NEWSROOM: 26 August - 01 September 2007

On The Bright Side: New Zealand Diversity Forum in Auckland
01 September 2007 - Source: Human Rights Commission Press Release

Kia ora. Anei te mihi ō te Kaihautu Whakawhanaunga ā Iwi, mo ngā mahi nui, mahi whakamana i te tangata i roto i ngā kaupapa Whakawhanaunga ā Iwi i Aotearoa. Here are this month’s acknowledgments from the Race Relations Commissioner for positive contributions to race relations in New Zealand.

This month at the New Zealand Diversity Forum in Auckland, the following participants in the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme were acknowledged for their outstanding contribution to diversity over the past year. They were chosen from over 200 participating organisations, all of whom we would like to acknowledge for their contribution.

Christchurch City Council
Christchurch City Council this year undertook a process to align its wide range of projects and programmes that contribute to cultural diversity to all eight of its community goals in the Council’s Long Term Community Plan. The goals cover the environment, lifelong learning, prosperity, good governance, inclusion and diversity, community health, safety, recreation and urban design. Major projects this year have included the “diversity season” of events leading up to Race Relations Day in March, the Culture Galore festival, the Ethnic Football festival, the Pacific Pathways World Heritage Week in June telling the stories of the diverse peoples who have made Christchurch their home, an Outward Bound multi-ethnic course for young people, activities for Matariki and Maori Language Week at Christchurch City Libraries, and Around the World Workshops at Christchurch Art Gallery. The Council also supports the Intercultural Assembly and a range of other community initiatives for cultural diversity and community development.

Fairfax Newspapers in Education
Fairfax Newspapers in Education (NIE) have produced a range of newspapers for schools that promote knowledge, discussion and understanding of diversity in New Zealand. Included this year were newspapers on the Treaty of Waitangi for Waitangi Day, migrants and refugees (as a resource for World Refugee Day), cultural diversity in dance, Kai, Hangi, Matariki and Nga Kai o te Moana during their special Maori focus month in June leading up to Maori Language Week, plus additional resources on te reo Maori and tikanga Maori. They are planning a further publication, Heavenly Melting Pot, looking at different faiths and beliefs in New Zealand in November. All newspapers are accompanied by teachers’ notes to support the resources.

New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils
The Federation and its 16 constituent Ethnic Councils undertake a wide range of activities and projects, of which the national multi-ethnic festivals organised throughout New Zealand in conjunction with Race Relations Day in March each year are nationally the most visible. Some of the biggest festivals, attended by many thousands of people, take place in cities such as Tauranga, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, and Nelson. Local Ethnic Councils also provide a range of membership services and work with local government and communities to support migrant and refugee settlement. The Federation nationally has established special councils to represent women and youth, sponsored research on migrants, promoted volunteering, and provided a national voice for its constituent groups. It has also fostered recent growth through the establishment of new Ethnic Councils in North Shore and Rodney, Counties Manukau, Upper Hutt and Timaru. All constituent councils, as well as the Federation, are participants in the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme.

Victoria University Religious Studies Programme
The Religious Studies Programme last year produced a directory of faith and interfaith groups to make them more accessible to the public, the media and each other. They have co-hosted the now well-established annual interfaith forums at the New Zealand Diversity Forum. Last year’s forum led to the development of the Statement on Religious Diversity by Religious Studies Professor Paul Morris, assisted by an advisory group of faith community and human rights representatives. The statement, which has undergone widespread public consultation, was published as a booklet in May with the support of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, and provides a framework for ongoing public discussion on religious diversity. It has already received the endorsement of a number of major religious groupings and attracted considerable international interest.

NZ Journalists Training Organisation
Under the leadership of Executive Director Jim Tucker the JTO has made a major effort over the past two years to address issues of diversity in the media. This has included the development of a diversity section on the JTO website, surveys of diversity in the media, a national forum on reporting diversity, and a national tour of journalism schools by international media and diversity expert Professor Arlene Morgan. The JTO has also developed new unit standards on bicultural reporting and diversity reporting. At this year’s Diversity Forum the JTO launched Pou Korero, A Journalist’s Guide to Maori and Current Affairs, by veteran journalist Carol Archie.

NZ Baha’i Community
The NZ Baha’i community has been an active supporter of Race Relations Day since its inception, and each year organises a national speech contest for secondary schools on a race relations topic. The contest has grown each year, and now attracts entries from school regions throughout New Zealand in regional contests. The finals are held in conjunction with a race relations youth forum in Auckland in March. Finalists’ speeches are broadcast on Radio New Zealand. The Community is also an active supporter of interfaith activities, and was represented on the Advisory Group for the development of the Statement on Religious Diversity.

RMS Refugee Resettlement
RMS Refugee Resettlement is New Zealand’s national refugee resettlement agency. Since 1976 it has helped more than 40,000 refugees settle in New Zealand, providing a wide range of support services delivered by its professional social workers, cross-cultural workers and trained community volunteers. As part of its public education programme the agency organises activities for World Refugee Day in June, which in 2007 attracted the highest ever level of participation by central and local government and communities throughout New Zealand. Each Summer, RMS stages Auckland's International Cultural Festival in association with the Auckland City Council . The agency was also among the principal sponsors of the recently opened " Migrating Kitchen " exhibition at Pataka Museum in Porirua. RMS Refugee Resettlement is committed to helping former refugees realise their full potential and find a sense of welcome and belonging within Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori: Maori Language Commission
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori was established by the Maori Language Act in August 1987 and this year celebrates its twentieth anniversary. In that time, through the initiatives of Maori communities supported by government, there has been a significant turnaround in the status of te reo Maori, as demonstrated by the recently released Te Puni Kokiri survey on the health of the Maori language. As part of its wide-ranging work, Te Taura Whiri has promoted wider public awareness and support through activities surrounding the festival of Matariki in June, Maori Language Week in July, and the Maori Language Week awards in September. Public support for these events has grown dramatically over recent years. Te Taura Whiri also administers the Ma Te Reo fund, which distributes $1.8 million per annum to support Maori community-based language activities, and will shortly publish Te Matapuna, the first comprehensive mono-lingual dictionary of the Maori language.

Victoria University Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research
The Victoria University Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research has for the past three years contributed an overview of diversity research for the annual Race Relations Report. They have established a national network of leading researchers in diversity and cross-cultural issues, and a postgraduate student network, in support of the NZ Diversity Action Programme’s vision of a national diversity research centre. They host a programme of international visitors and organise the annual research forum as part of the New Zealand Diversity Forum. They maintain a website of information about diversity research and produce a regular newsletter of research and related information to academics, government and community groups.

Wairua Consulting Ltd
Wairua Consulting is a New Zealand based consultancy, research and training company that enables effective and strategic use of new technologies across business, government and civil society. Director Ruth de Souza operates the Aotearoa Ethnic Network which provides daily news and a lively discussion forum on ethnic community issues. She also edits an on line publication, the AEN Journal, which provides more in depth discussion of current issues affecting ethnic communities. Recent issues of the Journal have focused on the arts and on ICT. The current issue deals with faith and interfaith issues. The AEN Journal is available free on the internet. Wairua Consulting actively promotes participation in the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme.

Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand
For promoting intercultural understanding and community leadership through outdoor educational courses. In February Outward Bound ran their fourth annual three-week Southern Cross course for a multi-ethnic group of young Aucklanders in association with the Human Rights Commission. While having many of the characteristics of standard Outward Bound courses, the Southern Cross course includes a mix of Maori, Pacific, Asian, Pakeha and other participants, and learning about each other’s cultures and discussing issues of diversity in New Zealand are a special part of the programme. The success of the Auckland course has enabled Outward Bound to develop a sister Southern Cross course for Christchurch in association with the Human Rights Commission and the Christchurch City Council for the first time this year. They have also, in partnership with Ngai Tahu, developed Aoraki Bound, a specially tailored three week course within a Ngai Tahu cultural context available to Ngai Tahu members, members of other iwi and non-Maori participants. Four Aoraki Bound courses have been organised for 2007.

If you would like to nominate a person or an organisation for acknowledgment please email positive.contribution@hrc.co.nz with the details. For information about race relations visit the Human Rights Commission website www.hrc.co.nz
 

Pacific Prosperity is New Zealand's Prosperity
31 August 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Improving economic outcomes for Pacific peoples was the aim of the Pacific Economic Action Plan and Pacific Women’s Economic Development Plan, which was launched in Auckland last Friday.

Many people gathered at the Waipuna Conference Centre to witness the partnerships and collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, other government agencies and the business sector that have led to the creation of the two plans.

The Pacific Economic Action Plan and the Pacific Women’s Economic Development Plan both follow the release of research reports and statistical information pointing to the real potential that Pacific people have to make an enormous contribution to the economic life of New Zealand.

Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Chief Executive Dr. Colin Tukuitonga says the Pacific Prosperity Conference in 2005 was where it all began. “Pacific Prosperity saw Pacific business leaders and private sector entrepreneurs discuss the talents that Pacific people have and opportunities available in the business arena.”

Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Hon. Luamanuvao Winnie Laban says the plans are big news for Pacific communities. “These plans mark a huge step leading to economic prosperity for our Pacific communities and, significantly for our Pacific women. Both plans are the next phase in realising New Zealand’s economic success” she said.

The launch event also provided an opportunity to introduced Pele Walker, Shirley Sisepi-Fraser, Diane Mara and Caren Rangi as members of the newly established Pacific Women’s Economic Development Advisory Board, which will steer the Pacific Women’s Economic Development Plan.

The plans were launched at the Waipuna Conference Centre last Friday, 24 August 2007.
 

‘Uncertain Places' Symposium to be held at Te Tuhi
30 August 2007 - Source: Manukau Institute of Technology Press Release

Uncertain Places is a symposium of international artists investigating migration, global mobility and identity formation.

This joint MIT–AUT symposium involves several local and international artists discussing the implications of migration, global mobility and identity formation in their own practice and that of others.

The growth of mass mobility in ideas, travel, migration, intercultural exchanges and the play with multiple identities has produced a fluid but inevitable disorienting sense of oneself as a singular entity or psychasthenia, which is a mental disorder characterised by perceptions of spatial or environmental disorientation. The psychasthenic lacks confidence, is prone to obsessional thoughts, unfounded fears, self-scrutiny and indecision. This state in turn promotes withdrawal from the world and daydreaming.

‘The psyche generally lacks an ability to integrate its life or to work through and manage its various experiences; it fails to build up its personality and make any steady development.’ (Roger Caillois, Mimicry and Legendary Psychasthenia, 1935)

Uncertain Places has been developed to coincide with the opening of an exhibition by Santiago Cal at te tuhi.

Cal was born in Belize, to an indigenous father and American mother. After spending much of his childhood in his Central American homeland, Cal migrated with his family to the United States, where he now works as an artist and Associate Professor at
the University of Nebraska.

Cal’s art is sourced from the uncertainties of his past, including the confusions of his hybrid heritage, the anxieties of the colonisation of his indigenous culture, and the uncertainties of migration.

As such his work sits somewhere between dream and reality, the past and the present, calmness and anxiety.

The ideas within Cal’s art would be familiar to many indigenous peoples who have undergone the decentring traumas of colonisation. They also touch those of us who have been unsettled by the processes migration; or who have difficulty with the disquieting and converging pressures of contemporary culture.

A number of significant artists, from overseas and New Zealand, will be talking at this event.

The Presenters:

Santiago Cal will provide a personal context on young Latin American artists today. He will discuss the relationship between the practice of these practitioners and the United States, specifically the hierarchies and exclusions involved in the Central American and USA or ‘mainland’ American relationship.

Jason Hall is an Auckland-based jeweller and artist. For sometime his work has been themed around his European ancestry, and how he is positioned within the indigenous
New Zealand environment.

John Pule was born in Liku, Niue in 1962. Migrated to Aotearoa New Zealand in 1964 and lives in Auckland. Personal history, and the stories and history of Niue continue to inform the painting, printmaking, poetry and writing of John Pule. This presentation is entitled ‘Clouds and Water, reference to migration and travel’.

“The central motif of my presentation is the two-piece suit brought for me when I was a child to wear after my baptism. The suit is a metaphor for changes, appropriation and obligation to living in another peoples land.”

Tom Nicholson is an artist who lives and works in Melbourne. He is a member of Ocular Lab Inc and is represented by Anna Schwartz Gallery. His work focuses on forms of collective action and their relationship to locality. He will discuss models in both historical and contemporary political struggles, as well as some of his own recent projects, including the work ‘After action for another library’, which will be shown as part of the billboard programme at te tuhi during September.

Shigeyuki Kihara will be speaking about her recent experience participating in international projects including conducting a performance entitled ‘Taualuga; the last dance’ at the opening reception of The Pacific Arts Association Symposium held at the
Musee du Quai Branly in Paris, and later travelling to London, UK as a visiting artist to the Pasifika Styles’ group exhibition held at the University of Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology where she is currently exhibiting her work.

Pat Hoffie’s series entitled ‘Fully Exploited Labour’ has explored issues associated with global cultural production and the ascription of value. Other research focuses have involved the Art and Human Rights series of exhibitions, forums and papers. For the past two decades she has worked with a range of artists, communities and writers in the Asia-Pacific region.

Nikki Hastings–McFall was born and lives in West Auckland. She first met with her father’s Samoan family in 1992, shortly before his death. Since then her work has been increasingly driven by research into her mixed Pacific Island heritage and the stereotyping which so often surrounds the South Pacific. She has work in German, Australian, New Zealand and American collections.

Frank Fu is a performance artist who currently lives and works out of Auckland. He describes himself as ‘the true artist living at the bottom, like a dog. Frank Fu, the citizen of the cosmos, comes from middle of nowhere. Frank Fu, Head of School. My presentation will be something new and fresh, something that happens in which everything changes. It will be Frank Fu actions and statements 2007. (Gowlangsford, Venice Biennale and Documenta)’.

Dadang Christanto was born and raised in Indonesia. He moved to Australia in 1999, and has been showing widely through Asia and Australia for several years. His presentation will focus on the Indonesian political context under the Soeharto military regime and wider humanitarian issues in global perspective. Dadang is the current MSVA-te tuhi artist in resident.

Chaz Doherty is Ngai Tuuhoe, Ngãpuhi Nui tonu “He tãnoa tapu te pokanoa mana. E kore te rangatira e ãhei ki toona tuutuatanga.” “I refuse to believe that a free man would
accept despotism.” Chaz Doherty is a practising artist and lecturer at the School of Art and Design, AUT University. He is also a long term member of the politically active group, Te Mana Motuhake oo Tuuhoe.

SATURDAY 15 & SUNDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2007
MANUKAU SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS
MANUKAU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

For more information, contact:
Mark Kirby; tel 09 968 7680, email mkirby@manukau.ac.nz
Albert Refiti; tel 0800 367 288, email albert.refiti@aut.ac.nz 
 

South Pacific Games free-to-air on Maori Television
29 August 2007 - Source: Maori Television Press Release

Maori Television is screening daily coverage of a major indigenous sporting event involving 22 countries, 33 sports and several thousand athletes from throughout the South Pacific.

Hour-long highlights from the XIII SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES - to be hosted by Samoa for two weeks from Saturday August 25 - will screen every day on Maori Television from Tuesday August 28 to Sunday September 9 from 2.00 PM to 3.00 PM (repeated that night from 11.30 PM to 12.30 AM).

Three hour-long specials, SAMOA 2007 - LIVE THE DREAM, will also screen on Sunday September 23, Sunday September 30 and Sunday October 7 from 4.00 PM to 5.00 PM.

Held every four years, the South Pacific Games maintains a high profile within the regional sporting calendar and has a growing reputation for sporting excellence, encouraging sports development within the region and providing a showcase for talent from throughout the Pacific.

More than 4,000 participants in 33 sporting events from 22 Pacific Island nations and territories will compete for medal honours and national pride with host county Samoa taking on the challenge of creating a cultural, competitive and professional event.

Athletes include swimmer Ryan Pini from Papua New Guinea who won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne 2006; Dika Toua in the female 53kg division weightlifting who won silver for Papua New Guinea in Melbourne; and Samoan boxer Warren Fuavailili who was a bronze medalist at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

The event profiles popular Pacific team sports such as netball, football and the rugby sevens. The friendly rivalry between Fiji, Tonga and Samoa is well-known throughout the region and the action will be intense with these countries all fielding competitive sides in the rugby sevens comprising members from their World Cup teams.

For further information, contact:
Vanessa Horan Kaiwhakaputa (Publicist) Mâori Television
DDI: +64 9 539 7159, MOB: +64 21 928 007, Email: vanessa.horan@maoritelevision.com
 

Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Awards 2007
28 August 2007 - Source: Creative New Zealand Press Release

Westfield Style Pasifika, New Zealand's innovative and energetic premiere fashion award and entertainment spectacular will be held this year in the new Vector Arena in downtown Auckland for one night only on Friday September 7. It will showcase the best in fashion, music, dance and culture - creating a sophisticated and vibrant mix.

The largest and most innovative indigenous fashion show of its type in the world , a celebration of fashion combined with entertainment - Westfield Style Pasifika is inspired by the influences of Pacific and Asia Pacific.

Some fresh, explosive and original fashion and entertainment talent will make a night of unforgettable entertainment.

The ten categories in the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Award are:
• Pasifika Body Art
• Traditionally Inspired
• Resene Asia Pasifika
• NZ Aids Foundation Pasifika Hero
• Schwarzkopf Osis Three Piece Collection
• FLAVA Urban Street Wear
• Menswear
• Evening Wear
• Bridal Wear
• Te Puni Kokiri Parent and Child

The TV One Supreme Award winner receives $3000 and each category winner receives $1000. There is also a Westfield Business Scholarship announced for designers to be mentored and then showcased at New Zealand Fashion Week.

The Awards will be judged by key New Zealand fashion designers - incuding Doris De Pont, Denise L'Estrange Corbet, Francis Hooper, Liz Mitchell, Caroline Church and Pacific advisor Mary Ama.

For more information on the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Awards, visit: http://www.stylepasifika.co.nz/

French Polynesian government to sell Rocklands Hostel
27 August 2007 - Source: Oceania Flash

French Polynesia's government had moved to sell Auckland’s Rocklands Lodge & Hostel, which a previous government had bought in 2005 for an estimated US$5.4.

Under previous President of French Polynesia, Oscar Temaru, the 170-room building, about ten minutes’ drive from downtown Auckland, was supposed to provide accommodation for families of persons who are medically evacuated there on a regular basis.

The government, at the time, also justified the acquisition saying the hostel could also become French Polynesia’s base for government-sponsored young persons studying in New Zealand, as well as a permanent representation office, some sort of Consulate.

However, pro-independence Temaru has since been removed in a motion of no confidence, in December 2006.

His successor, pro-French Gaston Tong Sang, has earlier this week signed a decree that authorises the government to dispose of the property and effectively seek expressions of interest for potential buyers on the international market, local media report.

French Polynesia's pro-French government of the day also stressed one of the contemplated roles for the building, that of a de facto embassy, was "no longer a priority".

Another factor mentioned in the decision-making process was that a new hospital was currently under construction in the capital Pape'ete, which would lessen the need for medical evacuations in New Zealand.

Given the recent significant price increases on the Auckland Real Estate market, French Polynesia's government expects to make a significant profit on the sale.

But it however admitted that the Auckland building contained asbestos, which could prove to have a deterring impact on the sale price.
 

Pasifika education doing well and will continue to improve
26 August 2007 - Source: Ministry of Education Press Release

The Pasifika community and the government can be congratulated on their progress towards raising educational participation and achievement for Pasifika students, says Education Minister Steve Maharey.

Releasing the first monitoring report under the Pasifika Education Plan, Mr. Maharey said the report showed that Pasifika education is heading in the right direction to achieve most targets.

"The Pasifika Education Plan Monitoring Report 2006 helps the Ministry of Education know where it's doing well and as importantly where it could do better. It enables the Ministry to accelerate its efforts in areas that matter most," he said.

"We're going to keep working with Pasifika communities to lower the suspension rate, meet teacher registration targets in Pasifika early childhood education, and lift participation in Modern Apprenticeships and Level 4 industry training.

"Our regional offices have been working hard to address these issues over the last twelve months, and that's clearly bringing results," Mr Maharey said.

"The number of Pasifika children in early childhood education, the percentage of Pasifika children leaving school with NCEA Level Two, and the number of Pasifika people in tertiary education and modern apprenticeships are all growing faster than for any other group.

"At the same time, the number of Pasifika children leaving school with no qualifications is shrinking faster than for any other group," he said.

"Our work ahead will continue these improvements. Raising achievement is the top priority in Pasifika education, and I expect to see measurable gains over the life of the Plan and beyond.

"Meeting our goals and targets for Pasifika Education is not a maybe; it's a must-do," Mr Maharey said.

The next Pasifika Education Monitoring Report will be released in February 2008. It will capture evaluation data and bring reporting into line with a regular February release date.
 

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