Displaying 1 - 24 of 36 results.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Minister for Pacific Peoples Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says applications are now open for the 2016 Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards.

“The pacific community is one of the fastest growing and youngest populations in New Zealand. Making sure they thrive is crucial for the country’s economic and social outlook,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“The Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards recognise and reward high-achieving young pacific New Zealanders who have the potential to make a big contribution to New Zealand.”

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is urging Niueans in New Zealand to share their language with friends and work colleagues during Niue Language Week which starts today.

“A week of celebrating Vagahau Niue begins this afternoon with a church service in Mangere.  It runs through to Saturday when we celebrate Niue Constitution Day,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Pacific People’s Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is encouraging people across New Zealand to embrace Fijian Language Week which starts today.

“Attend events, use Fijian greetings and promote the language in your workplaces and community groups,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Fiji Language Week runs from today until 9 October. The theme this year is noqu vosa, me’u bula taka which means my language, learn it, speak it, live it!

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has launched Tuvalu Language Week which starts today.

“The Tuvaluan community in New Zealand is thriving. Although small in number they are active and resourceful, with churches, playgroups and radio shows dedicated to preserving the rich culture,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says. 

“This year’s theme is Ulu kite fatu e malu ei koe, which focuses on the mui (rock) as the spiritual source of family, language, culture and identity.”

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Following a successful pilot, Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has today launched Pacific Employment Support Services (PESS) at an event in Manukau.

PESS will help young pacific people in Auckland find sustainable employment, education or training opportunities. 

“More than 1,400 young pacific people have benefitted from the service since it started, and 81.5% (1,160) of those taking part in the pilot were placed into work or training’” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga say a new report shows more Pacific children are getting the B4 School Checks and referrals they need.

“The free B4 School Check is vital to ensure that children get the best start at school by identifying and addressing any health or developmental problems at an early stage,” says Dr Coleman.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Health
  • Pacific Peoples

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed Tongan Language Week, which starts today.

“Tongan Language Week this year focuses on how the loto (spirit) of the Tongan people has contributed to New Zealand. It looks at how Tongan culture has played a major role in shaping modern New Zealand’s pacific identity,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“It is an opportunity to acknowledge, celebrate and promote Tongan language in New Zealand.”

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

The Minister for Pacific Peoples Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has offered his condolences to the families and co-workers of five Tongan men killed in an accident near Katikati.

“This is a tragedy for everyone concerned. My prayers and sympathies are with the families and friends of these five men and we offer any support we can at this difficult time,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“Four of these men were here in New Zealand as part of the Recognised Seasonal Workers (RSE) programme.  They were all here working hard to support their families back home.”

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has joined Cook Islands communities across New Zealand to celebrate Cook Islands Language Week 2016.

Cook Islands Language Week runs from Sunday 31 July to Saturday 6 August this year. The Ministry for Pacific Peoples works closely with Cook Islands community groups supporting and promoting the heritage and language through the week’s events.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says new literacy and numeracy results for Pacific adults are great news.

“The fact that Pacific literacy and numeracy scores are increasing at a faster rate than the rest of the New Zealand adult population shows Pacific communities are rising to the challenge of better education,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Since 2006, Pacific literacy scores have risen by 4 percent compared to a 1 per cent increase for the total population. Pacific people’s numeracy scores have also risen by 2 per cent.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has congratulated all Pacific businesses, entrepreneurs and stakeholders taking part in the Pasefika Expo in Auckland this weekend.

“The Ministry for Pacific Peoples has delivered an exciting programme to launch this new initiative for Pacific businesses. A Dragon’s Den event at the Expo has attracted interest, with prizes of cash and business support worth over $9,000,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Pacific People’s Minister, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, has welcomed the inaugural fono for Pacific social services workers and church leaders and is urging them to work with the government to tackle the problem of family violence in the Pacific community.

“The Government is making fundamental changes to the way agencies respond to the needs of our most vulnerable people.  But we cannot do it alone.  Community and church leaders need to step up so we can all work together to tackle this,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, Minister for Pacific Peoples and Ethnic Communities, says this morning’s tree planting ceremony on One Tree Hill / Maungakiekie is an historic event.

“One Tree Hill is an iconic New Zealand landmark recognised internationally,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“It is a significant step forward to see these trees restore some of the history and pride back to the city of Auckland.”

Mr Lotu-Iiga accompanied Mayor Len Brown, local elected representatives, iwi and local people at the ceremony.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Ethnic Communities
  • Pacific Peoples

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has congratulated all the winners at tonight’s 12th annual Vodafone Pacific Music Awards.

“The awards highlight the creativity of our Pacific peoples.  Music has always been an important means of communication and it connects us to our roots and to each other,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Vince Harder won Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Pacific Urban Artist and Best Producer.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

The Pacific People’s Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed the inclusion of 7 Pacific recipients in this year’s Queens Birthday Honours list.

“Service to family and the community is one of the core Pacific values. These outstanding individuals have worked tirelessly to serve and help their communities,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

"These recipients have strengthened their communities and worked to ensure Pacific people maintain links to their culture while being part of the wider New Zealand community.”

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples
  • Ministerial Services
  • Defence

Minister for Pacific Peoples Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has praised the Manukau Institute of Technology for going out of its way to recognise and embrace its Pacific population with a Pasifika Community Centre.

Mr Lotu-Iiga  and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce opened the MIT centre today.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Budget 2016 will allocate $6.4 million of new operating funding over four years for Pacific peoples initiatives, Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

Funding for Vote Pacific Peoples is at its highest level with $9.9 million allocated in 2016/17, up 25 per cent since 2008/09.

The largest funding increase, $4.6 million over four years, is being allocated to Pacific Employment Support Services (PESS) to help young Pacific people in Auckland find and keep a job or find education or training opportunities.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples
  • Budget 2016