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(Photos: TVNZ) |
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NEW ZEALAND: Feel the
heat, bring the beat
Source:
TVNZ
Feel the heat, bring the beat –‘Polyfest 2008’
puts the rubber back on your jandals with five
episodes of the biggest dance festival of its
kind in the world.
Tune in to watch at our brand new timeslot on
TV2:
Weekdays from Monday April 28th – May2nd
First up the drums are pounding and the hips are
swaying as we go to the Cook Islands with
presenter Okotai Okotai (TV2’s ‘The Go Show’).
Sharnika Robson (Karaoke High) checks out the
Samoan stage on Tuesday, as performers show how
the old dance styles of the Pacific meet the
new.
Siale Waelasi takes us to the Kingdom of Tonga,
where some of the most heavy duty numbers ever
seen on a Polyfest stage bring the thunder from
Jonah Lomu’s people.
On Thursday we rock it out at the Niue stage as
presenter Renee Haiu shows us the wild and
wonderful action from the country known as
‘Savage Island’.
In last episode of ‘Polyfest 2008’ on Friday
songstress Ria Hall looks at some of the best
Kapa Haka showdowns on the Maori stage, where
the competition is fierce.
Photo Caption:
Sharnika Robson presents the Samoa Stage Polyfest '08 series. Renee
Haiu
presents the Niue Stage Polyfest '08 series. Okotai Okotai presents the
Cook
Islands Stage Polyfest '08 series.
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(Photos: Samoa International Cricket Association) |
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SAMOA: Samoa prepare
for women’s national cricket team 2009
Source:
Samoa International
Cricket Association
The Samoa International Cricket Association (SICA)
will once again host a women’s cricket match
this Saturday 26th April at the Garden Cricket
Ovals, Faleata. This is following the women’s
cricket which was introduced to Samoan’s late
last year. With the game’s popularity growing,
the intention for women’s cricket to emerge was
inevitable.
This year SICA will be doing it’s best to
encourage women of all ages to participate in
the introduction sessions as well as 15 over
matches. Two teams will be selected to compete
in this year’s Independence Day Tournament on
Monday 2nd June, where three separate matches
will be showcased at the Garden Cricket Ovals.
Ground one will host its first ever official
Twenty20 women’s cricket match, Ground two will
host a veteran’s 40+ match and Ground three will
see Savaii take on Upolu.
With so many opportunities for women’s cricket
in the East-Asia-Pacific Region (EAP), the
International Cricket Council (ICC) have
encouraged Samoa to set up a women’s cricket
competition, so trials for a national team could
get underway by 2009. That’s right, Samoa could
well be the next big thing in the pacific when
it comes to cricket. Representing both men’s and
women’s cricket teams who could both be eligible
to compete in World Cup Qualifier’s around the
world!
If you’ve thought about giving cricket a go,
now’s the time to do it. Head down to the Garden
Cricket ovals this Thursday 24th for our
“introduction to women’s cricket” session which
will be held from 5pm – 6pm. Equipment will be
provided, women and girls are encouraged to wear
appropriate sports wear. The 15 over match will
take place on Saturday 26th April from 10am –
12:30pm. For more information please contact
Tina Macumber in 25033 or email tinabob2@hotmail.com.
Results for Senior Men’s Cricket Competition
Scouts 99 defeated Hope 20 (Best – Callan 51
runs)
Wanderers 101 defeated Tornados 79 (Best Chris
Derrick 23 runs & 5 wickets)
Sunshine 75 defeated Phantoms 73 (Best Konelio
32 not out)
LADDER - ROUND 6
TEAM W L D POINTS BONUS TOTAL %
Tornados 3 2 1 28 21.06 49.06 1.68
Sunshine 4 1 1 32 16.35 48.35 1.99
Phantoms 2 3 1 24 17.89 41.89 1.11
Wanderers 2 3 1 24 17.43 41.43 0.76
Hope 2 3 1 24 16 40 0.3
Scouts 2 3 1 22 6.16 28.16 1.14
Photo Caption:
Samoa women's team practising at Garden Cricket, Faleata for the
Women's
National Team 2009.
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(Photos: eventpolynesia.com) |
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AUSTRALIA: Australian high commissioner
welcomes youth ambassadors
Source:
Australia High Commission
The Australian High Commissioner, Matt Anderson,
will welcome twelve highly motivated and well
qualified Australian Youth Ambassadors for
Development on Thursday. 24 April 2008.
Representatives of the media are invited to join
us for morning tea at the Australian High
Commission to welcome the new Australian
volunteers to Samoa. Details are as follows:
Date: Thursday 24 April, 2008
Time: 10.30am
Venue: Australian High Commission, Apia
The Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development
Program aim to strengthen mutual understanding
between Australia and the countries of the Asia
Pacific and make a positive contribution to
development.
The program places skilled young Australians,
aged 18-30, on short-term assignments of between
6-12 months, in countries throughout the Asia
Pacific region. The AYAD program is an important
part of Australia’s development partnership with
Samoa.
The new volunteers are:
Ms Anita Reynolds, Office Manager, YWCA of
Samoa
Ms Luisa Russo, Speech Therapist, Early
Intervention Program, Loto Taumafai
Mr Campbell Wilson (& Jessie Wilson),
Permaculture Trainer, METI
Ms Vivien Thomson, Post Harvest Physiologist,
MAF
Ms Kamala Roberts, Entomologist, MAF
Ms Jaime Serpanchy, Building Contract Officer,
Min of Police & Prisons
Mr Michael Wrathall, Hydrology Engineer, MNREM
Mr Peter Bednall, Civil Prosecutions Section,
Attorney-General's Office
Mr Ben Harvey (& Melissa), Swimming
Instructor, Samoa Swimming Federation
Ms Anna Gero (& Mr Stephen Wright), Regional
Disaster Management Officer, UNDP
Mr Michael Sweedman, Plant Tissue Culture, USP
Mr Joshua Ind, Sports Development, Vaiala
Beach School/Peace Chapel School
Photo Caption:
The Australian High Commissioner (Samoa) Matt Anderson. The new
twelve
highly motivated and well qualified Australian Youth Ambassadors for
Development.
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KIRIBATI:
Statement at the Conclusion of an IMF Staff
Mission to Kiribati
Source:
finchannel.com
The following statement was issued in Tarawa on
February 26, 2008, after the conclusion of an
International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission
to Kiribati:
"An IMF mission completed an interim staff visit
to Tarawa, Kiribati on February 26. For
countries on 24-month Article IV Consultation
cycle, these interim staff visits provide a
chance for the authorities and IMF staff to
discus recent macroeconomic developments and
emerging policy issues. The IMF team met with
the President, the Minister of Finance and
Economic Development, various ministries and
government agencies, public enterprises, the
business community and donors.
"Private sector economic activity appears to be
picking up, especially in the construction and
retail trade sectors. Inflation increased to 3¾
percent in 2007, reflecting higher food and
transportation costs, the latter due to an
increase in domestic fuel prices. The fiscal
deficit remains high amounting to some 28
percent of GDP last year. As a result, the
Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund (RERF), the
principal source of budget financing, saw
further withdrawals. Since 2000, the RERF has
declined by 30 percent but remains somewhat
above the government's informal benchmark (i.e.,
maintaining the real capita value of the RERF at
the 1996 level).
"Discussions focused on measures to improve the
government's fiscal position and support for
private sector growth. The Government indicated
that their new policy strategy focuses on
measures to reduce the fiscal deficit through
improvements in the tax collections, reviewing
the role of public enterprises, with the aim of
limiting their activities to areas that are not
viable for the private sector, and policies to
encourage private sector development. The
mission supports this focus of the government's
new policy strategy. The mission also noted that
the Government has already opened up the
telecommunication sector to foreign investors.
The Government is also trying to attract private
foreign and domestic investors to develop fish
processing and tourism on Kiritimati Island. The
National Sustainable Development Plan 2008-2011,
which is in its final preparatory stage, contain
further measures to help achieve sustainable
economic growth.
"The mission thanks the authorities for
constructive discussions and wishes them success
in their endeavors."
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(Photos: Sina Solomona) |
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USA:
Samoan Communities of DC & North Carolina visit
with Sene Polu Ists
Source:
Samoan Community of DZ &
North Carolina
Talk about perfect timing, the Samoan Community
Christian Church of DC waited just enough time
this past Sunday evening, April 13th, to visit
with injured Samoan soldier Sergeant First Class
Senetenari Pe’a Polu at Walter Reed Army Medical
Center (WRAMC) as the Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Samoan military contingency arrived.
At the end of their morning service at Fort Myer
, Virginia , many of the DC church members were
prepared to visit the injured soldier but it was
Toleafoa Luteru Te’o, Vice President of the
Samoan Church ’s Leadership team who announced
that Polu was in surgery and would not be
available until later in the afternoon.
At the same time, communication was received
that the Samoans of the Fort Bragg community
were enroute following their Sunday morning
service. True to God’s word in Ephesians
8:28, that “…in all things God works for the
good of those who love Him, who have been called
according to His purpose,” both Samoan
communities came together for a special prayer
service, faigalotu, for Sene Polu at the
appointed time of 6pm in the evening.
What’s more, the military official with
oversight of the entire Walter Reed facility was
none other than Command Sergeant Major Ricardo
Alcantara who is a good friend of both CSM
Tuileama Nua and Major Tauapa’i Laupola;
Alcantara was able to provide a special
reception room to fit the
entire group for worship. Timing was everything
as Sene had just completed an
ultrasound following another three hour surgery
Sunday morning.
Led by Pastor Meki and Faletua JoAnn To’alepai,
the group began by singing hymns as they
prepared for the wounded soldier to be wheeled
into reception area. JoAnn To’alepai, a palagi
with a big Samoan heart, initiated the singing
of the beloved hymn LMS 92, “Fa’afetai ile Atua,”
where everyone chimed in all three verses. Sene
arrived with his wife Rosalind “Rosie”
Tualatai-Polu and one of his elder sisters who
accompanied Rosie from Seattle , Washington ,
Aotuimalae “Ao” Polu-Finauga. The injured Samoan
soldier went right into the singing of hymn 92
and it was quite a sight to see as he joyously
sang the words along with everyone Pastor
To’alepai began the opening prayer of
thanksgiving, as a humbled people gathered
grateful to the living God for sparing Sene
Polu’s life.
When asked another hymn to sing, “Mai le Vavau
ile Fa’avavau” was the song of choice, one of
Sene’s favorites. And while everyone sang, there
was a watchful eye on the man who has endured a
horrendous fate of war but obviously in great
spirits and determined to live. SFC Polu belted
out the words of both verses of this beloved
contemporary Christian hymn by Peace Chapel with
its chorus, “Lo’u agaga, fa’amanu ma fa’afetai;
I le Atua o le vavau, na te u’u mau oe; Si’i a’e
lo’u leo, ma alaga, E lelei, e lelei Oe.” The
worship continued with LMS hymn 144 “Ua So’ona
Olioli nei lo’u loto ia Iesu,” with its lively
melody and upbeat lyrics of praise. Followed by
hymn 98, “Pepese tatou i lo tatou Atua; Ina
fa’afetai i lo tatou Alii, O le na maliu e
fa’amamaina ai, tatou uma nei ai o tatou leaga.”
An opportunity was then given to the Fort Bragg
entourage that traveled over five hours, Major
Tauapa’i Laupola spoke on their behalf, which
included CW5 Totolua “Koko” Yandall, CSM
Tuileama Nua, Sergeant Major John Letuli,
Captain Fitiuta Apelu Faiivae-Galea’i, and
ladies Lana Aga and Lusia Bartley. CSM Nua made
a special presentation of his CSM coin to Sene
Polu which is a significant part of military
life.
Tears of joy were free flowing amongst mostly
the women but it was certainly a time of great
worship and thanksgiving as well. Pastor
To’alepai’s words of encouragement to the
wounded warrior was a reminder of what Jesus
Christ endured on the cross for the sins of
many. That
his body was racked with wounds and injuries,
but as the prophet Isaiah declared, “….with His
stripes, we are healed.” The Faifeau also
thanked Sene for his remarkable service and his
courage that has left so many Samoan people
inspired all around the world.
It was the eloquent oratorical presentation of
the Samoan Church Secretary General, le Afioga
Tupa’imatuna Iulai Lavea, a High Talking Chief
from the Indpendent State of Samoa employed at
the World Bank in DC, that caught everyone’s
attention, “Sene, ta te le masani, e te leiloa
foi a’u; ae o le matou va’ava’ai atu ia te oe,
se o oe lava o le Toa. Ua malie toa, ua malo tau!
Matou te o mai e aumai la matou fa’afetai, i lou
tautua atunu’u, tautua aiga, tautua lotu, tautua
toto
ona ole sa’olotoga o tagata uma.” Tupa’i’s lauga
captured every heart present, it reflected the
love that Christ had for His own, to lay down
His life to save the world. And before ending,
the Samoan Failauga asked to sing “Ua So’ona
Olioli Nei Lo’u Loto ia Iesu” again as he had
learned
of Sene’s love for this hymn in praise and
worship. With another melody/tune of the same
hymn, the place became even livelier when
Toleafoa Luteru and Dr. Fatilua of Congressman
Faleomavaega’s office displayed Pentecostal
worship with the clapping of hands and absolute
open praise.
After the awesome service, the Samoan
congregation made a presentation of a bouquet of
“Get Well” flowers to Rosie Polu and a card with
monetary gift to show love and affection for the
Samoan hero who has made everyone proud and
blessed to see his will to live and enormous
bravery. Rosie thanked the gathering on behalf
of her husband Sene and her sister-in-law
Aotuimalae, humbly acknowledging the fact that
though they did not have any family in the
nation’s capital, they have been cared for in
every aspect by the God whom Sene so fervently
believed in with the kindness of the whole
Samoan community and the affection of strangers.
The Samoans dispersed with fond good-byes and
well-wishes for the Samoan hero whose life was
spared, Sergeant First Class Sene Polu of
Faleasao, Manu’a, and bidding each other
farewell as the Fort Bragg contingency departed
for their long drive back to North Carolina.
Photo Caption:
Pastor Meki & faletua JoAnn To'alepai, wish Sene Polu the best for
his speedy recovery. CSM Nua presenting special coin to Sene, which is
known throughout military circles as a typical event of significance.
Mafutaga Malosi a Tina ole Ekalesia Samoa ile Laumua infront of Walter
Reed Army Medical Center. (l-r) Afioga Falenaoti Aliki Lavea; Meipo
Tavita-Tasi; Faletua JoAnn Kovacs-To'alepai; Aluane Te'o; Isapela
Enesi-Coggins & Alalafaga Vaouli-Toia.
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VANUATU: Vanuatu met office assesses
tsunami warning system
Source:
Island Business
The Vanuatu Meteorological Service says a
week-long assessment of the country’s tsunami
warning system beginning tomorrow will help the
country prepare better for tsunamis, reports
Radio New Zealand International.
A team of experts from the Australian Bureau of
Meteorology, the Pacific islands Applied
Geoscience Commission ( SOPAC) and Emergency
management Australia are in Port Vila to assist
Vanuatu personnel with the assessment.
The team would focus on a range of response
areas from community awareness of tsunami to
issuing of tsunami warnings.
A series of workshops would provide the Vanuatu
personnel with an opportunity to cross-fertilise
the knowledge in neighbouring countries with
in-country experts.
The Met service said the assessment would
determine areas in Vanuatu’s ability to respond
to tsunami events which need attention.
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