Pmn 531: Breakfast

A new TV series to help young Kiwis navigate one of the great mysteries of the 21st century – the internet – has just gone live. The six-part mini-series is called The Eggplant.  The Eggplant launched last week on Friday on TVNZ OnDemand and YouTube. It stars some very talented young people, Kiwi icons Karen O'Leary (Wellington Paranormal) and Tammy Davis (Outrageous Fortune) and a few other familiar faces. The campaign is led by DIA with support from Netsafe, the Ministry of Education and the Office of Film and Literature Classification in consultation with youth advisory groups. The Eggplant follows the success of the Keep it Real Online campaign aimed at parents and caregivers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In response to COVID19, the Provincial Growth Fund released funds for the Renovations of the Pacific churches and Marae’s across the regions. The purpose behind the funds was to create much needed employment for displaced peoples, to support Maori, Pacific and local businesses in the regions and to give back to our communities.  On the 8th July 2020, Alignz Recruitment submitted an application on behalf of four Pacific Churches in Hamilton. This was the first time in many years different Pacific congregations came together and truly collaborated for a meaningful project. Bringing together Samoans, Tongans, Cook Islanders, Niuean’s, Fijians, Vanuatuan’s, Maori and more.  Originally a cluster of five churches, came down to four - the Hamilton Samoan Methodist Church, the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa, the Westside Presbyterian Church, and the Wesleyan Church of Tonga. Tuesday 1st December marked the official opening and blessing for the Pacific Church Renovation Project, t

The Human Rights Commission is excited to be launching “Talanoa: Human Rights Issues for Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand” which sets out to identify and understand the issues relevant to human rights realisation for Pacific communities across the country.  The paper aims to raise awareness of the issues faced by Pacific peoples and make recommendations as to how they can be addressed. Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo will provide an overview of Talanoa: Human Rights Issues for Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand and will speak to the several recommendations included in the paper. This will be followed by a Q&A session.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between 1950-1999 there were Pasifika people who were abused when in the care of the State or faith-based institutions. In response, the Royal Commission of Inquiry Abuse in Care was established to investigate this abuse. Abuse that took place in foster care, police custody, schools or special schools, disability care or facilities, youth justice placement or at a health camp.  Among those in care was Fete Taito, a Samoan boy who grew up institutionalized, but willing to share his ordeal for others to learn from.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Roots band Corrella have released their debut single: SUMMERTIME IN AOTEAROA Corrella are a 7-piece band based in Tāmaki Makaurau. The members are from all over Aotearoa and are mostly Māori but also include Pasifika and Pakeha musicians. Four of the band members are currently serving in Te Taua Moana, the Royal New Zealand Navy and one is former Navy.  Band members Ulu Schuster (Samoa, Niue) and Moresby Kainuku (Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngai Te Rangi) join us now for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Alexander Cafe which opened last month in Otara, is located at 4/100 Alexander Crescent, Otara. We're joined now by Lama Saga & Rick Quinlan for more on the new cafe offering up beautiful healthy cuisine for the community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday was the International Day of People with Disabilities. The day aimed to increase our awareness of the barriers disabled people can face, and it promoted the rights and wellbeing of disabled people in all areas of life – be it political, social, economic or cultural. The 2020 theme ‘Not all Disabilities are Visible’, focused on spreading awareness and understanding that not all disabilities can be seen. Some examples are mental illness, sight or hearing impairments, diabetes, and learning differences, among others. Nearly a quarter of New Zealand’s population is disabled, and that number will rise as our population ages. For many disabled people, no matter their age, the accessibility of buildings, information, events, employment, transport, services and products is a challenge.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Australian-born Samoan with a head for the complex world of logistics and a heart for his family has been named the Royal New Zealand Navy Sailor of the Year. Leading Logistics Supply Specialist (LLSS) Peter Siulai, 27, from New Lynn in Auckland, is a sailor of professionalism, skill, enthusiasm, dedication and resilience – the epitome of the values expected of the modern sailor, according to Chief of Navy Rear Admiral David Proctor. As a youngster, LLSS Siulai moved with his parents to Auckland, along with his two sisters and a brother. He attended Kelston Boys’ High School, and participated in its services academy programme. He enlisted in the navy in 2013.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust and Link Alliance are proud to present the MOANA WALL. An outdoor exhibition space located on East Street’s hoardings surrounding the Karangahape Station construction site. Tautai will curate and project manage the outdoor exhibitions from 2020 – 2023. The 70m hoardings will be transformed into the MOANA WALL using the existing infrastructure as a canvas that highlights contemporary Pasifika artists and celebrates the diverse community of Karangahape Road.  The grand opening will be held tomorrow, Friday 4 December celebrating its first exhibition Inside the wave are ocean bodies by artists Natasha Ratuva and Hōhua Ropate Kurene, curated by Cora-Allan Wickliffe. The exhibition will remain until April 2021.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry: Abuse in care has a Pacific inquiry team that is investigating the abuse suffered by all Pacific survivors from the 1950s onwards. This includes the abuse experienced in foster homes, churches and schools.  The Pacific inquiry team is dedicated to calling on all Pacific survivors to come forward and share their stories, so that they can make recommendations to the government on how to take better care of our children in future to ensure that history does not repeat itself. The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry Faith-based Redress hearing began on Monday in Auckland, which focussed on the redress processes of the Catholic Church, Anglican Church and the Salvation Army.  The first witness who gave evidence was Moeapulu Frances Tagaloa. Moeapulu currently works with Tandem Ministries, a Christian organisation and has just been assigned to work with their global organisation, Campus Crusade for Christ, as Chief of Staff, based in the United States.   On

28 year old Constable Matthew Hunt was shot and died while carrying out a routine traffic stop in West Auckland in June. He had been a police officer for only two and half years. On 30 July, on what would have been Constable Hunt’s 29th birthday, Diane Hunt, Constable Hunt’s mum launched a petition in honour of her son and the 32 other New Zealand Police officers who have been killed in the line of duty. The petition calls for the Sentencing Act 2002 and the Parole Act 2002 to be amended so individuals convicted of murdering a police officer receive a mandatory life sentence and have their parole eligibility automatically declined. Between its launch and close, 39,286 New Zealanders signed the petition. The Hunt family commissioned a taonga in honour of the 33 police officers who have been killed in the line of duty. This will be handed over to Members of Parliament as part of the petition presentation. The petition will be formally received by Hon Mark Mitchell MP, alongside Minister of Police, H

Since 2013, Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum has been working on a series of visitor transformation projects to ensure the Museum is a place fit for an evolving city and its people. The end of the seven-year journey is in sight, and by its conclusion in 2021, 35% of the museum floor will have been transformed.  Tomorrow Thursday 3 December, after being closed for approximately 18 months, Auckland Museum will reopen its South Atrium entrance, Te Ao Mārama, to reveal the most significant changes to the Museum in more than a decade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday was the first day of summer and Surf Lifeguards want to make sure every Kiwi makes it home for Christmas after a day at the beach.  Rip currents (“rips”) are one of the most dangerous elements on New Zealand beaches and Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) Chief Executive, Paul Dalton, says it’s vital for every Kiwi to memorise the “Three Rs” for surviving a rip before heading to the beach this summer.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 7 o’clock on Saturday December 5th at FMG Stadium in Waikato, Sky presents -Moana Pasifika vs the Maori All Blacks!  The colours of our Pacific nations will come together under the first ever Moana Pasifika squad named by Head Coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga to play this  historic match against the Maori All Blacks.  Kevin Senio & Salesi Raiesi join us on Pacific Breakfast in the lead up to this Saturday's game.  Prices are really good too, and range from $15 to $55 for adults, and from $5 to $10 for children. You can get tickets at the gates, or if you want to get them online, go to  all blacks dot com slash ticketsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PBS NewsHour’s three-part series “Stopping a Killer Pandemic” was named the recipient of the News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Science, Medical and Environmental Report.  The award was presented by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences during the virtual awards ceremony held in September. The series, which aired in June 2019, explored the potential threat of a likely flu pandemic and the advances in medical research leading to a solution.  The producer of the documentary series was Maea Lenei Buhre, of Samoan heritage.  Maea Lenei is a video journalist and reporter currently working at the PBS NewsHour, a national nightly news show based in Washington D.C.. Maea Lenei received a Masters of journalism from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and she interned with the New York Times video team.  Before becoming a journalist, she worked in the Queensland State Government and graduated from the Australian National University

Earlier this month, Arataki Systems, a Māori technology start up specialising in building digital storytelling platforms, announced that they had partnered with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to help deliver Kanorau Digital, a digital literacy skills and capability training programme. Primarily aimed at Māori and Pasifika communities, Kanorau Digital is open to participants who are 18+ and are looking to improve their basic digital literacy skills. The programme aims to provide the core foundation digital skills and knowledge that will enable whānau to participate in a digitally enabled world and close the digital divide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Playing a crucial role in the New Zealand Defence Force’s response to COVID-19 and its ability to deliver aid to the Pacific has helped earn Leading Aircraftman (LAC) Dennis Tommy the Royal New Zealand Air Force Airman of the Year award. Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Andrew Clark said the Airman of the Year was awarded to the serviceperson who took action to make a significant and positive contribution to the RNZAF and the Defence Force, and who personified their core values. Samoan-born LAC Tommy also played an integral part in the establishment of the Base Auckland Pasifika Group, an initiative with a focus on Pasifika welfare, professional development and community engagement, and was a mentor in the Auckland Pacific community focusing on young people - as well mentoring junior personnel in the workplace and in sport. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sterling work of Samoa’s National Kidney Foundation could help stem the tide of a dangerous epidemic in the island nation, University of Otago research shows. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is recognised as Samoa’s fourth major cause of death, placing a heavy burden on the Samoan people and its health budget. The National Kidney Foundation of Samoa (NKFS) has provided a largely government funded haemodialysis service in the country since 2005, but demand for treatment has risen rapidly in recent years.  That research, published this month in Lancet Regional Health, has seen University of Otago Pacific Research Fellow Dr Malama Tafuna’i study the data collected from the NKFS since its inception. Dr Tafuna’i is an Otago-trained GP who usually resides in Samoa but is currently based in Dunedin completing a PhD under the supervision of Professor Rob Walker and Assoc Professor Faumuina Faafetai Sopoaga, with the Department of Medicine and the Centre for Pacific Health.See omnystudio.

On the 15th of november, the NZ prime minister and Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as fully concluded and signed. Increase to New Zealand’s GDP by around $2 billion (overall) Increase opportunities for NZ exporters to access regional markets Cuts red tape and offers one set of trade rules across the Asia Pacific region New government procurement, competition policy and electronic commerce offers NZ exporters increased business opportunities See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MIT is the largest provider of the Trades Academy scheme in New Zealand which introduces students to vocational pathways while still at school strengthening their transition to employment or further study. The scheme has been growing year-on-year. In 2019 there were 820 places at MIT for both Trades Academy students and for those from the MIT School of Secondary Tertiary Studies. This year there were 1,048. Last night, the achievements of 95 graduates were recognized including fifteen winners of the Prime Minister’s Award for Vocational Excellence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.