NEWSROOM: 24 February - 01 March 2008

Heart Foundation Tick Talks to Pacific Communities
01 March 2008 - Source: www.pickthetick.org.nz

Even small changes to what you eat and drink can make a big difference to your health, says the Heart Foundation Tick Programme.

The Tick has just released the Shop Right, Eat Right, Feel Right campaign promoting some great ideas to Pacific communities on how to make healthier food choices.

Mafi Funaki-Tahifote, Dietitian for Pacific Islands Heartbeat says the healthier eating message applies to everyone. However, we think it is important to make the Tick relevant for our Pacific Island families by focusing on the types of foods Pacific families tend to buy and providing them with healthier choices with the Tick.

"For example, if a Pacific family consume five litres of milk per week for a year, the switch to a reduced fat milk with the Tick, from the standard dark blue top milk, would take around 3.12kg of the bad saturated fat out of their diet over a year. A small change like this can make a big difference to their health," she says.

The Heart Foundation Tick Programme has talked with the Pacific community and together they have developed an educational booklet designed with a strong Pacific Island flavour in Tongan, Samoan and English.

Mafi says the brochure is a really good guide to help Pacific people make healthier choices when shopping.

"The brochure highlights how easy it is to swap an everyday meal ingredient to a healthier choice product with the Tick it could be simply changing to a healthier choice cooking oil or using a lower fat canned tuna in your recipe it's simple but can make a big difference to the amount of fat and salt in your diet," she says.

In general, Tick products are healthier choices compared to other similar products and have less fat, salt and energy (kilojoules). Some Tick products also have more dietary fibre and calcium.

For further information refer to our website www.pickthetick.org.nz
 

Laban: Pacific Health Provider Development Fono
29 February 2008 - Source: Scoop Independent News

Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Kia orana, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Ni sa bula vinaka, Namaste, Ia Orana, Gud de tru olgeta, Talofa ni, Talofa, Kia ora tatou and warm Pacific greetings to you all.

Thank you to Dr Joe Williams for your warm welcome. I am thrilled to be here for the second National Pacific Provider Development Fono – Akirata: Achieving Excellence in the Pacific Health Sector. It is wonderful to celebrate and acknowledge the work and progress of the Pacific health sector.

I bring apologies from my colleague the Health Minister, David Cunliffe who couldn’t be here today but sends his best wishes for a successful fono.

I would like to acknowledge Fa’amatuainu Tino Pereira for welcoming us all to this event, and Fepulea’i Margie Apa for opening the fono.

I would also like to acknowledge:
- Our international guests – Dr Roro Daniel, Mrs Neti Herman and Dr Temo Waqanivalu - welcome and thank you for travelling so far to share your knowledge and contribute to this fono
- All of the speakers - your commitment to the Pacific health sector is what makes the difference for our Pacific peoples health
- Stephen McKernan, Director General of the Ministry of Health, who will be attending the fono tomorrow.

I’d like to begin with an extract from a short story called ‘Vaka’ written by one of our great leaders, the late Sir Tom Davis.

“The canoe moved forward like some great millipede, determined and inexorable. When it reached the water’s edge, carriers, chanters, spectators and the ladies in their fashionable finery took no heed. They chanted and danced into the sea until the great canoe was afloat…and all shouted at each other in sheer joy at the success of the operation. “

I chose this extract for two reasons. Firstly Sir Tom Davis achieved such significant heights in both his medical and political career. We remember Sir Tom, and thank him for setting such a strong example for all future Pacific generations to follow.

Secondly, I think the words of Sir Tom Davis complement the theme of this fono – Akirata, the Cook Island Maori word for “new dawn”. For me, ‘new dawn’ is about possibilities. The building of a vaka is also about possibilities.

Sir Tom Davis describes the construction of the vaka which is a community undertaking where everyone has a specific role. It describes the communal exhilaration and sense of accomplishment when the vaka is built and afloat. It also encapsulates the feeling of possibility which comes at the start of a journey.

This is a fitting metaphor for what we are trying to do in the Pacific health sector. Improving the health of Pacific peoples in New Zealand requires us to all be on board, and to all be journeying towards the same destination.

It also reflects the approach of the next two days - the participation of different Pacific communities in running each part of the fono. The Cook Island community has started this wonderfully – we could not have hoped for a more vibrant and warm opening.

Recently, I took up a new role as Minister of Pacific Island Affairs. This is a great honour for me and a responsibility that I take very seriously.

As part of this role I am committed to making the health of our Pacific peoples a priority. This commitment is mirrored by my colleague David Cunliffe.

In recent years, the health sector has made great steps towards improving Pacific health outcomes and reducing health inequalities between Pacific peoples and the rest of the population.

There are some wonderful successes and achievements to celebrate.

One that stands out in my mind is the MenzB campaign, where Pacific vaccination completion rates were the highest of any group in New Zealand and have been recognised as a high point of the campaign.

I mention the MenzB results because they illustrate the contribution of the Pacific health sector to our health system. They also show how important and effective the participation of Pacific communities has been in achieving health gains and how effective Pacific peoples and leaders can be in working together and with other sectors when the health of our children, especially, is at stake.

The Primary Health Care Strategy continues to show results that are promising for Pacific peoples.

Pacific PHO enrolments are very high, and evidence suggests that Pacific patients are benefiting from reduced fees.

We are seeing a tremendous amount of innovation from Pacific health providers in services and models of care being developed and delivered. Pacific health providers work in some of New Zealand’s most deprived areas and provide examples of successful engagement with high need communities.

Equally pleasing is the level of information sharing that seems to be happening between all health providers that serve large Pacific populations.

I know that this sharing will continue over the next two days, and we will all take pleasure in recognising the Pacific health sector’s, and the broader health systems, collective achievements.

We must not forget however that when it comes to health of Pacific peoples, families and communities in New Zealand there are still many challenges.

Pacific health need remains high and Pacific peoples continue to experience persistent health inequalities.

This is not acceptable and we need to improve. Pacific health is a priority for our Labour-led government and the Health Minister and I have been working together on a joint action plan between the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs.

As we know, the Pacific population is diverse. It is young - nearly half of Pacific peoples are under 19 years old. Despite this, the number of older people is also set to increase rapidly over the next two decades.

We belong to diverse ethnic groups – there are over 22 different Pacific ethnic communities in New Zealand. We have our commonalities, but also our own unique cultural practices, and world views.

We are also represented across the whole spectrum of the health sector disciplines and professions. During this fono we will get a taste of this diversity – and the vitality of our various communities.

Within this context of diversity and complexity, there is a need for a clear focus for action. The priority areas we have identified for focussing on to improve Pacific health outcomes are:
- Child Health
- Risk factors – this includes things such as smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating and obesity
- Chronic disease – such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease

In identifying priority areas we have made a conscious effort to avoid “trying to do everything”.

It focuses our efforts to areas where we know we can make an immediate impact and where the greatest gains in achieving our ultimate outcomes - better health and reduced inequalities – are possible.

I would like to do give some specific examples of the action we are taking, and going to take.

1. Child Health

The latest Census figures showed that 48 per cent of the Pacific population are under the age of 19 years, and that this is increasing steadily.

Most Pacific children are born and raised in New Zealand and are multiethnic - over half of all Pacific children born had more than one ethnicity and 23 percent had more than one Pacific ethnicity.

There is significant health need amongst our children. Rates of obesity and overweight are highest for Pacific children. Because of poor socioeconomic circumstances, many children are more vulnerable to disease and illness.

We can do a lot to reduce risk factors such as bad diet, physical inactivity and exposure to second hand smoke especially. I am keen to ensure that government agencies and local authorities consider how they can work more cooperatively to ensure that Pacific children are living and playing in healthy environments.

If we want to improve the lot of our community, now and in the future, we must focus on our children. I want to talk about some responses to this.

Kids in Action is an obesity prevention programme run by South Seas Healthcare Trust in Auckland. The programme adopts an integrated approach to weight loss - offering participants not just physical activity sessions, but nutrition advice and peer support too.

Children take part in gym sessions and once-a-week swimming pool sessions, and are linked in to community organisations that run sports activities or performing arts.

A big part of the programme’s success is it’s inclusion of families. I think this is an important theme for any response that we develop for our children – it is crucial that we encourage and support Pacific families to make positive steps to benefit their children.

I note that paediatrician Dr Teuila Percival – one of the people responsible for making Kids in Action a success - will be speaking tomorrow during the sessions about “Responsive Health Services”. I’m sure she will provide a timely address about Pacific child health issues.

B4 School Checks is another great initiative. Children are assessed at the age of four and five for things such as vision, hearing, and development and behaviour, to make sure that they are ready for school. Our Labour-led government wants to ensure that all New Zealand children have the opportunity to succeed, and getting these checks done as they start their life at school is a crucial part of their ability to learn

2. Risk Factors - Smoking and Obesity, Nutrition and Physical Activity.

Looking at key risk factors for Pacific peoples poor health – in particular smoking and obesity, nutrition and physical activity – is another priority area.

Tobacco smoking is considered a significant contributor to the increasing incidence of lung cancer, heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease among Pacific people.

The development of smoking cessation services in the Auckland region will provide an effective personal health service for Pacific people who are ready to quit smoking.

This three year initiative is a collaborative effort between Auckland, Waitemata and Counties Manukau DHBs and will be similar to those already provided in Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton.

Trained Pacific staff will provide ongoing support to participants to help them make quit attempts, with 3 month follow ups.

The intensive focus provided through these services is what is needed to make inroads into smoking rates of our men, women, and our youth.

It will complement other services and offer Pacific people an additional option for taking up – and achieving - the challenge to quit smoking.

A change in dietary habits, and physical activity, can have a major impact in reducing rates of these chronic diseases.

Our Labour-led government has introduced a variety of programmes and initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles, including the ‘Healthy Eating, Healthy Action’ (HEHA) framework for activity.

Part of the HEHA framework focuses on Pacific community based projects focusing on reducing obesity, improving nutrition and increasing physical activity.

One of the key contributions these community based projects aim to make is addressing target areas around the consumption of fruit of vegetables.

We have strong leadership and networks in our Pacific communities. This initiative acknowledges this and puts control into the hands of the community to identify issues related to nutrition, physical activity and obesity and develop solutions or actions to these issues.

We are mobilising our communities to look at these issues in the context of families and communities. But we are also supporting them – supports at a local and district level will be put in place.

This initiative supports and reinforces the wonderful work that is taking place in community and church-based health promoting programmes such as LotuMoui and Health Village Action Zone.

I urge to you to attend tomorrow afternoons session dedicated to Church and Community Programmes, where many of these innovative programmes will be discussed.

3. Chronic Disease

Cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, stroke, cancers and respiratory diseases, are the leading causes of premature mortality and disability for Pacific peoples.

The facts are shocking. Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death for Pacific peoples and cardiovascular mortality rates are significantly higher than for the general population.

Prevalence of diabetes in Pacific populations is approximately three times higher than among other New Zealanders. Diabetes accounts for approximately one-quarter of the gap in life expectancy between Pacific and European ethnic groups.

It is something that affects so many of us – either personally, or through family members, and community members. Many of our people develop chronic diseases relatively early in their lives.

As I have said previously, we have to step up our efforts to prevent the onset of chronic diseases. We must also support those experiencing chronic disease to manage their conditions as effectively as possible.

Again, programmes such as Lotu Moui, Healthy Village Action Zone and Let’s Beat Diabetes have drawn on the strengths and values of Pacific family, church and community networks to support people with chronic conditions and their families to manage health and wellbeing within the community.

Get Checked is a national programme that enables people diagnosed with diabetes to an annual check with their GP or nurse.

The programme aims to help people manage their diabetes and educate them about what they need to do to protect their own health.

Pacific peoples have been more likely than any other group to have enrolled in the Get Checked programme.

Sitting alongside our priority areas we have a set of key delivery mechanisms and enablers:
- Pacific health provider development
- Pacific health and disability workforce development
- Mainstream responsiveness to Pacific health and cultural competence
- Intersectoral Action to improve Pacific health determinants
- Pacific health research
- Pacific community action

There will be opportunities to look closer at these mechanisms and enablers during the fono. After lunch today, the theme is “A Strong Pacific Workforce” and how an investment in our Pacific health workforce is an investment into Pacific health. After that, the focus turns to “Stronger Pacific Providers”.

All of these things are our tools, because they will enable us to drive improvement in the health of our Pacific peoples.

I want to congratulate and thank those that are our “enablers” - Pacific primary health providers, NGOs, community organisations, Pacific health sector leaders and community leaders - for the tireless, hard work that you do to improve the health of our people and some of the most vulnerable in our communities.

I wish you all the very best for a successful fono, and our journey together to a new dawn in Pacific health, a dawn which signals Pacific peoples with excellent health outcomes in our Aotearoa home.

Fa’afetai tele ma ia manuia.
 

Kiwi heroes keep eye on Pacific
28 February 2008 - Source: Scoop Independent News

Michael Jones is putting his weight behind The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ’s campaign to raise funds to fight avoidable blindness; a campaign started by local Kiwi hero Fred Hollows over 15 years ago and long supported by The Foundation’s late patron, Sir Edmund Hillary.

When Jones first heard that across the Pacific there are 80,000 blind people, and 70% could be cured with a 20 minute operation that can cost as little as $25 in some countries, he wanted to help. Known for his commitment to building youth leadership in the Pacific, he felt an accord with the Foundation’s approach to its work.

“I am shocked by the numbers of blind in the Pacific ,” said Jones

“It is essential that we invest in Pacific medical leaders so that they can restore sight to our Pacific brothers and sisters. Kiwi icons Professor Fred Hollows and the Foundation’s first Patron, Sir Ed, called for this approach of helping people to help themselves, and I support this wholeheartedly,” he said.

The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ is launching an appeal to raise urgent funds needed to train more Pacific eye doctors at their regional training centre, the Pacific Eye Institute in Suva, Fiji. Speaking at their appeal launch this week, the Institute’s director and key eye surgeon, Dr John Szetu, said that training local doctors makes a huge difference to the region.

“Every well trained eye surgeon can restore sight to thousands over his or her lifetime,” said Dr Szetu.

“This provides a sustainable long-term solution because the service remains available to people all the time, and follow up care is always in place,” he said.

Michael Jones presented Dr Szetu with the inaugural Sir Edmund Hillary Pacific Eye Scholarship, named in memory of The Foundation’s late patron. This scholarship will be awarded to a Pacific doctor each year to train as an eye surgeon, and to spend one month at The Foundation’s partner Eye Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Receiving the Scholarship, Dr Szetu said he was delighted that a new path to the Institute was opened for Pacific doctors.

“There are so few scholarships available to Pacific doctors to receive postgraduate training. This will make such a difference to blind people in the Pacific. It is wonderful that the Sir Edmund Hillary Pacific Eye Scholarship can link Pacific eye doctors to Nepal, such a special place for Sir Ed, and also, a leading centre in eye care in developing countries,” said Dr Szetu.

The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ is raising money to train and equip more Pacific eye doctors and restore sight to the 80,000 needlessly blind in the Pacific. Just $25 can help restore sight.
 

Kiribati man picking for his life
27 February 2008 - Source: TVNZ

A man from the tiny Pacific Island of Kiribati is picking fruit in New Zealand to save money for lifesaving surgery.

Peter Mootee lives in Auckland and has been told he needs a $40,000 heart operation within a year or he will die.

Peter's tears are not for himself. He finds it unbearable that his family are burdened with finding the money to save his life.

"I don't want my mother to be sad. I want her to be happy every day," says Peter.

He got his work permit in 2006 and since then he has discovered he has got a serious heart condition.

"Without surgery he will die - not this year but certainly sometime in the next five years," says Dr Jonathan Christiansen, cardiologist.

Because he's on a work permit, he has to go private, at a cost of $40,000.

"It's like we couldn't like sleep. We had to think about where we got the money," says Teue Reeu, Peter's cousin.

So Peter is picking fruit to save his life, leaving home at daybreak and not returning till 10pm.

"I come here to make a lot of hours and earn money for my operation," he says at his workplace.

Peter would fill at least two or three containers every day but even if he works every hour of the day for the rest of the year he won't earn enough money for his operation.

But time is against him. His heart is enlarging every day and he's unlikely to get his work permit renewed in April.

"He has very little time left to get an operation to fix his heart valve. He needs open heart surgery," says Christiansen.

Peter's story raises issues about how a much needed labour force isn't protected for serious health problems.

His employer, Hamish Alexander of Southern Paprika, says the company has about 70 Kiribati people working for it.

"They're good people, good community and so it starts to become more of a social responsibility of the company to try and help them out," says Alexander.

After a holding a work permit for two years, workers are eligible for free healthcare. But Peter falls short of this by a few months and Alexander is is trying to find ways to help him.

"It's not an option to let a young kid die. You just can't do it," Alexander says.

His mother in Kiribati earns just $120 a week and she is distraught over her son's situation.

Peter says if he can't get his operation there's only one option.

"I have to go back to Kiribati and spend the days with my mum."

He says at the very least he can take back his earnings for her.

Offers of help from New Zealanders have flooded in for a Kiribati man who needs a life-saving operation.

Since revealing his grim situation, ONE News has been inundated with phone calls and emails from members of the public wanting to make donations to help him.

Leading British figures join the Pacific
26 February 2008 - Source: Playmarket Press Release

This year’s Pasifika Playwrights programme, developing and showcasing Pacific Island theatre in Auckland, features the visit of two influential British figures, Associate Director of London’s Royal Court Theatre Ola Animashawun and acclaimed playwright Tanika Gupta.

Animashawun and Gupta have been working from the UK with four new Pacific Island playwrights, selected to be developed as part of Playmarket and Auckland City Council’s annual Pasifika Playwrights Development Forum. The playwrights are Jay Junior Williams, Victoria Schimdt, Louise Tu’u and Jason Greenwood, and the festival will involve dozens of Pacific Island theatre practitioners. Times and details are provided below.

Brought to New Zealand by Newwayintheatre with support from Creative New Zealand, British Council and Asia Foundation New Zealand, Animashawun and Gupta will contribute to a series of free public readings, presentations and discussions from March 3 to 7 at THE EDGE as part of the Celebrate Pasifika festival.

Since its establishment in 2005, Pasifika Playwrights has become a vital crucible for the development of Pacific Island theatre and its community. Thursday afternoon March 6 sees an annual forum featuring examples of work in development, presentations by leading figures like Victor Rodger (My Name is Gary Cooper) and Dianna Fuemana (Mapaki) , and panel discussions including “Who told you you couldn’t write about that?” and “The future of Pacific Island Theatre in Auckland”.

On Tuesday evening March 4 there will be a playreading of Tanika Gupta’s critically acclaimed Fragile Land, a play about what nationhood means to second-generation immigrants. On Friday evening March 7 are presentations of plays by Victoria Schimdt and Jay Junior Williams, workshopped during the week with Gupta and Animashawun, and leading Pacific figures like Justine Simei Barton, Vela Manusuate and Nathaniel Lees.

Ola Animashawun is a leading UK figure in the development of playwrights. He has been the Head of the Royal Court Young Writers Programme (youth, community, and education department) since 1998, working as a producer, director and youth drama worker for one of the world’s leading new writing theatres.

Tanika Gupta’s work has been staged by some of the UK’s leading theatres, including the Royal Court, National, Hampstead and Young Vic. She is a bilingual British Bengali and a winner of the Asian Women Achievement Award for arts and culture.

FREE PUBLIC EVENTS:

NO NAMES by Junior Williams (Cook Island/Niue)
During one diabolical weekend, the lives of the Takalo family collide through a series of secret liaisons, young betrayals, and shattered histories.
Friday 7th March, Limelight, Aotea Centre, 5pm.

O LE OLAGA (This is Life) by Victoria Schimdt (Samoa/German)
The story of a young Samoan man Pati and his four friends. Pati has big dreams but very few people understand his passion for music, or they choose to ignore.
Friday 7th March, Limelight, Aotea Centre, 7pm.

Pasifika Playwrights Public Forum
Thursday 6th March, Limelight, Aotea Centre, 3.30pm – 5.30pm.

Pasifika Playwrights International Series 08 Play Reading.
Fragile Land by Tanika Gupta
Tuesday 4th March, Limelight, Aotea Centre, 7pm

Newwayintheatre is a leading Pacific Island Producer whose past productions include My Mother Dreaming, Mapaki and The Packer. Playmarket is New Zealand’s leading playwright development organisation and playwrights’ agency, and receives core funding from Creative New Zealand.

Pasifika Playwrights International Series 08 is presented by ‘newwayintheatre’ in partnership with Auckland City, Creative New Zealand, Playmarket, the British Council and Asia Foundation New Zealand.

2008 ASB Polyfest set to be the largest ever
25 February 2008 - Source: ASB Polyfest Press Release

The 2008 ASB Polyfest takes place from the 12th – 15th of March, with 9000 students getting set to bring the Manukau Sportsbowl alive with creativity, culture and colour.

This annual event is the largest Maori & Pacific Island’s cultural festival in the world, attracting 80,000 spectators last year, and 9000 students competing from over 50 schools.

This year’s festival will be the largest ever, with 200 cultural groups entered, a record for the festival. These groups will compete on five stages, performing traditional items from the following cultures – Cook Islands, Maori, Niue, Samoan and Tongan. There will also be a Diversity stage featuring performances from a range of cultural groups including Chinese, Korean and Indian.

The ASB Polyfest features traditional music, dance, costume and speech and is now recognised as an important showcase of New Zealand’s diverse cultures, celebrating youth performance.

The festival is organised by a partnership consisting of the Auckland Secondary Schools Assn (festival owners), event management company – SMC Group, and host school – Wesley College.

Event Director Craig Seuseu is delighted with the number of school groups who have entered this year, saying - “to have over 200 cultural groups entered for the first time in the history of the ASB Polyfest is a great milestone for the festival. This year’s entries have greatly exceeded our expectations, and we look forward to a very high standard of competition.”

The host school, Wesley College have established the following theme for this year’s festival –

"With aspiration, belief and commitment we can achieve our dreams."

Te Whakapono
Nga Wawata
Te Tino Ngakaunui
Nga Moemoea

So, if you want to experience a true showcase of culture, colour and creativity, head to the Manukau Sportsbowl from 12 – 15 March. Entry is a $3. Preschool children are free.

For More Information:

Website: www.asbpolyfest.co.nz

Media Liaison: Dean Wilson Ph. 09 620-1121
Mob: 021 814 339

Event Director: Craig Seuseu (SMC Ltd) Ph 09 579-7038
Mob: 021 329 777

Major funding for Maori and Pasifika education projects
25 February 2008 - Source: ASB Community Trust Press Release

Community funder ASB Community Trust has set up a significant fund for education projects that will promote Maori and Pasifika educational excellence.

It is now calling for expressions of interest from groups who share its vision for the Auckland and Northland region.

"Our ultimate objective is to ensure that Maori and Pasifika children can fully engage in New Zealand society and are able to build, manage and grow their economic base," says Trust CEO Jennifer Gill.

"We have identified our destination, but we are mapping the route as we travel. ASB Community Trust doesn't have all the answers, but we're confident that the community does. What we can promise is that we will back innovative interventions that challenge the status quo and produce measurable results," she says.

Groups have until April 14 to submit an expression of interest, outlining how their project will benefit Maori and Pasifika communities. Proposals will then be considered and funding allocated.

"The Trust began work on this initiative early in 2007, calling together educational experts from the Maori and Pasifika communities who identified the priorities and created a vision for the project: 'We speak for ourselves'," Ms Gill says.

"This is a unique way of working for a philanthropic trust: seeking community input into initial challenge definition and then working through the issue in partnership with members of that community; seeking solutions to social problems and then committing to long-term, strategic resourcing and support for its alleviation."

The projects chosen must advance Maori/Pasifika engagement in citizenship through education, must be sustainable, outcomes must be measurable and they will be based on partnership and self-help. The project must also have evidence of community ownership.

More information about the education project, and how to get involved, along with an Expression of Interest information form is online at: www.initiative.org.nz.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS
In March ASBCT is holding a series of hui and fono in Auckland and Northland to further explain the initiative. Please come along and talk with us.

Wednesday 5th March: 1st Pasifika Fono
Venue: Otara PIC Church, Ferguson Road, Otara
Time: 6:30 - 9:00pm

Monday 10th March: 2nd Pasifika Fono
Venue: Waitakere City Council Building, Henderson
Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Tuesday 11th March: Maori Hui in Auckland
Venue: Orakei Marae, Kitemoana Street, Orakei
9:30am Powhiri


Thursday 13th March: Maori Hui in Kaitaia
Venue: Maimaru Marae, State Highway 10, Awanui
1:30 Powhiri

Friday 14th March: Maori Hui in Whangarei
Venue: Ngararatunua Marae, Pipiwai Road, Whangarei
9:30 Powhiri

Monday 17th March: Maori Hui in South Auckland
Venue: Papakura Marae, 29a Hunua Road, Papakura
9:30 Powhiri

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