Pasifika Wire: Recent Episodes
Pasifika Wire
PW's mission is to provide a platform to connect our Pasifika voices; to share, celebrate, and explore the issues that can impact Pasifika communities in Aotearoa, the Pacific region, and around the world.
Multimedia talent Ma'a Brian Sagala comes out from behind the mic to help kick of the talanoa for Pasifika Wire in 2023.
Ma'a shares his journey into broadcasting, providing a voice for Pasifika people across the motu, his insight into the world of being a Master of Ceremony and what it means to be a recipient of the Queen's Service Medal for services to the Pacific community in New Zealand, and gives us a glimpse of what we can expect from the PMN, Radio 531pi host in the New Year. www.pasifikawire.com
The first Pasifika women elected into the Auckland Supercity council for Manugakiekie-Tamaki Ward in 2018, says working with her community at a local government level is a role she loves and a position she does not take lightly. A strong local voice for the community, Councillor Josephine Bartley says climate action, equity within the work place and workers rights are at the forefront of her work within the council.
Samoan academic Wanda Ieremia-Allan is a PhD candidate in the Pacific and Indigenous Studies programmes at the University of Waikato, and is delving into archival research that traces the inter-generational, intellectual gafa/lineage of indigenous Samoan writing of the early 20th century in the former London Missionary Society niusipepa (newspaper) O le Sulu Samoa. www.pasifikawire.com
As one of two Auckland city councillors for the Manukau Ward, Fa'anana Efeso Collins prepares for the next part of his journey in local government that spans over more than nine years. Fa'a'nana says it is a humbling, emotional, and empowering feeling that has led to his family's decision for him to stand for the office of Mayor of Auckland - the largest city in Aotearoa New Zealand and home to the largest Polynesian population. www.pasifikawire.com
Daniel Faitaua has reached another milestone in his career as not only the first Pasifika TVNZ European correspondent based in London, but now the first Kiwi Pasifika president of the Foreign Press Association in London in its 134 year history. www.pasifikawire.com
Qiane Matata-Sipu is an award winning storyteller with more than 15 years working in the media sector as an editor, photographer, journalist, communications specialist, visual artist, and community advocate. So it is no surprise that Qiane created her own communications and multimedia production business Qiane+co and is the creator and founder of NUKU, a story telling platform using audio podcasts and photography, to name a few. www.pasifikawire.com
In a newly released report, He Purapura Ora, he Māra Tipu – From Redress to Puretumu Torowhānui, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care urged the Government to take urgent action to restore mana to survivors of abuse by addressing their 95 recommendations. PW talks to Ali'imuamua Sandra Alofivae about the report. www.pasifkawire.com
The first report into the Wellbeing of people in Aotearoa New Zealand was released by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission last week. Pasifika Wire caught up with Sharon Shea and Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath to talk about what it means.
The Director of Climate Change Resilience for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) says the Pacific Island Nations' voice was heard loud and clear at the the two week Climate change summit COP26 in Glasgow Scotland earlier this month. Tagaloa Cooper says despite the small number of delegates from the Pacific Island Nations who were able to travel to Glasgow due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Pacific made an impact. www.pasifikawire.com
Faith is a guiding light for Lise Hope-Suveinakama in a journey that began in Tokelau, then a move to New Zealand to further her studies attending Wairarapa College then completing a double degree in Arts and Law at the University of Waikato. Lise then returned to her homeland to take on roles within the public sector that took her around the world, working as the Senior Legal Adviser for the Tokealu government, Judicial National coordinator, and National Coordinator for Women.
www.pasifikawire.com
The largest Pasifika women's non-government organisation (NGO) in New Zealand has gone from local, national to global recognition receiving special consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. Inc (Pacific Allied (Women’s) Council Inspires Faith In Ideals Concerning All) received the news in late September that they, alongside 57 other organisations out of 80 from across the world, were granted the new status. www.pasifikawire.org
Beaming with pride for her home country Tuvalu, union organiser/advocate and broadcaster Fala Haulangi pays tribute to her forefathers who paved the way to the nation's independence. "So proud of my nation Tuvalu and its people and where we are now, 43 years of independence from the "colonisers". Fala says while Tuvalu is one of the smaller minority islands, she says it always punches above its weight. The Tuvalu community across New Zealand have marked the 43 year anniversary of independence that coincides with the Gana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week celebrations. www.pasifikawire.com
Pasitaua Haufano, Managing Director and founder of Zeducation, a workplace training educational consultancy business, says his passion is all about helping people reach their full potential. Pasitaua says their mission and inspiration is to help people unleash their greatness through workplace training education.
Making a difference to improve mental health and well being services for Aotearoa New Zealand is what motivates the new CEO for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (MHWC), Karen Orsborn.
Ms. Orsborn played an integral role with the initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission at the beginning of 2020 and lead the secretariat for the initial commission. She says she is committed to support the work of the commission, fulfil its role and mandate, and make a difference for people first and foremost. www.pasifikawire.com
Strong communication, building partnerships, engagement and recruitment of Pasifika peoples into the Police force are key areas that the newly appointed National Partnerships Manager for Pacific Peoples for the New Zealand Police will continue to enhance during his tenure. Superintendent Fata Willi Fanene has a long history with the force with an impressive career that spans more than 40 years.
Thriving, prosperous, resilient and confident Pacific Aotearoa are key pillars for the team at the Ministry for Pacific Peoples. Laulu Mac Leauanae, Secretary for Pacific Peoples also Chief Executive for the Ministry, leads a team of more than 150 staff across the country with the primary focus to ensure the voices of Pasifika are heard and the initiatives that come out of those voices are delivered, and delivered well. www.pasifikawire.com
Talking about the uncomfortable issues around employee rights and discrimination within the workforce, pay equity, gender bias, bullying, and sexual harassment is something the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner for the Human Rights Commission (HRC) says we need to get comfortable with. www.pasifikawire.com
While the decision to step into the political landscape was not the first career choice for the Chair of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board within Auckland Council, Lemauga Lydia Sosene says she has no regrets about the choice she made more than a decade ago. Armed with support from family, friends and colleagues and her own natural curiosity after her years working for Parliamentary services, it has led to a career Lemauga describes as tough, but a privilege. www.pasifikawire.com
Having worked across several disciplines in creative arts, media and theatre, Ioane Aleke Fa'avae has found his way back to the Education sector, pursuing his passion to provide ongoing support for students and develop a framework to maintain and teach Vagahau Niue at tertiary level. www.pasifikawire.com
Supporting students to find the why when deciding on a course of study is an important question a senior academic at the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) believes can help students whether that be through providing pastoral care or simply motivating them with their studies. Rose Marsters along with her colleague Colin Tuaa are the Pacific Leads at Wintec. Rose heads the Pacific Leads Learners Success pathway. She says when it comes to motivation you just have to find the right why. www.pasifikawire.com
How Can I Help? That's the first question Labour List MP Anahila Kanongata'a -Suisuiki asks when she is out and about meeting with constituents. Based in Papakura in Auckland, Anahila says service to the community is a driving force for her work in politics. It is a role she believes is key when it comes to connecting people, making sure they are well informed about services and organisations that are available to access. www.pasifikawire.com
"Profound", is how a leading Pacific health expert would describe the past year dominated by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Dr. Colin Tukuitoga says it has been an unprecedented time and one we have not seen on this scale and impact in almost 100 years.
A graduate of the Tupu Tai Pasifika Public Policy Summer Internship programme says diverse perspectives are needed in public service and policy. Christian Baledrokadroka was one of 39 interns who completed the 11 week paid internship that kicked off in November 2020 and ended in January 2021. www.pasifikawire.com
Service to the community is a driving force for the new Labour MP for Palmerston North, Tangi Utikere. Tangi served more than 10 years with the city council, four of them as Deputy Mayor. He is the first Labour MP of Cook Island heritage to represent the electorate after replacing former Minister of Workplace Relations, Immigration and ACC Iain Lees-Galloway after Lees-Galloway decided not to seek re election. Born and bred in Palmerston North Tangi is proud to represent his city as the MP under a Labour government even though he wasn't expecting it. www.pasifikawire.com
Advocating for Pasifika women across Aotearoa New Zealand is one of many platforms the national Pasifika women's organisation has committed to providing over its 45 year history. The National President for P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. Inc. (Pacific Allied (Women's) Council Inspires Faith In Ideals Concerning All), says she is proud to see the work and the commitment from P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. women throughout the motu continue to offer support for their sisters, mamas, and families.
Co-founder and director of Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts centre based in Sydney Australia says while 2020 has been a challenging and at times exhausting year it has provided some memorable and rewarding experiences amid a global pandemic. Maryjane McKibbin-Schwenke reflects on the impact of COVID-19.
Melissa Lama is a recent graduate from Otago University completing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in politics and is currently completing her Masters in Business and Administration. It is her interest in the political landscape and her work in public service that is a driving force for her advocacy work, not only with Pasifika but Muslim communities as well. www.pasifikawire.com
Veteran Solomon Islands journalist, Georgina Kekea, says it has been a challenge when reporting on COVID-19. She says people are slowly adjusting to the new normal, despite the country being in a State of Emergency since March, and the ongoing travel restrictions.
Pacific Peoples spokesperson for the Green's Party List MP Teanau Tuiono says Bi-lingual education for Pasifika languages, Recognised Seasonal Employers Scheme and advocating for families/whanau overstayers are some of the key areas he is keen to focus on over his 3 year term in Parliament. View the article at www.pasifikawire.com (photo credit: Teanau Tuiono supplied)
Pasifika women are taking a leading role in the Pasifika Church Renovation Project in the Waikato region. Felila Asiata-Feausi will oversee the programme management of the renovation of four Pasifika Churches in Hamilton. View the story at www.pasifikawire.com
Featuring the CEO of Pacific Business Trust, Pelenato Sakalia who says it's getting back to basics and to being relevant for Pasifika business and communities. See the accompanying post on the Pasifika Wire website.
In Pasifika Wire's first ever Podcast, Labour MP for Wellington electorate Mana, Barbara Rachael Fati Palepa Edmonds spoke about her journey to becoming a member of Parliament, the importance of having Pasifika and diverse voices around the decision table and the importance of policy that can impact the lives of Pasifika communities.