Leading Pacific health experts gathered last night at the Growing Pacific Solutions (GPS 2.0) conference to discuss ways to work better together and improve the overall health and wellbeing of Pacific people.
Pacific Island Affairs Minister, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, spoke at the opening dinner and said that innovative solutions were needed to improve the standard of Pacific peoples’ health.
Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, today commended Pacific churches on their DIY approach to promoting healthy lifestyle choices at the opening of the Healthy Village Action Zones (HVAZ) at St Pauls College.
“With Pacific people sometimes experiencing poorer health and lower life expectancy than other New Zealanders, it is important that we come together as a community and learn more about healthy eating and lifestyle habits,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.
Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson and Pacific Island Affairs Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga announced today that statisticians from Pacific countries will spend time at Statistics New Zealand in an effort to grow their statistical knowledge and capability.
Four statisticians from Fiji, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Nauru will work in Wellington from Monday for a month as part of a programme supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, today welcomed recent developments to AUT’s South campus which have improved its accessibility to the community.
“Fifteen per cent of the student population at AUT are Pacific, so it is important that we have a university in Counties Manukau that is open and welcoming to Pacific students and the wider Pacific community and families,” Mr Lotu-Iiga said.
The Christchurch Pacific school community today welcomed the 2014 year with a church service to dedicate and bless students for a productive year ahead.
Pacific Island Affairs Minister, Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, joined families and the wider school community at Riccarton High School for the special service. The evening focused on Pacific families and their schools’ community engagement.
Twenty-two new affordable rental houses were opened in Māngere, Auckland today by Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and Pacific Island Affairs Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, as part of the Government’s programme of expanding the community housing sector.
“This Matanikolo Project provides warm, dry, safe and affordable housing for 22 families who have previously been living in crowded, unstable or otherwise unsuitable accommodation. These new homes will hugely enhance the quality of life and future prospects for the 100 expected new residents,” Dr Smith says.
An approach to teaching Pacific children which started in a Mangere garage culminates today in the opening of Auckland’s second partnership school.
The Rise Up Trust is a not-for-profit community organisation which provides education services for Pacific and Maori whanau. It currently provides after-school mentoring to South Auckland families.
Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, says the support for Pacific teams ahead of this weekend’s Wellington Sevens Rugby Tournament is sensational.
“The Wellington Sevens are about more than just sport. It is a chance for Pacific communities to come together and display their colour and culture on a world stage while supporting their island nations,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.
Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata says the Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards 2013 has continued to profile high-achieving young Pacific people.
“I am proud of New Zealand’s Pacific youth and their achievements. Today, we see 7 vibrant and committed young people awarded for their endeavours in leadership, creativity, and aspiring to use new technologies to benefit others. I am delighted that we have four winners in the Inspiration category,” says Ms Parata.
Education Minister Hekia Parata today released information on the educational performance and outcomes of Pasifika students, from early childhood education through to NCEA.
“The information delivers on my commitment to provide public metrics on education performance, so that parents and the wider community know where success is occurring but just as importantly where we can work together to lift achievement,” Ms Parata says.
Education Minister Hekia Parata has appointed six new board members to the Pacific Islands Polynesian Education Foundation to continue to grow the Foundation and its relationships with education providers.
Speaking at a Foundation event last night, Minister Parata said she was delighted with the new appointments to the board. “They are outstanding individuals who come highly recommended by their communities.”
The new board members are:
Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata has congratulated Emeline Afeaki-Mafile’o who won the Community Service/Social Enterprise section at the inaugural Women of Influence Awards.
The awards, which were held in Auckland last night, recognise and reward women who are having an impact well beyond their formal roles, using their passion and influence to improve the world for others.
Emeline Afeaki-Mafile’o has been recognised for her work in mentoring young Pasifika students through her not for profit company – Affirming Works.
Over 1600 Pasifika students, parents and family members have signed up to a new programme to boost the number of Pasifika students achieving NCEA.
Education and Pacific Island Affairs Minister, Hekia Parata, who visited a session in Porirua last night, says Pasifika Power Up for NCEA, is connecting Pacific parents, families and communities with their children’s learning.
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata says Niue Language Week is a great opportunity for all New Zealanders to celebrate the unique culture and language of one of our most vibrant Pacific communities.
“Niue Language Week runs from October 13-19 with the theme, Leveki mo e fakaaoga e Vagahau Niue – Treasure and use the Niue Language, providing a strong focus for events around the country,” says Ms Parata.
Bula Vinaka.
Pacific Island Affairs Minister, Hekia Parata, says the first-ever Fijian Language Week provides a chance for all New Zealanders to celebrate Fijian culture and help to ensure the survival of the Fijian language.
“Fijian Language Week will run from October 7-13 with the theme, Noqu Vosa, Noqu iYau Talei: My Language, My Treasure, providing a strong focus for events around the country,” Ms Parata says.
Education and Pacific Island Affairs Minister, Hekia Parata, welcomed the opportunity to discuss Pasifika education matters with Samoa Education Minister, Hon Magele Mauiliu Magele.
“New Zealand is a Pacific nation and we have a vested interest in strong relationships in our Pacific neighbourhood, including in the education status of all Pasifika people both here and in the Pacific nations themselves,” says Ms Parata.
The largest Pasifika community in New Zealand are Samoans who make up almost half of the Pasifika population in New Zealand.
Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata says the Pacific business community is playing a key role in New Zealand’s economic future by inspiring and mentoring the next generation of Pacific business leaders.
“By 2026 one in eight people between the ages of 15-39 in New Zealand will be of Pacific descent. Because of this young and fast growing demographic, Pacific people have the opportunity to help shape and influence New Zealand’s economic future,” says Ms Parata.
Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata says that in a short space of time the new Pacific Early Learning Mobile Outreach Service (PELMOS) SMARTBUS has given more Pacific parents a taste of early childhood education (ECE).
Ms Parata officially launched the SMARTBUS in South Auckland today.
Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata says Tongan Language Week is a great opportunity for the Tongan community to help ensure the preservation of their language and culture in New Zealand.
Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Hekia Parata welcomes the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Commissioning Agency for Pacific families. It marks an important milestone for Whanau Ora and the work being done to respond to the aspirations of Pacific families says Ms Parata.
“I congratulate Minister Tariana Turia, Te Puni Kōkiri and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs for working together on this key milestone.
Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Hekia Parata says next week’s Cook Islands Language Week is a great way to help ensure the Cook Islands language lives and grows.
“After the success of last year’s inaugural Cook Islands Language Week I am pleased to welcome the 2013 event and its fitting theme ‘Toku Reo, Utuutu `la’ – ‘My language, Nurture it’,” says Ms Parata.
Applications for the 2013 Prime Minister's Pacific Youth Awards open today giving young Pacific people the opportunity to have their talent and leadership potential recognised.
The programme, now in its fourth year, highlights the achievements and potential of future Pacific leaders.
Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata today announced three key appointments to the Pacific Business Trust Board.
Ms Selma Scott, of Samoan descent, will chair the Pacific Business Trust Board, replacing Caren Rangi.
“Selma’s legal background and long-term membership of the board offer a perspective which will be of great benefit to Pacific businesses,” Ms Parata says.
“Her skills and experience as an existing board member will provide continuity and stability for the Board.”
Broadcasting Minister, Craig Foss and Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata are today announcing the appointments of Dr Lesieli MacIntyre and Taualeo’o Stephen Stehlin to the board of the National Pacific Radio Trust (NPRT).
Dr MacIntyre was a senior lecturer in Pasifika education at the Massey University College of Education. She has researched and written extensively on Pasifika education issues and is currently a senior adviser to Pacific Island students at the University.
