Coco Talanoa — Pacific Blog / Page 13

The umbrella organisation for New Zealand’s aid agencies, Council for International Development is calling on banks and money transfer businesses to drop (or reduce) any bank fees as Tongan New Zealanders mobilise to send funds to support Tonga following the eruption.

Remittances play a critical role following an emergency in the Pacific. “The most urgent need in times of crisis is money, not stuff. No other type of donation can match its impact,” says Aaron Davy, Humanitarian Manager at Council for International Development.

“We urge banks and money-transference businesses to support humanitarian responses, by temporarily wavering transaction costs or keeping them at zero or less than 3% during an emergency response and removing bureaucratic barriers for already stressed families trying to send cash to family overseas.”

Kiwibank NZ have already responded, removing fees to send money to Tonga - 

 How to send cash safely:

* Donate to a trusted humanitarian organisation in New Zealand.…more

Following the eruption of the Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano on Saturday evening, family, friends, the Pacific community and many around the world have started mobilising to organise fundraising events and support for the Kingdom of Tonga.

While New Zealand NGO's wait for official damage reports, the re-establishment of communications with their partner organisations and colleagues in Tonga is a priority.

The Council for International Development (Umbrella organisation for New Zealand's aid charities) have put together some resources on how to best support the Kingdom of Tonga 

They have pre-positioned humanitarian stock within the region which means they are ready to support impacted communities as a matter of urgency. Any response will be coordinated with the New Zealand government’s response, and risks associated with the covid pandemic are also factored in.

Click here for Pacific language fact sheets – Cook Islands Maori, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Bislama (Vanuatu), Tuvalu, Tonga, Kiribati.  

Tongan language fact sheets below: 

They encourage New Zealanders and the Pacific community who would like to help to donate money rather than send stuff that may not be needed.…more

A short film on the role of men in ending violence against women and children, featuring prominent Solomon Island men representing a cross section of Solomon Islands society.

December marked the end of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in the Solomon Islands and at the end of the campaign, Safenet Solomon Islands launched this short film.

The film was made by a group of young filmmakers, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs and Dreamcast Theatre, and focuses on the role of men in ending violence against women and making our nation a safe place for all.

By Taualofa Totu'a & Destiny Momoiseā

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SAMOAN SEASONAL CALENDAR 

Developed by the Samoan Scientest Amy Maslen Miller, a PhD student researching diabetes and our traditional foods has created the incredible Seasonal Calendar! 

An incredible resource that shows us which months are the best to plant/harvest our traditional foods.

Perfect gift for your loved ones! You can find her calendars at her webstie here

BEAUTIFUL, SUSTAINABLE GIFTS MADE BY FIJI ARTISANS 

Who: Rise Beyond The Reef

Rise Beyond The Reef is based in Fiji, a homegrown value and supply chain in partnership with rural remote women and their communities. In an effort to combat negative economic and environmental impacts, this movement aims to bridge the divide between remote communities, government and the private sector in the South Pacific, sustainably creating a better world for women and children. 

They have a skillful Holiday Gift collection for the Xmas season which you can shop here.…more

By Taualofa Totu’a & Penina Momoiseā & Destiny Momoiseā

A new generation of Moana artists across the diaspora are redefining innovation, using social media platforms to build communities, market their work and support other budding creatives online. There’s room for everyone and all are original - from 3D collages to energetic illustrations, to calendars and skillful art prints. Join the growing audiences of Pacific artists this Xmas and support their work! 

If you’re still stuck on what to gift for your loved ones, order a personalised commissioned piece, Order the Lalaga card game or hit up lucid luca for an incredible original art work for your loved one. 

Read on to see where to get the best art for your own fale or for your loved one’s this Xmas season.  

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PACIFIC CARD GAME - OPENING TALANOA WITH YOUR WHANAU THIS XMAS

Who: Lalaga by Torisse Laulu 

In a world that thrives on diversity and innovation, it is exhilarating to witness Pacific-owned businesses making significant strides in their respective industries.…more

The whole of New Zealand will move to Red in the Covid-19 Protection Framework aka Traffic Lights from 11.59pm, Sunday 23rd January due to the Omicron variant now circulating in Auckland and possibly the Nelson-Marlborough region.  

We've put together a quick reference guide below on the different traffic light settings in case you need a reminder of what life at each of the settings are.  

* Reminder - The red light setting is not a lockdown.  Get boosted before the virus becomes widespread.

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LIFE AT RED 

Swipe through for more 

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LIFE AT ORANGE 

Swipe through for more 

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LIFE AT GREEN 

Swipe through for more 

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My Vaccine Pass is a key component in the Traffic Light System.

You are legally required to provide your My Vaccine Pass to enter places that have vaccination requirements in place under the traffic light system.…more

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