms at www.dol.govt.nz/news/events/index.asp

Programme:

Day One: Thursday 30 August
8.00am
• Registration Opens
9.00am
• Welcome and Introduction
• Key Note Address
• Morning Tea
• Demography: who’s here and what’s happening to them – Paul Callister and Robert Didham
• Panel discussion and questions/audience participation
12.30pm
• Lunch
• Pacific peoples’ participation in the New Zealand economy – Jean-Pierre de Raad
• Panel discussion and questions/audience participation
• Afternoon Tea
• Pacific Economies – John Gibson and Karen Nero
• Panel discussion followed by questions /audience participation
5.00pm
• Closing
7.00pm – 10.00pm
• Pacific Banquet hosted by Tongan Methodist Community

Day Two: Friday 31 August
9.00am
• Welcome/Reflection on Day One
• Trade and Investment – Bob Warner
• Panel discussion and questions/audience participation
• Morning Tea
• Mobility of People – Richard Bedford
• Panel discussion and questions/audience participation
12.15pm
• Lunch
• Borders in a Borderless World – Michael Moriaty
• Panel discussion followed by questions/audience participation
• Afternoon Tea
• Panel discussion 4.30pm
Closing.
 

Sir Barry Curtis standing down after 40 years in local government
15 August 2007 - Source: Su'a William Sio

Sir Barry Curtis deserves all our praises and best wishes for a life dedicated to public service and to the people of Manukau City.

I will always acknowledge him as one Manukau’s founding city fathers being one of New Zealand’s longest serving mayors. He has worked tirelessly to serve the people of Manukau City, often taking calls from people at all hours of the day or night, never turning anyone away. He made everyone feel special and welcome to Manukau and it didn’t matter if you were a school student, the Governor General, an international visitor, or a Maori warden, Sir Barry was always ready and willing to make you feel welcome to Manukau, New Zealand’s most progressive city.

He will be sorely missed at the annual Waitangi Celebrations where he would welcome visitors from the length & breadth of New Zealand to celebrate with the people of Manukau under the Manukau sky, warmed by the Manukau sun, where we acknowledge people of all cultures & ethnicities in the Manukau way, in accordance with the protocols of mana whenua.

He has been an outstanding role model for a budding politician like myself and the young people of Manukau City. He was always quick to point out that Otara was the capital of Manukau City and for the young people to aim for the stars. Our school children from Otara loved to sing and perform for Sir Barry because he always treated them with the respect and the dignity they deserve.

His oratory prowess is un-matched by any councillor and he has a very special gift when it comes to public speaking with his booming voice and ability to recite so much about Manukau’s history. His presence always dignified each community occasion and made everyone feel so special.

I acknowledge Sir Barry’s support and love for the Pacific communities of Manukau. Everyone who has met you comes away feeling important. The old people have always said to me, ‘This mayor is a palagi, but his heart is Polynesian.’

We support your decision Sir Barry. We wish you all the best in your many years ahead. God bless you and Mayoress Anne.

New language option for New Zealand students
14 August 2007 - Source: NewsTalkZB

A Tongan community leader believes it is the perfect time to introduce the Tongan language into the school curriculum.

Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Hon. Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, launched the addition to the curriculum in Auckland on Monday morning.

Inoke Vala, a business consultant and active member of the South Auckland community, says the Tongan language is eroding locally and it is important that the trend is halted to keep the culture alive. He believes the option of learning Tongan at school will be very popular.

There were 50,000 Tongans living in New Zealand in 2006. Two thirds live in South Auckland.
 

Pacific health needs Pacific representation
13 August 2007 - Source: Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Press Release

Pacific people need to step up and stand for this year's District Health Board elections, according to Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Chief Executive Dr. Colin Tukuitonga.

"DHBs make hugely important decisions that affect the way health and disability services are delivered to all communities, including Pacific people in New Zealand," he says.

Nominations close midday on Friday 24th of August for candidates to stand in the District Health Board elections, to be held in late September.

"Given the position of Pacific people in health statistics in this country, we need to make sure the Pacific perspective is heard and understood at every DHB board table," adds Dr. Tukuitonga.

Pacific people make up around 7 percent of the New Zealand population and have higher reported rates of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and respiratory diseases such as asthma and emphysema.

In the 2004 elections the following three people were elected to District Health Boards; Ken Laban (Hutt Valley DHB), Arthur Anae (Counties Manukau DHB) and Penaia Famui (Whanganui DHB).

Dr. Tukuitonga adds that Pacific peoples need to ensure they vote in the elections in order to support the efforts of the Pacific people standing for the DHBs.

To be eligible to stand, prospective nominees must be New Zealand citizens, over 18 years of age and on the electoral roll. Certain other eligibility criteria also apply.

More information, including a candidate information handbook, is available on the Ministry of Health's DHB elections website www.yourdhb.org.nz

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

North Meets South Trade Mission to visit New Zealand
12 August 2007 - Source: PITIC NZ Press Release

A programme aimed at strengthening trade between Northern and Southern Pacific Islands has helped broaden the horizons of six Micronesian business people.

The group is travelling throughout Fiji meeting with potential suppliers and buyers and seeking business opportunities in a project called the “North Meets South Mission”.

On a normal business day, hardware store owner Sebastian Taman would open up his store in Yap (Northern Micronesia) at 7.30 am and finish his paper work twelve hours later.

Today however he was in Lautoka making valuable business connections with Clyde Equipment (Pacific Ltd) and the Better Boat Company. Most businesses in his region import from Southern Asia and the United States and his biggest clients are government contractors and construction companies.

“I’ve been in business for nine years and that can be a challenge on an island with only 15,000 people. I run it like a typical hardware store in the US and supply everything from building materials to fans and home appliances,” said Sebastian. “I think it’s good to be able to access suppliers and markets in this part of the Pacific not just China, Japan and the US but it depends on transport and shipping lines.”

The North Meets South Mission is an initiative by the Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission (PITIC) Auckland and the Private Sector Development Unit at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

The entrepreneurs began their mission by attending the Pacific Islands Business Forum 2007 in Nadi earlier this week. They will fly down to Auckland, New Zealand for another busy schedule of appointments with potential stakeholders.

Some like Lucia Guavis are hoping to find distributors for their products. Lucia sells exquisite Marshall Islands handicrafts from her shop in Majuro. One sample she has brought to Fiji – a 70 cm round woven wall-hanging – took four weeks for the women of her area to make and just four hours to sell in a bulk pre-order to a handicraft shop in Nadi.

“I mainly distribute to the United States but I’m hoping to make good contacts in Fiji and New Zealand. This is the first time I’ve brought my products down here,” said Lucia.

Tomorrow the group will be visiting the Fiji Office of New Zealand Trade and Office, the Pacific Forum Secretariat, the Pure Fiji factory and lunch with the Suva Rotary Association.

This report was supplied by Iulia Leilua of Silk Associates who is accompanying the North Meets South Trade Mission funded by PITIC NZ.
 

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