Pacific Peoples
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Some of New Zealand’s most talented young Pacific scholars can now apply for prestigious scholarships Minister for Pacific Peoples Alfred Ngaro says. 

The 2018 Toloa Tertiary Scholarships are now open.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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‘Oku pehē ‘e he Minisitá ‘a e Potungāue ma’ae Kakai Pasifikí ko ‘Alfred Ngaro, ‘I he ‘uike ni, ‘e fakamamafa’i ‘a e makehe ‘ange ‘a e Faiva Faka-Tongá, Hiva Faka-Tongá, Lea Faka-Tongá pea mo e Anga Faka-Tongá.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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New funding will give Polyfest, the world’s largest Pacific festival, the chance to grow even further, Minister for Pacific Peoples Alfred Ngaro says.

A total of $200,000 has been granted to explore options for the future direction of the festival.

The Ministry for Pacific Peoples will bring on a specialist to work with the Polyfest Trust in exploring opportunities for the future of the festival. An advisory group will also support the work.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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Having a Pacific organisation providing housing will make a huge difference to families in need says Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister for Social Housing Alfred Ngaro.

Penina Health Trust is the first Pacific Community and Transitional Housing provider and today opens its first property- a 21 unit transitional housing complex in South Auckland which will support 84 families every year.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister, Maggie Barry and Pacific Peoples Minister Alfred Ngaro have today announced several appointments to the Board of the National Pacific Radio Trust.

From 1 August the Board will have a new Chair and Treasurer, and two new Board members.

“The National Pacific Radio Trust is responsible for maintaining the national Pacific Radio Network which exists to empower, encourage and nurture Pacific cultural identity and economic prosperity in New Zealand and to celebrate the Pacific spirit,” Ms Barry says.

Alfred Ngaro Maggie Barry Pacific Peoples Conservation
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Te akakite nei te Minita o te tangata Pacifica, a Alfred Ngaro, ka akatuera ia nei te epetoma o te reo Maori Kuki Airani a teia Sapati e tu mai nei e na te reira e turama i te Kuki Airani e ngai akatoroia e te au tangata orote.

One of New Zealand’s favourite holiday destinations is in the spotlight with Cook Islands Language week celebrations kicking off this Saturday says Minister for Pacific Peoples, Alfred Ngaro.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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Three Pacific entrepreneurial teams started a four-month residency at Te Papa’s Mahuki innovation accelerator today.

The three teams were selected after taking part in a successful Pacific Innovation Workshop held earlier this month by Mahuki Te Papa and the Pacific Business Trust.

"Pacific people have showed innovation for centuries-you only need to read the stories of navigation and doubled hulled vaka that astounded Captain Cook to realise this,” says Mr Ngaro.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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Pacific People’s Minister Alfred Ngaro says the launch of Kapasa: the Pacific Policy Analysis Tool, signals a major turning point in government policy decision-making for Pacific peoples. 

“Kapasa is the Tongan and Samoan translation for compass,” says Mr Ngaro.

“It echoes how our Pacific ancestors successfully navigated their way across the Pacific Ocean.

“It’s an apt name as the tool will help guide our policy practitioners to understand and incorporate Pacific perspectives into their policy and service design.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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The Minister for Pacific Peoples and the Community and Voluntary Sector, Alfred Ngaro, says this year’s Queens Birthday Honours list recognises the depth of leadership and commitment of those working in the community.

58 leaders have been honoured for their service, including eight from the Pacific community.

“These honours are an important, and well-deserved, recognition of people who have worked tirelessly in their communities to make a difference,” says Mr Ngaro.

“I’d like to congratulate them all.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples Community and Voluntary Sector
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Ua saunoa le Minisita o le Matagaluega mo Tagata Pasifika i Niu Sila, Alfred Ngaro – “O le vaiaso o le gagana Samoa, o se avanoa mo Niu Sila atoa e ma’au ma fiafia fa’atasi i le felanulanua’i o gagana ma aganu’u taitasi, aemaise ia maua’a le gagana”

Sāmoan Language week gives all New Zealanders the opportunity to celebrate our diversity and keep the language alive says Minister for Pacific Peoples, Alfred Ngaro.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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Investment in Budget 2017 will help improve outcomes for our Pacific communities in New Zealand, Pacific Peoples Minister Alfred Ngaro says.

The Ministry will receive $3 million over four years to increase its policy, research and evaluation capabilities.

“My expectation is that the Ministry will be the hub for Pacific knowledge and intelligence and the first stop for those looking to make improvements for our people. This funding will help work towards those ambitions,” says Mr Ngaro.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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Nine of New Zealand’s brightest and most inspiring young Pacific students have just received Government scholarships to pursue their dreams says Pacific Peoples Minister Alfred Ngaro.

This is the second year that the Toloa Tertiary Scholarships have been available.

The scholarships of up to $25,000 each are paid over three years and awarded to Pacific students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects at a tertiary level.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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Pacific Peoples Minister Alfred Ngaro has today congratulated the winners of the 2017 ASB Polyfest.

“It was another fantastic event this year and I know that the judges would have had an extremely hard time selecting the top groups,” says Mr Ngaro.

“I attended the celebrations on Friday, while the PM visited yesterday and we were both blown away by the caliber of the performances.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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Pacific People’s Minister Alfred Ngaro has welcomed the news that Penina Health Trust has become a registered Community Housing Provider.

The trust, which currently provides a range of mental health services, is the first Pacific group to become a Community Housing Provider.

“I’m thrilled to see that Penina has decided to build on the services they already offer and stepped up to take part in social housing,” says Mr Ngaro.

Alfred Ngaro Social Housing Pacific Peoples
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Pacific People’s Minister Alfred Ngaro says Pacific language weeks give all New Zealanders the chance to celebrate our diversity.

“The dates for our seven Pacific language weeks are now set and I’d love to see kiwis using these weeks as an opportunity to celebrate our Pacific cultures and all that they contribute to modern New Zealand,” Mr Ngaro says.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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Pacific Peoples Minister Alfred Ngaro has expressed his condolences to the Tongan Royal Family today following the passing of Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho.

“Oku mau fie kaungā mamahi moe Fale ‘o Tupou mo Ha’a Moheofo pehe ki he hou’eiki mo e kainga Tonga kotoa pe, ‘i he po’uli kuo tō ‘i Tonga kotoa ‘a e hala ‘a e Ta’ahine Kuini Fehuhu, Kuini Halaevalu Mata’aho, ko e fehuhu ‘ofeina ‘o Tonga. Tauange ke ne toka ‘i he nonga mo e fiemalie ‘a e ‘Otua,” says Mr Ngaro.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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Pacific Peoples Minister Alfred Ngaro is saddened by the tragedy that occurred on the road to Gisborne last night.

“It is particularly tragic that this group from Vava'u, Tonga was visiting Gisborne to celebrate Christmas and participate in fundraising festivities. Instead, they are now mourning the loss of two of their group and supporting others who are injured and in hospital,” says Mr Ngaro.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire group and their families both here and back home in Tonga.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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Pacific Peoples Minister Alfred Ngaro has announced a number of appointments and reappointments to the Pasifika Education Centre Trust Board (PEC).

PEC is a long standing Pacific community education provider based in Auckland.  The Trustees appointed are Mele Wendt (Chair), Sefita Hao’uli, Janitta Pilisi, Professor Tania Ka’ai, Everdina Fuli and Annette Karepa.

Alfred Ngaro Pacific Peoples
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Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is encouraging Pacific students to apply for Toloa Scholarships and to take up science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects at tertiary level.

“Pacific youth need to be armed with skills, knowledge and confidence in STEM subjects so they can take part in an innovation based economy. Those skills are essential for much of the workforce,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga Pacific Peoples
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Education Minister Hekia Parata and Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today welcomed the release of dual language resources for Pasifika new entrant students.

The resources comprise 100 dual-language flip books, audio and online resources in five Pasifika languages – Samoan, Tongan, Tokelauan, Cook Islands Māori and Niuean – and English, as well as supporting materials for teachers and parents.

Hekia Parata Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga Local Government Education Pacific Peoples
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The success of young Pacific New Zealanders has been celebrated at the 2016 Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards held at Parliament this evening.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says the awards recognise excellence and achievement in commerce, the arts, sports, community and leadership.

“The nine inspiring winners have been recognised for their impressive contributions to New Zealand’s economic, social and cultural life, “ Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga Pacific Peoples
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Pacific People's Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has expressed his condolences to the families of the men who died in the boating tragedy on the Kaipara Harbour this weekend.

"Everyone on board, apart from the skipper, was of pacific descent. The men were from the Tongan, Cook Islands and Samoan communities here in New Zealand. Their loss will be felt by their families and communities both here and in the Pacific,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga Pacific Peoples
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Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is encouraging the Tokelauan community to take every opportunity to share their language with the wider community during Tokelau Language Week which starts today.

“New Zealand is home to the largest Tokelauan population in the world. Our two nations have a close constitutional, political and social relationship,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga Pacific Peoples