VINEPA AIONO

Haden's comments create stir in South Africa - Newstalk ZB

2010-05-29T10:04:00.000+12:00

Haden's comments create stir in South Africa - Newstalk ZB

Defensive much? Obama gives rambling, incoherrent 17 minute response to concern about being ‘overtaxed’ | Washington Examiner

2010-04-05T00:12:00.003+12:00

Defensive much? Obama gives rambling, incoherrent 17 minute response to concern about being ‘overtaxed’ | Washington Examiner

By: MARK HEMINGWAY
Commentary Staff Writer
04/03/10 9:30 PM EDT

We constantly hear about the President’s supposedly cool demeanor and unflappability, regardless of evidence to the contrary. Keep that in mind as you read this Washington Post account:

Toward the end of a question-and-answer session with workers at an advanced battery technology manufacturer, a woman named Doris stood to ask the president whether it was a “wise decision to add more taxes to us with the health care” package.

“We are over-taxed as it is,” Doris said bluntly.

Obama started out feisty. “Well, let’s talk about that, because this is an area where there’s been just a whole lot of misinformation, and I’m going to have to work hard over the next several months to clean up a lot of the misapprehensions that people have,” the president said.

He then spent the next 17 minutes and 12 seconds lulling the crowd into a daze. His discursive answer – more than 2,500 words long — wandered from topic to topic, including commentary on the deficit, pay-as-you-go rules passed by Congress, Congressional Budget Office reports on Medicare waste, COBRA coverage, the Recovery Act and Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (he referred to this last item by its inside-the-Beltway name, “F-Map”). He talked about the notion of eliminating foreign aid (not worth it, he said). He invoked Warren Buffett, earmarks and the payroll tax that funds Medicare (referring to it, in fluent Washington lingo, as “FICA”).

But wait, there’s more!

Always fond of lists, Obama ticked off his approach to health care — twice. “Number one is that we are the only — we have been, up until last week, the only advanced country that allows 50 million of its citizens to not have any health insurance,” he said.

A few minutes later he got to the next point, which seemed awfully similar to the first. “Number two, you don’t know who might end up being in that situation,” he said, then carried on explaining further still.

“Point number three is that the way insurance companies have been operating, even if you’ve got health insurance you don’t always know what you got, because what has been increasingly the practice is that if you’re not lucky enough to work for a big company that is a big pool, that essentially is almost a self-insurer, then what’s happening is, is you’re going out on the marketplace, you may be buying insurance, you think you’re covered, but then when you get sick they decide to drop the insurance right when you need it,” Obama continued, winding on with the answer.

Halfway through, an audience member on the riser yawned.

But Obama wasn’t finished. He had a “final point,” before starting again with another list — of three points.

“What we said is, number one, we’ll have the basic principle that everybody gets coverage,” he said, before launching into the next two points, for a grand total of seven.

Again, please remember this episode next time a liberal pundit tells you Obama’s speechifying “is not the Word made flesh, but the triumph of word over flesh, over color, over despair.”

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/defensive-much-obama-gives-rambling-incoherrent-17-minute-response-to-concern-about-being-overtaxed-89850972.html#ixzz0k8J3VU4p

Poor Journalism by Tagata Pasifika on Easter/Religion

2010-04-04T11:19:00.021+12:00

by Vinepa Aiono
(Images TVNZ website)

It's Easter Sunday, the day memorialised by most Pacific and other christians around the globe as the 3rd day that Jesus the son of God conquered death by his resurrection following his crucificion. I awoke to a discussion on the TVNZ Tagata Pasifika programme on the relevance of religion to Pacific people, given the declining number of Pacific youth and young families now opting for the charismatic style of praise and worship instead of attending the traditionally based church groups such as the Presbyterian, Catholic and Methodist sects. So stop - is that reflective of the growing irrelevance of religion. Not really or so I thought. In fact it only reinforced the shift not decline in religious experiences. The rest of the programme involved a facilitated discussion led by Adrian Stevanon with a select panel of 2 traditional church ministers, one charismatic church attendee and Radio NZ Pacific issues reporter Richard Pamatatau trying to validate the notion that spirituality could be anything other than compliance with christian religious doctrine.
What a shambles the programmes was!!! Adrian Stevanon did not have an intelligent grasp of the definiton of religion. It became progressively worse as the panelists voiced their own definitions of religion and Stevanon failed to extract the differences and limited the discussion to a narrowly driven understanding of religion being church attendance. What might have been a lively and informed discussion that had the potential to influence positive attitudinal changes on the religious and social front for many of our Pacific families fell flat.

It has become common place to expect the usual lack of informed understanding by most conservative journalists when facilitating debates on TV1's Close Up or TV3's John Campbell involving christian based ideology and practice on subjects such as child discipline, abortion or the now popular tithing issues. On issues of the economy the media have become financially savvy and ask pertinent questions, if its about Treaty issues, certainly there will be no tom foolery over the significance of taonga. But on issues of Biblical concern the christian community is subjected to a shallow unresearched journalistic treatment of Biblical scriptural material that is often misquoted and misunderstood. Couple that with those invited by the media who lack the depth and scholarship of Biblical tenets and principles like the guests on TVNZ Tagata Pasifika today. Tithing had different meanings to everyone on the panel and Stevanon failed to identify that.

What was learned from today's Tagata Pasifika episode? What was Tagata Pasifika's social responsibility in reporting upon the religious topic? For me -it was to explore the truth. The truth is uncovered when journalists equip themselves with an understanding of the issues at hand. Religion is such an integral part of NZ Pacific settler history and it deserved to be handled with care and integrity. Rather than presuming religion is only about going to church, the first question ought to have been - what is the definition of religion for NZ Pacific people of today? Is there one single definition?

The responsibility for Pacific journalists to address Pacific issues with reverence for research of the complexities inherent within Pacific communities is fundamental to ensuring we are perceived honestly and respectfully by the wider community. Tagata Pasifika need only remind itself that it wasn't long ago when attempts to cut it's viewing time was once a reality.

BARBARA DREAVER - TVNZ to APOLOGISE following NZ Broadcasting Standards Authority Decision

2010-03-08T23:06:00.021+13:00

(Photo: TVNZ)

by Vinepa Aiono

So Barbara Dreaver must (if many on the Pacific media jury panel have their way) now bear the shame for shoddy journalism following the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA )decision that a TVNZ report by Dreaver in April 2009 that portrayed Samoa as a nation of gun smugglers, rife with gang violence and a truly flourishing but illegal drug trade was grossly inaccurate and failed to offer a balanced view on the issue that now seems to have been a non issue. Some media sources in Samoa have already ditched Dreaver into the 'Pacific Ocean' for drawing negative attention to the island nation that had the potential to spoil the growth of tourism in Samoa. An article in the Samoa Observer by Dr Amosa in April 2009 described Dreavers report as a "case of lies and deceit." A rather harsh description of Dreaver's news item but perhaps justified given the findings of the BSA. And rightly so it was that the Samoan government filed a complaint with the NZ BSA over the inaccuracy of information gathered from what appears to have been from spurious sources sought by Dreaver an employee of TVNZ, to bring together the news item for public viewing. I have skimmed through the 30 page adjudication and the key findings are focussed largely upon the failure of TVNZ to uphold an even balance and accuracy on the topic. TVNZ is also required to make a public apology and make specific payments for costs to the Crown and Samoan government.

Is Dreaver guilty of poor journalism? Yes in this instance I believe so - but she also has 19 years of worthy reporting of the Pacific under her belt. At a time when many Pacific journalists were focussed solely upon reporting about politically safe - left issues in the local community, Dreaver was already getting down and dirty with seeking the truth. We remember the baby smuggling in Samoa, Dreaver throwing light on the vigilante movements in various parts of the Pacific, expulsion from Fiji and only last week reporting on TVNZ's donation of equipment for TV stations in Samoa, Cook Islands and Tonga.
Dreaver made a mistake, perhaps TVNZ put too much faith in her journalistic dealings with Pacific communities. We make mistakes. But we move on. Dreaver will recover and shall continue to tackle the difficult stories. She will become better. Not invincible. She's human. I look forward to more great journalism from Barbara Dreaver in and of the Pacific.

HOUSING INTEREST RATES

2010-02-28T06:43:00.006+13:00

I got a chance to re-evaluate my mortgage interest rates again this week. What a gamble it all is? Choosing between different interest rates whether fixed or floating. It became a bit of a game. I even ventured to think about gambling on the share market with money belonging to others. I gained some insight into the cognitive drivers that would propel one to become reckless on the share market with money belonging to others. It is a game with no definite outcomes.
I read up on market trends and reminded myself of the huge numbers of those who applied for a limited number of available jobs at Countdown in Manukau. Now thats a sign of more depressing times coming.

BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS

Couple that with my nephew who just walked in after a long sleep with news that a tsunami may hit New Zealand. He's only 9 years old so of course I'm dismissive. BUT - tsunami's are not uncommon so I decided to tweet the word on Twitter and blow me down - there is one forecast.

Well I shall put this blogging away again and review my emergency procedures. See you after the Tsunami.

1st Samoan Born PHD Graduate in Law at Otago University

2009-12-22T16:49:00.003+13:00

So many Pacific firsts have emerged from Otago University and Fanaafi Aiono - Le Tagaloa is no exception. Click here to read about another Pacific pioneer.

Parliament descends into fat, gay jokes on last day - Politics - Video - 3 News

2009-12-19T18:06:00.001+13:00

Parliament descends into fat, gay jokes on last day - Politics - Video - 3 News

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LEN BROWN - The Mayor For Auckland

2009-12-19T01:04:00.014+13:00

(S. Pacific Music Awards)

Who wouldn't be proud of an up and coming politician from Southside role modelling the possibilities of becoming the 1st Lord Mayor of Auckland? Especially since Mayor Len Brown and I both attended the same primary school, although I was a new entrant and he was fine tuning his last years toward Intermediate level. For years I had heard Len Brown's name being flung about the room in many community circles but I didn't quite make sense of the 'Brown' connection.
Growing up in a cold damp home in Otara where there was little money for thermal drapes or carpeted floors, I was an asthmatic who spent most of my early schooling years in bed. The Principal of Mayfield Primary School Mr Brown (Mayor Len Brown's father) was concerned that I had missed so many school days that he made home visits to check on my progress. I still remember the Principal, Mr Brown standing at my bedside, helping me to read the only book I possessed "Dr. Seuss' 'The Cat in The Hat". Principal Brown was popular in the school community. He was community focussed and every school gala was a community day out.
It's often said that 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree'. Mayor Len Brown has tree roots in establishing communities. He comes from a tradition of community networkers, educators and most importantly a focus on caring about citizens. He's been a community man all of his life. His father, School Principal, Mr Brown was a wonderful man. As for Mayor Len Brown, he was born to be 1st Lord Mayor of Auckland. This is his time.

New Zealand - The Pacific - Michael Jackson & Swine Flu

2009-07-09T21:01:00.000+12:00

by Vinepa Aiono

All in the space of a fortnight, Michael Jackson died and his memorial service is held at the Staples Centre in LA, watched by millions around the world. In the same stretch 3 New Zealanders died of the swine flu, an out of control man is held by the Police for some hours while a Taser is flown in from another part of the country - crazy. The place had gone mad, meanwhile Prime Minister John Key headed off on a trade mission to the South Pacific and announced increased aid to the Pacific over the next few years, he vowed to assist with Tamiflu supplies and when asked which kava or ava he preferred (from Fiji or Samoa) - he found it hard to make a decision and referred to both Pacific nations as 'children'. Such fence sitting is unbecoming let alone 'weak'. Couldn't he just say when in Samoa (or Rome) it tastes the best, when in Fiji likewise ...., no points for wit there.
In between all of this - North Korea was busy silently testing seven of their missiles over the weekend. We all slept quite soundly though in our winter beds.
But the response from Premier Talagi in Niue certainly sums up the new found courage of Pacific leaders toward the west. Premier Talagi left nothing to the democratic imagination when he made it clear that any promised but slow to surface financial assistance would be met with a move on Niue's part to start knocking on China's door. And "ay there's the rub." As an observant relative of mine has informed me, "many building contracts in Samoa do not involve the hiring of local workers, nearly all workers are from China."
The Pacific must beware of seeking aid from the East. What are the real benefits and what might we lose in the longterm. There are vast ideological and cultural differences between the Pacific and China that still make me nervous. I need only remind myself of the contaminated baby milk powder that our giant Fonterra became enmeshed within 2008.
I hope Obama has a better plan for restoring the USA and western world economy because right now job losses are continuing to roll all the way downunder.

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MICHAEL JACKSON - THE KING OF POP HAS DIED

2009-06-26T10:11:00.000+12:00

Michael Jackson music was essential to party life for me in the 80s. Nothing could "BEAT IT" back then. The white socks, the black shoes, ankle breezer pants was what I waited for hours to watch when Michael Jackson performed his concert at Mt Smart, Auckland. And I was not let down. I remember the repetitive "I love U" lines he kept flinging out at the audience and for months after that Robbie Rakete and Stephie T would utter such mockery over MAI FM air waves. He truly was and always shall be the KING OF POP.

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MT ALBERT ELECTORATE - 2009 BELONGED TO RAVI MASUKU

2009-06-11T10:59:00.000+12:00

Whatever happened to hard working folks earning the right to reap the fruits of their own hard labour. What a big mistake that Ravi Masuku should not be standing in Mt Albert in place of Melissa Lee. Not only do I find her annoyingly anti South Auckland, but she never answers questions with a speck of hope that somewhere there beneath the smart hairdo is also something slightly more astute. Add to that her own self confessed prophecy that she would not win the Mt Albert seat. I can hear the music to the lyrics..."fools rush in where angels fear to tred...."
Poor ol' Ravi Masuku shoved to the back of the bus in Mt Albert so that his hard work over six years would be trampled on by someone who I believe is an idiot. Please no more casting of pearls before ..., after all we are fighting off 'swine flu' in the middle of a recession.

FIJI - An Island Nation In Crisis

2009-04-21T16:11:00.000+12:00

by Vinepa Aiono

Should we send in a peace keeping mission or should we leave Fiji to sort out its own affairs. Who are we kidding? Fiji is in crisis. There are so many in the once prosperous island nation of Fiji who are suffering. Do we have a duty to intervene or is the recession such an obstacle that we cannot allow ourselves to exercise more than diplomatic talk sessions to assist Fiji to navigate itself toward a style of island democracy that will set the course for a lifestyle of positive multi-coexistence.
I am shocked over the current comments from our Foreign Affairs office. "There is nothing (NZ) can do but allow Fiji to sort out it's own problems." If we are not careful the political ideology of the East will surely offer Fiji a solution that will mean the end of NZ/Australian influence in the Pacific. And the economic recession is certainly offering our cousins in the East a prime platform to move closer. Tonga has made no secret that it looks to the East for economic assistance, do we all remember the seating arrangements at the funeral of Tonga's last monarch.

Do we have a duty to assist Fiji to steer it's course? I think so. As long as there are citizens suffering in our Pacific backyard, it will always be wrong to ignore that. To do so is political cowardice, a trait that our previous Prime Minister could never be accused of exhibiting. She understood the importance of the Pacific.
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TWITTER

2009-04-17T01:27:00.000+12:00

Everyone's doing it. It's fast. It's short. It's often the first thing you think of when you get up in the morning. That's what makes for a TWITTER of a comment. I'm addicted. So are many others. Haven't worked out why yet, but I think the off the cuff comments are what makes for us being such a species of gossips. That's why we enjoy texting. Whether at dinner, a meeting or waiting for an interview, we think nothing is wrong when diverting our attention to sending a return text.
TWITTER is a massive social networking beast that makes the rich and famous so much more familiar if we embark on a twitter fanclub of followers.
Come on join in the tweet tweet! It's far better than facebook or bebo. No fuss for all of us who can't sit still.

PACIFICA WOMENS CONFERENCE

2009-02-16T09:44:00.000+13:00

Echoing Barack Obama ..... P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. are holding a YES WE CAN conference and dinner on the 20th February 2009. Workshops cost $50-00 per person starting 8.30am to 5.00pm at the Pacific Business Trust.
A conference dinner ($55.00 a ticket) will be held in the evening and at the Centra Hotel, Mangere with guest speakers the Hon. Pansy Wong and Hon. Georgina Te Heu Heu.

For more information contact Josephine Bartley 0211205812

PASIFIKA FESTIVAL

2009-02-16T08:51:00.001+13:00

Facing cancellation, the Auckland City Council voted in favour of funding the $355,000 shortfall that may have seen the back end of the Pasifika Festival had it been pulled from the cultural landscape if the rescue package did not survive voting ranks. Deputy Mayor David Hay is said to have strongly opposed rescuing the Pasifika Festival and there have been many stern comments from within the Pacific community against Auckland's Deputy Mayor. After all this is recession time and cutbacks are the norm when the national economic purse jangles only coppers, so why the backlash at this time. Our continual focus on public funding to prop up Pacific events that are significant to the Pacific community has got to stop. I'm sure that the Lantern Festival would survive the withdrawal of the public coffers and would be propped up immediately by the Asian business community.
The Pacific business community should be targeted to support the Pasifika Festival as should the Asian business community who have chosen to re-establish themselves in the Pacific Ocean alongside us. This is the time for PasifikAsia alliances to be drawn up and we cannot continue to rely on the government to draft the altering cultural landscape for us. We need only look at the census population figures to note that Pacific population figures are stabilising alongside a strong and growing Asian population. How long can a largely underfunded Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs survive before it becomes absorbed into the Ethnic Affairs portfolio. It's a numbers game. But the Pacific community must become smart, savvy and rethink it's future alliances. If the Pasifika Festival is to survive - stop focussing on the issues, rethink, alter, plan and modify how to recreate the future. The annual school cultural festival held in south Auckland every year has already moved in that direction. No longer the Polynesian Festival it now includes Asian and Middle Eastern dance groups. The Pasifika Festival must do the same. This is the age of PasifikAsia NOT Asia - Pacific and Pacific or Pasifika communities must forge that new identity now before we become subject to change.
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NEW ERA IN WORLD POLITICS - 2009

2009-01-24T02:06:00.000+13:00

President Obama has been sworn in, Prime Minister John Key walked into the Ratana day celebrations with the Maori Party and the Gaza strip has been torn apart by Israeli military forces. The global recession has not ended and the impact of globalisation will no longer be restricted solely to the west. Asia has also weathered the recessionary winds. Coupled with bad weather patterns, it would appear that globalisation is being battered by elements beyond human control. What are the lessons for us dependent upon foreign trade, the ever changing exchange rate or indeed the dictatorial fashion trends set by the Euro-western catwalks. Is the answer - a focus upon Internalisation and independence. Looking internally for home grown talent is perhaps the appropriate pathway. Our homing instincts set in when we encounter difficulties, likewise Obama has called all Americans to refocus, regroup, rekindle and respond with what is truly the American "way" given the pressure that America is now experiencing on all its economic, political and social borders.
So far, Prime Minister John Key has made few major changes since coming to power. What we have instead is a new focus and more of a cautionary approach to change. I found it partly amusing but also praiseworthy that the Honourable Paula Bennett, got herself into the middle of a teenage street brawl last week and became the street saviour of west Auckland. Some of the young people interviewed for comment made special mention of Hon Bennett's specific concern for the pale complexion brawlers rather than the darker toned participants. Nonetheless, that was political intervention at its finest. Any MP that can step into a brawling event on the street with the intention of maintaining peace and order - deserves 'national' respect. How appropriate that she is the Minister of Social Development!!!

CONGRATULATIONS - Su'a WIlliam Sio

2008-11-11T17:17:00.000+13:00

If anyone deserves to get into parliament, it's Su'a William Sio, one who has worked tirelessly on the ground floor of the Manukau community to raise the awareness at a local and national level of the issues impacting not only for Pacific peoples but across the ethnic specific spectrum.
Su'a will be a great sounding board for promised changes that National may not deliver upon to the community and I suspect a rather seasoned political animal in the "house". Pacific peoples are fortunate to have a Pacific representative not only in government but across the benches to keep the government of the day accountable. All the best to Su'a Wiliam Sio over the next three years as he battles to keep the current government honest.

Congratulations John Key

2008-11-08T22:44:00.000+13:00

Congratulations to John Key - the new Prime Minister of New Zealand.

CONGRATULATIONS Peseta Sam Lotu - I'iga

2008-11-08T22:00:00.001+13:00

I have said it before that Peseta Sam Lotu - I'iga would win the previously Labour held seat of Maungakiekie - and he is on his way to doing so (well as at 10:42pm). Peseta Sam Lotu - I'iga is the man to watch in the future. I have no doubt that he will one day become the 1st Pasifika Prime Minister of Aotearoa New Zealand. Keep watching this man - over the next few years as he gains experience in the political realm.

Congratulations once again to Peseta Sam Lotu I'iga.

PRESIDENT OBAMA - AMERICA HAS SPOKEN

2008-11-06T00:41:00.000+13:00

I have waited for this victory speech for almost five years. What else is there to say about President Obama other than that he is 'the man' for such a time as this. I love the closing remarks of his victory speech " May God bless you, May God bless America."

This Saturday New Zealand will also vote in a new Prime Minister and I have no doubt that it will be John Key. The polls indicate that New Zealand is also searching for political and spiritual change. No one is really interested in placing faith in trusted historical leadership - the public are searching for new ideas, new personalities and in short something different. I predict that New Zealand will awake on Sunday morning with John Key on the front page of every newspaper as the new Prime Minister of Aotearoa New Zealand. And in that respect I hope that like President Barack Obama - John Key will look to God to bless this nation as well.

OBAMA TO DANCE HIS WAY INTO THE WHITE HOUSE

2008-11-04T07:56:00.001+13:00

by Vinepa Aiono

Obama's dance moves on the Ellen Degeneres TV 'talk back' show, has him perfectly poised to waltz into the White House this week. What an exciting year 2008 has been not only for USA but also the rest of the world. While it is true that I am writing as if Obama has already won the USA Presidential race, to deny that he won't is to ignore many of the political polls that place Obama in front of McCain.

If the BBC Doha debates (1 November 2008) are anything to go by, 87% rejected the motion that the Middle East would be better off with McCain at the presidential helm. Obama is perceived as one who will attempt to engage in multi-lateral discussions to sustain peaceful relationships. Whether he has the ability to do so is unknown but there is a general sense that Obama has the ability to rise to any difficult situation. Perhaps it is his sharp intellect, his likeable personality, his exceptional oratory and the fact that he is of a mixed ethnic origin that engenders us to trust him. Obama is different in every respect and the American public have had sufficient time now to absorb a new level of political consciousness that accepts a "black" president as a natural evolving process of the American politics. In that sense - Obama's slogan for "CHANGE" was not simply an attempt to gain victory over the Republican's but a slow and carefully calculated process to change the minds, values and attitudes of the American nation that a Black man could enter the White House.

The negative global economic climate, difficult international relations, the nuclear arms race in Northern Korea and Tehran's Nuclear programme contribute to a general global perception that Obama is a man for this time, where "CHANGE" is essential in the rules around international relations. This week will in Obama's words - "be the defining moment" for America when he becomes the 1st Black President of USA, President Barack Obama sounds normal to me.

AUCKLAND PACIFIC ECONOMIC & SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION CONFERENCE 2008

2008-10-23T04:54:00.000+13:00

Today marks the first inaugural Pacific Economic and Social Transformation Conference to be held at the Langham Hotel - Auckland. The conference has been organised by the Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce.
CLICK here for more information.

Hopefully Dr Lockwood Smith may wish to attend and keep his "large manly hands" over his mouth as he listens to many of the Pacific migrant community and descendants of early Pacific settlers, discuss more pressing issues that hamper the Pacific community and that have moved beyond the closeted realms of toilet training (the step above potty training). That Key has opted not to allow him the possibility of holding the Immigration portfolio should National help form the next government is appropriate but that Lockwood Smith might still be there is more painful.

OBAMA & McCAIN ELECTION (DEBATE 1)

2008-10-08T20:17:00.000+13:00

by Vinepa AIONO

It may be take another four weeks before the White House will shelter the first black American President and his family. I have been following this extraordinary man for almost five years. No one in the current New Zealand political scene is even remotely comparable to Barack Obama.
With one exception - I believe that Peseta Sam Lotu - I'iga has the makings of one who may one day become the first Pasifika Prime Minister of New Zealand. He shares many qualities in common with Obama.

Watch this 1st 2008 Presidential debate and I'm sure you'll agree that Obama is superb in every respect. He will be the next President of USA.

CONGRATULATIONS - LE-AUFA’AMULIA ASENATI LOLE - TAYLOR

2008-09-21T00:55:00.000+12:00

by Vinepa Aiono

This was somewhat late news to me that the NZ First candidate Asenati Lole - Taylor had been pitted against the very able Peseta Sam Lotu I'iga in the battle to take Maungakiekie. Given I have been busy with so many family events as of late - i should be forgiven for not being in "the know" of details from the Pacific cyber-news desk.
Asenati Lole - Taylor has often been heard over the air waves discussing local Pasifika events and issues within the Auckland region. Last I heard, she was the Auckland Pacific Liaison person for the Department of Corrections. Lole - Taylor is extremely vocal on many issues and is perhaps known more for her very forceful but likeable personality that has enabled her to become the Pacific socialite who is found at almost every Pacific event. Peseta on the other hand has the reputation of one who is humble, unassuming, well educated and forthright without seeming brash. Already he has made waves within the Auckland City Council.
While I admire both Lole - Taylor and Peseta for standing in the Maungakiekie seat, my pick is that Peseta will win the seat for National with a comfortable majority. Peseta has the makings of one who may even become the first Pasifika Prime Minister. Watch this space I say.
All the best to Asenati Lole - Taylor, the Pacific community celebrates your continued success.
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CONGRATULATIONS - PAPALI'I TUIFAASISINA POUTOA PAPALI'I

2008-09-20T18:45:00.000+12:00

by Vinepa Aiono

Another Pacific candidate takes to pounding the "election pavement" in Manukau East. While I don't know anything about the political party that PAPALI'I TUIFAASISINA POUTOA PAPALI'I is standing for, I can say that I know him, his sister is a dear friend of mine and his family (like mine) is one of the first of the early Pacific settler families of Otara. His family home was a haven for many stray souls of the 60s and 70s who congregated there in Cobham Crescent for shelter, a homework centre, for friendship or just a warm meal. How appropriate that he should stand for the Family Party given the open house at all hours his parents offered to many young people of that time.
I'm sure the Hon. Tau Henare and Sua William Sio, who are also fellow "boys from the hood" and who have gone on to do great things will recall PAPALI'I TUIFAASISINA POUTOA PAPALI'I and the presence of his family in Otara all those years ago. As the saying goes, "The deeper your roots, the taller the tree grows". In this instance I hope the Papali'i family tree is the strongest. All the best to PAPALI'I TUIFAASISINA POUTOA PAPALI'I and hope he does Manukau East proud (but of course I'm only thinking of Otara since my mother still lives there).
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KEKE PUA'A - BEST TASTING

2008-08-24T09:38:00.000+12:00

by Vinepa Aiono

You're not a Samoan if you haven't cultivated a taste for Keke Pua'a aka Pork Buns. On a typical hot afternoon my cousin and I used to walk to Pinati's in Apia and buy ten Keke Pua'a each and shamelessly walk home munching on the steamed buns that encased balls of oily pork fried in garlic and onions that trickled down the sides of our mouths. Aaaah!!! anyone who has tasted Keke Pua'a will know that it is the food of the Samoan goddess Nafanua.
Last week a friend and I went seeking Keke Pua'a in south Auckland. We came across Pinati's in Otahuhu. Not real pork but still the best tasting lamb in steamed buns - Keke Mamoe is really what it should be called. I have tried many a Keke Pua'a in south Auckland, some are filled with fatty pork skin, others with diced lamb fat but Pinati's in Otahuhu is truly the best.Technorati Profile

CONFERENCE - PACIFIC ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2008-08-15T17:29:00.000+12:00

The Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce is holding a conference on the 23rd October 2008 and will focus on Pacific Peoples Economic Development in the region. CLICK HERE for more information on the Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce.Technorati Profile

CONDOLEZZA RICE LANDS IN THE PACIFIC

2008-07-26T03:07:00.000+12:00

PHOTO-OLA THORSEN

Referred to as the most powerful woman in the world, and perhaps the only person who may have beaten Barack Obama in the popularity stakes had she chosen to run as a candidate in the USA elections, arrived in New Zealand last night. She stops off in Apia on Sunday to attend the Pacific Islands Forum. What better way is there for USA to light the fires again with New Zealand after the historical nuclear fallout of last century, than for Condolezza Rice to stir up the diplomatic friendship that was for years a "pot of cold soup". Rice's visit is a symbolic message to Asia that USA still has a strong presence in the Pacific. This is a message (despite the Free Trade Agreement with China) that USA is an ancient friend of NZ, the small nation known as for it's Treaty of Friendship with the Pacific. And what better way but for Condolezza Rice to complete her final journey with her last Pacific Islands Forum meeting as second in command to USA President Bush. Is she really the most powerful woman? I think - perhaps the most impressive Black woman in American political history who really should have been the USA president rather than the President's adviser. My dream was to meet her in person.Technorati Profile

DWAYNE JOHNSON HONOURED WITH CONGRESSIONAL AWARD 2008

2008-07-05T15:33:00.000+12:00

All Pictures - Credit: (Mandatory): Carrie Devorah / WENN

This news is about three weeks old but hey! I thought it was still worth drawing attention to an exceptional Pacific person.
Who hasn't heard of the Rock? Who doesn't know that this man has roots in the soil of the Pacific? Imagine - he even spent part of his childhood growing up in Grey Lynn. And now he has been recognised for his contribution to American life and society. Pacific people from all over the globe can take pride in knowing that even from small tiny island nations are those who can also impact the world positively. That is our destiny.

I came across this You Tube segment in which Dwayne Johnson discusses his Samoan ancestry. Great to listen to.

NATASHA URALE BAKER

2008-07-03T19:21:00.001+12:00

Picture taken from www.myspace.com/natashauralebaker

So there I was sitting at my desk writing up a report when an email sailed past my screen with news of Natasha Urale Baker and her Release Party launch for her new album "Across An Ocean". Of course I emailed her instantly with all sorts of questions that are supposed to fill a twenty year vacuum since the last time we spoke in person. And true to the test of friendship, like others who have responded to me on this blog, she emailed me her phone number within the hour. Always courageous and clear about her goals, "Across An Ocean" plays like a testament to Natasha's travels, learnings and accomplishments. Also another one I met at university in the last century, I almost feel the necessity to boast about the achievements of those from the class of the 1980s. But in this instance Natasha Urale Baker is another who keeps achieving in the 2000 and beyond. It's no wonder that "Where are Your Dreams" is my favourite from her album ACROSS AN OCEAN.

Support NATASHA URALE BAKER & her new album "Across An Ocean" - Release Party 15th July 2008, Safari Lounge

Wikipedia Edits

2008-06-14T21:04:00.000+12:00

Watch WIKIPEDIA EDITS occurring around the world - I copied this link from another blog it's fascinating.

MEDIA ANALYSIS - CLYDESDALE REPORT

2008-06-14T20:21:00.000+12:00

This might have been a good interview had there been a Pacific panel capable of deconstructing Clydesdale's report. Much as I admire Barbara Dreaver's journalistic professionalism and the witty and incisive Oscar Kightley, so much more might have been achieved had a panel of Pacific business experts or Pacific economists been invited to provide an informed analysis of Clydesdale's report. Simply dismissing the report as unacademic is foolish and naive.

MANUREWA - TERROR FIRMA - What's the Answer?

2008-06-11T22:08:00.000+12:00

Regrettably I wanted to cringe when I heard the Pacific sounding names of those responsible for Mr Singh's unfortunate murder in Riverton Drive, Manurewa. I blogged about crime in Manurewa earlier in the year and never once thought that a similar incident would arise again in this diverse community of mine known as Manurewa. Is this the beginning of a deliberate move to oust the Indian community. I think not. Hooliganism gone mad on the end of alcohol and drugs (A&D). I am almost certain that an A&D cocktail mix was central to the minds of the offenders who brought about Mr Singh's death.

What led these young men to engage in a senseless act that now holds this community up as the 'terror firma' of the nation? Who was responsible for their nurturing? What led to each of them becoming destructive beings of 'the dark side' dedicated to ending the sacredness of Mr Singh's life? Is it the fault of their families? Perhaps their schooling years failed to instill the importance of compliance. Perhaps they were failed by their parents. So what went wrong? That story will no doubt unfold itself over the next few weeks in the media. Why is it that for many young Pacific offenders today, the cultural pressure to conform and honour one's family name is now of little relevance?

The notion of individualism and the exclusion of responsibility to others is common place now. I remember being taught to love my enemies in Sunday school and honouring my parents was part of the holy package. Since the 90s I have listened to so many young people talk about their rights as if it were one of life's givens that caregivers or parents could not remove. The right, at a state legitimated age of consent to have protected sex without informing parents. Such rights have gone further and allowed young people to abort a 'mistake' without parental or caregiver consent or notification. Somehow young people drinking alcohol are perceived as far worse than those buying condoms and instead store owners are prosecuted for selling cigarettes or alcohol to under age children. Selling condoms and contraception to young people is deemed normal. But - How on earth does the value of cigarettes and alcohol supercede the value of creating life? It seems so back to front.

Our first generation settlers were battlers, pioneers who recognised the importance of developing urban village connections through church, village, island, sporting and musical affiliation. We need to establish new social forums that are not driven solely by problem issues such as poor health or low educational achievements and so on. And that is not to say that such initiatives are unimportant but we need to divert more attention toward becoming innovators within the national economy. Manurewa Harvest church pastored by Chris and Seira Sola, operates a choir challenge each year that brings together thousands of young Pacific people to show case their talents. When such initiatives are driven by the community and not imposed as issues that church and other agencies should invest and participate within - change happens. Families attend, friendships are formed and communal networks are established to support interdependent webs that promote positive lifestyles to meet the new challenges of today. Setting up initiatives that mirror the host population will not work for Pacific peoples because only the educated and the middle class will survive. We must engage our young Pacific parents in initiatives that are technologically challenging, business environments that are driven from within our own communities and cultural and heritage activities that recognise the innovative expertise of our practitioners. We need to rethink the importance of our Pacific "ways of being" for the sake of the next generation of Pacific leaders and rely once again upon developing the ingenuity that our first generation settlers applied in navigating their own spatial location in Aotearoa New Zealand. We must become competitive, smart, entrepreneurial and develop a culture that values financial independence. Imagine banking within your own community. My Muslim friends never borrow from trading banks or borrow from loan sharks. Imagine the possibilities for Pacific people. If we don't change, we run the risk of losing of our children to urban gangsta family life dependent upon criminal activities to feed anti-social leisure habits.

BARACK OBAMA SAYS THANKYOU

2008-06-04T22:43:00.001+12:00

Should he win the USA presidency - HOW WILL HE IMPACT THE PACIFIC?

In 2005 online forum friends persuaded me to listen to Obama's speech given at Knox College. He was impressive even then as an unknown. Often there were online forum debates over his suitability and possible likelihood of becoming the 1st black president. Since about mid 2006 he has become a global household name and I often wondered why Condolezza Rice never threw herself in at the forefront of the Republican race as the answer to the Obama-Clinton battle for first place as 1st black and 1st woman to gain the position as front runner and possibly presidency.
Certainly his background as an Hawaiian raised young person and the overwhelming support he received from Hawaii, American Samoa and Guam is indicative of the claim that Pacific peoples have made of him as their own. CHANGE that is positive in terms of uplifting the social health of Pacific peoples not only within America but in and around the Pacific may have a significant impact upon the loyalty that many Pacific island nations are now slowly directing toward Asia. The shift in global political power toward China and Europe may not necessarily be in the long term interests of the Pacific. While the USA may have directed too much attention toward the war in Iraq and that of anti-terrorism, it's political beliefs in fairness and democracy is what makes USA a nation that can be called to account for some of its wrong doings. I am not so sure when I deliberately avoid buying foodstuffs or cosmetics from China or other East European countries that the same standards would be open to examination. Barack Obama has won the first part of the political race. I wonder though if the rest of white America will allow the Republican's to lose and allow minority groups to gain the advantage of limelight and all other benefits and freedoms that might follow.

CLYDESDALE REPORT

2008-06-04T14:22:00.000+12:00

Now the dust has settled somewhat and Dr Clydesdale has succeeded in gaining the attention he probably hoped his research might gain but without the media and political negativity it has received. Many of the comments from some the Pacific community and a few other non Pacific academics have labelled the research -lazy - out of date - racist - wanting - and not a true reflection of the achievements that have occurred within the Pacific immigrant population. But should the focus of all academic research be written in a style that is politically correct and in praise of the positive achievements of the population being researched or should it be concerned solely with passing the rigorous tests that are set by the academic discipline it resides within. Is there a duty on the part of the researcher to ensure it does not offend the community or even politicians who believe they have done much to bring about a balance for those less fortunate in our society. Was that Dr Clydesdale's responsibility?
Having read the report, it is easy to get bogged down with references about the emerging underclass of unskilled immigrants. The main thrust of the report points to immigration as a strategy that the nation can no longer depend upon to grow the economy. Clydesdale's research is economically driven and while it largely ignores many social aspects of the New Zealand immigrant community, the purpose of Clydesdale's report is to evaluate human immigration in monetary terms and therefore the reference to humans as human capital is consistent with that goal. I have read comments that identify Clydesdale's reference to 'human capital' as scholastically deplorable. I find the very reference to humans as resources often manipulated by massive HR departments as equally loathesome given humans in that context exist only to further the strategic goals of many large companies.

The findings of any academic research should always be open to scholarly and public scrutiny. Comments from the public and articles by Tapu Misa published in the New Zealand Herald contribute to a more informed debate around the shortcomings or indeed the insightfulness of such research. I do however have concerns when the governing political machinery believe that it is within their ambit of influence to manoeuver it's resources in such way to counter academic research that does not promote the political agenda of the day. Paul Hansen and Paul Callister both state that their responses were politically driven to counter the bad press caused by Clydesdale's report. While I accept that Clydesdale's report is wanting in many respects, and it is certainly not a reflection of Massey University itself as Tuitahi pointed out through the media, his research nonetheless deserves to be responded to in a manner that allows for scholarly due process to take it's course unhindered by political interference. And that it didn't, bothers me.
If anything Clydesdale's research only serves to reinforce the importance of Pacific initiatives so as to reduce the huge economic disadvantages that many Pacific people will continue to experience as the global food shortage rises alongside oil/petrol costs, increasing unemployment and greater stress on Pacific families to cope with incomes that will not match rising costs. And that for me moves into the realm of very real concern.

GET WELL SOON MAYOR LEN BROWN

2008-06-03T00:45:00.000+12:00

All the best to Mayor Len Brown - I too am praying for his speedy recovery.

Mary Anne Thompson and Pacific Fallout

2008-05-18T10:15:00.000+12:00

I have deliberately held off on commenting more on the Mary Anne Thompson saga. One because of the links she had with building Pacific public service professionalism and secondly because I know some of the personalities involved in what appears to be even bigger than the media reports of Taito's alleged immigration 'wheeling & dealing' for some in his community. Strangely, I remember when underground murmurings in the migrant community were popularly rumoured with Taito as the man who helped 'the illegal underdog". I often listened to friends and family refer to Taito as a "good man" to fear stricken over-staying illegal residents. Now as Taito heads off to face the allegations against him in court, he is now one who many believe ought to be shunned. Human compassion can be so expensive. In his case the issues are far more complex.
Similar issues occur again in the Mary Anne Thompson affair. Yes her dishonesty around the non existence of a PHD qualification she claimed as an achievement, deserves the current attention she is getting - but the real losers here are the Pacific community. Once again Pacific people are portrayed as incapable of dealing with great responsibility because of all sorts of pressures - not only internally within the public service but also from friends and family who may perceive some Pacific high risers as all powerful. Unless we are trained to focus on codes of conduct and ethics above the strong arm of our personal cultural environments we will succumb to pressure and take the broad hopes of our communities down with us. That to me is the fallout upon Pacific communities when Pacific leaders do not abide by the rules.
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CONGRATULATIONS - JOSEPHINE BARTLEY

2008-05-13T19:12:00.000+12:00

Labour has another Pacific candidate added to their lineup and standing in Tamaki. Anyone who has met Josephine knows that she is hard working, committed and really cares about improving the negative statistics for the Pacific community. While I am surprised that Josephine's calling is in this direction, she nonetheless deserves to be elected. And when that happens I will miss her dedicated emails (over the last five years) from the PACIFICA news desk advising all active and inactive members of important events in the Pacific community. All the best to Josephine Bartley as she steps out into campaigning territory for the 2008 election.

CONGRATULATIONS - MAGILA ANNANDALE

2008-05-11T19:07:00.000+12:00

Good news- Magila Annandale is confirmed as the new Director of Communications and Relationships at the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs (MPIA). A changing of the guard at the helm appears to have resulted in new blood being appointed to a number of positions at the MPIA. Magila has a fine track record in delivering a number of government related projects. I remember her well in my university days at Victoria as one who was always meticulously groomed and who was never short on delivering her opinions. Congratulations to Magila and to MPIA for appointing a Pacific 'fire starter'.

Pacific Family Obligations & Public Service Rules of Conduct

2008-05-09T18:38:00.000+12:00

MP Philip Field faces trial on counts of bribery and corruption and all the while another prominent public servant Dr Thompson along with others in the Immigration Service are facing an investigation over their roles in the processing of residency applications of some of Dr Thompson's family members. Sadly I think MP Philip Field's days are numbered - he was left out in the cold a long time ago and his recovery rate before the 2008 election will be zilch. But it does little better for the members of the Immigration Service who must now answer questions about why some applications that were processed were given priority over others. Mr Field's court room drama's will now overshadow any other dodgy questions that might embarrass the Service.

I have been wondering why Pacific people continually face problems with divided loyalty issues to family demands / cultural obligations and public service codes of conduct. But a days thinking has brought me to the realisation that these issues plague us all. I have heard of old school boy associations giving special treatment to children of associates and so on, we do it all the time, we try to influence others to give us special treatment. The difference however is that when in public service - it probably is better to tell all concerned of your connections and leave it at that. Human nature is a funny thing. Without being asked to do so, we usually give special priority to those who may pull at our heart strings, because of some narrow connection or because a person reminds one of another close link. In Dr Thompson's case she ought to have publicly revealed her special relationship to the applicants and left it to others in the Department to deal with it through the normal channels.

As more Pacific people move into the upper echelons of public service - there is the realisation that codes of conduct are culturally neutral because the obligation of Pacific public servants is first and foremost to the state and the public it serves.

1st Maori PHD in Art History Reinstated

2008-05-04T06:41:00.001+12:00

At a time when the history and heritage of Aotearoa is being preserved, the reinstatement of New Zealand's first Maori PHD graduate in Art History at the University of Auckland is of course a triumph in that field of scholarship but also highlights unfair dealings led to his redundancy. The NZ Herald reports on Dr Rangihiroa Panoho.

SAMOA PROTESTS AGAINST Right Hand Drive Change

2008-04-19T13:17:00.000+12:00

Samoa has spoken against the proposed changes made to changing road rules in a 20,000 strong protest march this week. What will the Samoan government do. I recall watching an hilarious debate last year between PM Tuilaepa and Toleafoa Toailoa about the pros and cons of changing to the right hand side of the road.
I remember Toailoa back in my university days - he was the only Samoan married student on campus, a diligent student and a talented musician, and then I discovered he was also known as Romero. How time moves on ..., now he's at the forefront of the anti- RHD protests.
Which ever way the government wind blows on this issue - it cannot ignore the 20,000 voices that marched this week in Samoa. For my opinion - I would say leave things as they are. What is there to be gained from changing the road rules but more expense to the general population in Samoa. Anyway the US dollar will continue to fall so Samoa will still benefit in the long run.

CONDOLENCES - ELIM CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

2008-04-16T20:27:00.000+12:00

Six students and one teacher died yesterday while on a school outdoors trip in Tongariro. What a tragedy to wake up to news like that this morning? Some young people of the Manurewa Assembly of God church I attend are students of that school. So it was with a lot of faith and hope that I waited not to hear their names released over the airwaves and thankfully so as well.

Death is not an easy thing to accept. But I take heart from the strong faith and hope of the Elim College community in God which makes the possibility of despair in a situation like this redundant. School staff, the Principal and their supporters have provided sensible support to their community in allowing them to grieve openly on the school grounds. Mayor Len Brown was on hand for most of the day at the school providing support to the school community and has even offered the Telstra Pacific Events Centre free of charge should it become necessary for a bigger venue. Praise the Lord for Mayor Len Brown. My prayers go out to all of the Elim College staff and students and family members of those who are now in the presence of the Lord.

John 14:18 No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm-I will come to you.

BOB THE BUILDER - CLARKSON yells "Pay The Bill'

2008-04-11T14:11:00.000+12:00

As I read the NZ Herald this morning, I developed a distaste for Bob Clarkson who was reported to have kept yelling 'pay the bill' while Luamanuvao Winnie Laban delivered a speech yesterday on the importance of new legislation to prevent another Muliaga incident from occurring again. He did apologise for his outbursts, but it has clearly left a sour taste in my mouth toward that MP and it has not sweetened through out the day. I have similar emotions toward James Coleman on TV3 Sunrise - I don't watch Sunrise because of Coleman's heartless response about the cause of Mrs Muliaga's death last year. If I mistakenly switch the channel to TV3 and catch Coleman, I am reminded of his cold talk back sessions about a poor defenceless corpse Mrs Muliaga and her children who were tormented by her death and the loss of their mother.
For me- both occasions were more than attempts at taking an anti-pacific stance, it was an anti-humane position. What hope is there for minority groups with personalities like that at the fore front of our society. They need to be shut down. The Dawn Raids against Pacific peoples ended in the 1970s. This is the age of Pasifika enlightenment. Auckland celebrates Pasifika month in March. So get with it Clarkson or get lost. And TV3 how about a male presenter like Paul Henry or even a Pacific one - one who believes in the sacredness of life.

MANGERE - NATIONAL CANDIDATE

2008-04-11T13:12:00.000+12:00

So the lovely Mita Harris has been selected for Mangere. While I am glad he has won favour again for his loyalty to the party, why on earth allow him to suffer a candidate suicidal experience there. Mangere is a Pacific peoples stomping ground - for second and third generation grandchildren of the original Pacific settlers. Since David Lange a candidate who does not have Pacific heritage has no hope of success in a campaign there. I did hear that Enosa Auva'a threw his oar into the blend for Mangere and he would have been more appropriate. There will be no battle for Mangere at election time. Right now it is securely in the hands of Labour's Su'a William Sio who has demonstrated at a local level that he is more than capable of handling the bigger tasks. Recently I listened to him asking Luamanuvao Winnie Laban a few of those contrived questions that party members ask each other when the answer is always a given "yes we did well". There is no doubt that in time Su'a will surpass Luamanuvao in party rankings who I think lacks that ground breaking presence and punch that we all hope our Pacific candidates will have at the national level.
Back to Mita Harris - I hope National has signed up a large loyal group of Pacific party members to support this young man in his campaign because clearly he will need it. Campaigning life in foreign territory can be very lonely and expensive.

Free Trade Agreement - PACIFIC IMPACT

2008-04-06T09:37:00.001+12:00

The New Zealand signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China has many positive spinoffs for exporters and others doing business with China. At its most basic level it means that I will pay less for products (hopefully other than the $2 shop) where tariffs have been lifted. While the battle rages over China's hold over Tibet and much media attention is being diverted toward high anxiety levels being expressed over the Olympic torch travels through Europe to the Beijing Olympics, there is another issue closer to home that has got me thinking.

How do the Pacific Island nation states feel about the FTA? The Pacific Islands have been slowly developing closer ties with China and other Asian nations and were poised to use it as a tactical ploy whenever any Pacific Island nation was dis-satisfied with their treatment from NZ and Australia. The FTA now sends out messages to the Pacific region that NZ's special relationship with China also means NZ may also have a heavier hand in Pacific affairs because it has a strong economic ally in China. It will be interesting to watch our astute Pacific neighbours respond to this new historic FTA relationship between NZ and China. Conversely should China now decide to take an abhorrent stance on a sensitive issue that may cause global concern - what will NZ do? - revoke the FTA under global pressure!! we don't know - these are all difficult scenarios that are open to imagination when dealing with a country that is silent on many issues.
Prime Minister Helen Clark has much to be proud of and NZ has much to gain from it.

CONGRATULATIONS Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga

2008-04-04T01:18:00.000+13:00

I had just finished writing up my last blog piece when I discovered that Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga had won the National nomination for Maungakiekie. I don't need to say much more at this point other than, I believe he will secure the Maungakiekie seat in the 2008 election. Congratulations Peseta - well done. Another Pacific candidate takes the stage - great news.

THINKING ALOUD - GOOD LUCK TO ALL PACIFIC POLITICAL CANDIDATES 2008

2008-04-04T00:29:00.000+13:00

While I make no secret that I lean more to the right politically for all sorts of christian reasons, I also like to support Pacific candidates from all sides of the spectrum simply because we share a common point of origin - the Pacific. My prediction this year is that Sua William Sio will win the Mangere electorate. Labour have moved smartly and quickly to cement it's position in Mangere with Sua being sworn in as MP this week, that sends a loud and clear message that it means to secure the Mangere seat without any real battle. Had that not occurred then Taito might have won that seat hand downs. The only difficulty here is that there may still be strong local Mangere Pacific views that Sua is not a Mangere 'boy' but rather an Otara homie bred.
The Destiny - Family Party contender Mr Filipaina has been out in the Mangere stomping ground for some months now gathering support for himself and his work has not gone un-noticed. There is however one other Pacific contender who may have been able to gouge Mangere from Labour and that would have been Peseta Sam Lotu Iiga. Winning the Maungakiekie local body elections I'iga has shown that he has the determination and dedication to truly win a community over. Another possible Pacific contender from the right is Enosa Auva'a, school principal and a previous National candidate for the Manurewa electorate. Should Auva'a stand this year, he at least has the experience and support of the Pacific community to promote our issues loudly and clearly.
No matter which side of the political spectrum any of these Pacific candidates might stand, they are nonetheless worthy Pacific candidates. I wish them all well should any or all of them stand in an electorate for this 2008 election year.

CONGRATULATIONS - SUA WILLIAM SIO

2008-04-02T21:46:00.000+13:00

Wonderful news for the Pacific community now that another Pacific person Sua William Sio has been sworn in as MP for the Labour Party. The Tagata Pasifika community has gained another channel to promote their issues at a national level. Well done Sua. Like the Hon Tau Henare, this new Labour MP is no ordinary MP, he also - is a brother from the back blocks of Otara.

TAGATA PASIFIKA - RELIGION AND PACIFIC PEOPLES

2008-03-21T15:57:00.000+13:00

POSTCARD - CEREMONIAL GATHERING IN SAMOA (early 1900s)

I love this postcard. It conjures up pictures of old Samoa, from storytelling sessions my father shared with me of historical events of his time. He always referred to the sacredness of life and of God. He often reminded me of the sacred tie between parents and children and the changing roles of parent and child. That was how he ordered the universe for me. Always - always was the central focus of God and his acceptance that Samoan culture was ordered along God given lines of accountability based on respect, reciprocity and relationships.
As I watched Tagata Pasifika on Thursday evening, a panel of prominent Pacific people discussed the relevance of church, trading hours and young Pacific people moving away from the traditional Pacific churches to the more pentecostal forms of worship. I was amazed at how our traditional Pacific clergy are so defensive about their denominational faith and that newer established churches were dismissively referred to as "that or those churches" as if such churches were too modern to be accepted as serious christian affiliation.
Like everything else, youth move to where it's more relevant. So also with youth moving in ever increasing numbers to more pentecostal churches. Not because more traditional churches are wrong, NO - but there is a movement toward seeking the relevant message for everyday life.
Sadly there appears to be a declining number of young members attending mainstream Pacific churches. Today fewer Pacific parents practice Sunday as a day of rest. How much harder it is to preserve Easter weekends as sacred? I always marvel at my Muslim friends who answer to no one when prayer vigils for Ramadan or other occasions are required. How much more will our loss of the sacred also contribute to losing our souls? In the mean time let's remember that mental unwellness is at an all time high.

PASIFIKA - WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO PACIFIC PEOPLES?

2008-03-14T23:01:00.000+13:00

by Vinepa Aiono

1923 -British Samoa (postcard)
Life in a 'fale' such as that pictured in this old postcard has changed for many Pacific people. For others who settled in Aotearoa New Zealand from the 1940s and who now are survived by their second, third and fourth generation descendants, such a home would be viewed as idyllic and sadly today a tourist experience that one pays for. In November 2003 my sister Pou, Karen Palupe and I developed 'Pacific Woman's Month' with the assistance of Manukau City Council and a citation was issued by Sir Barry Curtis in honour of our Pacific Woman of The Year. In 2004 we moved the Pacific celebration of women to March and renamed it PACIFIC PEOPLES MONTH to coincide with the Pasifika festival and the Polyfest that was held in the same month. Oddly enough the great powers of Auckland introduced Celebrate Pasifika in 2005 and while others might claim that it was their novel idea, we can sincerely claim that the month long celebration of things Pacific was first made public by 1st PACIFIC. Now don't think you've entered the complaints corner, let's just say revisionist history likes stating the truth. I like to entertain the notion that all good Pacific ideas come from south Auckland .., and ain't that the truth!!!

We can now safely claim that Tagata Pasifika (refer Wikipedia) is a reference to Pacific peoples and/or their descendants who have made Aotearoa New Zealand their home. Although genealogical connections may exist with one or many of the islands scattered through out the Pacific Ocean, Tagata Pasifika are unique in their claim of Aotearoa New Zealand as their homeland. Celebrating 'things Pacific' represents an acknowledgement of the special relationship that New Zealand has with the Pacific region and the necessity to continue working in partnership with Tagata Pasifika to improve the socio-economic, socio-cultural and socio-political statistics of the emerging Tagata Pasifika youth population.

Celebrating Pasifika is more than bright colours, frangipani prints or coconut splashed bodies performing on stage. It is also a month for Pacific people's to truly assess themselves against the rest of the nation and to strategise how to become leaders in all spheres of Aotearoa New Zealand. This is home.

MANUREWA - "PRAYER" THE ANSWER TO VIOLENT CRIME

2008-02-18T00:10:00.000+13:00

Perhaps it was the last Sunday in January 2008 that I attended the evening church service at Manurewa AOG, when the Pastor announced that the Lord had placed a burden upon his heart that afternoon. The burden he explained was the concern that the Lord had for the recent incidents in Manurewa where a young man was shot in a local Manurewa store by a youth and another youth caught tagging on a local fence was stabbed by a middle aged local adult for doing so. In a small suburb like Manurewa, such events cause nationwide disturbance. The pastor proceeded to read a passage from the Bible as follows;

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land". (King James Bible)

and then asked members to come up to the front and read the verse in segments and then pray as the Lord led them with specific reference to the Manurewa community. It was a powerful time of prayer for Manurewa.
I came away wondering about what healing would then begin to happen in Manurewa. I wondered if the many families in the community needed God. I didn't have to wait long. Many churches in Manurewa have gotton together and with the support of Mayor Len Brown and Deputy Mayor Sua Sio - an all night prayer vigil shall take place at Manurewa Central school this Friday 22nd February 2008.

Lets see how events unravel in Manurew after the next few months if we keep praying. The prayer of a righteous person availeth much - I believe that.

MANUREWA - Crime & Policing

2008-02-03T16:39:00.000+13:00

by Vinepa Aiono (copied from article written on www.1stpacific.co.nz website)

There's a lot of nonsense being heralded about the place that more police on the streets would lower crime. That police are needed to patrol and respond to any crisis within the community is essential. We have suffered already from silly 'call out' responses from the police call centre that led to the death of a young woman some years ago in west Auckland. But we need more intelligent discussion in this area around policing. Many would argue that the presence of more police would lower the crime rate. It doesn't. For example the fight against obesity isn't won by making fruits more available in the western world. Similarly the fight against crime needs to be won within the conscience of a community and sadly it begins in the home - the place many of us refer to as the basic unit for all life - the family.

Attitudes, values, our culturalisms are what will lower the crime rate. We need to encourage our communities to take first responsibility with those we bring into the world as well as others less fortunate than ourselves. How is it that a multitude of young people can gather over 4 days at the Parachute Festival every year and no arrests are made??? Yes we can call it a religious christian thing and dismiss it as simply that. But we need to ask ourselves more seriously about the values that youth at the Parachute Festival have that prevents crime taking place and how we can learn from this.
Family is the best starting point because unless we possess the positive tools to impart pro-social behaviour, we will be raising a nation of misfits who believe it is their right to graffitti their neighbours fence or smash property for the sake of a quick buzz.

Police are required to respond to crises and other incidents where a preventative measure against crime is necessary. But the community must take responsibility for their young and not lose that right to the state. The state can never love our young, the state does not love our youth, the state can say it cares - but I know the difference between being cared for - without being loved. It's like sitting in hospital and being tended to by strangers. The state should only supplement us with services in a crisis situation and in that way support us to raise great citizens for public service.

RESIDENT OF MANUREWA 2008

2008-01-31T21:25:00.000+13:00

Violent crime in Manurewa 2008 has been a hot topic in the media this past week. Radio and TV talk shows have been hyped up even further by the State of the Nation speeches from both sides of the house calling for special initiatives to deal with crime once it has occurred and preventative measures to keep young people learning longer rather than being left to develop creative anti-social habits in the Manurewa hood.
All of these policies are well meaning but still miss the mark. Poverty is the core issue. Ask most young offenders and they will identify a lack of financial resources, bills that parents and caregivers couldn't pay, and the issues continue from then on. Just getting by in most Manurewa households leaves little time for parents or caregivers to exercise caring or supportive attitudes for their children to succeed.
Attack poverty and public health shall improve, violence may decline, less of our young people may feel inclined to drop out of school, home ownership might rise and we might then have time to share and instill good values into our young people in society. So much is now being written about 'work-life balance' and I suspect that only applies to upper income earners who have the luxury of considering BALANCE while those less fortunate struggle to balance their bank accounts.
HELP ERADICATE POVERTY - HOW DO WE DO IT? I'm looking for the answer.