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(Photos: NZ
Government / NZ Press Association / One New Zealand Foundation) |
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NEW ZEALAND: Immigration NZ under the spotlight
again
Source:
Event
Polynesia News
The performance of the Immigration Service
has been heavily criticised again with an
inquiry finding the department has been
poorly managed and needs urgent attention.
The Auditor-General has just released
findings of the investigation after concerns
were raised about the integrity of the
department's operations in the wake of the
saga over the then immigration boss,
Mary-Anne Thompson.
The report also found that problems were
worse in the Pacific division than elsewhere
in the service.
The division was set up by Mary Anne
Thompson in 2005 when she headed the
service. She resigned last year after
accusations of a conflict of interest in
helping overseas family members to gain
residency. She is also facing court action
in relation to claims she lied on her CV
when she applied for senior public service
jobs.
Kevin Brady, the Auditor-General, has
visited 10 Immigration New Zealand branches,
interviewed 100 staff, and looked at more
than 400 visa and permit decisions. The
report found an unacceptable variation in
quality of decision making between branches,
training provided to staff, use of
delegations, and procedures for reducing
back logs, and systems and practices for
decision making, (including risk assessment,
information documentation and verification
of supporting documents) and quality
control.
He has criticised the fact that performance
targets focus on the numbers of visas issued
and found it troubling that the service has
a culture where staff are reluctant to raise
concerns however he also found no widespread
integrity issues.
The Auditor General has made a list of
detailed recommendations for change. “It's
going to take more than just that - it needs
a total overhaul of processes and a change
in culture. The CE and the State Services
Commissioner have asked for the chance to
fix this department. I am calling them in to
reach agreement for a timetable for fixing
the service. They're going to be held to
their promises to turn this around,” says Dr
Coleman.
The new Minister of Immigration is
determined to get rid of the pacific
division instigated by Thompson.
“We've got a picture of a service with big
problems, and I'm putting the onus right on
the Chief Executive and the State Services
Commissioner to deliver on their assurances
that they have a plan to put Immigration New
Zealand right,” says Dr Coleman.
It's clear from the report that the decision
to ask the Department of Labour chief
executive to reintegrate the Pacific
Division back into the core of Immigration
NZ was the right one.
“The Auditor General confirmed my worst
fears about what was going on in that
division, and backed it up with the finding
that 42% of the decisions made in that
division were either questionable or poor”,
Dr Coleman concluded.
Photo Captions:
Photo 1 - NZ Immigration Minister Hon Dr
Jonathan Coleman says Immigration New
Zealand staff are dedicated and hard
working, but they are let down by a
dysfunctional organisation.
Photo 2 - Kevin Brady Auditor General
releases the Auditor General's report
"Inquiry into Immigration Matters" confirms
that Immigration NZ is a service that needs
urgent attention.
Photo 3 - Mary Anne Thompson quit as
deputy secretary for Labour Department after
accusations of a conflict of interest in
helping overseas family members gain
residency.
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(Photos:
Event Polynesia Boxing) |
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SAMOA: Official results of 3rd Leg of the Samoa
Pro-Am Fights 2009
Source:
Event
Polynesia Boxing Press Release
RESULTS OF FIGHTS
AMATEURS:
TUMUA MA PULE VS UPOLU/SAVAII
1. Mosquito Weight: David Kolisi vs Jonah Ah
Tong 32.6kgs
- Jonah Ah Tong won on Points
2. Light Fly Weight: Alefosio Livai vs Vitale
Elise 49.1 kgs
- Vitale Elise won on Points. Unanimous Decision
3. Feather Weight: Kaisa Ioane 54.3kgs vs
Sinapapa Leao 56.9 kgs
- Sinapapa Leao won on Points. Unanimous
Decision
4. Light Weight: Faleaa’au Fuiava vs To’i Meko
60.3 kgs
- Faleaau Fuiava on Points. Split Decision
5. Lightweight Alatima Unapo vs Willie Auapa’au
61.7 kgs
- Willie Auapaau won on Points - Unanimous
Decision
6. Welterweight: Iarima O’brien vs Henry Tyrell
68.5 kgs
- Iarima O’brien won on split decision
7. Middleweight: Liuafi Masoe vs Petelo Matagi
76.1 kgs
- Petelo Matagi won on Knockout at 2.35 minutes
in the first round
PROFESSIONALS:
1. Tony Iapesa (Alamagoto) - 62.2 Kgs vs. Oli
Filimaua - 66.6kgs (Faala)
- This fight was declared a Draw after 4 rounds
of regulation time
2. Afakasi ‘the Samoan Cobra’ Pele Faumui (Vaiafai/Lalomalava)
- 74.4kgs vs Poleki Seipua (Aleisa) 76.2kgs
- Afakasi Pele Faumui won on Points - Unanimous
Decision
3. Warren Fuiava (Faala/Lalomalava) - 79kgs vs
Samuelu Togafiti (Fagaloa) 78kgs
- Warren won on TKO after the third round and
Samuelu was declared unable to continue the
fight
4. Togasilimai ‘the Hitman’ Letoa (Lalomauga) -
80.6 kgs vs Panapa Seve (Asau) 75.4 kgs
- Togasilimai won on Knockout at 1.45 minutes
into Round 2
5. Vaitele Soi (Taga/Vailele) - 89.4kg vs.
Opetaia Tui (Faala) 94.1kgs
- Vaitele won on Points - Unanimous Decision
6. MAIN EVENT: Super Middleweight Division
the African Warrior ‘JOSEPH KWADWO’ (GHANA)
75.8 kgs vs
the Hands of Stone ‘MIKI OTTO ROPATI (SAMOA)
74.4 kgs
- 10 rounds x 3 minutes Super Middleweight Fight
- Joe has a record of 18 fights with 15 wins and
3 losses. Ghana Super Middleweight Champion
- Miki has a record 15 fights with 12 wins and 3
losses. Samoa Super Middleweight Champion
Joseph Kwadwo won on Knockout at 1.2 minutes of
the 7th Round
Photo Captions:
Photo 1 - (Back Row) Jenkins Tesese,
Asiata Leon Stanley, Teleiai Edwin Puni, Savea
Al Harrington, Leituala T. Fifita, Tuilagi Esera,
Nuisila Auelua. (Front Row) Vaiolo Lapa, Fuiava,
Lautapa'a Ofe, Papaliiitele Peter Fatialofa,
Luafalealo Vitale Ah Tong.
Photo 2 - Teleiai Edwin Puni, Joseph
Kwadwo, Tuilagi Esera.
Photo 3 - Emelio Leti, Savea Al
Harrington, Vaitele Soi and Vaiolo Lapa with
visitors from Canada.
Photo 4 - Afioga i le Faletua, Mrs
Cynthia Wetzell (Apia Concrete Products)
presenting a trophy (ring announcer Savea Al
Harrington and referee
Lautapua looking on).
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(Photos: SMOGA Qld) |
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AUSTRALIA:
Independence charity ball a
huge success
Source:
SMOGA Qld Press Release
The stage was set. Music resonated. Pulses raced
and fine-looking people queued anxiously raring
for the good times. The venue was the Greek Hall
at Mt Gravatt. And the occasion was SMOGA Qld’s
annual independence ball.
Guests were resplendent in all trends and hues.
The cultured and suave suited and tuxed up; the
illustrious and distinguished in traditional
lavalava and aloa; the chic and stunning glided
in gowns of diverse vogue cuts and styles and
elegance and grace sashayed in puletasis and
island styles.
SMOGA Qld’s secretary Sara Brunt emceed the
function. President Agnes Felix officially
welcomed the Samoan dignitaries and guests.
Father Epati Tamati led the gathering in prayer.
Tofa Patea Pesamino Taefu president of Samoa Mo
A Taeao Asc Inc. articulated the evening’s toast
to the Head of State; His Highness Tui Atua
Tupua Tamasese Ta’isi Efi; the Prime Minister
and government and people of Samoa.
The function was well supported by established
community groups through Samoan sivas: Samoa Mo
A Taeao Inc; Radio 4EB 98.1FM; Radio Polynesia;
Aiga Samoa Inc; Tofa Mamao A Samoa Inc; Marist
Old Boys; Chanel Old Boys; Pope Paul VI Ex
pupils and Fa’amuamaga Tina and Liumalo.
Local community identities sighted included
PPO’s Samataua Hunt and Louise Hunt; Rev. Milo
Fa’aleava [Mafutaga Ekalesia So’ofa’atasi] and
Faletua Sinei; Malotoa Ioane [Leo O Samoa] and
Zellie Pale. The Fijian contingent participates
each year and the Maori community donated the
floor show. Noted also were a fair number of
visitors from Samoa; New Zealand and the US.
A radiant Agnes Felix reported: ‘We wanted an
activity that would benefit our local community
rippling out to our ‘home’ community. The pet
romanticism was to dress up to the nines. The
debutantes’ ball; independence and New Year’s
were recalled with winsome smiles. We agreed on
a Samoa Independence Ball. It’s very challenging
to organize an event as such out of our own
pockets but we persevere. We’re always on the
look out for sponsors and despite the economic
recession we’ve received a lot of support. This
year is probably the best by far in monetary
terms.’
SMOGA Qld is indebted to the business community
who donated freely to their charity ball in
particular Louis Auto Repairs; Natural Envy
Cosmopolitan Centre, Drakes Super IGA, Wynnum;
Terry White Chemists Runway Bay & Arundel Plaza,
and Sia’s Takeaway to name a few.
SMOGA Qld utilizes the ball as a fundraising
event to finance their scholarship project for
St Mary’s College Vaimoso. Since 2007 they have
supported five [5] young women. Sara Brunt added
that it was especially heartwarming when the
group received a thank you email from Rowena
Peters a SMOGA Qld scholarship recipient.
Photo Captions:
Photo 1 - (L-R) Sara Brunt; Joyita
Stanley-Slade; Pearl Tupua; Mulitalo Tauline
Virtue; Agnes Felix; Foloi Fonoti Wall - Ball
Organisers.
Photo 2 - (L-R) Angela Apoa Wesche; Anna
Nansen; Sene Hunt; Goretti Retzlaff; Pearl Tupua;
Sau Va'ai & Foloi Fonoti Wall - SMOGA girls from
Samoa & NZ.
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(Photo:
Guam Visitors Bureau) |
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USA: First Delta Air Lines Flight Departs from
Guam USA
Source:
Guam Visitors Bureau Press Release
The first flight for new carrier, Delta Air
Lines, departed from Guam today (June 03, 2009)
for Japan. Delta announced that it is adding a
daily nonstop flight between Guam and
Tokyo-Narita, beginning with this first flight.
Delta has come to Guam due to a merger between
the carrier and Northwest airlines, which has
serviced the island for many years. The new
flight from Japan will compliment the existing
service by providing more convenient connections
for travelers. The new flight will be operated
by one of Delta’s 216-seat Boeing 767-300ER
aircraft, which features 35 BusinessElite seats
and 181 in economy class.
“The Guam Visitors Bureau is pleased to welcome
Delta Air Lines to Guam and we look forward to
forming a close partnership with them,” said
Acting General Manager Ernie Galito, “It’s
exciting for GVB and Guam to have a new partner
to work with to grow our tourism industry.”
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VANUATU: VT1.8billion Japanese funded
wharf upgrade commences
Source:
Vanuatu Daily Post
The upgrading works on the Vt1.8 billion plus
Japanese funded main wharf to improve wharf
facilities for daily passenger and cargo
handling activities kick started with a ground
breaking ceremony, yesterday.
The upgrading works includes: construction of
concrete decks, pavement of cargo handling area,
Westside and Eastside shore protection,
administration office, rehabilitation of the
shed for loose cargoes, Improvement of lighting
facilities in the Port area, lighting buoys and
procurement of pilots and tugboats complying
with world maritime standards.
The presence of the guests at the event drives
home the crucial and important role the wharf
plays in Vanuatu’s development-the economy
depends heavily on imports which accounts for
70% a year.
Present with Japanese Ambassador to Vanuatu
Yutaka Yoshizawa were Minister for Education
Charlot Salwai, Internal Affairs Minister
Patrick Crowby, Minister for Finance and
Economic Management Sela Molisa, Minister for
Land Raphael Worwor, Minister for Youth and
Sports Moses Kahu, Minister for Ni Vanuatu
Business Esmon Sai, Lord Mayor Paul Avock and
other Government officials.
Minister Salwai, who was Government spokesman in
the absence of Infrastructure and Public
Utilities Minister Serge Vohor, conveyed
Vanuatu’s sincere gratitude to Ambassador Yutaka
for Japan’s recognition in the development of
relevant infrastructures to facilitate economic
development.
“The main wharf is the gateway that presents an
impression to people and tourists visiting our
shores and facilities services to receive and
send goods to and from Vanuatu,” he said.
“Its renovation will significantly improve the
services provided to the public in a safe
environment. Improving the delivery of services
in a safe environment is necessary in meeting
our international port obligations while giving
confidence to our prospective business
partners.”
Ambassador Yutaka said despite Vanuatu having a
relatively favorable economic performance it
still has to tackle inevitable challenges for
future sustainable economic development
particularly in the midst of a global recession.
That is why upgrading of the wharf facilities is
an important aspect in Vanuatu’s long term
economic growth and development.
He thanked all stakeholders of the project for
the cooperation and assistance saying he is
confident of the continued support to the JICA
technical cooperation and the contractor in the
construction phase.
“This funding is a strong testimony of the
Government of Japan’s firm commitment to provide
development assistance to Vanuatu.”
Lord Mayor Avock also applauded the Japanese
Government for the generous assistance.
The Japan General Grant Aid to Vanuatu has been
in excess of Vt10 billion over the years
spanning across education, health and
infrastructure sectors.
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WORLDWIDE:
Pacific face complex
law enforcement challenges
Source:
Pacific
Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release
The Pacific region continues to face complex law
enforcement challenges and support to agencies
responsible for law enforcement remains a high
priority for all the countries in the region.
Opening the 2009 Forum Regional Security
Committee meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum
Secretariat in Suva, Fiji, today, Secretary
General of the Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni
Slade said: “Contemporary security issues have
become more complex, more challenging, and more
sophisticated.”
“The economic impacts on the global economy may
also be a driver for insecurity, and in some
cases a catalyst for criminality, the likelihood
of which would pose threats to the stability and
security of our communities. So while we must
focus on the region’s traditional law
enforcement and compliance priorities, we can
expect that new challenges will always test and
expand the FRSC’s agenda,” said Mr Slade.
He added: “There is need, therefore to adopt
forward thinking and innovative approaches to
ensure effective achievement of the Forum
Leaders’ vision for a peaceful, secure and
prosperous region for our people.”
The 2009 Pacific Transnational Crime Assessment,
which is developed in cooperation with
specialist regional law enforcement agencies and
Secretariats, highlights ongoing transnational
criminal activity in the Pacific region.
Forum Secretary General Slade said: “It is clear
from the variety of investigations undertaken in
the last year that the region continues to be
targeted by individuals and groups attempting to
undertake a range of transnational criminal
activity. These include the illicit movement of
drugs, weapons and people. We are even beginning
to witness incidences of new organised crime
groups entities attempting to exploit
vulnerabilities in our banking and financial
sectors.”
A number of emerging transnational crime issues
have been identified this year that will
challenge Pacific Island Countries including in
the areas of border security with increasing
instances and lack of response to commercial
fraud.
“This is even more relevant as the effects of
the global financial crisis start to compound
and importers start looking to evade import duty
on goods, or even sources counterfeit products
which can increase harm in our communities,”
said Mr Slade. “Options to address the impact of
small arms and light weapons are also important
to introduce,” he added.
Mr Slade urged the region to respond
collectively to this host of challenges where
collective responses serve to provide commitment
and strength.
“No one country can feasibly manage along in
today’s world, where the problems of one
neighbour invariably affect the next. Peace and
security in our region are inextricably linked
to peace and stability in our respective member
countries; and much depends on the mutuality of
needed cooperation on issues of common concerns.
The two-day FRSC meeting is being attended by
official representatives of Forum Countries as
well as regional law enforcement and security
stakeholders. They will discuss a wide range of
issues including but not limited to
Transnational Crime, Counter-Terrorism, Border
Management, Human Security Issues, Conflict
Prevention as well as contemporary political and
security challenges in the region.
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