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(Photos:
Men’s Health Week) |
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NEW ZEALAND: Maori men's health call to action
Source:
Men’s Health
Week Press Release
Men’s Health Week Ambassador Benson Stanley was
worse for wear this morning following the Blue’s
weekend loss to the Crusaders, nursing a black
eye at the Maori Men’s Health Call to Action.
The Auckland Blues player was asked to speak at
the event sponsored by the National Maori Men’s
Health Coalition and though he is part Samoan,
Stanley says he’s aware of the statistics for
Polynesian men’s health and they are akin to
that of Maori, “Very poor.“
Stanley spoke at the Call to Action about his
experience of his father’s early death through
ill health.
“At 18, I was devastated.” He said.
“There are so many moments going forward in life
where you think, ‘Oh geeze, I just wish I could
have had a conversation with the old man’.”
Stanley says now that he’s a father himself, the
good example starts at home. He says he talks to
his “young fella” about eating well and his
regular health check-ups.
“I’m a firm believer in taking responsibility
for yourself.”
Comedian Mike King was also invited to encourage
Maori men to take better care of themselves but
said it would never work unless you turned their
children into ‘soldiers’.
“What is the one thing Maori men care about more
than anything? It’s our children”, the comedian
said.
When King suffered a stroke in 2007 he says he’d
only been concerned with material things.
When the stroke hit, he had one very clear
thought. “All the money in the world ain’t
helping you now is it hotshot?”
King advocated for persuading Maori men to take
better care of themselves for the sake of their
families, because “Time is the most precious
thing you can give anyone.”
The Facts:
•
On
average two New Zealand men die every hour of a
preventable illness with death rates for Maori
men double that of non-Maori (Statistics NZ).
•
NZ
Men live on average 4 years less than women, and
yet still remain much less likely to talk to a
GP about their health.
•
6
out of 10 New Zealand males are overweight.
•
Nearly a quarter of New Zealand men smoke.
•
27%
of men have potentially hazardous drinking
patterns.
•
Maori men are twice as likely to die prematurely
as non-Maori men, with heart disease, cancer and
type two diabetes being the main causes.
•
Maori men have the lowest life expectancy of any
of the major population groups in New Zealand.
•
Maori men are nearly twice as likely to be obese
than non-Maori.
•
1
in 8 New Zealand men will experience serious
depression during their lifetime.
•
In
New Zealand the suicide rate for men is 3 times
that of women.
•
Latest research shows that men are at greater
risk of stroke than women, with stroke being the
second biggest single cause of death and the
largest cause of disability in adults in New
Zealand.
Photo Captions:
Photo 1 - Men’s Health Week Ambassador
Benson Stanley.
Photo 2 - Mike King with Christine Panapa
of Te Mahurehure Marae, where the event was
hosted in Pt. Chevalier, Auckland. The Marae is
where King grew up.
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(Photo:
Savali News) |
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SAMOA: Samoa’s U20 rugby
team bring home the trophy
Source:
Savali News
This past week, the Samoa Rugby Union officially
welcomed back and thanked the u20 rugby team for
their successful campaign at the IRB Junior
Rugby World Trophy tournament in Tblisi,
Georgia.
In a small ceremony held at the High Performance
Unit in Alafua, the winning team were praised by
the President of the SRU Tuiloma Pule Lameko and
their exploits recounted by Team Manager
Namulauulu Sami Leota.
As summed up by Tuiloma,
“This is an amazing feat for such a small
nation.”
“The entire country, from the Head of State
down, is so very proud of your achievement as a
team.”
Namulauulu was glowing in his remarks, asserting
that the boys in the team are different and
“special boys” and “they don’t give up”. He
attributed their success to being well organised
and working well as a group.
“We had some harrowing moments during our stay
in the city of Tblisi…there were riots and
protests unlike anything we are used to here in
Samoa, and our hotel was not far from where the
demonstrations were taking place. Thankfully we
were spared any real danger and were able to
continue on with the tournament.”
Namulauulu described their first game against
the USA as one that set the tone for the
tournament.
“The opening play was 26 phases long which ended
in a try. Our team showed their true grit by
never giving up,” he said.
According to Namulauulu, the second match
against Uruguay had Samoa as the underdogs, with
many spectators and media calling the game in
Uruguay’s favour. This was answered with a
resounding 37-7 win by Samoa which bolstered the
team’s confidence for their final pool game
against Russia.
Russia would prove to be tough opponents.
Although Samoa triumphed with a 50-14 win, they
sustained injuries to at least five players in
the team, including flyhalf captain Patrick
Faapale.
“Both Papalii (Peter Fatialofa) and I were
incredibly worried about the injured players, as
the final against Japan was only a few days
away…so we implored with our team doctor Dr
Emose and physiotherapist Katie to make use of
whatever skills and knowledge they have to help
the players become fit enough to play in the
final,” said Namulauulu.
He described the Japanese team as formidable
opponents, as they had appeared in two other
tournament finals, and had employed smart
tactics in beating Georgia in their pool final.
“Tomorrow you will win, because of your mental
toughness,” were the words used to prepare the
boys the night before their final.
As per Namulauulu’s recollections of the day,
the first half was fraught with mistakes and
handling errors.
“The halftime break allowed the team time to
settle down and consider the words from the
coach Soifua John Schuster - ‘the only reason
Japan is in this game is because you let them’.”
The second half would remain try-less for almost
twenty minutes, with both teams at loggerheads,
fighting to stay in the game. Samoa would score
first, which according to Namulauulu, lulled him
in to a false sense of security as he was sure
the Japanese were defeated.
“I was wrong. They came back a few minutes later
and scored their third try of the game, locking
the scores at 24 each.”
It wasn’t until the final minutes of the game
that the Samoan team would find relief in the
form of Peter Schuster, who scored the winning
try with conversion by captain Patrick Faapale.
The final score was 31-24, with Samoa awarded
the IRB JWR Trophy for 2011. Their success means
they will be shifted from this tier two
tournament up to the tier one championship next
year, where they will face the likes of New
Zealand, France, South Africa and England.
Of the 26 boys who travelled to Georgia, 20 were
local, 3 from Australia and 3 from New Zealand.
01. Frank Fa’atau (Vailoa Faleata/Savaia)
02. Gody Schuster (Sinamoga)
03. Ofisa Smith (Vaiala/Safotu)
04. Michael Alalatoa (Malifa/Fasitoo Uta)
05. Ausetalia Vaiomanu (Sa’anapu/Afega)
06. Ropeti Lafo (Vaiusu)
07. Elia Togitele (Leulumoega)
08. Faiva Tagatauli (Salua Manono)
09. Talaga Alofipo (Saleaula/Satoalepai)
10. William Skelton (Alamagoto)
11. Oneone Faafou (Siumu)
12. Greg Faafoe (Tuanai/Siumu)
13. Suamalie Tuiletufuga (Vaiee/Asau Savaii)
14. Jordan Taufua (Salailua/Neiafu)
15. Pita Semeane (Poutasi/Sataoa)
16. Paul Tuia (Matatufu/Lalomauga)
17. Vavao Afemai (Laulii/Vaiala)
18. Patrick Faapale (Vaiala/Vaipuna)
19. Robert Lilomaiava (Laulii/Fagalii)
20. Sagato Sua (Vaiala/Saipipi)
21. Viliamu Alauni (Vaimoso)
22. Saato Iosua (Vaiala/Saipipi)
23. Utu Poliko (Leulumoega/Saleimoa)
24. Faavae Faavae (Samauga/Nofoalii)
25. Peter Schuster (Sinamoga)
26. Afereti Iona (Fasitoo Uta)
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(Photo:
T. Gasu / Samoa News) |
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AMERICAN SAMOA:
"Always Believe" Togiola tells NVTHS
graduates
Source:
Samoa News
This past Thursday saw 100 graduating seniors in
the class of 2011 for the Nu'uuli Vocational
Technical High School (NVTHS). Their graduation
ceremony was held at the Kanana Fou High School
gymnasium. Special guests were Gov. Togiola
Tulafono, with First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono and
acting DOE Director Philo Jennings.
Also present at the ceremony- making the event
very exciting- was a Nuuuli Voc-Tech graduate,
who is currently competing in the National
Football League (NFL) - Paul Soliai of Nu'uuli.
Aumua Amata was also there to congratulate the
graduates on their special day, as she does each
year.
The Tafuna High School JROTC posted the color
for the ceremony; Reverend Dr. Elia T. Ta'ase
provided the invocation; and the governor was
the keynote speaker presenting the commencement
address.
Togiola reminded the graduates to stay safe
during the celebration of their special day, and
focused his remarks on ‘believing'.
"Believe first in God, then you can believe in
your abilities, trust in God then trust in your
own experience. Keep your dreams alive,
understand that to achieve anything requires
faith and belief in yourself. In addition, to
determination and dedication, remember, all
things are possible, for those who believe. My
young friends, trust your life in God, and ask
his guidance through prayerful confrontation.
Always, believe."
He continue, "I don't care how smart you are,
but God's blessings don't come free. You have to
work for it. So as I see it, your guiding light
is set, and you are ready to go into a world of
unknown. Believe in faith, prayers, whatever you
need to do to get ahead, just trust in God to
help you achieve your goal.
"Now let me read to you a very appropriate song
by Elvis Presley, about believing, the song was
entitled, ‘Only Believe'. Only believe, only
believe, all things are possible if you only
believe. My Lord only believe, yes only believe,
all things are possible if you only believe. I
met God one morning, my soul feeling bad, heart
heavy laden, I felt fire down in. Well, he
lifted all my burdens, yeah, right now I'm
feeling glad, all things are possible, if you
only believe. I believe, yeah, I believe, all
things are possible if you only believe".
He added, "Manuia le faauuga, alo ese mai ava
malolosi ma fuala'au fa'asaina. O nisi o outou
na fesoasoani i le Tina o le atunu'u i le
polokalame o le Ta'ita'itama. Keep your mission
to prevent drinking and drug use. Celebrate your
graduation, have a good one, you've earned it,
you deserve it, just don't do it with beer or
alcohol. Drink water and coconut juice, no one
has ever been charged with drinking too much
water or coconuts. Stay alive, we need you
tomorrow, soifua".
After the governor's address, the acting DOE
Director approved the 2011 graduating class of
Nu'uuli VocTech and diplomas were presented.
The graduating class of 2011 then presented
their farewell gift to their now alma mater; a
new piano keyboard and a new podium - for the
school to use during school functions and future
graduations.
Awards from the PTA, the school, Congressman
Faleomavaega, Florence Saulo and Associates,
McDonald's Restaurants and Sodexo were handed
out at the end of the commencement ceremony.
The THS Color Guard retrieved the colors, as the
graduating class left to gather hugs, ulas,
balloons and congratulations from their families
and friends.
Photo Caption: Some of the 100 graduating
members of the Nuuuli VocTech High School
looking pretty solid during their graduation
ceremony held last week Thursday, at the Kanana
Fou High School gymnasium. The 2011 graduating
class presented their farewell gifts to NVTHS,
to remember their class for years to come.
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FIJI: Dogs to the bird rescue
Source:
Fiji Times
Two dogs have been specially trained to help
save a critically endangered bird from
extinction.
Bob and Tar are on Gau searching for Fiji Petrel
or Kacau ni Gau nests.
NatureFiji-MareqetiViti Conservation
co-ordinator Nunia Thomas said Bob and Tar were
no ordinary dogs.
"They are Fiji's first wildlife detector dogs,"
she said.
"They are the best of four dogs which NFMV
commissioned for a year's training in New
Zealand to develop their searching ability for
the nests of petrels. These nesting burrows have
a characteristic odour, and it's the same odour
which makes them vulnerable to predatory rats,
feral cats and pigs which combined are
responsible for the continuing demise of the
Fiji Petrel.
"It is the recently established population of
feral pigs which represents the greatest threat
and NFMV now views the situation as a race
against time to find the nests and introduce
effective predator exclusion and/or control."
Ms Thomas says experts believed there might be
no more than 50 adults surviving of this small
seabird which spends all of its life far out to
sea except when it returns to the forest
hinterland of Gau to nest in small burrows.
"The search for nests of the Fiji Petrel starts
in earnest at the end of June," she said.
"However, in the meantime, both dogs have found
their first petrel nesting burrow ù that of a
Collared Petrel with a chick in it. This is the
best possible start to what may be the last
chance to save one of the world's iconic
seabirds."
She said NFMV was grateful to the Commissioner
of the Fiji Police Force who enabled Gau
villager, Poasa Qalo, to have an attachment with
the Fiji Police Force Dog Unit to learn dog care
and handling.
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(Photos:
Maison de la perle) |
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TAHITI: Tahitian pearls information showcased on
newly launched website
Source:
The Open Press
Known for their exotic looks and style, Tahitian
pearls have become among the trendiest in the
modern world. These gems were actually
originally produced in French Polynesia, and
first cultivated in the year 1961. Contrary to
what most people believe, Tahitian pearls are
not solely a product of Tahiti, which is a
global industrial hub in its own. To date,
authentic Tahiti pearls are still found in
French Polynesia.
Tahitian-Pearls.com was recently launched to
offer visitors with just about every detail they
need about Tahitian Pearls. Founded by Steve
Suard, Tahitian-Pearls.com explains Spotted on
celebrities and trendsetters, Tahitian pearls
are remarkable for their unique, typically dark
colors. They also come in other hues that range
from gray to silver to green to purple.
Aiming to be the ultimate Tahitian pearl guide,
Tahitian-Pearls.com is home to online news and
articles about the precious gem. The website
comes with in-depth discussions about its
history, grading, and other product information.
In addition, Tahitian-Pearls.com provides a
business Tahitian Pearl directory of local
jewelry stores, retailers, farmers, wholesalers,
producers located in French Polynesia and
worldwide.
At Tahitian-Pearls.com, visitors are treated to
a discovery of Tahitian pearls buying tips that
includes descriptions of the various shapes,
color, sizes and classifications. The website
also takes visitors to the ins and outs of
purchasing necklaces, earrings, or loose
Tahitian black pearls. It elaborates on surface,
nacre thickness, luster, color, shape and size
as determinants of Tahitian pearl quality.
Because Tahitian pearls are precious, Tahitian-Pearls.com
also provides owners with helpful tips on caring
for their jewelry. The website underscores that
since this specific type of pearls is of the
very delicate kind, a single deficiency of the
jewelry reduces its quality. As such, Tahitian
pearls require extra care and maintenance to
keep their beauty lasting. According to
Tahitian-Pearls.com, wearing Tahitian pearls
often keeps in them the natural oil of the body,
making the gems highly lustrous.
For individuals who are new to Tahitian Pearls,
are pearl enthusiasts, professionals, or simply
want information on it, http://tahitian-pearls.com
is a must-visit.
Photo Captions: Tuamotu Pearl Farm.
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WORLDWIDE: Social accountability enhances
government processes
Source:
United Nations Development Programme Press
Release
“Implementing Social Accountability initiatives
has the potential to improve government’s policy
development, budget formulation, and service
delivery in Vanuatu”. This was a comment from
Eslyn Kaltongga of the Vanuatu Association of
Non-Governmental Organisations (VANGO) who
attended a two-day Training on Social
Accountability organised in Port Vila by the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Pacific Centre.
Social accountability is an approach towards
building accountability from authorities that
relies on the engagement of ordinary citizens or
civil society organizations (CSOs) to
participate directly or indirectly in demanding
accountability. It emphasizes the rights of
citizens and duty of the state in the delivery
of socio-economic services.
The two day training which started yesterday is
aimed at giving CSO’s a better understanding of
social accountability, its relevance, and assist
participants to start thinking about how the
social accountability tools can be adapted to
suit the context of working with communities in
Vanuatu.
The participants heard that although formal
accountability institutions may exist within
government such as the Ombudsman, the
Auditor-General, and even the Public Accounts
Committee, past experiences have shown that this
is unlikely to be sufficient in achieving long
term and sustainable promotion of
accountability, because it lacks the demand for
better outcomes from the general public.
“A good social accountability initiative relies
on the willingness of government to provide
relevant information to CSO’s and to the public
in general,” commented Ms. Pelagie Maho of
Transparency International Vanuatu. “Having a
good access to information policy or legislation
can greatly contribute to the government being
more transparent and accountable in its
functions.”
Social accountability initiatives complement the
work of existing accountability institutions in
government by engaging citizens to produce
evidence and data on how government works in
delivering services to communities, and
analysing the social impacts of policies and
programmes being developed and implemented by
government. Social Accountability tools can also
be used by government to assess its own progress
in the achievement of the Millennium development
goals (MDG’s).
The training is the fourth of a series of
in-country training workshops on social
accountability after Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and
Fiji. Similar workshops are being planned for
other Pacific Island countries later in the
year.
A similar training with the participation of
community-based organizations and local
officials will be conducted in Pentecost Island
from June 15-17.
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