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Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has congratulated the Pacific recipients of appointments and awards in the New Year 2016 Honours.

Among those who have been recognised are former All Blacks Keven Mealamu and Ma’a Nonu, both made Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

“These men are positive role models for young Pacific people and for our wider community,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Minister for Pacific Peoples Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga have announced $763,000 funding for the Pasifika Education Centre in South Auckland.

“The Pasifika Education Centre (PEC) did not qualify for the full amount of the contestable Adult and Community Education (ACE) funding which it applied for, but I consider the work the centre does around Pacific languages and cultural education boosts Pasifika skills and is in the national interest to be funded,” Mr Joyce says.

The achievements of some of the country’s most talented young Pacific people have been recognised at the Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards at Parliament this afternoon.

“The Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards celebrate high-achieving young Pacific New Zealanders who have the potential to contribute significantly to the future of our nation,” says Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

New scholarships aimed at getting more Pacific people into the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics have been announced by Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

The Toloa Scholarships aim to encourage Pacific people to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects at tertiary level and ultimately increase the number of Pacific people in those fields.

Plant a seed today, for the future generation. That is the theme for Tokelau Language Week which begins today.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says the theme, which translated in Tokelauan is Totō hau tōkiga nei, aua na tupulaga e fāi mai, encourages Pacific communities in New Zealand to lay a strong cultural path for their children to follow.

Tokelau Language Week is the last of seven Pacific language weeks being celebrated this year.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is calling on all New Zealanders to take part in Niue Language Week this week.

 “Niue Language Week is a chance for New Zealanders to celebrate Niuean culture and help ensure the language survives and is used”, Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

 The theme of this year’s Niue Language Week, which begins today, is “Tau tagata Niue, tau magafaoa Niue, fakaaoga e vagahau Niue – Niue people, Niue families, use vagahau Niue”.

A fast-growing Fijian population in New Zealand means it is critical the Fijian language is preserved, Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

Fiji Language Week begins today, with the theme “Noqu vosa, noqu iyau talei – My language, my treasure”.

“The Fijian language is a central strand in the Fijian culture and it is important that Fijians in New Zealand treasure their heritage and their culture,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

The search is underway to find some of the country’s highest achieving Pacific young people.

The 2015 Prime Minister's Pacific Youth Awards offer the chance to highlight the success of young Pacific people in New Zealand.

“Our government recognises that the Pacific community are one of the largest and youngest populations in New Zealand. Making sure they thrive is crucial for the country’s economic and cultural future,” says Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

The importance of keeping our Pacific languages alive will be highlighted during Tuvalu Language Week, Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

The theme of Tuvalu Language Week, which begins today, is Tau gana ko tou Iloga – Language is your Identity.

“The idea of the theme is to empower and encourage the Tuvalu people to hold on to their language and culture,” Mr Lotu-liga says.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has announced two new appointments to the board of the Pacific Business Trust.

Fa’amatuainu Tino Pereira has been appointed chairman of the six-strong board from October 1 for a three-year term.

Mr Pereira has sat on many government and private sector boards and has worked extensively in Pacific communities.

Rachel Afeaki Taumoepeau has also been appointed for the same term. She brings long experience in strategic business management.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has congratulated Tongan musician Bill Sevesi who is to be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame this evening.

Sevesi, 92, will be recognised at the 2015 Apra Silver Scroll Awards for his contribution to New Zealand and Pacific music with his mastery of the steel guitar.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed Tonga Language Week 2015.

Tongan language, culture and heritage have had a significant impact on New Zealand’s history and identity as a Pacific nation.

They will be celebrated all week with cultural events, including a function at Parliament tonight.

The theme of this year’s Tonga Language Week is Fakakoloa ‘o Aotearoa ‘aki ‘a e faiva ‘a e Tonga – Enriching Aotearoa with our Tongan Arts.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed Cook Islands Language Week.

The theme is “to tatou reo tupuna e korona ia no to tatou matakeinanga” – our language is a crowning glory of our community.

The theme of the language week, which began yesterday, reflects the contribution the Cook Islands language and culture make to New Zealand’s society.

“When you are in the community you understand the Pacific influence in New Zealand’s culture,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

A former government minister and a former TVNZ reporter are among the new faces in the council that advises Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

Nine Pacific professionals and leaders have been selected to sit on the Pacific Peoples Advisory Council for a three-year term from July 1. They replace the former council of 11 members, whose term has ended.

The new council will focus on education, employment, entrepreneurship and economic development issues.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga will travel to Tonga today to attend the coronation of King Tupou VI.

Mr Lotu-Iiga will attend the coronation in Nuku’alofa tomorrow as part of a New Zealand delegation that includes Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, Labour leader Andrew Little, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox.

King Tupou VI succeeded his older brother King Tupou V following the latter’s death in 2012.

The volunteers behind a project to improve the lives of Cook Islanders living in Auckland have been recognised for their work this National Volunteer Week.

“I congratulate the Takitumu Cultural and Arts Society on the successful completion of their community development scheme project,” says Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

The Takitumu Cultural and Arts Society’s three-year project aimed to improve outcomes for Auckland’s Cook Islands population.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has congratulated all the winners in last night’s Vodafone Pacific Music Awards.

“The Vodafone Pacific Music Awards night is one of the biggest events in our calendar. It is a chance for the music and Pacific communities to come together to celebrate the talent and success of our Pacific musicians,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

New Zealanders will celebrate the Samoan language this week with cultural performances, speeches and debates all over the country.

Samoan Language Week begins today. It is the first of seven Pacific language weeks to be celebrated this year.

Pacific language weeks allow us to celebrate the diversity that makes New Zealand unique, says Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

“Languages contribute to the cultural richness of our society and recognise that we are global citizens.”

Pacific peoples will benefit from Budget 2015 through our government’s focus on supporting families and reducing hardship, Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

At the heart of Budget 2015 is a $790 million package to help children in our poorest households.

Minister for Pacific Peoples Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has offered his sympathy and support to Pacific Island nations in the wake of the destruction Cyclone Pam has wrought.

“My heart goes out to all those who have been affected. Cyclone Pam has caused deaths and destroyed many homes and much infrastructure,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“My prayers, thoughts and love go to the people of Vanuatu, including those who live in New Zealand and have family and friends back home.
 

Kia orana, Mālo ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Talofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Ni sa bula, Fakatalofa atu, Namaste and Kia ora

New Zealand’s diversity will be showcased in 2015, with seven Pacific cultures celebrated in language weeks throughout the year, Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

“These language weeks celebrate our strong links to the Pacific and the rich contribution we make to New Zealand’s culture,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today confirmed that the government will give $200,000 over three years to ASB Polyfest to ensure the event’s financial future.

Polyfest is the annual Auckland secondary schools Pacific cultural festival. It attracts around 9000 students and up to 100,000 spectators each year.

Working-age Pacific people recorded the largest fall in work-ready jobseeker numbers over the last year, new statistics show.

The number of work-ready Pacific people receiving Jobseeker Support fell by 6.9% in the year to December, down by 404 to 5,485.

“This is good news for our Pacific community,” said Minister for Pacific Peoples Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga. “People exit the benefit system for a wide range of reasons, but the main one is because they are starting a job.”

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga welcomes the New Year’s Honours awarded to people who have served the Pacific community.

“My congratulations go to this year's worthy recipients,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.  “Service to family and the community is one of the core Pacific values. These outstanding individuals have worked for decades to serve and help their communities.”

This year’s recipients include:

MNZM
Ben Taufua, Auckland, for services to the Pacific community.