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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

Budget 2016 contains new funding to help pacific youth find work or take up suitable training programmes, Pacific People’s Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

$4.6 million is being allocated over four years to the Pacific Employment Support Services (PESS) to help young pacific people in Auckland find work.

“The programme identifies young people who need help. Staff place them in training programmes, then in to work or further qualification-based training,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Two experienced Pacific leaders have been appointed to the Pacific Business Trust (PBT) Board, Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

PBT is a charitable trust helping Pacific people start businesses, grow jobs and increase economic development.

“I am pleased to announce Pelenato Sakalia and Tiumalu Peter Fa’afiu are joining the PBT board for the next three years, bringing with them valuable experience and expertise,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Samoa Language Week this year for the first time includes a new education resource to help people learn Gagana Samoa, the Minister for Pacific Peoples Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa: Samoan Language Week runs from Sunday May 29 until Saturday 4 June.

“The challenge for all of us during this language week is to find opportunities to use Gagana Samoa more in our community, churches and workplaces.  We also need to keep using the language for rest of the year,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

The Minister for Pacific Peoples, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, has expressed his condolences to the family of Pacific business leader Rob Neru, who died on Friday.

Mr Neru was the CEO of the Pacific Business Trust.  He collapsed and died at work on Friday.

“Rob was passionate about the work of the Trust and dedicated to helping more pacific people in to business.  His drive and warmth will be sadly missed,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Mr Neru was 46.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says the ASB Polyfest, now underway in Auckland, is a wonderful reflection of New Zealand’s growing diversity.

Polyfest celebrates its 41st anniversary this week and is expected to attract around 9000 students and up to 100,000 spectators from around New Zealand.

“It is a highlight in the Pacific events calendar. This festival means a lot to Pacific families.  Families return each year to watch their young ones perform, just as they did when they were at high school,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga along with Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith welcome the Commerce Commission’s new series of animations that attempt to bring greater awareness around consumer rights and explain key law changes.

The series, called It’s All Good, stars New Zealand’s sharpest legal advisor Aunty and her good intentioned nephew Herman Faleafa.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed back the Pasifika Festival to its spiritual home at Auckland’s Western Springs this year.

The Pasifika Festival, which drew 80,000 people in 2014, had to move to South Auckland last year because of the Queensland fruit fly scare. It is back at Western Springs this weekend.