NEWSROOM: 15 July - 21 July 2007

Manukau Councillor calls for support for locked out workers
21 July 2007 - Source: Su'a William Sio

A call has been made to the Manukau Community and the Church leaders to support the Middlemore hospital workers who have been locked out by their employer, Spotless.

Manukau City Councillor, Su’a William Sio, says those workers have families to feed and need to be supported. The workers are not just fighting for themselves as they are also fighting to improve the living standards within the Manukau local communities.

Councillor Sio said the people of Manukau should not turn a blind eye while members of our communities are being bullied into submission by an Australian based transnational company like Spotless.

“I can’t stand by while honest, hardworking mothers & fathers from my community are locked out from their jobs for two weeks because they have asked for better working conditions. These are the sames workers that often will go the extra mile in serving you when you’re in the hospital. I feel their pain and their struggle,” says Cr. Sio.

“I am appealing to all the local churches to please give support where you can to these locked out workers.

Eight hundred members of the Service and Food Workers Union in New Zealand have been locked out from their jobs as cleaners, kitchen staff and orderlies in ten major hospitals, including Middlemore Hospital.

Spotless, the local arm of an Australian based transnational, has locked the workers out for two weeks in an attempt to force them to agree to bargain outside the framework of a national pay settlement for other public hospital workers.

Twenty-one other employers have signed up to the deal, Spotless, (the largest employer in the sector), has refused to be part of national agreement and insists on completely separate bargaining.

The Service and Food Workers Union is asking the public to support them by sending messages to lobby the District Health boards to intervene and require Spotless to lift the lockout.
 

Talent Call for Fresh Faces for Style Pasifika
20 July 2007 - Source: Westfield Style Pasifika

For one day only the producers of Westfield Style Pasifika will be auditioning fresh new faces for what is New Zealand's premiere fashion award and entertainment spectacular - and anyone who is an excellent performer is welcome to audition.

"The auditions are at 27 Napier Street Freeman's Bay Auckland on Saturday July 28th 2007 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Talent selected will go on to perform live onstage at the Westfield Style Pasifika at the Vector Area on Friday September 7 and be part of the television special that will be broadcast later in the year.

For full information on how to register and what is required go to Oyster Entertainment - email info[at]oysterentertainment.com or ph 09 6300945.

"We are looking for the most fresh, most talented and we want to give them an opportunity of a lifetime," said Stan Wolfgramm

Westfield Style Pasifika incorporates entertainment that ranges from hip hop to opera to cultural and dance form all ethnicities that create New Zealand's melting pot.
 

Silver Ferns no match for green and gold
19 July 2007 - Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Australia maintained their recent dominance over world champions New Zealand with a 53-46 victory at Auckland's Vector Arena last night.

It was Australia's fifth win in their past six games against the Silver Ferns.

New Zealand led early but the Australians took control to establish a 17-10 edge by quarter time. The visitors increased their advantage by one in each of the next two quarters, to lead 31-23 at half-time and 44-35 at the final break.

New Zealand-born shooter Catherine Cox, who was recalled to the run-on side in place of Sydney Swifts teammate Susan Pratley, spearheaded Australia's attack with 33 goals from 39 attempts, missing just one shot in the first three quarters.

Vice-captain and shooting partner Sharelle McMahon offered strong support, with 20 goals at 77 per cent.

Australia led by as much as 10 goals early in the second quarter. New Zealand made only minor inroads into the deficit, however, and never got the margin below six in the final term.

Prolific Kiwi shooter Irene Van Dyk was the only one of New Zealand's three shooters to average over 70 per cent, scoring 31 goals at 86 per cent.
 

Former MP wants to be Manukau Mayor
18 July 2007 - Source: Tamaki Times

A Third big name candidate is a confirmed starter in the ballot box race for Manukau’s top political job.

Manukau City councillor for Otara and former National Party list MP Arthur Anae says he’s a definite candidate for the mayoralty of Manukau City.

Meanwhile, another high profile local body politician, long-time Auckland Regional councillor Craig Little, is keeping tight-lipped about what he intends to do in the September-October triennial poll.

In a brief email to the Times, Mr Anae, who is overseas until July 9, says: “Just wanted to let you know officially, I’m standing for the mayoralty.”

Mr Little told the Times on Friday that “it’s too early” to publicly announce which local political seats he’ll contest this time round.

But Mr Little, a Bucklands Beach resident, who says he’s got abundant experience from being involved in the Auckland regional political scene for 20 years, didn’t rule out standing for the Manukau mayoralty.

“Any option for my political future I’ve not yet decided on,” says Mr Little.

He says he’ll wait and see what political seats are to be contested for the Auckland Regional Council (or Greater Auckland Council), once the government driven regional governance plan is revealed shortly.

Mr Little ran on the Advancing Auckland ticket for a Manukau constituency seat in the ARC election of 2004, polling the highest of 19 candidates with 19149 votes.

In the Manukau mayoralty race four years ago, eight-term incumbent Sir Barry Curtis (Residents and Ratepayers) claimed 21104 votes, ahead of Len Brown (Independent) with 20538 and Dick Quax (Peoples Choice) on 18380.

Both Mr Quax and Mr Brown are confirmed Manukau mayoral candidates in the three-week postal vote opening on September 21. Sir Barry is yet to declare whether he’ll run or not for a record ninth term (Times, June 21).

Mr Little says with the July 27 deadline for candidate declarations looming, it’ll soon be apparent what public offices he’ll campaign for.

Mr Anae was the highest polling of eight candidates in the Otara ward vote for two city councillor seats three years ago, on 2678 ballots, ahead of Labour’s Su’a William Sio on 2267 and Allan Va’a with 2237.

Mr Anae was first elected to parliament in 1996 and is a former National Party spokesman for Pacific Island Affairs. He was the inaugural chairman of the Pacific Islands Chamber of Commerce.
 

All Blacks announce team to play Australia
17 July 2007 - Source: NZRU

All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen and fellow selector, Sir Brian Lochore, have announced the team to play Australia on Saturday 21 July at Eden Park.

“Our performance improved last week and we are after more improvement this week,” said coach Graham Henry. “We are close to playing the type of rugby we want to play.

“The Bledisloe Cup and the Tri Nations championship are hugely important to New Zealand and we would like to claim those honours again.”

Of the current 30-man squad, only wing Sitiveni Sivivatu was not considered for selection due to a calf strain suffered last Saturday night.

ALL BLACKS:
Mils Muliaina
Doug Howlett
Isaia Toeava
Luke McAlister
Josevata Rokocoko
Dan Carter
Byron Kelleher
Rodney So’oialo
Richie McCaw (c)
Jerry Collins
Keith Robinson
Chris Jack
Carl Hayman
Anton Oliver
Tony Woodcock

Reserves:
Keven Mealamu
Neemia Tialata
Reuben Thorne
Chris Masoe
Brendon Leonard
Aaron Mauger
Nick Evans
 

MPIA to hold community fono meetings in Auckland
16 July 2007 - Source: Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs

Kia orana, Ni sa bula vinaka, Taloha ni, Fakaalofa Lahi atu, Malo e lelei, Halo olaketa, Kam na mauri, Ia Orana, Kia ora, Talofa lava. Warm Pacific Greetings.

The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs will be holding its annual Pacific Community Meetings in three venues throughout Auckland.

These meetings will cover the work of the Ministry, and what Government Agencies are doing for Pacific People in New Zealand.

It will be a great opportunity to meet our new Chief Executive Dr Colin Tukuitonga.

He officially came into office in June having replaced Fuimaono Les McCarthy, the long serving former CEO, who has now retired.

You are welcome to attend a meeting closest to you:

Auckland South
Tuesday 31 July 2007
Otahuhu Town Hall, 10 High Street, Otahuhu
6.00pm-8.00pm

Waitakere/North Shore
Wednesday 1 August 2007
Corban Estate Arts Centre
426 Great North Rd, (Access off Mt Lebanon Lane)
Henderson, Waitakere
6.00pm-8.00pm

Auckland Central
Tuesday 7 August 2007
Fickling Convention Centre, 546 Mt Albert Rd, Three Kings
6.00pm-8.00pm

Light Refreshments will be served

For more information, please contact: Savea Al Harrington or Helen Taimarangai - MPIA Community Advisors on 09 262 1513.
 

Pikihuia Awards finalists for Maori Writers 2007 announced
15 July 2007 - Source: Huia Publishers

The Maori Literature Trust and Huia Publishers, have announced the finalists for the Pikihuia Awards for Maori Writers 2007. Twenty-five of the stories will go on to be published in two short story collections due out later this year.

The Pikihuia Awards for Maori Writers (formerly the E Tuhi! Get Writing Awards) have grown significantly since they first started in 1995, highlighting the success of this literary competition as a platform for emerging Maori writers. Robyn Bargh, Managing Director of Huia Publishers says: 'I am excited that these Awards have developed into such a high calibre literary competition within the writing community. This is a fantastic platform for the New Zealand voice to be heard
internationally.'

Past winners and finalists include Paula Morris, Briar Grace-Smith, James George, Isabel Waiti-Mulholland and Kelly Ana Morey, all of whom have gone on to publish books and receive nominations for a range of prestigious book awards both here and overseas.

The finalists of the novel extract and short story categories will be published in Huia Short Stories 7 and the finalists of the Maori short story category will be printed in Nga Pakiwaitara a Huia 4. This second collection, entirely in te reo Maori, will also include a selection of Maori language fiction previously published in the Huia Short Stories series.

The judges for this year's awards were; Kelly Ana Morey (Best novel extract written in English); James George (Best short story written in English); Barry Barclay (Best short film script written in English); Wena Harawira (Best short story written in Maori); Huia Publishers (Best short story written in Maori or English by a secondary school student ).

The launch of the two books and the announcement of the 2007 winners will take place at the Pikihuia Awards ceremony at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in September 2007. The awards ceremony will be the finale of the Festival of Maori Writers 2007 which celebrates Maori literature and will take place in the Wellington region from 10 - 15 September.

The finalists are:

Category 1: Best Short Story in English
Tuna Piata Allen, (Ngati Kahungunu, Te Whanau-a-Apanui), Auckland
Fly Away Home Arihia Latham-Coates, (Ngai Tahu), Wellington
Olivia Whiti Hereaka, (Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa), Wellington
Pavement Lunch Sandra Potaka, (Te Arawa), Hastings
Ella Anne French, (Ngapuhi), Tauranga
Save Point Tama Wise (Ngapuhi), Auckland
He Karu Pirakorako Stacey Morgan, (Ngati Kahungunu), Waipukurau
The Claw Kelly Joseph, (Ngati Maniapoto), Wellington
Secrets of the Heart Royna Ngahuia Fifield, (Maniapoto, Tuwharetoa), Palmerston North
How it all happens in Meihana Durie, (Rangitane, Ngai Tahu, Ngati Porou,  the end Rongowhakaata), Palmerston North
To Rise Up Anahera Gildea, (Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga), Wellington
Rust Melanie Drewery, (Ngati Mahanga), Nelson
Chocolate fish melting Gerry Te Kapa Coates, (Ngai Tahu), Wellington

Category 2: Best short story in Maori
Te Whanau Pihikete Michael Ross, (Ngati Haua), Wellington
Te Taiaha a Tama Basil Keane, (Ngati Kahungunu, Ngapuhi, Rangitane), Porirua
Te wene o nga wene Joylene Rohe-Karauria, (Ngati Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine), Hastings
He Rongo Kino Uenuku Fairhall, (Ngati Rangiwewehi, Ngati He), Rotorua
Kia tau Renata Rogers, (Te Arawa, Te Ati Awa), Rotorua
He aha hoki oti i te Kotuku Tibble, (Ngati Porou), Auckland
ingoa Maori

Category 3: Best short story in Maori or English by a secondary school student
It's only. Keegan Edwardson (Te Whakatohea, Te Whanau-a-Apanui), Kawerau
My Dad Toni-Lee Hawira (Ngati Pukenga, Te atihaunui-a-Paparangi), Tauranga.
Montell's History Lesson Charlizza Harris (Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Porou, Te Arawa), Napier
Out of Key John Boynton, (Tuhoe), Auckland
Lullaby Danielle Cavey, (Ngati Porou), Makarewa
Two Soldiers Tihema Baker, (Ngati Raukawa, Te Ati Awa, Ngati Toa), Otaki
Tipua Kahurangi Coleman, (Ngati Porou), Tologa Bay
Te Takurua Tuatahi Te Aumihi Macpherson, (Ngati Whakaue), Rotorua
Te Aopuangiangi raua Hine Te Ariki Parata-Walker, (Ngati Porou), Tologa Bay
ko Manuika
Te Mataku Vivien White, (Ngati Porou), Tologa Bay
Toku Papa Te Teira Maxwell, (Te Arawa, Tuwharetoa), Rotorua

Category 4: Best short film script written in English
Road Warrior Ranui Taiapa, (Ngati Porou), Wellington
Peace Fool Evajane Suter, (Te Ati Awa, Ngati Mutunga), Manaia
Remote Mahinaarangi Ann Leong, (Te Whakatohea, Te Whanau-a- Apanui), New Plymouth
Breakfast Leonie Reynolds, (Ngati Te Ata), Wellington
Warbrick Meihana and Pere Durie, (Rangitane, Ngati Porou, Ngai
Tahu, Ngati Kauwhata), Palmerston North

Category 5: Best novel extract written in English
Morehu Anahera Gildea, (Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga), Wellington
Ani May Tina Nixon, (Ngai Tahu), Wellingto
Whiti te ra Jenny Brinsley, (Ngapuhi), Lower Hutt
Sex and Celibacy Diane Sharma Winter, (Ngati Awa), Tauranga
The Inanga Pendant Trish Fong, (Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki, Ngati Porou), Gisborne
Rise and Shine Paul Gilbert, (Ngai Tahu), Hamilton

The Maori Literature Trust would like to acknowledge the support of our sponsors:

Huia Publishers
Creative New Zealand-Te Waka Toi
Te Puni Kokiri
Toi Maori Aotearoa
Astra Print
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

For more information, contact Huia Publishers on 04 473 9262 or email huia.lloyd@huia.co.nz.
 

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