NEWSROOM: 23 March - 29 March 2008

Pacific citizens benefit from Transit Visa exemption
29 March 2008 - Source: Department of Labour Press Release

Travellers from most of the Pacific Island nations will soon be able to transit through New Zealand to other countries without needing a Transit Visa, said the Department of Labour, Service International Group Manager, Tofilau Kerupi Tavita said today.

Mr Tavita said the exemption is particularly good news for Pacific citizens.

“Many of our Pacific neighbours transit frequently through New Zealand in order to visit most international locations. Removing the barriers to international travel is one way New Zealand expresses their commitment to the region,” he said.

The changes, which take effect from 28 March 2008, mean that the following Pacific countries are exempt from Transit Visas:

• Federated States of Micronesia
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Republic of Marshall Islands
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

Mr Tavita said people from these countries will no longer have to organise transit visas in order to pass through New Zealand. The move follows the government’s decision six months ago to waive the $120 fee for transit visas for Pacific nationals.

Iconic show breaks new ground, gives away a boat a day
28 March 2008 - Source: Mike Rose

New Zealand's longest running and most popular boat show is proudly going where no
other boat show has gone before. In what is believed to be a world first, organizers of this year's Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show will give away a brand new, fully kitted-out sports boat, worth over $30,000, on every single day of the four-day
show!

In order to win, all visitors to the show have to do is collect stamps from the clearly-marked stamping booths around the show, fill in a few contact details and place their tickets in the entry boxes at the prize boat display. A winning ticket, from just that day's entries, will be drawn every day.

Each gate prize boat package will consist of a Zodiac Pro7 RIB sports boat, powered by Yamaha 40hp outboard on Trailer Shop trailer. It will also be fitted with an Ology Sports Tower, a Raymarine marine electronics package and a high quality Fusion marine sound system.

Visitors to the show will also be able to look inside a real working submarine – and to win a ride in it!

Drydive is a new 3.6m submarine capable of carrying three people (including the skipper) to a depth of 35 metres. It is battery powered, weighs 2.1 tonnes, has a submerged speed of 3 knots and is capable of diving to 30-35 metres. The prize includes a trip for two in the submarine on Lake Taupo, accommodation and a meal.

Other attractions at this year's boat show include seafood-cooking demonstrations and the unique chance to buy fresh seafood and have it expertly cooked (at no extra charge!) by renowned seafood cooking expert Derek the Chef.

In the Toyota Marine Finance Discover Boating Centre, there will be lots of information and entertainment for children and for those new to boating. There will be a colouring competition, fishing for chocolate fish in the giant pool and loads of fun activities.

There will also be lots of fishing seminars and displays including Ask the Expert, Soft Bait Seminars and Matt Watson from TV's popular ITM Fishing Show. The show's own Boating Guy will also be on hand to offer free, impartial advice on all aspects of boating, diving and fishing.

The huge range of new boats, engines, electronics and accessories will of course make up the bulk of the show which includes the largest fishing "supermarket" in the country. This year, for the first time, there will also be a display of high quality second hand boats for sale.

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show is the largest event held at the ASB Showgrounds and occupies nearly every square millimetre of the available space. The annual show is over 50 years old and attracts more than 30,000 paying visitors.

The 2008 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show will be held at the ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane Auckland on May 15-18 inclusive. Admission is $16 for adults and $6 for children from 5-13. Under 5s are free.

The show will be open from 10am to 9pm on Thursday and Friday and those attending after 5pm on these days will receive a free Bonus Card, giving then a second entry to the gate prize draw.

On Saturday and Sunday, the show is open from 10am to 6pm and on "Super Sunday," each paying adult will be able to bring two children aged 13 or under to the show for free.

Finance firm fined over credit contracts
27 March 2008 - Source: Commerce Commission Press Release

A consumer finance company which lends almost exclusively to the Tongan community has been fined $37,480, in the Manukau District Court for breaches of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCF Act) and Fair Trading Act.

Lelei Finance Limited, based in south Auckland pleaded guilty to 18 breaches of the CCCF Act and two breaches of the Fair Trading Act following an investigation by the Commerce Commission. It has also been ordered to refund $12,520 to affected debtors.

Lelei Finance provides short term loans of between $20 and $5,000, often using traditional woven Tongan floor mats and tapa cloths as security.

Between 1 June and 30 November 2006 Lelei Finance failed to provide initial disclosure (required under the CCCF Act) in 616 consumer credit contracts. The contracts provided to debtors did not include required information about: what the annual interest rate was; how interest was
calculated; the debtor’s right to repay early; and the debtor’s rightto cancel the contract within three days.

The company also made false and misleading representations regarding its right to enforce the contracts in default letters and sold security items held for 27 contracts, when in fact the credit contracts could not be enforced as correct disclosure had not been made. Lelei Finance also
published photographs and personal details of at least four debtors in a local Tongan newspaper claiming that these debtors had defaulted on loans that were in fact unenforceable.

In sentencing, Judge Blackie said that Lelei Finance fell well below the standard expected and that it is important that people who borrow from private financiers get the required statutory protection.

Commerce Commission Chair Paula Rebstock said the breaches of the two Acts were serious, particularly given the vulnerability of the affected debtors. “Approximately 98% of debtors to Lelei Finance are of Tongan descent and for the majority of them English is their second language.”

While Lelei Finance had been made aware of its responsibilities under the CCCF Act and Fair Trading Act in 2005, it had made no effort to comply with the Acts.

“Any debtor needs to have all the information relevant to their borrowing, in order to make a wise and informed decision. The fact that these debtors had limited options for borrowing and limited understanding due to language difficulties makes the offending all the more serious,” said Ms Rebstock.

“It is not acceptable for fringe lenders to ignore their responsibilities under the law. The Commission was concerned by the apparently poor level of compliance amongst those providing personal lending to the Pacific Island community,” says Ms Rebstock.

In August last year, the Commission warned six lenders operating predominantly in the Pacific Island communities for allegedly failing to provide adequate disclosure to customers taking out personal loans. Since then, the Commission has been working with lenders and has noticed
an increase in compliance with the CCCF Act.

*Background*

*CCCF Act*

The Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act came fully into force on 1 April 2005. Under section 3 of the Act, one of its primary objectives is to “provide for the disclosure of adequate information to consumers under consumer credit contracts… to enable consumers to distinguish
between competing credit arrangements… and to enable consumers to become informed of the terms of consumer credit contracts… before they become irrevocably committed to them…”

Under Section 94 of the Act the court can make orders for refunds or payments of damages.

*Fair Trading Act*

Under the Fair Trading Act it is an offence to enforce a contract if disclosure requirements under the CCCF Act have not been met.

*Lelei Finance Limited*

Lelei Finance Limited is a finance company located in South Auckland.
Its sole shareholder and director is Iliaiasi Ufi.

NZ exempts Fijian delegates from travel ban
26 March 2008 - Source: ABC News

A delegation from Fiji is travelling to New Zealand for tomorrow's Pacific Islands Forum meeting after a special dispensation from the New Zealand Government.

The group has been exempt from a travel ban involving members of Fiji's interim Government.

Fiji's military seized power in a coup in December 2006, the fourth of its kind since 1987.

At tomorrow's meeting in Auckland, foreign ministers from six countries will put pressure on Fiji to return to democracy.

Fiji has promised to hold elections next year.

The country's military-appointed Foreign Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, is expected to attend the meeting.

Meanwhile Foreign Minister Stephen Smith is holding talks with his New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, in Auckland this afternoon.

It will be their first meeting since Mr Smith was appointed in December.

Dialysis Centre has more to offer
25 March 2008 - Source: Fiji Times

A New Zealand based volunteer doctor, providing assistance to the newly opened Kidney Dialysis Centre at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital believes the new facilities can promote the tourism industry in Fiji and open a up a source of income here.

A release from the Department of Information stated Dr Charles Benjamin who heads the Cancer Services in Auckland, says apart from saving the lives of the Kidney patients, the Centre would greatly promote tourism in the country.

Dr Benjamin says there are about 50,000 people around the world in need of dialysis and this will lead them to seek treatment in Fiji.

And the great news is that there will be tourists coming for dialysis as there are over 50,000 rich people around the world who need dialysis and they want to come to places like Fiji, Dr Benjamin said.

He said to boost the tourism industry an arrangement was being made to set up an online website to eventually link all the kidney foundations around the world that will enable the promotion of the new Centre.

Dr Benjamin provided local authorities with information related to setting up Fijis new dialysis centre in a cost effective manner.

We selected the machines and organised the planning, he said.

We have our staffs here, the two Indian technicians and we also have got a nurse as well and I will keep in touch from Auckland, he added.

In the South Pacific there are only two Dialysis Centers, one in Samoa, which started three years ago and the other is now in Fiji.

So we look are looking at servicing Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati and places which have patients with kidney failure so Fiji is now considered the main centre for dialysis, Dr Benjamin said.

He said it was an honor to be part of the centre.

Maori TV Hosts Indigenous Broadcasters
24 March 2008 - Source:  Moari Television Press Release

Maori Televison Hosts International Indigenous Broadcasters

Indigenous broadcasters representing Australia, Canada, China, England, Fiji, Hawaii, India, Ireland, Mozambique, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Scotland, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand and the USA will gather for the first major conference of its kind in Auckland this week.

New Zealand's national indigenous broadcaster, Maori Television, is the inaugural host of the World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Conference (WITBC '08) to be held at the Aotea Centre - part of the Auckland Convention Centre at THE EDGE® - from Wednesday March 26 to Friday March 28.

The exceptional line-up of keynote and featured guest speakers include Chief Judge Joe Williams of the Waitangi Tribunal; Simon Molaudzi (Head: Education, South African Broadcasting Corporation); John Walter Jones (Chairman, S4C, Wales); Jean LaRose (Chief Executive, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Canada); Jim Mather (Chief Executive, Maori Television, New Zealand); Shaun Brown (Chief Executive, SBS Corporation, Australia); Sylvia Feng (President and Chief Executive, Public Television Service, Taiwan); Pól Ó Gallchóir (Chief Executive, TG4, Ireland); Patricia Turner (Chief Executive, National Indigenous Television, Australia); Margaret Mary Murray (Head of Gaelic Digital Service, BBC Scotland); and Dr Saul Berman (Global Strategy Leader, Media And Entertainment Industry, IBM Global Business Services).

Maori Television chief executive Jim Mather says the three-day event is an opportunity to discuss, debate - and indeed shape - our people's future by engaging with others on highly relevant topics. WITBC '08 will also give the delegates a forum to discuss the need, benefits, scope and nature of an international network.

"WITBC '08 - and subsequent conferences to follow - will assist each of us to identify a benchmark to which we can aspire and by which to measure our performance," Mr Mather says.

As well as the conference's closing event, the WITBC '08 gala dinner at the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre on Friday March 28 will include the first, live-to-air broadcast of Te Reo from 8.00 PM to 9.00 PM which will simulcast on both channels; celebrations for Maori Television's fourth birthday; and the presentation of the inaugural Te Puni Kokiri Lifetime Achievement Award for Indigenous Television Broadcasting, Te Rerenga Tahi.

Highlights from all three days of the conference will be filmed and edited into a half-hour programme which will screen on Maori Television on Wednesday March 26, Thursday March 27 and Friday March 28 at 10.30 PM.

Leaders, producers and planners involved in indigenous and public television can still register to attend WITBC '08 via the website www.witbc.org.

Tokelau Easter Weekend Festival
23 March 2008 - Source: New Zealand Government Press Release

Malo Ni, te mahutaga tupulaga Tokelau, na malo fakapitoa i matua, temana ma fanau tokelau.

Le mai te pua gagana Tokelau - "Te Uia te ao, Te Uia te po"

Taloha Ni, Talofa Lava, Malo e lelei, Kia orana, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Ni sa bula vinaka, Gud de tru olgeta, Kia ora tatou and Warm Pacific Greetings to you all this evening.

Firstly I wish to thank the organisers from the Tokelau Hutt Valley Sports & Culture Association for inviting me to speak today. It’s an honour to be invited to an event that has its roots firmly in the Easter tradition of gathering.

Thank you our MC's Filipo Lui and Nive Ahelemo for such a wonderful introduction.

I would like to acknowledge our dignitaries and guests - thank you for taking the time to support this wonderful event.

To the elders of the Tokelau Community - I’m sure way back at the first Easter Tournaments in the 1970s, when the first rugby game was played between Tokelau communities, you were on the field showing your prowess. As you sit back now and cheer on your families you can be proud of what’s been achieved.

My great-great-grandfather migrated from Tokelau to Samoa for a better life – that was a giant leap for him I’m sure.

And I’m standing here as testament to his courage – as your children and grandchildren are for you.

TOKELAUANS IN NZ

In New Zealand we have a thriving Tokelauan community – just over 6,800 people. Tokelauans make up New Zealand’s 6th largest Pacific Island community. And around 50 per cent of our Tokelauan community in New Zealand live in the Wellington region.

It is a young population and it is growing.

The population grew by 10 per cent between 2001 and 2006, and the median age of a Tokelauan New Zealander is 19 years – compared with 36 years for the total New Zealand population.
The gathering this Easter reflects the traditional components of fakaTokelau – the core foundation being family – and I know you have adapted this to reflect the rapidly increasing Tokelau youth population of New Zealand.

As Pacific Island Affairs Minister, I know that our young people here today have a very critical role to play in the well-being of our country now and into the future. Our Pacific people are youthful, urban-centred and growing in number.

Your youth are energetic, thriving and full of potential.

Lifting our young' people's participation and achievement in education and training is vital so that they can fully contribute and share in New Zealand's success.

I am excited for our youth by policies like SchoolsPlus. Providing for all young people in school or some form of education or training until the age of eighteen is particularly good news for our Pacific youth and Pacific communities.

Our Labour-led government wants to ensure that our Pacific people are fully equipped to contribute to, and share in, the future economic success of New Zealand. Last year we launched the Pacific Economic Action Plan and the Pacific Women's Economic Development Plan aimed a lifting the economic potential and prosperity of Pacific people in New Zealand over the next decade.

Labour values your contribution, and indeed that which all Pacific communities make to New Zealand’s National Identity.

Last year we launched the Mind your Language project in response to low rates of language retention amongst our Tokelau, Niue and Cook Islands communities in New Zealand.

Today’s event reminds us all that our Pacific languages and Pacific identity are what make our communities special.

EASTER TOURNAMENTS

These festivals have been around for a long time. They began as Easter Tournaments involving rugby games and have blossomed into the first official Easter Tournament in Auckland in 1981. A year later Hutt Valley was the host and included netball in with the rugby.

Now these ‘Easter Tournies’ are world famous in the Hutt Valley.

This is the 14th Festival hosted by the Hutt Valley. I grew up around these parts and know a thing or two about the reputation of the Hutt Valley Tokelauans, they are a force to be reckoned with! Watch out Auckland!

But its not only sport and performances you will celebrate this Easter.

The Tokelau Hutt Valley Sports and Culture Association has made sure that there are activities organised to meet the objectives you have set for yourselves on youth development through sports participation, role modelling of Tokelau leaders, parents and elders.

You are visionary in your approach to spending this important time as not only a celebration, but also as a time to learn, to teach and to join in spirit.

To our young people here today - be proud of your heritage, your values and your traditions.

I know you are eager to get on with the proceedings.

Ke Manuia te mafutaga a tupulaga i te alha o te Atua.

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