Hon Aupito William Sio

The 2019 Pacific Language Weeks will boost awareness of the value of New Zealand’s Pacific languages both within Pacific communities and beyond.

Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio has today welcomed the announcement of funding to expand the successful Pacific Employment Support Service (PESS) to regional New Zealand.

“Pacific women feature strongly in the 2019 New Year’s Honours list in recognition of their diverse contribution to Pacific Aotearoa in a range of fields including literature, fashion, mental health, youth development, sports, leadership and governance,” says Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio.

Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio will support the principles of democracy and good governance at the Bali Democracy Forum XI this week. 

“The Pacific Aotearoa Summit signals a fresh start filled with hope and confidence that we can lift the wellbeing of Pacific peoples by working across government agencies and community organisations,” says Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio have today launched a report showing the significant contribution Pacific New Zealanders make to the economy.

More than 350 Pacific leaders will gather at Eden Park tomorrow for a major Summit to refresh the shared vision for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa. 

“Key Pacific organisations who are leading community change and Pacific innovation have all come on-board for the Pacific Aotearoa Vision Summit to be held on November 13,” says Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio.

Associate Minister of Justice and for Courts Aupito William Sio is delighted to see both the Courts Matters Bill and the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill pass into law this evening.

Associate Minister of Justice and for Courts Aupito William Sio has welcomed the signing of a new contract between the Ministry of Justice and the Royal Federation of NZ Justices’ Associations, which represents Justices of the Peace (JPs).

Reviving the Tokelauan language is the perfect theme of this year’s Tokelauan Language Week, Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau, which runs from 21-27 October 2018.

A Pacific Aotearoa website has been launched ahead of November’s Summit to share what the Pacific community have said in relation to a refreshed Pacific Vision.

“There is much anticipation and excitement as the Niuean community are mobilised across New Zealand to celebrate Vagahau Niue Language Week, which gets underway today,” says Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio.

Applications have opened for the Toloa Community Fund to encourage Pacific youth into careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).

Five new Community Magistrates have been appointed for the Christchurch, Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton regions, Associate Justice and Courts Minister Aupito William Sio announced today. 

Living the language is the theme of this year’s Fijian Language Week, which runs from 7-13 October.

Applications for the Toloa Tertiary Scholarships aimed at Pacific students pursuing STEM-related studies in 2019, are now open.

The theme for Tuvalu Language Week 2018 is “Tuvalu faka’na ki te Atua. Fakatumau au tu mo faifaiga. Tautua mo Aotearoa”. “Tuvalu, trust in God. Nurture your cultural values and heritage. Serve Aotearoa”.

“Feedback from more than 130 Pacific groups is helping to shape a refreshed Pacific Vision, which will be launched in November,” says Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio.

“I want to see more Pacific youth raise their hands to apply to be part of the Youth Parliament 2019 and represent their local Member of Parliament”, says Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio.