PASIFIKA POP-UPS
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
CORONAVIRUS - COVID-19 PACIFIC UPDATE
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
ISRAEL ADESANYA and EUGENE BAREMAN interview each other
* PG recommended - coarse language
UFC Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and his coach Eugene Bareman interview each other at City Kickboxing in Auckland.
They share their backgrounds and how they met, Eugene shares the beginnings of CKB with co-owner and coach Doug Viney, Izzy talks about why he chose CKB as his home gym, they talk the fight game and other world class fighters at the gym as well as Izzys career highlights.
Dinah Jane sings the US National anthem at the Lakers vs Clippers game
Tongan pop star Dinah Jane wowed NZ crowds at the Rugby League World Cup semi-final singing the Tongan national anthem and on Sunday she was asked to sing the USA national anthem at the Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers game.
Dinah Jane killed it and the Lakers went on to win 112 - 103
Tematai Tevaearai, 'Hinano Beer' icon, has died
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
"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