July 14th 2016
Community
Southland community mourns loss of Pacific youth leader
A prominent Pacific youth leader in the Southland community, Sootagaoaiga (Sam) Lavea passed away in early July 2016 when the car he was driving crashed into a large power pole on State Highway 1, near Invercargill.
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July 13th 2016
Entertainment
Pacific singers in Grand Finals of Lexus Song Quest
Samoan/Niuean/European soprano singer Madison Nonoa, Tongan tenor Filipe Manu and baritone Benson Wilson, of Samoan descent, have each made it to the Grand Finals of the biennial Lexus Song Quest. Get to know the Pacific singers who will compete during the Lexus Song Quest Grand Final Gala night in Auckland on 23 July.
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July 12th 2016
Business
Pacific Business Trust to hold historical event with NZ Treasury
The NZ Treasury, with the support of the Pacific Business Trust, is holding an historical meeting to set a platform for more collaboration and engagement with the Pacific community.
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July 12th 2016
Anaseini’s quality service
Born and raised in Tonga, Support Worker Anaseini Fua has consistently provided quality service to each client she looks after, with a respectful mannerism that helps her relate to clients and their family members. Because of her ability to listen to their needs, and advocate well for them by communicating to our Coordinators, Anaseini is our Employee of the Month for May! We catch up with her for a quick Q & A
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July 11th 2016
Business
Tongan baker’s Niu Cakery reaches Niu highs
This self-taught Tongan baker has garnered a lot of media hype over the last week starting with taking social media by storm.
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July 8th 2016
Sport
Canterbury rugby player suspended for racist slur to Fijian opponent
The Human Rights Commission welcomes Canterbury Rugby Football Union’s move to penalise a Canterbury rugby for 40 weeks after making racist remarks to a Fijian player on the opposing team.
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July 8th 2016
News
KaiNiue Food Festival to be held in Niue
Those with a passion for Pacific flavours and island paradises need look no further than the KaiNiue Food Festival, a wine and food extravaganza to be held on the island of Niue in September.
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July 7th 2016
Football
Standout Samoan New Zealand footballer Bill Tuiloma
In an article for Vice Sports (in partnership with NIKEiD and photographed by Ben Clement) Bill Tuiloma talks to Vice about life as the first New Zealander playing top division French football and making an international reputation as a hard working player.
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July 7th 2016
Business Time for Pacific Pioneer
Newly-appointed Pacific Business Trust chair Fa’amatuainu (Inu) Tino Pereira knows all about the peaks and pitfalls of two decades in business. In SPASIFIK Issue 67, he shares his story with INNES LOGAN and his desire and support for Pacific people rising to the challenge in an increasingly entrepreneurial environment.
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July 6th 2016
Entertainment
Aroha Bridge second series launched to coincide with Maori Language Week
Web series Aroha Bridge, which was originally called Hook Ups, is back with a second season launched to coincide with Māori Language Week.
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July 5th 2016
Education 
Maori Place Names - Meanings and Origins
As it is Māori Language Week, let us give a special focus to learning some of the common names that we may not be pronouncing correctly.
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July 5th 2016
Community
First Pasifika Chair of Amnesty International NZ’s board appointed
New Zealand Samoan Peter Fa’afiu, a self-proclaimed ‘proud Glen Innes boy’, is Amnesty International’s first Chair of Pasifika descent.
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July 4th 2016
News
Happy Māori Language Week 2016
The theme Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori* (Māori Language Week) 2016 is ‘ākina te reo’ – behind you all the way- which is about using te reo Māori to support people, to inspire and to cheer on.
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July 4th 2016
Business
Nominations open for 10th National Pacific Business Trust Awards
The National Pacific Business Trust Awards return on Friday, 28 October 2016, and nominations close 31 August 2016. Run by the Pacific Business Trust (PBT), the awards have been staged nine times since 1993.
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July 4th 2016
Health
South Seas Healthcare Trust announces new CEO
Pacific health provider South Seas Healthcare Trust has announced a new CEO, Silao Vaisola Sefo, to oversee the growth of the organisation and provide leadership at Otara’s biggest health and social service centre.
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July 1st 2016
Entertainment
Three Wise Cousins opens up in mainland US
Three Wise Cousins touch down in selected locations of mainland US from the first of July.
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July 1st 2016
Education
Pasifika law and culture experts lift lid on hard issues
Academics, law practitioners, university and secondary school students will gather at Victoria University of Wellington next week to take part in the Pasifika Law and Culture Conference.
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July 1st 2016
Sport
Samoan seasonal worker unaware he’d qualified for Rio Olympics
Abner Waterhouse came from Samoa to the Hawke’s Bay as a seasonal worker part of the RSE scheme working community.
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July 1st 2016
Bowel cancer atlas reveal info on Pacific and Maori population and the disease
About 40% of Maori and Pacific people with bowel cancer only found out they have the disease when they require emergency hospital care, according to new information released by the Health Quality and Safe Commission in late June 2016.
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June 30th 2016
Community
Continuity of care in Manurewa
Auckland based innovative health organisation, The Fono says the relationship between doctor and patient is one that is special and unique. Providing a continuity of care to the varied and complex needs of patients, while taking a caring approach, takes a special kind of General Practitioner (GP).
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June 29th 2016
Community
Young Tongan leader receives award from Queen
Tonga’s ‘Aiona Prescott (21) received the Queen’s Young Leaders Award in late June at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London, in recognition of exceptional young people from across the Commonwealth who are making lasting change in their communities.
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June 29th 2016
Community
Breaking Silence: GI Babies and their Pasifika Mothers
About two million American servicemen spent time on Pacific Islands between 1942 - 1945/1946 - and it is estimated that about 2000 babies were born as a result of relationships with local women. Very little was known about these children, from outside their own villages and islands, until now.
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June 28th 2016
News
US Football Legends in NZ
Polynesian American football legends Jesse Sapolu and Ma’a Tanuvasa will feature in the upcoming Issue 68 of SPASIFIK magazine following their Polynesian Football of Fame Goodwill Tour of Samoa, New Zealand and Australia
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June 27th 2016
News
Moko’s killers sentenced to 17 years
The highest sentence for manslaughter of a child, in New Zealand, was handed to Tania Shailer and David William Haerewa when they were sentenced to 17 years in prison for killing three year-old Moko Rangitoheriri.
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June 27th 2016
News
Samoa wins over Tonga in PNC
Samoa’s 30-10 win against Tonga, in the final match of the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2016 coming in at second place behind Fiji, places them on course for a place at Rugby World Cup 2019.
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June 27th 2016
News
PBT supports businesses showcasing their products
The Pacific Business Trust (PBT) has teamed up with the Ministry of Pacific Peoples, Westpac and Crowe Horwarth to identify and showcase Pacific and Maori catering and hospitality businesses in front of mainstream procurement organisations.
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June 27th 2016
News
New partnership promotes Pacific products at Fine Foods NZ expo
The winter solstice could be a great start for a rising new partnership at this year’s Fine Food New Zealand Trade Show.
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June 24th 2016
News
Cook Islands in political turmoil but QR siding with status quo
The Cook Islands' opposition coalition has failed to overthrow Prime Minister Henry Puna.
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June 22nd 2016
Community
Pacific Leaders share solutions to prevent family violence
Pacific leaders from churches and social services around New Zealand came together for the first time at the Pasefika Proud National Pacific Leaders Fono, hosted by the Ministry of Social Development, to find solutions to end family violence in Pacific families.
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June 17th 2016
Health
Documentary looks at diabetes in Samoa
Part four in a documentary series about diabetes, The Disease That Is Killing My Family, looks at how diabetes has become the leading cause of death in Samoa.
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June 16th 2016
News
West Papua – deals and detainment
A Canadian company has staked a claim to one of the world’s biggest gold mines located in the West Papua territory by signing an agreement with groups seeking West Papuan independence.
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June 15th 2016
Health
Living healthy and smokefree
Auckland based innovative health organisation, The Fono patient Bermuda Pongi, of Tongan descent, started smoking when she was 17 years old.
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June 15th 2016
Health
Growing stronger and healthier men together
This week is Men’s Health Week. Auckland based provider Pacific Homecare says it’s an opportunity to become more aware of the health of our Pacific men.
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June 14th 2016
Health
Solving teething problems
Dr Pip Brickell, Dentist at Auckland based innovative health organisation, The Fono Central in Auckland’s Wyndham St, is thankful she wasn’t part of her mother’s generation when it came to dealing with troublesome teeth.
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June 13th 2016
Community
MIT Opens up Pasifika Community Centre
Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) has opened the doors to their first ever Pasifika Community Centre dedicated to Pacific people of all cultures and faiths.
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June 9th 2016
News
Police open fire on protesting students in PNG
At least four people have been reported shot dead by police in Port Moresby following attempts to march on the Papua New Guinea parliament.
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June 8th 2016
Education
Free Talanoa workshop aimed at getting more Pacific writers published
Pacific writers and community groups with unpublished scripts are being encouraged to attend a free one-day workshop for information on the publishing process.
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June 8th 2015
Education
Pacific & Maori architecture on the rise
Unitec architecture graduate Tuputau John Belford Lelaulu has been chosen as a finalist for the prestigious Cadimage Group Student Design Awards, New Zealand’s top prize for final year architecture students.
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June 8th 2016
Entertainment
Pacific Underground to be recognised with Lifetime Achievement Award at PMAs
The performing arts collective Pacific Underground, formed in Christchurch in the 90s, will be recognised at this year’s Vodafone Pacific Music Awards this June for their significant 20-year plus contribution to Pacific music.
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June 8th 2016
Sport
Polynesian Football HOF Goodwill Tour coming to Auckland
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame’s Goodwill Tour will be in Auckland this week from the 9th to the 11th of June with a free event at the Kolmar Sports Complex in Papatoetoe on the 10th.
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June 7th 2016
Health
The Fono Central Perks
Dentist Mariam Anwar from the Auckland based innovative health organisation, The Fono says she disliked her crooked teeth when she was growing up. But the skills of her family orthodontist to correct them inspired her into the profession.
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June 7th 2016
Health
AUT inspires Seychelles’ response to childhood obesity
Director of Family Health and Nutrition Programmes for the Seychelles Islands, Rosie Bistoquet, is excited to gain insights to take back to her developing nation of Seychelles, on curbing childhood obesity.
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June 7th 2016
Entertainment
Massive Company’s Island headed to Scotland after Mangere run
Massive Company presents their new show The Island, directed by Sam Scott and Miriama McDowell, at the Mangere Arts Centre from 28th June - 1st July before they head off to the National Theatre of Scotland– on invitation to their Exchange Festival.
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June 7th 2016
News
Peter Maivia posthumously inducted into Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson paid tribute to his late grandfather, via his Instagram, with a picture of Maivia and a tribute to the man who helped put Samoa on the map and was recently inducted into the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.
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June 7th 2016
Entertainment
Pacific singers in semi-finals for Lexus Song Quest
Three Pacific singers from Auckland are amongst the 10 selected in May to compete towards the grand finals of the biennial Lexus Song Quest – Samoan/European soprano singer Madison Nonoa, Tongan tenor Filipe Manu and baritone Benson Wilson, of Samoan descent.
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June 1st 2016
Bettering Pacific Health through Fruit
Professor of Horticulture at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Steven Underhill hopes to improve the health of Pacific people with research into progressing the production of fruit in the region.
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June 1st 2016
Entertainment
New contemporary Pacific Dance Festival 2016
A new festival is bringing Pacific contemporary dance to the floor at Mangere Arts Centre this June, allowing artists to take previously devised works and re-present them in a developed form.
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May 31st 2016
Community
Strengthening Pacific connections at the Auckland Museum
Auckland Museum has opened up access to its Pacific taonga (treasure) collection, starting with the Cook Islands on May 27, and strengthening ties with Auckland’s Pacific communities.
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May 30th 2016
Entertainment
Concert to celebrate Samoa Independence Day in NZ
To celebrate Samoan Independence Day, which is observed on the first of June each year despite taking place January 1st 1962, in New Zealand a concert will be held on June 3rd at Life Church in Manurewa.
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May 30th 2016
Entertainment
12th Festival of Pacific Arts underway in Guam
The 12th Festival of Pacific Arts is underway in Guam with 27 Pacific countries and territories participating, including a 100-strong artist delegation from New Zealand.
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May 30th 2016
Entertainment
Move at Mangere Arts Centre | Review
Kinetic Wayfinding’s dance theatre play Move, an exploration of how young people face complex issues and emotions, opened at the Mangere Arts Centre on May 23. LAUMATA LAUANO went along to see the show and see how the cast have progressed since their first opening night at Te Oro in Glen Innes
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May 30th 2016
Entertainment
Te Reo Maori Finds a Contemporary Voice in Theatre
For the first time ever, the classic award-winning Māori play Purapurawhetū will be presented in full te reo Māori for two seasons at Te Pou Theatre from 6-9 July and at The Herald Theatre from 13 -16 July as part of the 2016 Matariki celebrations.
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May 24th 2016
Health
Pacific leaders will meet to tackle NCDs
Pacific Island leaders, ministers and officials from regional and global development agencies will gather in the Kingdom of Tonga from 20-22 June 2016 to discuss better ways to tackle the region’s non-communicable diseases (NCDs) crisis.
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May 24th 2016
Education
How to rebuild post-Cyclone Winston Fiji
Staff and students from Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Auckland will travel to Fiji next month to research how communities can rebuild post-disaster.
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May 23th 2016
Entertainment
Korero Mai, Korero Atu: Artists Areta Wilkinson and Te Rongo Kirkwood at Auckland Museum
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira announces an exciting new exhibition of contemporary art this June: Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu: Artists Areta Wilkinson and Te Rongo Kirkwood at Auckland Museum.
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May 20th 2016
Education
Mentor initiative drive Pacific midwives numbers up
Pacific midwife numbers are on the rise in South Auckland, thanks to a mentoring initiative led by Pasifika Midwives Aotearoa, supported by AUT midwifery department.
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May 20th 2016
Education
First law student cohort at AUT South Campus signals milestone for Manukau
AUT this year has welcomed the first cohort of law students to its South Campus in Manukau.
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May 20th 2016
Entertainment
Kinetic Wayfinding brings Move home to Mangere.
South Auckland theatre company Kinetic Wayfinder’s latest project is a dance theatre play focused on the complex emotions young people experience.
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May 19th 2016
News
Calls to ban Islam in Samoa
The Secretary General of the Samoa Council of Churches, Reverend Ma'auga Motu, says Islam poses a future threat to the country, however a New Zealand academic says these calls are fuelled by ignorance.
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May 19th 2016
HEALTH
Rheumatic Fever Prevention Programme commonly asked questions
Rheumatic fever is a deadly disease with 92% of all cases affecting Pacific and Maori children. It starts with a sore throat and can lead to heart surgery, and is more prevalent in the colder winter months. Rheumatic fever is a painful illness that is preventable, so take note of the key prevention message: Get your child’s sore throat checked now.
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May 18th 2016
News
Govt looks into laws around murder and manslaughter following Moko’s death
A report into whether law changes are needed has been ordered by Justice Minister Amy Adams, following the downgrade of murder charges to manslaughter for the killers of Moko Rangitoheriri.
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May 18th 2016
Health
Mangere Town Centre Celebrating Nine Years Smokefree
Mangere residents have reason to celebrate this month with their town Centre set to commemorate nine years since it became Smokefree in 2007. ASH New Zealand invites Mangere’s local residents and wider community to come together on Saturday the 28th of May, at the Mangere town square, to celebrate where it all began.
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May 18th 2016
Education
Turning trash into treasure
Research by a Victoria University of Wellington Master’s graduand is revealing innovative new ways to recycle waste in the Pacific using 3D printing.
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May 17th 2016
News
Auckland Libraries Celebrate Samoan Language Week
Fa’atauaina le Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa e Faletusi a Aukilani!
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