by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

After revered barrister Tiana Epati was mistaken for a criminal defendant at court, the Pacific Lawyers Association surveyed how frequently lawyers are being profiled. Mariner Fagaiava-Muller reports.

Outrage ensued when Epati, the former NZ Law Society president, was taken amiss for a defendant.

There are around 1500 Māori and Pacific court lawyers in Aotearoa, and many of them have met similar encounters with court staff.

Those who witnessed others being profiled could recount up to five such instances.

Within the wider legal workplace environment, 52% of lawyers said they’ve been racially profiled at least once during the last seven years.

That’s according to a survey conducted by the Pacific Lawyers Association, in partnership with Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa.

Out of those who have been subject to racial profiling themselves, only 18% reported it.…more

Jason Momoa remains completely uninjured after enduring a head-on traffic collision with a motorcyclist.

The California Highway Patrol confirms the actor was hit by a motorcycle while driving his 1970 Oldsmobile on Old Topanga Road in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Cover Photo credit: RNZ Hagen Hopkins - Filipe Manu, winner of the Lexus Song Quest 2022  

On Saturday evening the Lexus Song Quest finale was back after a 4 year break and featured five talented young opera singers along with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.  This year New Zealand's most prestigious competition took place at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington with up to $95,000 in prizes and the Lexus Song Quest crown.

Each of the finalists had to perform a song with Terence Dennis accompanying them on the piano and two arias with the New Zealand Symphony orchestra.  The five opera hopefuls were judged live on the night but there could be only one ... and that one was three time finalist Filipe Manu.…more

iTaukei artist Daren Kamali grew his hair for 25 years and had it made into a wig. But why?

Centuries ago, Fijian men in mourning would cut their hair and use it to make ulu cavu, or wigs. They’d be worn until the hair beneath had grown back to its former length.

The practice was lost with colonisation, but is now on the comeback.

Kamali, along with fellow artist Ole Maiava and revered weaver Joana Monolagi, have formed The Ulumate Project - hoping to bring back ulu cavu into consciousness.

Earlier this week, the trio shared insights in a talanoa at Auckland Museum.

Next to them sat an ulu cavu made of Kamali’s own hair, harvested since 1997.

Before Kamali had his ulu cavu crafted by Monolagi, the pair sought advice from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and Fiji Museum.

They also travelled with Maiava to view ulu cavu held at the University of East Anglea in the UK.

Monolagi completed the creation of the contemporary wig, using magimagi (coconut sennit) and vau (hibiscus stem).…more

Watch a wrap-up of your week in news from across the Islands, in under a minute.

A man is charged with murdering beloved Samoan grandmother Maria Brown, at her Onehunga home.

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Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

"Being in care was like a slap in my face.  There was no freedom of choice in entering care.  I was lost in care.  There was no acceptance, brief or trust from others that I needed freedom.  Freedom is acceptance of who I am as an individual.

I think that the concept of institutions are not set up to care and look after the disabled people because it is built on a system that dehumanise disabled people and I think that hasn't changed much for how the current state care works.  Care was about medication, changing showering and other very clinical procedures that doesn't take into account of the very individual needs such as human connection and affection." - Lusi Faiva 

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The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is currently holding the Disability, Deaf and Mental Health institutional care hearing - this hearing has focused on the lived experiences of survivors who are disabled, deaf or were placed in psychiatric institutions.…more