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(Photo:
University of Waikato) |
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NEW ZEALAND: Vanuatu woman aims for the top
Source:
University
of Waikato Press Release
Vanuatu-born Andrina Thomas left school at 16 to
start a family. Today she’s one of six
Commonwealth Scholars currently at the
University of Waikato, and hopes her PhD work on
good governance and the participation of women
will help open doors for her female compatriots
and encourage more women into leadership
positions.
Thomas, who has a BA and MBA from the University
of the South Pacific, arrived at Waikato
Management School last year on a three-year
postgraduate Commonwealth Scholarship.
Administered by the New Zealand Agency for
International Development (NZAID), about 10
scholarships are available each year to
candidates from 45 developing Commonwealth
countries who are expected to make a significant
contribution to their country’s development.
“I’ll be the first ni Vanuatu woman with a PhD
when I graduate,” says Thomas. “The Commonwealth
Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for me
to pursue my dreams, although I know it won’t be
an easy job to change things in Vanuatu, even
after 28 years of independence.”
Thomas spent four years as a manager in a
financial institution, where she herself came up
against the sorts of problems many ni Vanuatu
women face in getting their voices heard. “I
come from a matrilineal society where women have
a decision-making role and own the land. This
system still operates in rural areas, but after
decolonisation everything went wrong. Women were
sidestepped, and men took over the
decision-making roles.”
Since she’s been in New Zealand, Thomas has
already presented papers at six academic
conferences, while working with her supervisor
Professor Maria Humphries on her PhD research.
Next month, she heads back home for six months
to conduct interviews with past, current and
aspiring women’s leaders and undertake a focus
group study on organisations supporting the
advancement of ni Vanuatu women. She’ll also
survey 60 women entrepreneurs in Port Vila and
Luganville who are participating in a
microfinance programme - the VanWods
Microfinance Incorporation -- set up by the UNDP.
Thomas is also one of 15 students selected for
an eighteen-month-long Pacific leadership
programme, funded by NZAID.
At the end of her studies, Thomas plans to go
back to Vanuatu and set up a mentoring and
role-modelling programme for women to prepare
them for leadership positions.
The Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship
Plan (CSFP) celebrates its 50th anniversary this
year, and Thomas has been selected as the
student speaker at a CSFP event to mark the
occasion in Wellington later this week.
To date, New Zealand has hosted 758 Commonwealth
scholars on its shores from 49 Commonwealth
countries. Seven of these students are currently
studying at the University of Waikato.
Photo Caption: Andrina Thomas, currently
working towards her good governance and the
participation of women
PhD
at the University of Waikato.
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(Photo:
Samoa Government) |
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SAMOA:
Parliamentary Updates
Source:
Government Press Secretariat Press Release
Cabinet approves the recommendations for CEOs
Cabinet has appointed five Chief Executive
Officers for Government Ministries.
• CEO for Ministry of Communication and
Information Technology - Tua’imalo Ah Sam.
• CEO for Ministry of Finance, Iulai Lavea now
replaces Hinari Petana.
• CEO for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aiono
Mose Sua
• CEO for Minsitry of Justice and Courts
Administration, Masinalupe Tusipa Masina
• CEO for Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment, Taulealeausumai L. Malua now
replaces Tuuu Dr. Ieti Taulealo.
The CEO positions are re-advertised every three
years according to Government policies.
Interested applicants and the current CEOs are
entitled to apply.
Cabinet has also acknowledged the long service
by former Finance CEO, Hinari Petana and former
Environment CEO, Tuuu Dr. Ieti Taulealo.
Programme and additional Funding for the
Teuila Festival 2009
Cabinet has approved the programme and
additional funding for the Teuila Festival which
began 30 August and runs until September 04,
2009.
The submission to Cabinet was submitted by
Deputy Minister and Minister for Tourism, Afioga
Misa Telefoni. One of Government’s priority is
attracting tourists and Samoans overseas to
visit and witness our cultural entertainments
and events at the Teuila Festival.
• Funds from the Authority’s budget
$150,000
• Estimated funds from sponsors,
Registrations and doorway charges
$43,950
Total
$193,950
Total Expenditure
($319,571)
Additional funds needed from Government
($125,621)
Report from Renal Dialysis Unit at Motootua
Cabinet has approved the report from the
dialysis unit at Motootua, that 53 dialysis
patients underwent treatment in July, 2009. Five
of them were visitors from overseas. Two
patients are currently overseas.
$15,000 for the Apia ‘King of Rugby’
tournament
Cabinet has approved a sponsorship of $15,000
for the Apia-King of Rugby tournament scheduled
for September, 2009.
The tournament was initiated in 1996 by the Apia
Sports Club, and has developed over the years.
This year, the Club has decided to invite teams
from New Zealand and American Samoa. The
inclusion of women rugby teams in the tournament
started in 1998.
The tournament’s main objective is for local
players to develop their skills and better equip
them to play at international level.
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(Photos:
Riamoana Pasifika) |
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AUSTRALIA: Pasifika talent Mz J releases second
album
Source:
Riamoana Pasifika Press Release
Mz J aka Julie Ta'ale is not a new name in
Pasifika Talent. Born in Auckland with nine
siblings, this talented Samoan was surrounded by
a musical family from a young age. Her father,
Reverend Kelemete Ta'ale was her first music
teacher.
There is another aspect of Mz J besides her
obvious talent that is an inspiration for any
young Polynesian pursuing a career in this
field, that is her stamina and focus. Her new
album which is in stores now has been five years
in the making. This is a solo album debut called
'Independence Day', she also has a single out
called ' Oh Baby'.
According to Mz J's manager, Liz Ta'ale Moors,
"this journey has been a long and hard one, it
has taken 5 years to make, but it has been a
very rewarding journey."
"Julie is a self funded artist in that she has
the full support of her family in all aspects of
the album coming together."
There are fourteen original songs in the new
release. Many of the songs on the album were
written by Mz J with writer and composer
brother, Harry Ta'ale. One of the songs in this
new album and the only Samoan song included was
written by Mz J's father, Reverend Kelemete
Ta'ale. He also sings this song with Mz J which
has been featured on New Zealand Television
program, Tagata Pasifika.
Sisters Lou Ta'ale and Liz Ta'ale Moors have
been the main financial backers for Mz J's two
albums to date, brother Harry Ta'ale wrote and
composed songs with Mz J and father, Rev.Ta'ale
who must be the proudest parent of this
achievement.
Julie Ta'ale's message to other Pasifika ladies,
"Polynesian women have got a lot of talent so
they need to come out and share it and use it."
Photo Captions:
Photo 1 -
Liz Ta'ale Moors (Manager), P-Money and Mz J.
Photo 2 - Mz J and The Bronx.
Photo 3 -
The Bronx (international rapper), P-Money
(well-known international DJ and Singer),
International models from Sydney with Mz J.
Photo 4 - Mz J aka Julie Ta'ale.
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(Photos:
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council) |
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HAWAII: Deep 7 bottomfish fishing season to open
under new quota
Source:
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management
Council Press Release
As of September 1, 2009, fishermen are once
again be able to fish for and retain seven
commonly caught deep-bottomfish species from the
main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). Known as
the “Deep 7,” they include onaga or ulaula koae
(longtail snapper), opakapaka (pink snapper),
ehu (squirrelfish snapper), hapuupuu (seabass),
lehi (sliver jaw jobfish), gindai (snapper) and
kalekale (snapper).
The 2009-2010 fishing season will also operate
under a new proposed Total Allowable Catch (TAC)
of 254,050 lbs for commercial fishermen, and the
season will close to both commercial and
non-commercial fishing when the TAC is reached,
or August 31, 2010, whichever comes first.
Non-commercial fishermen are still required to
obtain a permit from the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) and report their
catches if fishing in federal waters and are
restricted to bag limits for the deep 7
bottomfish species. The Northwestern Hawaiian
Islands (NWHI) bottomfish fishery is managed
under a Federal limited-entry program and catch
quotas, therefore, it is not subject to these
rules.
For more information on the regulations, call
NMFS (808 944-2200), Hawaii Division Aquatic
Resources (808 587-0100), or the Western Pacific
Regional Fishery Management Council (808
522-8220).
Photo Caption: The Deep 7 bottomfish
species:
ehu or ula'ula (squirrelfish snapper), kalekale
(snapper),
gindai (snapper),
lehi (sliver jaw jobfish), hapu'upu'u (seabass),
onaga or ula'ula koa'e (longtail snapper) and
opakapaka (pink snapper).
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TONGA: Japan to provide solar lights for Tonga
Source:
Tonga Broadcasting Commission
Several homes in the outer islands can look
forward to a cheaper and sustainable form of
power through solar home systems very soon.
A solar energy project come as a response from
the Tongan government at the Pacific Island
Leaders Meeting or PALM 5 which was held in May
this year in Japan in which Tonga was part of.
The Japanese Counselor to Tonga, Mr. Akira Ouchi
said during the Japan meeting a declaration was
made "to create the pacific environment
community which aims to protect pacific
countries from global warming.” In this light
Japan initiated the "Cool Earth Partnership
Initiative of which Tonga is a member.
“A study team is currently in the kingdom under
this initiative to collect information on how
best to provide solar home systems to homes in
the outer islands that have difficulty accessing
sufficient power supply,” said Mr. Ouchi.
This morning the five member study team, led by
Japanese Counselor to Tonga, Mr. Akira Ouchi met
with the Hon. Minister of Lands, Survey, Natural
Resources and Environment, Lord Tuita to discuss
the project.
A similar meeting was held with the Hon. Prime
Minister Dr. Feleti Sevele.
Mr. Ouchi said the proposals were met with
approval. “During the meetings they requested
cooperation and assistance for the study team
when carrying out the survey,” explain Mr. Ouchi.
This project is targeted at the islands of 'Eueiki,
'Atata and Vava'u. With a budget of close to
TOP$8 million, team leader, Mr. Matsunaga
Ryuji says they will distribute questionnaires
to these areas in order to find out more about
the site and how best to implement the project
efficiently.
Meanwhile, Project consultant, Mr. Kaname Motoki
says the most important thing is to ensure that
the equipment brought in will be managed well
and maintained.
Similar solar home projects have been quite
successful in Ha'apai and Mr. Motoki hopes these
upcoming projects will be just as good.
This is the initial stages of the project, where
installation will begin next year and is
expected to be completed as well.
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(Photos:
Oceania Football Confederation) |
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WORLDWIDE: Pacific Youth and Sports Conference
launched in style
Source:
Oceania Football Confederation Press Release
The official launch of the Pacific Youth and
Sports Conference (PYASC) 2010 was held in
Manukau City, New Zealand, on Monday 31 August
with organisers from Oceania Football
Confederation (OFC) and Manukau City Council (MCC)
celebrating the occasion in style.
Colour and culture dominated proceedings as
representatives of a variety of sports,
political and cultural organisations gathered at
MCC offices to learn more about the conference
which is set to take place at the TelstraClear
Pacific Events Centre from 8-13 March next year.
Among the VIPs in attendance were Mayor of
Manukau Len Brown, OFC General Secretary Tai
Nicholas, New Zealand athletics legend and MCC
Councillor Sir John Walker, Mangere MP Su’a
William Sio, former All Black Michael Jones,
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
representative Rose Maebiru, NZ Football
Chairman Frank van Hattum and many others.
After a Maori blessing and Kapa Haka
performance, Mayor Len Brown addressed the
audience and explained how PYASC will encourage
community involvement for the 1000+ young people
expected to attend the event.
“The Pacific Youth and Sports Conference is a
chance for Pacific youth to celebrate who they
are and where they come from with pride,” said
Brown.
“I want to thank Oceania Football Confederation
and the organisers for their creativity and hard
work and having the foresight to build a dynamic
youth network so their voices are heard.”
Speeches followed from MP Su’a William Sio,
former All Black and PYASC ambassador Michael
Jones, and OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas
who provided guests with further details about
the initiative.
“The conference represents a partnership between
various stakeholders in the region whose common
goal is to assemble the youth of the region
together to see how sport can improve
individuals and communities,” said Nicholas, who
is also chairman of the PYASC organising
committee.
“Objectives of the week-long conference include
reinforcing youth and sport networks, planning
ways to increase participation of young people
in society through sport, and building
structures whereby youth associations,
government institutions and sports organisations
can be more closely linked.”
Under the leadership of PYASC chief executive
officer Franck Castillo, organisers aim to
involve over 1000 young people from 25 Pacific
territories. This will include a limited number
of young people who are sponsored by the
organising committee while all remaining
participants will pay a registration fee.
The conference will be based around four central
themes including health, education and training,
citizenship and good governance, social
integration and anti-discrimination. It will
include seminars, workshops, exhibitions and
roundtable meetings where concrete action plans
will be drawn up and presented at the closing
ceremony.
At the completion, the Secretariat of the
Pacific Community is looking to hold a meeting
involving youth and sports ministers from around
the region who can adopt the action plans that
are born during the event. OFC will also assist
in the implementation of new projects with
support from its partners.
Photo Captions:
Photo 1 - Cook Islands dance group
performing.
Photo 2 - Mayor of Manukau Len Brown and
OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas.
Photo 3 - PYASC Ambassador and former All
Black Michael Jones.
Photo 4 - Mangere MP Su'a William Sio.
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