"Girls Can Fly" - Samoa Airways Pilot inspires young women to soar
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
City Kickboxing Fighters - Extended Cut
Of the six New Zealanders currently signed to the UFC, five train out of City Kickboxing including Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. Australian Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski also fights out of the gym.
A few of the CKB star fighters talk about why City Kickboxing is their home gym and what head coaches & CKB co-owners Eugene Bareman and Doug Viney are like as coaches.
Cook Islands first ever Pride Day to be held
The Cook Islands will hold its first ever Pride Day to raise visibility of the country’s LGBT+ community and celebrate the value of diversity and community inclusion.
Pride Day is organised by Te Tiare Association, the body that represents the Cook Islands’ LGBT+ community. Te Tiare is leading the Pride Cook Islands campaign to end the ongoing criminalisation of same sex relationships. Under current Cook Islands law same-sex activity is illegal. In November last year the Select Committee reviewing the law stated it wanted to retain the criminal ban. The matter is now expected to go before Parliament in June.
Pride Cook Islands spokesperson Karla Eggelton said Pride Day will help build public understanding and acceptance for the Rainbow community as a watershed moment in the nation’s human rights history draws closer. The Friday 27 March event is open to all she says.…more
Minister champions more Pacific in STEM - Toloa Awards
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
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) 101
With New Zealand now having confirmed cases of Coronavirus and other parts of the world seeing more cases confirmed, health officials are urging people to practise good hygiene to lower their chances of getting sick.
The World Health Organistaion emphasises the importance of listening to credible news sources and not to stigmatise people by race associated with the virus.
At this time most people in the Pacific have very little immediate risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. However, some people are worried about the disease.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that fear and anxiety can lead to social stigma towards Chinese or other Asian in the region.…more
On the Rise - Red Bull Ignite7 MVP Roderick Solo
This Samoan teen is on his way to the big time
Roderick Solo is a name familiar to some in rugby circles but the 2019 Ignite7 MVP is on his way to becoming a household name in no time.
Red Bull’s new mini-series ‘On The Rise’, profiles three of the six MVPs from the 2019 Red Bull Ignite7 tournament, all of whom earnt themselves a trial spot for the national rugby sevens development squads.
Roderick went on to play representative rugby, including being a standout player at the World Schools Condor Sevens tournament and also one of the top players in the New Zealand Secondary Schools side last year.
We wish him all the best as he trials for a spot in the New Zealand Sevens Development Squad.
Click here to watch Red Bulls full series
Give your Cervix some Screen Time
Samoan creative artist and dancer Ufitia Sagapolutele was part of this campaign for MinihealthNZ highlighting how important it is to get your cervix checked. Most cervical cancer can be prevented with regular screening so don’t ignore your cervix, and get it checked 🌸
More info on what Pacific women need to know about cervical screening in the pamphlet below and you can click here to find free clinics in the Auckland area.
Click here to check out another one of Tia's dance pieces performed at the Pacific Dance Festival.
ARDIE SAVEA - The Ice Podcast
All Blacks flanker Ardie Savea chops it up with former NRL player Isaac John on his podcast 'The Ice Project'
Ardie gives an injury update, shares about what it's like becoming an All Black, their Rugby World Cup loss, dealing with the media and why he started his own podcast, his clothing brand, mental health, the league switch to Samoa and a whole lot more!
* PG recommended - coarse language
Steven Adams reveals his favourite UFC fighters on Ariel Helwani's MMA Show
Tongan/NZ basketball star & Oklahoma City Thunder centre Steven Adams chats with Ariel Helwani the night before UFC Fight Night in Auckland, New Zealand, and discusses his favorite UFC fighters.
He shares the family connection with UFC Middleweight champ Israel Adesanya, Mark Hunt putting NZ on the map, the rise of MMA fighting in NZ and how great it is to see NZ hosting UFC fight nights.
Check out the time Izzy & Dan Hooker pulled up to Stevens charity event.
ps Fun fact - Steven Adams sister Gabriella who went to school with Izzy is married to Toa Samoa & Huddersfield Giants Prop James Gavet.
Business Hub for Pacific officially launches in Auckland!
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