Coco Talanoa — Pacific Blog / Page 13

A church that has been considered anti-vax hosted a vaccination event today to encourage their remaining unvaccinated members to get their first dose, as well as attempt to dismiss the anti-vax perception attached to the church.

Church leaders and members of the Tokaikolo ‘Ia Kalaisi church in Māngere Bridge line the entrance way to the church waving the Tongan flag as cars beep and people wave while driving past. A speaker is set up on the front lawn of a house nearby, blasting music out to the neighbourhood. The Niuean, Fiji and Cook Islands flags are being waved too, “I’m not even Cook Island” laughs the flag bearer as more cars beep, and others drive in to wait in line for their vaccination.

The large majority of church members have already been vaccinated, says Frank Koloi, the marketing and communications manager for The Fono. 

“This church has been perceived in mainstream New Zealand as well as the Tongan community as not supportive, or anti-vaxxers.…more

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Whose Your Name? - Tamaiti O Le Pasifika Class - Wainuiomata Intermediate School

Every name has a story. The 'Whose Your Name?' book project brings together pieces of writing from the Tamaiti o le Pasifika vasega, a Pasifika enrichment class at Wainuiomata Intermediate School.…more

Writer Taualofa Totu'a has put together a list of books by Pacific authors that we think your children and young people will love AND would also make great gifts - if you're looking for ideas for birthdays, achievements and more ... .

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For our imaginative kids 

My Gagana Samoa Series 1 - by Dahlia Malaeulu and illustrated by Darcy Solia 

All 3 stories in the first series: Malia Shares, Lagi Spies and Mase's Room

Dahlia released ‘Mila’s My Gagana Series 1’ in 2019 written for pre-school and junior primary school tamaiti. The colourful and engaging tusi faitau have gained more and more young readers since, encouraging the promotion and learning support of gagana Samoa for fanau and faiā`oga.

"Our aim was to create a rich literacy resource that reflects our tamaiti, develops gagana confidence and encourages the use of gagana amongst the first teachers in the lives of our tamaiti.…more

Cover image L-R: MMA & City Kickboxing head coach/co-owner Eugene Bareman, NRL on Nine & Stan Sports presenter Sonny Bill Williams & Ginnen Group Sports agent/manager Zen Ginnen 

By Lefaoali'i Dion Enari 

When we watch sport, we can now see our athletes chanting our war cries, holding our flags and showcasing our traditional tattoo’s and hairdo’s. However, the sporting environment they are in is still very Western and palagi in nature.

Although we have high representation of Maori and Pasifika athletes throughout the sports arena, we are grossly underrepresented in non playing sporting roles. Many coaches, sports media and club boardrooms are formed without Maori & Pasifika people or community consultation.

We are seen internationally in sporting codes such as UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), Rugby Union, Rugby league and Boxing. However, the sports systems we are in, don’t always reflect us, as they were made without us. Sadder yet, several sporting organisations still continue to operate using our people as merely ‘physical labour’.…more

By Destiny Taulagi Momoiseā

I was one of the lucky ones.

You know the mums who absolutely love being a new mama, with the perfect baby who never cries, who breezes through their leaps and sleeps through the night by 6 weeks. A husband who adores you and your baby, who’s so hands on, he doesn’t let you do any night feeds. That was us, That IS us. A perfect family unit, the lucky ones.

I had the perfect baby, the perfect husband, and the perfect home.

Unfortunately, Postpartum Depression doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t give a shit if your baby is an angel, if your home is a haven of love and unicorns. It doesn’t.

My son was 6 months old when I started to feel really low, 7 months when the panic attacks started and 9 months when I finally told someone about it.…more

via Radio New Zealand 

By Justin Latif, Local Democracy Reporter, 

Cover image by Tina Tiller - A group of young Pacific doctors have been utilising their social media savvy to promote the vaccine and debunk myths. 

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In an effort to get more Pacific people vaccinated, a group of doctors have taken to TikTok and Instagram to get the message out there.

Singing "vax-a-nation time come on" to the tune of 'Celebration' with a broom handle mic and her kitchen as a backdrop might not make Dr Vanisi Prescott TikTok-famous. But the way the Tongan doctor from Mt Roskill sees it, rejigging Kool and the Gang's classic 80s hit could just be what a vaccine hesitant person needs to see. And Prescott is not the only Auckland medical professional employing these tactics. Prescott is part of a small group of young Pacific doctors utilising their social media savvy and meagre spare time to promote the Covid vaccine and debunk myths.…more

On Sunday 19th June the Samoa Observer published an explicit photo of the deceased body of Jeanine Tuivaiki hanging by a rope from the church rafter, moments after her death by suicide. 

The photo was accompanied by an article referring to her as a man, in a final gesture of derision and disrespect to her identity as a fa'afafine.  

The paper published an apology after widespread outrage and criticism on Monday morning but was deemed unacceptable by most of the community in its lack of sincerity and absurd lack of justification for publishing the photo and article.

Another apology had since been published by the paper after pressure from both the government and local and international community & media, but we ask if this simple printed of words is enough.…more

Described by some as 'Manna from the Sea', 'Black Gold' and the 'Caviar of the Pacific' , the highly sought after Pacific delicacy are found in shallow coral reefs and only rise twice a year - sometimes only once! 

These pacific marine 'worms' are generally reddish-brown (male) or bluish-green (female) and their mating season follows the lunar cycle which is usually the 7th night after a full moon in October.  Sometimes if the mating season hasn't been fruitful the adult palolos will release another set of 'tails' in November.

The catching of the Palolo or "Ta Palolo" in Samoan has to be done in darkness (early hours of the morning) because the palolo will melt in the sunlight.…more

‘It is critical for donor countries to see the bigger picture, to see that this really is a time not to profit, but to be stepping up to support all countries to come through this…. the vaccine needs to be a gift to the world.”  - Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand & former United Nations Development Administrator

* Cover image Samoa vaccination Drive via Radio New Zealand 

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It's the same old - haves and have nots - story. Only this time it stars ‘The Vaccine’. 

The plot; Wealthy nations hustle to get their citizens vaccinated, while the poorer countries are left to feed off the scraps of vaccine donations.

The only problem is, this isn’t a movie. It’s real life and the reality is vaccines are expensive and not easily accessible. Especially for the smaller countries in the Pacific.…more

via the Cause Collective 

Cover image of Manu Sina assistant coach Cynthia Ta'ala at the Rally Your Village event at the Vodafone Events Centre, via South Seas Healthcare 

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A community group of passionate Manurewa residents has responded to the rallying call to increase the vaccination rate for Samoans in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. 

The Samoa I Manurewa Tutū Fa’atasi (Samoans in Manurewa Stand Together) was formed less than ten days ago but is taking a lead to encourage and mobilise Samoans living in the Manurewa area to make the decision to get vaccinated. 

Made up of local church leaders, community representatives and young people, Samoa I Manurewa Tutū Fa’atasi will be hosting a two-day vaccination drive through event in Manurewa from tomorrow, Friday 8 October - Saturday 9 October, 9am - 4pm. 

Bookings won’t be required for the event held in the Northcrest carpark, 1-13 Maich Road, which has been made available through the Manurewa Business Association.…more