NEWSROOM: 16 December - 22 December 2007

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2008 from Event Polynesia
22 December 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com
 
At the beginning of this year, we all wondered what 2007 will bring. Just before Christmas, we sit and look back over the year that was. And what a year it has been!!

This year we have been blessed and our lives enriched through meeting and being in touch with so many remarkable people.

The passing away of more great leaders of the Pacific were sad moments we all collectively shared. While we differ in opinion in how to compact the war against "terrorism," least we forget the sons and daughters of the Pacific serving around the world for freedom and peace, in particular the families of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Through Event Polynesia Multimedia, we have endeavoured to provide a vehicle for our Pacific people to tell their stories and be heard, particularly with our online website portal www.eventpolynesia.com.

Through Event Polynesia Boxing and Event Polynesia Entertainment, we hope to provide a platform to showcase the talents of the Pacific.

Next year we will launch Event Polynesia Tours as an extension of our service. Keep watching this space.

And so before we sign off for 2007, we would like to thank each and every one of our readers, supporters and contributors and do appreciate all the advertisers who recognize our readership, coverage and brand strength.

A special acknowledgment goes out to our business associates and event partners as we strive to provide a robust marketing vehicle to promote your services and products.

From the Event Polynesia Team, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
 

NOLA receives NZAID NGO core funding support
20 December 2007 - Source: New Zealand High Commission Press Release

The New Zealand Government through its Aid for International Development (NZAID) is pleased to announce core funding support of SAT140,000 provided to Nuanua o Le Alofa Inc. (NOLA) for an additional two years (2008, 2009). To mark this occasion, a cheque of SAT35,000 for the first instalment was presented by Her Excellency, High Commissioner Caroline Bilkey to President Nofovaleane Mapusua on Thursday, 20 December at 1:00pm at the Nuanua o Le Alofa office at the Cardinal Pio Centre, Mulivai.

NZAID NGO Core Funding:
NZAID, with the agreement of the Government of Samoa, set up the NGO Support Fund in 2003 to enhance and expand the capacity of indigenous NGOs in Samoa to respond to development needs that contribute to the elimination of poverty and promoting sustainable development, democratic process, human rights, good governance and a stronger sense of community and interdependence. Core funding provides support for staff, office equipment and other operating expenses which allows NGOs to focus their efforts on their programmes.

The Samoa Umbrella of Non-Government Organizations (SUNGO) administers the NGO Core Fund on behalf of the NGO Core Funding Committee and provides capacity building training and mentoring opportunities. There are currently eleven National NGOs being core funded by NZAID including Women in Business Inc., Fa’ataua le Ola, Mapusaga o le Aiga, Loto Taumafai,
Samoa Victim Support Group, Apiataga Tagata Soifua Samoa, Animal Protection Society, Tagiilima, O Le Siosiomaga Society, Habitat for Humanity Samoa, National Council of Early Childhood Education, and Nuanua o le Alofa. Core funding support is provided to the SUNGO to administer the Fund.

Nuanua o le Alofa:
In 2001, a group of people with different disabilities (blind, hearing impaired, amputation, cerebral palsy, paraplegics, heart disease and others including intellectual disability) established a private self-support organisation: Nuanua o le Alofa (NOLA) - the National Council of People with Disabilities in Samoa. NOLA was established to promote equity for disabled people by disabled people. NOLA provides a mechanism for establishing interagency networking to improve services for people with disabilities and is committed to working collaboratively with government and non government agencies to provide better services in both urban and remote rural areas.

NOLA’s membership covers a wide range of disability groups. It is a member of The Samoa Umbrella of Non Government Organisations and is recognised by Government, the National University, providers of special education, Inclusion International and donor agencies.

Vision:
A Samoa which is fully inclusive and barrier free for people with special needs.

Mission:
To empower people with special needs to advocate for access, human rights and equity in all aspects of life.
 

Thousands of Samoans protest over right hand drive
20 December 2007 - Source: Georgina Newton

In what was one of the largest rallies in Samoa's history, up to 7000 people marched on the Pacific nation's parliament in Apia, angry at government plans to make cars drive on the left.

Samoa, colonised by Germany and then New Zealand, currently has left hand drive cars that travel on the right.

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi has led a push to bring his country into line with Australia and New Zealand, meaning right-hand drive cars would gradually replace current models.

He believes it would mean cheaper cars being imported into Samoa and make it easier for Samoan expatriates living in Australia and New Zealand when they return home.

"Harmonising our laws with those of New Zealand and Australia will make our people better prepared for any better paid driving jobs like driving heavy-duty vehicles or machineries in those countries without having to undergo any more familiarisation training.”

"Our relatives visiting from New Zealand and Australia will also benefit as they will not have to adjust to driving on the opposite side from that they are used to," Tuilaepa said in a recent speech.

Editor of the Samoa Observer newspaper, Mataafa Keni Lesa, said the leaders of today's march presented a petition to the parliament with nearly 40,000 signatures on it.

"They marched towards the parliament building even though it was raining. Everybody was wearing white and many wore T-shirts that said `say no to RHD'," he said.

There was a strong police presence but the march was peaceful, Lesa said.

He said many businesses in Apia were closed in support of the marchers, but he thought the government would continue with its plans.

"I think they will definitely push ahead with it. They have got the numbers to do it in parliament. It doesn't matter what people say now. They will do whatever they want," he said.

The government had hoped the change to driving on the left would begin in July next year, but Radio New Zealand has reported the move may not go ahead until at least 2009.
 

SRFU Vacancy: Full-time Manu Samoa Head Coach
19 December 2007 - Source: Samoa Rugby Football Union Press Release

For this full time position, the Samoa Rugby Football Union is looking for an internationally experienced Head Coach to lead, drive and manage the SRFU’s High Performance Unit’s National Coaching Structure and National Team – the Manu Samoa.

In 2008, the successful applicant will be required to lead the Manu Samoa through its International Matches – the Pacific Nations Cup campaign (Japan, Australia A, NZ Maori, Fiji and Tonga) and Rugby World Cup (RWC) Qualifying matches where required, whilst developing and implementing a 4 year plan culminating in the RWC in 2011.

There will also be the opportunity for the Manu Samoa coach to be a part of the PIRA (Pacific Island Rugby Alliance) coaching staff during their Northern Hemisphere Tour in November 2008.

This position requires a substantial amount of international travel relocating to Samoa if you do not reside already in Samoa. You need to speak and have an understanding of the Samoan Language.

This position requires a resourceful Head Coach that can balance competing demands, prioritize work functions and produce high quality work with limited resources. With the majority of Manu Samoa players overseas an experienced Head Coach will need to select a squad and develop players into a cohesive, professional and disciplined team in a short time frame.

Total Salary

Total Salary is $60,000 NZD. Performance bonuses and relocation costs (if required) will be included. The salary is negotiable dependant on the caliber of the applicant. For a copy of the job description or for more information about the Pacific Nations Cup Campaign, the position and support/staffing structures in place, please contact:
(NB: All enquiries will be treated confidentially)

Sua Peter Schuster SRFU CEO +685 751 6090 mobile
Peter Horne SRFU High Performance Manager +685 751 6404 (Mobile) +685 30148 (Office)

Applications

Applications close January 4th 2008 4pm (Samoan time) and only successful applicants will be notified of a final interview either by phone or in person within 5 days after closing. All applications must include an up to date CV, Qualifications and confirmation of practical experience (along with any supporting documentation such as a draft proposed periodised 2008 and 2009 selection, training and competition plan would be highly regarded), and email to petelo.horne@srfu.ws.

Interview

If selected for interview you will be required to deliver a presentation on your 4 year plan to the RWC 2011. This would include the previously submitted periodised 2008 and 2009 selection, training and competition plan.
 

Law & justice workshop maps out future directions
18 December 2007 - Source: Matt Anderson

More than 60 members of Samoa’s judiciary and legal professionals came together recently for a three-day workshop to map out the future development of Samoa’s law and justice sector.

The Australian Government, through AusAID, has provided $21,000 to stage the workshop, which has been organised by the Samoan Law Society.

Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Matt Anderson said the workshop theme ‘the way forward’ brings members of the law professionals and judiciary together to update skills, knowledge and practice in key areas.

“The workshop brings together local professionals to present on specific areas of law and will include presentations on a range of areas including legal research, legal writing and lawyers as negotiators,” Mr Anderson said.

“During the three day workshop, key areas identified in the Law Society’s training needs analysis will be addressed. It will also look at ways to encourage lawyers to write and publish material and establish a local database of resources that can be shared with others.”

Mr Anderson said the workshop follows the development of a sector plan for law and justice in Samoa, which sets out a vision, mission and commonly agreed goals for the sector.

The approach for the law and justice sector is sponsored by Australia and New Zealand, in partnership with the Government of Samoa. The plan was endorsed in October this year by a steering committee consisting of the Attorney General, CEOs of the Ministry of Police & Prisons, Justice and Courts Administration, Women, Community and Social Development and the Ombudsman. The next phase will establish a framework for implementation and a consultation strategy for discussions with community groups.

Mr Anderson said the support and commitment of all stakeholders for the approach is crucial in reducing crime and increasing access to justice.

“By working together, we will see improved effectiveness of prosecutions, training and case management, along with better budget resourcing and donor support across the whole sector.”

“The importance of law and order and the critical role it plays in the economic well being of Samoa is acknowledged by the Government. Australia is pleased to be working in partnership with Samoa in this important area.” 
 

Ma'afa'amanatu Art Exhibition
17 December 2007 - Source: Rev Mua Strickson-Pua

20th Memorial Anniversary of Jessie Vaitulu Purcell & Sofi Pua hosted by their children, grandchildren & great grandchildren.

WHERE: Mangere Community Art Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
DATE: 18th December 2007
DAY: Tuesday
TIME: 10am to 4pm
FREE ENTRY

• Family members tell their NZ born stories of their parents, grandparents, great grandparents through their art, performance of poetry, song and dance.

• Youngest family presenters Jane Filemu [7yrs] Che’den Sofi [5yrs] Iosefa Sofi [5yrs] will tell their stories with their parents and grandparents.

• First Pacific family to celebrate 20th Memorial anniversary through an art exhibition in the world thus it happens in Mangere.

• Sofi Pua the first Samoan Radio announcer and producer with New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation. Founder of Samoan Advisory Council and spokesperson during the Overstayers and Dawn Raids.

• Whakapapa/Gafa, kainga/Nu’u the value of Aiga/Whanau sharing their stories to encourage others not to forget their Pacific stories come their family histories.

• The families’ roll of honour in the music industry from Nesian Mystiks Feleti Strickson-Pua to Chook Peas brothers Nat Alexander-Pua and Sofi Alexander-Pua marks the current family involvement with music as an outlet for creative and healing processes e.g. FLEP Family Life Education Pasifika and Tagata Pasifika Resources & Development Trust.

• ART OF AIGA is about being family and knowing where we come from. Thus contributing to our shared futures.

MORE INFO CONTACT Sofi ph 2759686 or Mua ph 3729335.
 

LHD to RHD; the effect on the motor vehicle industry
16 December 2007 - Source: Georgina Newton

The proposed change from LHD to RHD has already affected the MV industry; new car and used car sales have come to a standstill. The uncertainty of whether or not we are going to change the side of the road we drive on and when, has forced people to refrain from buying cars as the possibility of losing large sums of money and paying increased insurance premiums is a frightening thought.

The used car market is on its way to being plentiful and large enough to cater for Samoa and its requirements.

10 years ago the average sales of new cars was about 200 per year therefore after three to 5 years there are 200 cars rolling into the used car market annually. With the introduction of other car dealers, the sales of new cars has increase drastically with nearly 1000 cars being purchased annually which means in 3 – to 5 years time there will be hundreds of cars flooding the used car market and these will be cheap and accessible. They will also have been bought locally therefore parts and service items are readily available.

As most new cars owners regularly service their vehicles, the quality of these used cars will be better minimising pollution, costs, and increasing road safety.

Cars from NZ are not as cheap as they are thought to be. If a survey of vehicles in NZ has shown that the average price for an 8 year old car is NZD$10,000, if you add the freight of NZD$3583.30 and duty of 20% + GST and convert at the current rate of 2.03, the final cost of this car will be SAT$38,000 and that is for a cheaper 8 year old sedan; good luck if you want some thing of better quality because you might as well buy it here in Samoa.

The rental car industry will be the worst affected because it is pretty obvious that if you don’t want to drive on the wrong side of the road then I don’t think tourists unfamiliar with our roads and totally confused by driving a LHD car on the wrong side of the road would be too keen to rent a car and put their lives are risk? Therefore the rental car industry would have to change to RHD at a cost that is either unaffordable or crippling to their business. There are approx 600 rental cars in Samoa with a rough value of 24 million. If rental companies write off 24 million, that’s a lot of tax that is not going to be paid for years to come. Secondly, to replenish the rental car industry with RHD at current market prices and for those that can afford to plummet themselves in to the depths of debt all over again (this is going to cost 30 million) where is this money going to come from?

The taxis and their families who are reliant on the income generated from such a business will be at risk also, with increasing insurance premiums and banks breathing down their necks because the value of their taxis will drop 75%. Rising fuel costs, maintenance, registration and fees; what little money is left to survive on after that? Not to mention the 44% increase in the risk of an accident and taxi’s being on the road all day everyday means more bumps and scrapes; who is going to pay for all those cracked headlights and dented doors?

Bus drivers are going to need some stress counselling when they drop people off onto the middle of the road and watch as yet another near miss flashes by. It has been said that busses cannot change the side where the passengers get off the buses but can they change the side of the road the driver sits on? Bus drivers and their passengers will be at risk as long as the bus is a LHD bus. We have all seen how buses overtake and race each other into town; quite a lot more risky when you can’t see the oncoming traffic!

There are those busses that can change their entry/exit doors and there are those that can’t. Readymade busses are going to be a serious safety concern and how long before they are banned from our roads? What then? Those buses aren’t cheap and disposable; how are those bus owners going to recover?

It has been mentioned that people would buy RHD’s when this law becomes effective, for the benefit of their families safety. If this happens the market will not only be flooded with ex-rentals but also with personal vehicles, all being sold cheaply as it will be a buyers market. Why bother the relatives with the expense of sending a new car from NZ when it would be much cheaper to buy a LHD locally? This would put all those wanting a car in a used LHD from SAMOA and one has to ask……what the point of all this is?

If you care about your country and its future, then come to the RHD opposition march; Monday 17th December at 8.30 am, Eleele Fou to Parliament House, Mulinu’u. 
 

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