Cook Island MP for Palmerston North Ready to Serve

Listen to the podcast highlights on Youtube Or listen to the full podcast on Spotify Main article Service to  the community is a driving force for the new Labour MP…

Solicitor Says Good Discussion Needed for Pasifika When Forming Trusts Ahead of New Law

Solicitor Emily Hartson-Maea says with the new Trusts Act 2019 set to come into effect this weekend it is even more important that Pasifika families have good discussions about why…

EU Pours Millions into Pacific for Trade Capacity Boost

The European Union and the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat signed a new project worth EUR 5.75 million (around USD 7 million) to enhance the trade capacity of Pacific countries. The…

Auckland Secondary Schools Maori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival Returns

The ASB Polyfest, Auckland Secondary Schools Maori & Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, is back on in 2021. The  festival will celebrate its 45th anniversary this year, after it was put…

New Zealand close to COVID-19 vaccine approval

Medsafe says it is close to approving the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine according to a statement released today. New Zealand’s medicines regulator has assessed the vaccine and an expert advisory committee is reviewing the report. Medsafe may be able…

Face masks to be worn on all Air New Zealand international flights to and from NZ

From tomorrow, Air New Zealand will require the use of face masks on all its international flights to and from New Zealand as a result of updated overseas government border…

Voting papers delivered from tomorrow for Auckland local body By-election

Voting documents will be posted to eligible voters from tomorrow for the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board By-Election of the Auckland Council. A vacancy became available after the resignation of a current…

Minister for COVID-19 Response confirms community case

The Ministry of Health has confirmed today that a woman who recently travelled from overseas and completed her stay in managed isolation in the Pullman Hotel in Auckland has tested…

Pasifika Culture, Dance, and Island Cuisine on Display at Wellington Festival

Pasifika culture was on full display this afternoon at the Wellington Pasifika Festival at Odlins Plaza. Thousands attended the annual event showcasing culture, crafts, and Island cuisine.  Festival goers were…

More RSE Scheme workers arrive from Samoa to New Zealand

The second of five planned special Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme flights departed Faleolo International Airport today. 155 Samoan workers will arrive in New Zealand to take part in the…

Capital ready to celebrate annual Wellington Pasifika Festival 2021

Thousands are expected to descend into the Capital this weekend for the annual Wellington Pasifika Festival. Wellington City Council Creative Events Producer Suzanne Tamaki says she is proud that Wellington…

Solomon Islands and New Zealand join forces to combat Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle

Solomon Islands has formed a new partnership with New Zealand to step up the response to the invasive Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB). If left unchecked it can pose a serious…

Pacific Islands Forum leaders to hold virtual retreat in February

The COVID-19 pandemic and the appointment of a new Secretary General will be the key focus for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders who will host a virtual Special Leaders Retreat…

Passengers set to enter NZ from Cook Islands without quarantine

Good news for the Cook Islands. From 21 January passengers will be able to resume quarantine-free travel to New Zealand. Given the country’s COVID-19 free status and strict health and border…

President of national P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. women’s organisation talks 45 years of advocacy

Advocating for Pasifika women across Aotearoa New Zealand is one of many platforms the national Pasifika women’s organisation has committed to providing over its 45 year history. The National President…

Pacific nations exempt from New Zealand’s Day 0 COVID testing

Passengers from Australia, Antarctica and many Pacific nations (Fiji, Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Nauru and…

Director of Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts Centre on adapting during COVID-19

Listen to the podcast highlights on YouTube:   Or listen to the full podcast on Spotify: Co-founder and director of  Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts centre based in Sydney Australia says…

Advocate talks racism and supporting Pasifika in South Island towns and cities

Melissa Lama is a recent graduate from Otago University completing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in politics and is  currently completing her Masters in Business and Administration. It is her…

Head of Media Association Solomon Islands talks social media and reporting on COVID-19

Veteran Solomon Islands journalist, Georgina Kekea, says it has been a challenge when reporting on COVID-19. She says people are slowly adjusting to the new normal, despite the country being…

Pasifika Green MP, advocates for RSE workers, overstayers, education, and languages

Pacific Peoples spokesperson for the Green Party, List MP Teanau Tuiono, says bi-lingual education for Pasifika languages, Recognised Seasonal Employers scheme workers rights, and advocating for families/whanau overstayers are some…