NEWSROOM: 18 March - 24 March 2007

Samoa Rugby Union and Sir Michael Fay announce new Relationship
24 March 2007 - Source: Samoa Rugby Union

Following the execution of agreements between the Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Sir Michael Fay and David Richwhite in Auckland on 8th March 2007, the Samoa Rugby Union has expressed its appreciation of the goodwill shown by Sir Michael and David Richwhite in the arrangement finalised which formally reverted to the Samoa Rugby Union full ownership and control of the Manu Samoa rugby team.

Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the execution of the agreements marked a new phase in the relationship between the Samoa Rugby Union and Sir Michael Fay. As from March 2007, Sir Michael will continue to be an important member and advisor to the Samoa Rugby Union on a voluntary basis. Fay and Richwhite will also continue to be a major sponsor during the next eight years as part of the settlement underpinning the March 2007 agreements. Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi acknowledged the personal commitment and support by Sir Michael since October 1995 when Fay Richwhite was approached to help support the Manu Samoa with the emergence of the professional rugby era. It was also acknowledged that Fay Richwhite through Manu Samoa Rugby Limited, had contributed nearly NZ$5,000,000 since 1995 in helping to fund the Manu Samoa rugby team.

It was revealed that the day to day administration of the Manu Samoa which used to be undertaken out of Auckland New Zealand had over time shifted back to the Samoa Rugby Union offices in Apia starting first with the Manu Samoa 7s team and later followed by the Manu Samoa 15s.

Sir Michael Fay said that he was very happy with the arrangement to hand back the ownership and control of the Manu Samoa to the Samoa Rugby Union. However, Sir Michael pointed out that the future sustainability of the Manu Samoa relies on the reforms which the International Rugby Board is willing to implement to give small island rugby unions a fair revenue sharing arrangement for international tests hosted by developed Tier 1 rugby nations, rationalisation of the eligibility rules for rugby players and continuing financial support of the Government of Samoa to capitalise on the high international visibility of the Manu Samoa as a key international trade promotional tool for Samoa.

Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said that the Samoa Rugby Union was looking forward to the continuing relationship with Sir Michael who with his business skills and experience will be an invaluable asset for the union as it faces new challenges in the world of professional rugby. The Chairman said it was an important step for the Samoa Rugby Union to secure total ownership and control of the Manu Samoa because its national sport icon for Samoa. The Chairman has called on all the supporters and friends of the Manu Samoa for their continued support and prayers as the Manu Samoa 7s and Manu Samoa 15s take on their mission to be recognised as one of the teams in the top group of rugby nations in the world.
 

Telling the stories of the past
23 March 2007 - Source: Auckland City Council

The well-known Pua family of Grey Lynn – who include members from Kiwi bands Nesian Mystik, Chook Peas and accomplished artists and writers - celebrate their Samoan ancestry and culture in Ma’afa’amanatu, a memorial arts project showing at Artstation from 2 to 13 April.

Ma’afa’amanatu combines visual art, poetry, hip-hop and story telling, and promises to be a spectacular showcase of collective family talent and creativity.

Ma’afa’amanatu is the Samoan word for memorial. It reflects Samoan faith and cultural practices, which honour parents as treasured ancestors. In Ma’afa’amanatu the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of lay ministers Jessie Vaitulu Purcell and Sofi Pua commemorate the 20th anniversary of their passing away.

By combining art and faith, the commemorative project brings a new perspective to the traditional Samoan cultural practice of honouring family.

“It is about faith, culture, and the art of being family whilst telling our story. A human story about hope,” says Mr Sofi Ulugia-Pua.

Each member of the Pua family brings their unique artistic contribution to the memorial arts project. Some read poetry, while others present hip-hop evenings or exhibit new art works for the project.

All Ma’afa’amanatu events are free and open to the public.

Ma’afa’amanatu memorial arts project exhibition information:

- Artists: Pua family

- Exhibition: 2-13 April 2007

- Launch: 7pm to 8pm, Monday 2 April

- Poetry and hip-hop: 8pm to 10pm, Monday 2nd April

- Alternative education easter service: 12pm to 1pm, Thursday 5 April

- Easter service: 1pm to 2pm, Sunday 8 April

- Multimedia evening: Telling our Stories - 7pm to 10pm, Monday 9 April

Artstation, Auckland City’s community visual arts facility, is located at the  old police barracks at 1 Ponsonby Road, Newton. It is easy to get to by public transport with the Link’s Artstation bus stop right outside.
 

Horomia: Launch of Te Reo Mâori in NZ Curriculum
22 March 2007 - Source: NZ Government

The following speech was made by Maori Affairs Minister, Parekura Horomia, on the occasion of the Launch of Te Reo Mâori in the NZ Curriculum for English language schools at Newlands College in Wellington on Race Relations Day yesterday.

E nga mana whenua, Te Atiawa, Ngati Toa Rangatira tena korua. Koutou o nga kura o te rohe o Horokiwi, tena koutou. Tamariki mâ, kia ora

Tena koe Joris. This is a significant day - Race Relations day. I want to acknowledge your commitment and support. You have always used your role as Race Relations conciliator to promote te reo Mâori as a language for all New Zealanders.

Tena koe, e Karen. Tena koe e te whanaunga e Apryll. I am happy to see that the Ministry is in such capable hands.

To the principal of Newlands College, Grant and your board members, thank you for opening up your school. to us, and to the wider community for this very special occasion.

I see your new wharenui being built out in front of the hall. I have been told by my officials that the staff, the kura whanau and the students have been working hard to get make that happen.

Good luck with the opening.

I am also very pleased to see the tamariki from Newlands Primary, St Brigids School, Newlands Intermediate, Raroa Intermediate and of course Newlands College who are here to participate in this day.

They remind us of why we should always strive to do the best job we can.

Our combined work should ensure that these tamariki and their brothers, sisters and cousins get the best education they possibly can. Tçnâ koutou tamariki mâ. Today we are here to launch the draft guidelines, Te Reo Mâori in the New Zealand curriculum. They will guide the teaching and learning of te reo Mâori in English-medium schools that is primary and secondary schools, where English is the main language of instruction.

In New Zealand we have a total of 2,600 schools, catering for 760,000 students. Most of those schools, more than 90% of them, are English-medium schools. So potentially they could all use these curriculum guidelines to help their students learn te reo Maori.

Today is a major milestone in the teaching and learning of Mâori language in New Zealand schools.

Since 1996, there have been te reo Mâori curriculum guidelines for students, whose first language is Mâori. That has not been the case for students in English medium schools.. Until today.

I want to encourage all New Zealand students, be they Mâori, Pakeha, Chinese, Samoan, French, Japanese, American or even Australian, to learn some te reo Mâori.

In a global world, Te Reo Mâori is one of the things that makes New Zealanders unique.

These new guidelines give mana to the teaching of te reo Mâori in schools. They will help ensure that Mâori - one of New Zealand's official languages - is on the same level playing field as other important subjects. "He mana anô tô te Reo".

Te Puni Kôkiri's research shows that there is an increasingly positive attitude towards te reo Mâori amongst both non-Mâori and Mâori and that New Zealanders are supportive of Mâori being used in public settings.

"We are now in the most reo-friendly environment that we have ever experienced, which means that te reo can flourish even more.''

Before I wrap up, I just want to point out that this is the draft version of the reo Mâori curriculum guidelines. They are out for consultation. The Ministry wants feedback from you, the users, so that the best document can be produced in 2008.

I want to thank everyone who has been involved in the development of these reo Mâori curriculum guidelines over the last three years. I know that many, many people have been involved and some of you are here today. Thank you.

It is appropriate that we launch this document on Race Relations Day, with the theme New Zealand Aotearoa, a land for all of us.

Without a doubt, te reo Mâori is a language for all New Zealanders.

Kia kaha tâtou ki te ako, ki te korero Mâori.

Tenâ koutou, tenâ koutou, tenâ koutou katoa.
 

Tua's wife has no regrets over referee blast
21 March 2007 - Source: NiuFM

The wife and manager of boxer David Tua says she doesn't regret having a go at the the boxing personality who said the Tuaman wasn't ready for a tilt at the World Heavyweight title.

Robina Tua says she had her say, as did Lance Revill, and that's where things should end.

Lance Revill though told media over the weekend that Robina texted him to say he'd be blacklisted from refereeing any fight between Tua and Shane Cameron The messages followed Revell's comments on TV that David wasn't ready for a World Title bout.

Robina told Pacific Radio News today that she was surprised at Revill leaking the story but has no regrets about standing up for David.

Revill emailed the messages to the secretary of the NZPBA to retain on file.

Robina says David has had to endure attacks from several critics and urged the Pacific community to show their support and alofa for him.

Revill, a former Kiwi heavyweight champion, is now president of the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association and the country's number one ref and has officiated at both Tua and Cameron's most recent Kiwi bouts.
 

Requiem: How Would Mozart Compose Today?
20 March 2007 - Source: MAU

When musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote The Requiem in 1791, the tiny islands of the South Pacific would have been furthest from his mind.

The Austrian composer died in 1791 before his most famous and controversial work was completed.

Debate ensued over how much he'd written and how much was done after his death by his friend and pupil Franz Xaver Sussmayr.

Although he did not live to see the fruits of his creative brilliance, The Requiem inspired many artistic icons. 250 years after his death, it has also inspired the moving feast of Pacific sound, action and storytelling due to open at the Aotea Centre on March 22.

The Pacific inspired Requiem opens for one night only at Aotea Centre's The Edge, and is performed by internationally acclaimed MAU company. MAU is composed of 20 performers including performers from Samoa, Tonga, Aotearoa, Kiribati, Rapa Iti, Kanaky and the Cook Islands. Harking back to the visionary themes of Mozart's last years Requiem explores magic and transformation, truth and reconciliation, and ceremony for the dead.

How would Mozart compose today?

Mozart had a deep love for all cultures. If he were alive today he would probably be collaborating with Maori composers, listening with great respect to Inuit songs or attending Pasifika Festival.

Lemi Ponifasio's Requiem was commissioned by celebrated director Peter Sellars as part of the New Crowned Hope Festival - a specially created festival supported by the city of Vienna and produced by the Vienna Festival to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Mozart within the Wiener Mozartjahr 2006.

Requiem was created from Pacific rites of farewelling the dead, remembrance, and of greeting the ancestors. Ponifasio's uncompromising and controversial work also brings together Pacific traditions of rhetoric and dance, with contemporary, minimalist physical theatre.

From his Samoan upbringing choreographer and director of MAU Ponifasio has spent years studying western classical dance, music and theatre and Eastern disciplines.

He has created a unique style of his own.

"I hope Requiem is more than making poetry. I hope for a community occasion, a powhiri, a kava ceremony, a Biblical psalm, a meeting, a preparation, a pilgramage, purification, remembrance and hope," says Ponifasio.

To date, Requiem has been performed in Vienna and Brussels and will open in London later this year. This special performance for the Auckland City's Celebrate Pasifika month in March is its New Zealand premiere.

Requiem will be performed by MAU at the Edge on Thursday March 22 at 8 pm. Requiem will be performed by MAU at the Edge on Thursday March 22 at 8 pm. Tickets: A  Reserve $45, B Reserve $30, C Reserve/Groups 6+ $20 - Book through Ticketek on (09) 307 5000 or the usual Ticketek outlets.
 

Annie Crummer is back with new music
19 March 2007 - Source: Publicity Machine

Annie Crummer and band featuring special guests are performing for the first time, Annie's new works and classic tracks. Having returned from starring in Japan and Australia as Killer Queen in the Queen/Ben Elton Stage Production of We Will Rock You, Annie Crummer is back in New Zealand and eager to showcase her brand new material, with her 7-piece band, at The Famous Spiegeltent as part of AK07.

"I'm honoured to be supported by a band of exceptional musicians and special guests... a treat for the audience as well as for myself! This will be the first show I'll perform my new material with this band,alongside a few familiar songs" says Annie.

The seasoned Famous Spiegeltent will be the perfect atmosphere to showcase new beginnings for Annie so don't miss - Annie Crummer featuring Barbara Griffin (keys and vocals), Anthony Gold (piano, keys and vocals), Max Stowers (Bass and vocals), Glen Child (drums), Dixon Nacey (guitar and vocals), Anahera Higgins (vocals) and Tama Waipara (vocals and clarinet), Monday March 19 2007 @ the Famous Spiegeltent.

So be there 9pm, Monday March 19 2007, at AK07/the Famous Spiegeltent on Red Square,
Britomart Place. Tickets available from Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.co.nz.

Annie Crummer:

was born of a Rarotongan father and Tahitian mother. She currently resides in New Zealand and has worked, toured, and recorded with Jimmy Barnes, John Farnham, Diesel, Christine Anu, Dave Dobbyn, the Finn Brothers, and sung support for Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, KD Lang, Sting, and Michael Jackson.

Annie came into the public eye at age nine, singing on the television show Opportunity Knocks and at sixteen she released her debut single Once or Twice, which reached #16 on the national charts.

Warner Music went on to release three Annie Crummer albums - Language (sales of this album went Platinum), Seventh Wave (which was mixed at Prince's Paisley Park studio in the USA) and, in 2004, Shine ... The Best Of.

Annie has performed in two major musical stage productions, Rent and We Will Rock You (WWRY). UK supergroup Queen and writer Ben Elton hand chose Annie to play the role of Killer Queen in WWRY, and Annie toured Australia and Japan, and recorded the chart topping Queen Anthem Another One Bites The Dust, at Roger Taylor's studio in London using the original multi-track. The song features on the WWRY Original Cast CD and is available worldwide.

Annie is currently in the process of recording a new album.
 

Full control of the Manu returns to Samoa
18 March 2007 - Source: Radio NZ

New Zealand businessman Sir Michael Fay has handed back the management of Manu Samoa
to the Samoa Rugby Union, but will still have some involvement.

The move follows an agreement signed between Sir Michael Fay, and Samoa's prime minister and rugby union chairman, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, during talks in Auckland last week.

Tuilaepa says most of the shares previously held by Sir Michael in Manu Samoa limited are now owned by the SRU.

Tuilaepa says Sir Michael has been appointed as vice-patron, and will help to promote the national team, and assist with the teams financial affairs.
 

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