NEWSROOM: 21 October - 27 October 2007

Manukau City Council final results
27 October 2007 - Source: Councillor Su’a William Sio
 
The final result of the Manukau City Council elections has now been released after the special votes were verified and included and there is no change from the preliminary results released on 13th October.

Manukau City voters have elected a new mayor with 32,578 votes going to Mr Len Brown giving him the biggest majority in New Zealand from his rivals Dick Quax (17801); Arthur Anae (10860); Willie Jackson (7784);Craig Little (5315);David Collings (2081); Kelvyn Alp (1774); Annie King (1312); Paul Pavletich (1177); John Harvey (846); Baskaran Appu (545).

In addition to Mayor Len Brown, 17 councillors have now been declared duly elected with five new councillors elected for the first time from the wards of Mangere, Papatoetoe, Manurewa and Botany Clevedon ward.

The newly elected mayor and councillors for the period 2007 – 2010 are:
 

The new mayor and councillors were sworn in at a public ceremony, held Thursday, 25th October at the Council Chambers.
 

Tamaki Brothers announce major new tourist venture in Manukau City
26 October 2007 - Source: Tamaki Heritage Group Press Release
 
With award winning tourism businesses established in both Rotorua and Christchurch, the Tamaki Brothers have announced plans for a third major tourism development, this time for Manukau city.

The development is a joint venture between Tamaki Heritage Group and Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau. The Tamaki Brothers heritage tourism product will be developed within a multi million dollar art, tourism, hotel and business precinct being established adjacent to the Event Centre.

In charge of the precinct development is CEO for Telstra Clear Pacific, Richard Jeffery who says the Tamaki venture marries beautifully with the other developments and he is thrilled to have the brothers aboard.

"We are very excited to be able to attract the Tamaki Brothers to Manukau. Their development compliments our proposed Whitewater Kayak course being developed in conjunction with Olympic gold medalist Ian Ferguson. Together this will achieve our vision of creating a destination of national and international significance," he says.

With a multi award winning tourism experience in Rotorua, and their Colonial/Maori village encounter in Christchurch heading in to its first summer, the brothers say the Manukau development will be the icing on the cake in their plans to create a set of core and iconic heritage touchstones throughout the country.

"We have talked for many years of our ambition to position New Zealand internationally as a compelling, amazing epic novel. Our developments thus far, within Rotorua and Christchurch alongside this new project in Manukau are proof that this strategy is not just talk. Our experiences are successful models reflecting actual events significant to New Zealand history. Each is powerful in their own right, different from one another - but equally dramatic and true. It is clear to us that the story proposition not only makes sense to international visitors, it inspires them," says Mike Tamaki

Each of the Tamaki Heritage Group developments has been created as chapters within an overriding story of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Rotorua is a pre-European story, Christchurch is the story of the musket wars – and early Colonial/Maori encounter. While details of the Manukau story are for now under wraps, it will most certainly be another significant chapter in our nation's history.

"The Manukau story will be significant and relevant to the Manukau people - its historical community as well as the colorful diversity expressed within its people today - not to mention being captivating for the international visitor," explains Mike.

The Tamaki Heritage Group sees the new project as the conclusion of Stage One in their overriding strategy to create a South Pacific Trail, linking tourism products, regions, islands and nations throughout the South Pacific within an overriding story.

"The Manukau development will solidify the Tamaki owned New Zealand volume of stories. We will work with other experiences, product and attractions that fit within the overriding story of New Zealand's culture and heritage".

More than that, Mike Tamaki says the Manukau development may well prove pivotal to a South Pacific story. He says the Manukau locale, its proximity to the airport, and the airport role as a major gateway to, from and through the South Pacific signals its importance to the story.

"The overriding New Zealand story is currently being written, and is nearing completion. A publisher is waiting in the wings and significant marketing campaigns and plans have been etched out to support its launch in to the international arena.

"A Pacific wide story will bolt to the New Zealand volume as would a sequel within an epic novel and I have no doubt that Manukau will be a significant connector story across the South Pacific".

A completion date for the mew Tamaki Manukau experience is anticipated for early 2010.


For further information, please contact:

Kiri Atkinson-Crean (Marketing Manager, Tamaki Heritage Experiences):
Mobile: (021) 741-501
Email: kiri@maoriculture.co.nz

Kelly Nicholls (Marketing and Schools Co-ordinator, TelstraClear Pacific)
DDI: (09) 966-1740
Email: marketing@pacific.org.nz
 

Sherry Natalie Elekana crowned Miss Samoa 2007
25 October 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com
 
Sherry Natalie Elekana, an 18 year old student of Aorere College, who holds the title of Miss Samoa New Zealand 2007, repeated her victory at the Miss Samoa pageant held in Apia last Saturday, 20th October.

Sherry was sponsored by Roache Motors and proudly represented the villages of Fugalei, Saleimoa, Samata Itai, and Neiafu.

The Samoan community in New Zealand are celebrating the victory of their 18 year old contestant. Sherry said that the pageant will be a great opportunity for her to learn more about Samoan culture, and will be a platform to help to build her confidence, public relations and to discover new things.

Sherry was the overall winner from the eight contestants including a contestant who was representing the Samoan community in Australia.

She will move on to represent Samoa in the Miss South Pacific pageant on the 17th November 2007.

For more information on Miss Samoa 2007 Pageant, visit http://www.missteuila.ws/home..html

Miss Samoa Pageant 2007 Placings:

4th Runner Up: Miss McDonald's Family Restaurant - Amberita Afamasaga
3rd Runner Up: Miss Samoa Australia - Salamasina Sara Vallee
2nd Runner Up: Miss Crystal Le Diva Creations Felicity Latulipe
1st Runner Up: Miss Samoa Realty - Jasmine Lee Hang
Miss Samoa 2007: Miss Samoa New Zealand - Sherry Elekana

Special Category Winners:

Best Traditional Wear: Miss Malia’s Collection, Honey So’oialo
Best Sarong: Miss Crystal Le Diva, Felicity Latulipe
Best Puletasi: Miss Samoa Realty, Jasmine Lee Hang
Best Talent: Miss Samoa Australia, Salamasina Vallee
Best Interview: Miss Samoa New Zealand, Sherry Natalie Elekana
Miss Personality: Miss Pacific Express, Siatua Lautua
Miss Internet: Miss Samoa New Zealand, Sherry Natalie Elekana
Miss National Tourism: Miss Polynesian Flava, Victoire Pauline Losina Faaleava
Miss Photogenic: Miss Malia’s Collection, Honey So’oialo
Miss Popularity: Miss Malia’s Collection, Honey So’oialo
 

Tangata o le Moana: The story of Pacific people in New Zealand
24 October 2007 - Source: Te Papa Press Release
 
This exhibition is the story of Pacific people past and present, in all areas of life – on the street, on the sports field, in the recording studio, on the political stage, and beyond.

There are highs, and there are lows – from the dawn raids of the 1970s to Tana Umaga becoming first Pacific captain of the All Blacks.

Exhibits range from ancient vaka (canoes) to contemporary jewellery to ‘Pacific Beats’, an interactive that lets you remix the sounds of Pacific musicians like Bill Sevesi, Fat Freddy’s Drop, and OMC.

Enter the exhibition by passing beneath a major new sculptural work by acclaimed Tongan-born artist Filipe Tohi – just one example of how Pacific people are making waves in the art world.

Be confronted by the Cook Islands vaka Tauhunu, one of only three such vaka that survive worldwide.

Then explore one of the greatest feats of Pacific people in New Zealand, when they became the first people to step foot on these shores some 800 years ago.

Also discover the little-known stories of Pacific people who came here in the 1800s, at a time when New Zealand’s leaders dreamed of creating their own empire in the Pacific.

Find out about the Pacific soldiers who fought and died for New Zealand in the two world wars. And hear Pacific migrants from the 1960s and 1970s talk about their experiences – good and bad – of moving to New Zealand.

A highlight of the exhibition is the Samoan fine mat gifted to Helen Clark in 2002. The gift acknowledged Clark’s apology for injustices during New Zealand’s almost 50-year administration of Samoa (1914–62).

So, New Zealand is a Pacific place in location and history. But do New Zealanders consider themselves Pacific Islanders? Do you? Come and decide for yourself.
 

Princess Tiger confirmed to fight in Auckland
23 October 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com
 
Event Polynesia Boxing this week announced the line up for its Pro-Am boxing event to be held on Tuesday 20th November at the Otara Recreation Centre in Auckland.

Boxing promoter and managing director of Event Polynesia, Mr. Teleiai Su’a Edwin Puni also confirmed Princess Tiger, a crowd favorite in Samoa, will fight on the night in one of the two fa’afafine bouts.

“Introducing fa’afafine and grassroots corporate class bouts has certainly added a new following to New Zealand boxing,” said Mr. Puni.

The Event Polynesia Boxing fight in August this year saw fa’afafine boxing in New Zealand for the first time, although it is a regular part of boxing in Samoa. It also attracted huge interest from around New Zealand and Australia.

According to Mr. Pat Leonard, National Secretary of the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association, “It was a fantastic night and with a sell-out crowd like that, it is what the boxing scene in New Zealand requires.”

The same reaction came from Ms. Tui Gallagher, President of the Auckland Boxing Association, “It was pleasing to see such a massive crowd, and to know that there is such a support for boxing in the Samoan community.”

The upcoming fight night will include five amateur bouts sanctioned by the Auckland Boxing Association, before five corporate class bouts, two fa’afafine bouts and a professional heavy weight main bout sanctioned by the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association.

For more information, contact Mr. Josef Tomasi; Tel (+649) 262-4511
 

Te Vaka Paris concert a huge success
22 October 2007 - Source: Te Vaka Press Release
 
More than 10,000 people got to see Te Vaka perform live in Paris.

Their 2 performances for the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup created a magical Pacific atmosphere for an eclectic and excited audience.

Te Vaka looked very much at home on the massive stage with spectacular lighting and pumping sound system.

The fine weather and clear skies over France on both nights added to the occasion.

Melodic voices and tribal beats fuelling their colourful, hip-shaking dancers were met with screams of approval from the crowd, who, at times sang along.

The 90 minute show ended with a powerful Te Vaka Haka, Oku Tupuga, delivered with a promise of a South Pacific comeback in 2011, which received a huge response from an already ecstatic audience.

The group continues on to Germany for 2 more shows before returning to Australia where they will perform before heading to Asia at the beginning of 2008.
 

Pacific Blue announces early take off with $9 fare
21 October 2007 - Source: Pacific Blue Press Release
 
New Zealand’s newest domestic airline Pacific Blue is offering $9* ‘Ready-Set-Go’ fares to celebrate the announcement that its local flights are taking off early.

Pacific Blue says its domestic services will start three days earlier than the previously announced date of 15 November, with travellers now able to book flights from 12 November 2007.

3,000 seats will be on sale from 10am Saturday 20 October to midnight Monday 22 October or until sold out, for the special price of $9*. The fares are for travel 12-13 November on the airline’s three domestic routes: Auckland-Wellington, Auckland-Christchurch, and Wellington-Christchurch.

The airline’s General Manager Commercial, Adrian Hamilton-Manns, said Pacific Blue is committed to making domestic services more affordable for New Zealanders and the $9* fares are a great way to celebrate the early arrival of the airline at the country’s domestic terminals.

“When we announced our domestic services in August we had an immediate and dramatic impact on the cost of local air travel,” he said. “Over 100,000 New Zealanders snapped up our $39 fares, and our competitors immediately dropped their lead-in fares to match ours.”

“To celebrate our early launch and to say thank you to all New Zealanders for supporting us, we decided to offer a $9 sale fare for the first couple of days of flying. So for less than the price of a pizza delivery, thousands of Kiwis have the chance to be among the first Guests on our new domestic services.”

Mr Hamilton-Manns said the company’s strategy in New Zealand is based on giving travellers easy access to low fares, friendly service, and a strong range of supporting products.

“In August when Pacific Blue announced it would fly domestically in New Zealand, competitors dropped their lead-in fares by up to 30 percent. Our promise to New Zealanders is that we’re here to keep the air fair, and that if they want a great deal on their domestic travel, they should always check Pacific Blue first.”

The airline says Guests on Pacific Blue domestic services will enjoy many of the same benefits as on its international flights.

“When they board our fleet of modern Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft our Guests will enjoy leather seats, international class legroom with an average seat pitch of 80.5 centimetres (31.5 inches), audio music channels, and of course great service from our friendly crew members,” said Adrian Hamilton-Manns.

Guests on domestic flights will be able to earn Points with the airline’s award-winning Velocity program on every dollar spent on their Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue or Polynesian Blue fare, and redeem Points on every available seat on its New Zealand, Australian, and Pacific Island network, as well as on airline partners such as Emirates and Malaysian Airlines.

“Velocity is free to join on-line. Like our low fares, our rewards program is another area where we aim to be fair to our Guests.”

Pacific Blue is adding two new Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft to its fleet in early November, with an additional aircraft due early in 2008.

*$9 fares are one-way on the net and are on sale from 10am Saturday 20 October to midnight Monday 22 October or until sold out, for travel on 12 and 13 November 2007 on Pacific Blue’s New Zealand domestic routes. For full terms and conditions details visit www.flypacificblue.com

About Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue, and Virgin Blue Airlines, and Velocity Rewards:

Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue, along with Australian domestic airline Virgin Blue, operate a fleet of 55 modern Boeing 737 aircraft flying to 22 Australian destinations and destinations throughout the South Pacific including New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.

Velocity is operated by Velocity Rewards Party Ltd. as trustee of the Loyalty Trust. Membership of Velocity is subject to the Velocity Terms and Conditions of Membership available online at www.velocityrewards.co.nz
 

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