Pasifika Heroes Books empower the next generation
Move over Marvel. Brown Superheroes are about to take over the world - and the imaginations of Pacific young people.
The Pasifika Heroes book set is the latest release by South Auckland-based teacher and author David Riley that caters to a growing need of Pasifika literature in New Zealand.
The four-book set features more than 100 inspirational stories of Pacific achievers from legend, history and today in a bid to help encourage young people to read more and to aspire to their dreams.
“It was always difficult to find books that my students wanted to read about,” says Riley. “I want Pacific young people to read more so that their literacy levels are just as good as anyone else’s and that they are reading stories they can connect with.”
According to a 2017 report published by Pasifika Futures, New Zealand’s Pacific peoples are a diverse and dynamic group with the fastest growing young population.
Almost half of this population are under 20 years of age and Pacific families have more children than any other ethnic group in New Zealand.…more
Two more Samoan children die of measles overnight
Another two children under the age of 5 have passed away in Samoa in the last 24 hours bringing the total of measles related deaths to 75.
The Ministry of Health confirms a total of 5,331 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started. There were 64 recorded in the last 24 hours.
There are currently 129 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities. Of this, 104 are at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH), 2 at Poutasi District Hospital, 2 at Lalomanu District Hospital, 13 at the Leulumoega Rural District Hospital, 1 at the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital (MTIIH) 4 at Foailalo DH 1 in Sataua and 2 at Safotu District Hospital. Admissions include 16 critically ill children in ICU/HDU.
The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 1,704. Of that, 1,500 (88%) patients have been discharged and the Samoan Govn says that approximately 93% of all eligible people in Samoa have been vaccinated against measles.…more
New team of British medics to tackle measles outbreak in Samoa
The United Kingdom Government confirmed last week that a second UK aid-funded Emergency Medical Team (UK EMT) of 14 British medics has been deployed to Samoa to tackle the deadly measles outbreak and arrived in Samoan on Sunday.
The first team flew out from the UK on 29th November and has been working for two weeks in Samoa to help people suffering from the virus. The second team have replaced this team and will be working 12 hour shifts over Christmas to treat critically ill children in Samoa’s national hospital in Apia.
International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said "I want to thank those British medics in the South Pacific for their dedication, especially at this time of year, for working so hard to tackle this deadly outbreak and treat those who are infected.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - DR LOANA TANIELU
DR LOANA TANIELU
EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN & CONSULTANT MIDDLEMORE HOSPITAL
SAMOAN
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Born, raised and educated in Samoa, Dr Loana Tanielu who currently works as an Emergency Physician & consultant in Middlemore Hospital, South Auckland has been a godsend to Samoa in their greatest hour of need. She has returned to Samoa as Clinical Lead of the NZ Medical Assistance Team and one of 42 New Zealand volunteers in Samoa working closely with Samoa medical staff to offer assistance since the measles outbreak with some on their second deployment. Dr Tanielu has remained behind after three rotations since she went over in November.
A graduate of Samoa College and the National University of Samoa, Dr Tanielu also worked as a Science and Biology Teacher at Samoa College. She then graduated from both the University of Auckland Medical School and the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science.
She is especially passionate about improving Pacific health discrepancies both in NZ and Samoa.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - SELA MAKA
SELA TUPOU PATISEPA MAKA
ENGINEERING STUDENT &
PRIME MINISTERS PACIFIC YOUTH - INTERNATIONAL SCHOLAR AWARD RECIPIENT
TONGAN
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Sela is 20 years old and was born in Tonga. The first recipient of the King Tupou VI Coronation Scholarship and received recognition from Ministry of Foreign A airs and Trade as one of the top academic achievers in 2018. In her first year at Massey University, Sela was part of a team who won the Creative Solutions Award for the Wine New Zealand industry in her engineering project course. She was also selected as a summer intern in a global engineering consultancy GHD in Palmerston North.
Currently a mentor at Massey University Pasifika Students association, Sela hopes to inspire others and has previously tutored for the Amanaki STEM Academy. She joined Tonga Youth Leaders, a non-profit organisation focused on providing opportunities for the next generation of young leaders.
Sela is working towards becoming an experienced and chartered process engineer.…more
MAX HOLLOWAY'S BEST UFC FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS - ESPN MMA
Look back at the best fights from the career of Max Holloway inside the Octagon, including his wins over Cub Swanson, Ricardo Lamas, Jose Aldo and Brian Ortega.
Check out Max' UFC career record here
American Samoans granted US birthright citizenship for the first time, in a landmark ruling in Utah
Judge Clark Waddoups has ruled in favour of three American Samoan plaintiffs, that they should be included in the US Constitution's grant of birthright citizenship stating that American Samoans are US citizens and should be issued new passports reflecting that.
Although American Samoa is a US territory, American Samoans have to date been deemed non-citizen nationals.
The ruling occurred in a district court in Utah, where a group of American Samoans living in the state had filed a lawsuit.
They argued that they should be considered US citizens under the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to anyone born in the US.
The Constitution's grant of birthright citizenship applied to anyone born in a US state or territory.
"This court is not imposing 'citizenship by judicial fiat.' The action is required by the mandate of the Fourteenth Amendment as construed and applied by Supreme Court precedent," wrote Judge Clark Waddoups in the US District Court for the District of Utah.
"Further, Plaintiffs are American Samoans.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - QIANE MATATA-SIPU
QIANE MATATA-SIPU
QIANE MEDIA & PHOTOGRAPHY, ARTIST, SOCIAL ACTIVIST & FOUNDER/CREATOR of NUKU
COOK ISLANDS / MAORI
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I was born and raised in the coolest multi-cultural, village-metropolis of Māngere. My family is from Ihumātao, of Te Waiohua ki Te Ahiwaru and Te Akitai, Waikato-Tainui and Ngā Puhi whakapapa, and from Rarotonga (Arorangi) and Mangaia (Temakatea, Oneroa). For 12 years I have worked across media as a journalist and photographer and, as a communications consultant. For the past 7 years I have run my business, Qiane Media + Photography working across this industry. I’m also an artist, passionate social activist (co-founding the Protect Ihumātao SOUL with 5 of my cousins to protect our whenua from development) and the founder and creator of NUKU.
My life wouldn’t be anything without my amazing family. My husband is a proud Tongan and we have been together 16 years this December. We are parents to a gorgeous, head-strong almost 2 year old!
I am staunch South Auckland, it is the place that moulded me into the woman I am today.…more
JASON MOMOA IS NOT READY FOR HIS DAUGHTER TO START DATING
Jason Momoa and Kelly Clarkson discuss their similar parenting style, and Jason has quite the passionate response when Kelly asks if his 12-year-old daughter has started dating yet.
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - DANIEL LEO
DANIEL LEO
PLAYER WELFARE MANAGER - PACIFIC RUGBY PLAYERS WELFARE
SAMOAN
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Mum and Dad met in Samoa at a missionary school called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). I was born in Palmerston- NZ and throughout my childhood we moved around various Missionary bases throughout the country.
Eventually we settled in South Auckland where Mum & Dad trained missionaries of Pacific Island decent & heritage. Because of our culture and temperament, Pacific Islanders are some of the most effective missionaries in the world and it was awesome to grow up in that environment. There were games of touch in the park most evenings. I didn’t know it then but the skills I picked up then would take me a long way. Not just rugby-wise but learning to live in community with people of all backgrounds.
I went to Auckland Grammar School. Every day I would walk past the honours board with the names of all those famous international rugby players who had studied at AGS. That board allowed you to dream.…more