Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 43

How do you live in self isolation with a big Island family?

Young Samoan, Sapati Apa shoes us how she is quarantined in a multi generational family at home.

We're now into the 2nd week since the World Health Organisation upgraded the Coronavirus to a Pandemic.  We will be updating this page with Pacific Islands updates for our community here in New Zealand and around the Pacific.  To catch up on updates from Week 1 click here 

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FRIDAY 27th MARCH 

NEW ZEALAND - #BREAKING 85 new cases of Covid-19. 76 new confirmed, 9 probable cases. 8 are in hospital. Six stable, two less stable, one of whom is in intensive care. 37 people have recovered from Covid-19.  Dr Ashley Bloomfield says it will take at least 10 days before we will see the number of cases drop.  Those who have recovered from Covid-19 are signed off by a health official after being symptom free for a 14-day period. The increase in cases has put pressure on contact tracing.

- The ICU patient is in Nelson Hospital and has been in there for some days, but their health has deteriorated over the past 24 hours.…more

This week the New Zealand government announced a $12.1 Billion package to combat the effect of COVID-19 on our economy. This package includes financial support for both families and businesses affected. 

If you find yourself in need of some assistance because of the coronavirus, there may be some help available to you whether its a Wage Subsidy or Leave Payment for Self Isolation.  We've broken it down for you so you can see how the governments financial support can assist in the following ways -

* WAGE SUBSIDIES *

For affected businesses in all sectors and regions and is available now.  

Who can get it? 

If you're an employer, contractor, sole trader or self-employed, you may qualify to get the COVID-19 wage subsidy.…more

Pasifika was cancelled earlier today but it's been awesome to see our Pasifika community rally around the Pasifika vendors affected with smaller Pop Up venues announced around Auckland.

Here's where you can get your Pasifika fix AND support your Pacific Island small business and creative operators/vendors.

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PACIFIC BUSINESS HUB MANUKAU 

More info on their event here.  We will update with more of the vendors featured as they come to hand so check back regularly.…more

With Coronavirus / Covid-19 now being upgraded to a Pandemic we will be updating this page with Pacific Islands updates for our community here in New Zealand and around the Pacific.

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SATURDAY 21st MARCH 

NEW ZEALAND 

- 52 confirmed cases in New Zealand.  13 new cases and 4 probable cases from last night.  Ministry of Health cannot rule out community transmission.  Full story here 

- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a four level alert system for COVID-19 and has asked all people to stop non-essential travel.

These guidelines are set out below:

She said New Zealand was currently on level two, but this could change at any time - and it could change quickly. Level two "means the risk of community transmission is growing."

People over 70 years old or with a compromised immunity are asked to stay at home.  She says while we are at alert level two - schools will stay open unless there is a confirmed case. This will change as the alert system moves up the chain.…more

Tematai Tevaearai's image is the one that has appeared on the Hinano beer label since 1955.  She passed away on Sunday the 2nd of March at the age of 88 years.

She is photographed here on her 80th birthday at a family party in her Maharepa fare by local news La Depeche de Tahiti.  Born in Vairao, Tahiti in 1932, she spent most of her life in Mo'orea where she also raised her children.

The famous picture which was then later drawn as the figure for the label, was taken by well known photographer at the time Pierre Pottier on the beach at Puna'auia in Tahiti.

"He had often taken pictures of me. One day, it was on Punaauia beach that he took this picture at the request of the Brasserie de Tahiti. I didn't know until later that my photo had been chosen to draw the figurine that has since been found on beer bottles.…more

The first time Samoa Airways pilot, Fanaafi Sooaemalelagi flew an airplane almost seven years ago, she describes the sensation as a little more than your average case of ‘butterflies in the stomach.’

“I remember thinking; these aren’t butterflies – these are more like dragons!” said Faanafi “the turbulence was a little scary and it felt like my stomach was in my chest – but it was fun.”

With just over 5% of airline pilots worldwide being female, Fanaafi is “flying” the path less travelled as the only female pilot at Samoa Airways, working in a traditionally male dominant industry.

“I love the thrill of it.” She says. “Every day is different; meeting new people, facing different scenarios and challenges - it’s never boring. Aviation is more than just flying the plane.…more

The Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio continues to champion for greater Pacific participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers with the announcement of the Toloa Awards, with 8 recipients of the Toloa Community Fund and 13 Toloa Tertiary Scholarships.

These were awarded to the recipients over 2 evenings - one in Wellington last week and one in Manukau, South Auckland on Monday night which Aupito William Sio also hosted.

“The Toloa Programme encourages more Pacific peoples to embrace with confidence the learning and career pathways in STEM that can lead to more fulfilling and more prosperous lives,” says Aupito William Sio.

“Our approach for Pacific peoples is a whole-of-community approach, with greater participation by Pacific in the Toloa Programme, helping to address the long-term challenges of only 2% of the Pacific workforce involved in STEM careers.  The Toloa Awards recognises both individual talent and community achievement, and celebrates the advancements made by Pacific peoples of Aotearoa in this vital sector." the minister said.…more

The Pacific Business Hub has officially launched in Manukau, South Auckland and the event held last Friday also marked a milestone for the establishment as it celebrates its 1-year anniversary since opening its doors.

For founder, Laura Keil-Hall, the Hub is the fulfillment of “a passion and a dream”. It started with a bit of inspiration from her years as a Bank of New Zealand business manager.

The concept of The Pacific Business Hub is based on the existing model of co-working and shared office space. A base for small and new start-up businesses to collaborate resources and share space. 

Laura remembers “The first time I walked into [BNZ’s] Highbrook Partner Centre, I immediately said to myself, ‘I would like to one day offer a space like this for…the Pacific.’”

Laura envisioned a professional yet nurturing hub for Pacific entrepreneurs, an affordable place for startups and small businesses to set up office, meet with clients, get creative, collaborate and be inspired by other ambitious like-minded thinkers.

The difference is, the Hub is not your average traditional shared office co-working space.…more