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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.

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata says Pacific people will play a key role in New Zealand’s future economic prosperity and it is vital they are given the best support to succeed in business.

“As one of the fastest-growing populations in New Zealand, Pacific people have the opportunity to help shape and influence New Zealand’s economic future,” says Ms Parata.

Talofa lava.  Malo le soifua maua.  Malo le lagi e mama.

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata encourages all New Zealanders to participate in the upcoming Samoan Language Week which starts in the weekend on 26 May – 1 June.

“It is fitting that Samoan language week sets the tone for the biggest celebration of Pacific language ever seen in New Zealand with seven Pacific language weeks taking place across the country this year,” says Ms Parata.

There has been no cut to the baseline funding of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs in the 2013 Budget despite reports suggesting otherwise says Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Hekia Parata.

“It has been reported that the Ministry’s funding has been reduced by $861,000 in this year’s Budget,” says Ms Parata.

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata welcomes the first Pacific Parliamentary and Political Leaders Forum hosted by the Government today in Parliament. Around 70 Pacific Members of Parliament from across the Pacific region arrived in Wellington last night to participate in the 4-day programme.

“I am excited about this great opportunity where we can come together as Pacific colleagues to learn from each other and share our stories in order that we can build a brighter and better future for all Pacific people across the region.

Mr Speaker, we are joined today in the House by a number of special guests, the delegates attending the inaugural Pacific Parliamentary and Political Leaders’ Forum. I would like to extend a very warm Aotearoa New Zealand welcome to each of them.

In particular, I welcome the Pacific Ministers here with us today. With your busy schedules and various domestic pressures, it’s a great honour for New Zealand to host you, as your cousins in the Pacific.

Education and Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed new figures which show more students are achieving NCEA Level 2, particularly Pasifika students.

The final NCEA results from 2012 show that 68 per cent of 16 year-olds achieved NCEA Level 2 last year – up 2 per cent.

They show a 3.5 per cent increase in Pasifika achievement with 52.5 per cent of 16 year-old Pasifka students achieving NCEA Level 2 last year – up from 49 per cent in 2011.

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata says the 2013 Auckland Pasifika Festival will continue to provide festival-goers with the chance to share in Pacific culture, traditions and customs as it extends its festival from one to two days.

Pacific Island Affairs and Education Minister Hekia Parata welcomes the first of a series of local workshops to inform Pacific families of the benefits of early childhood education (ECE) in Auckland this weekend. 

“We want to make sure that all Pacific families know that having our kids attend ECE improves future educational outcomes. To put it simply, if your child goes to ECE, they will do better at school,” says Ms Parata.