PMN 531: Breakfast

We're joined now by the Minister for Pacific Peoples, Hon Aupito Toesulusulu Tofae Su'a William Sio for our fortnightly talanoa.  Vaccination rates amongst our Pacific Community.  Aucklander's allowed to travel outside Auckland from 15th December.  My Vaccine Pass.  The Teu le Va - Dawn Raids History Community Fund. Repeal of 3 strikes law passes first reading.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vaifale Christina Hunt, Contracts and Funding Manager, for the Prepare Pacific Community Vaccination Fund, joins us now on #PacificDays for a talanoa, about community led initiatives, to help increase vaccination numbers within our Pacific community. For more information & to apply, please go to: https://preparepacific.nz/res.../community-vaccination-fund/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, Monday 14th June, was World Blood Donor Day.  As part of this years celebrations, frontline healthcare workers joined New Zealand Blood Service in saying ‘thank you' to the country's incredible blood donors for helping them save lives.  Every 18 minutes someone in New Zealand requires blood or plasma and to continue to keep up with demand, NZ Blood needs to grow the donor registry by 10% in the next 12- months.  Those interested in becoming a blood donor should download the app, visit nzblood.co.nz or call 0800 448 325 (0800 GIVE BLOOD) and book an appointment to donate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Papakura Manager, Judy Boyd & Silver Kiliva from the Support and counselling centre in Papakura, join us now on Pacific Days, as part of the CAB 50th Anniversary celebrations.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Felila Asiata-Feausi, National Growth and Partnership Manager Alignz Recruitment joins Brian on Pacific Days to talk about career change in 2021 & how to make it happen. Week Two: Recap of week one. Resumes. Interview preparation. Presentation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charleen Siteine is a NZ born Samoan, is one of 20 stories featured in the book “I Fly: True Stories of Overcoming Adversity”. In Charlene’s chapter, she shares about her personal journey with domestic violence See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a background built on his Samoan and Tokelauan values and morals, and faith encouraged by the Catholic church and his parents, 17-year-old Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Malaga Aukusotino mixes service with leadership and entrepreneurship.  The Year 12 student and his Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) team, The Hustle, from Bishop Viard College in Porirua, claimed the National Excellence Business Award for Pasifika Business at the recent Lion Foundation YES National Awards 2020, staged at Te Papa Tongarewa.  Topping off a hugely successful year for the company, Malaga was named CEO of the Year at the annual awards and took home $3,000 worth of training with future leaders, and $1,000 to put towards leadership development opportunities. The title is awarded to the YES CEO who most effectively demonstrates leadership, support, sharing the limelight and keeping things together through the challenging times - a skill which proved very necessary this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining us for the final time in 2020 on the Pacific Breakfast Show, Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Aupito Toesulusulu Tofae Su'a William Sio, joins us for a talanoa on the year that was 2020 & opportunities in 2021.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the majority of the known world are preparing or are already in some form of lockdown or movement limitations, Aotearoa and her citizens are already spending days at the beach and enjoying several outdoor family gatherings. All kiwis except for members of our disabled community who require a wheelchair for all forms of movement. Especially accessing our many beautiful beaches & seaside sceneries, due to the difficulty of maneuvering their chairs on sand and other similar surfaces. This summer, there is a gleam of hope in the form of access mats now laid out in parts of Takapuna beach. It will allow our disablled community to get closer to the water and ZOOM about the sand areas safely.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney, along with stricter controls announced in Europe, over the Christmas period, & The death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic in French Polynesia now at 103, it is a timely reminder as we head into Christmas & New Year’s holiday period, not to let our collective guard down.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coversure is an independent insurance agency helping to arrange insurance cover for families all over New Zealand and helping them to LIVE LIFE COVERED.  Starting from its roots in the spare bedroom in Papakura, Coversure now has a team of 10 with a little over 500 clients nationwide securing over $200million in cover for its clients in life, health, house, car and contents as well as commercial. Coversure was founded by Jason Venu. Jason has over 13years of insurance experience having worked with reputable insurers such as Royal Sun Direct Alliance, AA Insurance and P.I.C. Insurance Brokers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The States Parties to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (“Rarotonga Treaty”) convened  their first ever meeting on Tuesday 15 December 2020.  The meeting was in response to the call by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at their 50th Meeting, held in Tuvalu in 2019, to operationalise the provisions of the Treaty. Following its adoption at the 16th Forum Leaders meeting in the Cook Islands, the Treaty was only the second of its kind—today there are five such regional nuclear free zones covering 116 nations. For further insight into the Meeting of Parties held earlier this week, see https://www.forumsec.org/2020/12/15/towards-a-fully-nuclear-free-blue-pacific-forum-sg-at-rarotonga-treaty-meeting/ For further insight into the Rarotonga Treaty including the Treaty text, see https://www.forumsec.org/treaty-collection/ MFAI media release on the Cook Islands becoming Party to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons see https://www.facebook.com/mfaicookislands/posts/1083989601767279 For insight into the Cook Islands 1995 participation in protest campaign against nuclear testing on the French Polynesian island of Mururoa, read Cook Islands News coverage at https://www.cookislandsnews.com/weekend/remembering-turbulent-times-in-pacific-history/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has successfully completed two survey flights of Fiji and remains ready to respond to those affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa.  The Category 5 Tropical Cyclone, which has now been downgraded to a tropical low, has made its way through the Fijian islands and is tracking away through open seas in the South West Pacific.  A team from Headquarters Joint Forces, responsible for coordinating the NZDF response, deployed an NZDF C-130 Hercules from Base Auckland to conduct an initial survey flight on Saturday 19 December. We’re joined now by NZDF Air Component Commander Air Commodore Shaun Sexton for more (Air Commodore Sexton). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last Friday in South Auckland, a selected audience of community leaders, business owners & influencers with a heart for Maori & Pasefika were guests to the official launch of a company called Seki Tech. Speakers included world renown medical professional Dr. John Mayhew, former All Blacks & the Warriors doctor, along with testimonies from WHO advisors and psychologists from leading sporting organisations across the Tasman. The guests were treated to new artificial intelligence technology utilization with the ability to confirm our health status in an instant.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Saturday night, the much anticipated fight between Iron Mose Jr Auimatagi & David The Great White Light, for the WBO Cruiserweight Oriental belt took place in Auckland. The bout, which was originally due to feature on the undercard of the Joseph Parker, Junior Fa fight, went ahead, after that fight was postponed & is now due to take place on 27th Feb 2021 at Spark Arena. David Light won the bout by unanimous decision & could now be looking at a world title fight in 2021. Mose’s record now stands at 14 wins, 2 losses & 2 draws. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Timani aka "The Plowman", Christian Gospel Hip Hop artist joins us on Pacific Breakfast for Friday Jam sesh, for a talanoa & perform two tracks "Big God" & "Worthy".  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF) announced the winners for its Inaugural Pacific Cooperation Foundation Youth Leadership Awards at Parliament last week, in a special ceremony, hosted by the Hon. Aupito Toesulusulu Tofae Su’a William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs.  The aim of the PCF Youth Leadership Awards is to encourage and reward service leadership to benefit our communities not just in Aotearoa New Zealand, but also the Pacific region.  This morning we’re joined by Dr Brittany Stanley-Wishart winner of the PCF Pasifika Health Ambassador Award Sponsored by Pacific Health Plus. Of Samoan and Cook Island descent, Brittany was born and raised in Wellington and is the eldest child and eldest grandchild within her family. She currently works as a doctor in West Auckland and last year commenced her specialty training in Psychiatry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drink driving is an issue for all ages.  In Auckland from 2015 to 2019 there were 519 death and serious injury (DSI) crashes in the Auckland region which were related to alcohol and drugs. Specifically, in 2017 there were 154 DSI casualties relating to alcohol/drugs, including 26 deaths (19 deaths in 2016). Studies have shown that the risk of being involved in a crash increases as a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increases. At high blood alcohol levels, the risk rapidly increases. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

White Ribbon is delighted to be able to share the details of an exciting new opportunity to assist “at risk” youth in South Auckland. In July of this year, a partnership agreement was established between White Ribbon and the New Zealand Police within Counties Manukau East. The intention was to work collaboratively together on a programme addressing the numerous issues facing young men 14 to 18 years of age that come to the attention of the Police within this community. In this country most violence by men against women takes place in the home – with an average of 14 women a year killed by their partners or ex-partners. Each year there are over 3,500 convictions recorded against men for assaults on women and one in five women will experience sexual assault or sexual interference at some point in their lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF) announced the winners for its Inaugural Pacific Cooperation Foundation Youth Leadership Awards at Parliament last week, in a special ceremony, hosted by the Hon. Aupito Toesulusulu Tofae Su’a William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs.  The aim of the PCF Youth Leadership Awards is to encourage and reward service leadership to benefit our communities not just in Aotearoa New Zealand, but also the Pacific region.  This morning we’re joined by Double award winner Hella Rore, winner of the PCF Le Afi Pasifika Creativity Award - Sponsored by Pacific Media Network & PCF Top Pacific STEM NZ Scholar award Sponsored by Code Avengers. Hella Rore is an ambitious young Melanesian woman hailing from the Solomon Islands. She is currently studying towards her Bachelor in Construction majoring in Quantity Surveying at Massey University in the hope of acquiring the skills needed to assist her country in infrastructure, development, and to set a ripple effect of character building and goals to other young people, which covers a large proportion of the Solomon Islands population.  Hella is also interning at Naylor Love, New Zealand’s top performing, largest privately owned commercial construction company serving New Zealand since 1910. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry yesterday released a new study that estimates up to 250,000 children, young people and vulnerable adults were abused in State and/or faith-based care between 1950-2019. The study estimates they were part of a cohort of up to 655,000 children, young people and vulnerable adults in State and faith-based care during that period. Most people in care were in either faith-based and Social welfare settings with an estimated 254,000 people in each setting (each 31% of total); followed by Health and disability settings at 212,000 people (26%); and Education care settings at 102,000 people (12%). We’re joined now on Pacific Breakfast by the Commissioner for the Royal Commission of Inquiry: Abuse in Care, Aliʻimuamua Sandra Alofivae, for more.  Ali’imuamua, has practiced as a lawyer in the Auckland region for the last 20 years representing children, young persons and their families. She grew up in Mangere and has strong ties to the local community through her work in the voluntary sector.  Sandra was appointed to the Counties Manukau District Health Board in December 2010 following a six year term as a Commissioner with the Families Commission. In 2016 she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the Pacific community and to youth.  In 1995 she was also bestowed the title of Ali’imuamua title by her family in the village of Sa'anapu, Samoa. For more information please phone 0800 222 727 or email: contact@abuseincare.org.nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF) announced the winners for its Inaugural Pacific Cooperation Foundation Youth Leadership Awards at Parliament last week, in a special ceremony, hosted by the Hon. Aupito Toesulusulu Tofae Su’a William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs.  The aim of the PCF Youth Leadership Awards is to encourage and reward service leadership to benefit our communities not just in Aotearoa New Zealand, but also the Pacific region.  This morning we’re joined by Sana Ditta, winner of the PCF Young Pasifika Female of Influence Award Sponsored by the Ministry for Women. Sana is a 23-year-old proud New Zealand-born Indo-Fijian who grew up in Christchurch. She is a new primary school teacher who is passionate about nurturing children and helping them believe they are capable of anything. Sana feels privileged to be educating the next generation of thinkers and wants them to feel confident in their cultural identity, and she wants to instill children with values that teach them about the importance of giving back.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now for our final weekly wrap up of global politics in 2020 with Dr Stephen Hoadley Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Arts. Civil war in Ethiopia.  Update on the U.S. Great Brittain leaving the E.U. again.  Latest from the Pacific region.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF) announced the winners for its Inaugural Pacific Cooperation Foundation Youth Leadership Awards at Parliament last week, in a special ceremony, hosted by the Hon. Aupito Toesulusulu Tofae Su’a William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs.  The aim of the PCF Youth Leadership Awards is to encourage and reward service leadership to benefit our communities not just in Aotearoa New Zealand, but also the Pacific region.  This morning we’re joined by Gibson Gala - winner of the PCF Pioneer Award - Sponsored by the Pacific Business Hub.  Gibson hails from Papua New Guinea and has 15 years’ experience in youth leadership at the local, regional, and international level. Gibson is currently studying towards his Masters in Disaster Risk Resilience at the University of Canterbury. These programs are sponsored by MFAT.  Some of his many achievements include -  He represented Pacific youth at the Asia Pacific Youth Parliament for Water. One Young World Summit, Inaugural Global Intergenerational SEN Summit 2013 Kizuna Youth Program. Australia Pacific Greenpeace Volunteers 350 Pacific. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ReCreators, a group of artisans who run creative upcycling workshops, say they have seen a marked increase in the amount of people making the conscious decision to create their own Christmas presents this year. Geraldine Tew, founder of the The ReCreators based in West Auckland, says 2020 has been many things for many people, but what they have experienced is an obvious increase in people choosing to create Christmas gifts and decorations from previously unwanted materials, rather than purchase new. Ms Tew estimates that in the two years since they held the first workshop, they have diverted upwards of two tonnes of discarded materials away from landfill. The ReCreators hold community DIY upcycling workshops throughout Auckland, teaching adults and children how they can create new products from previously unwanted or discarded materials. They are running a series of DIY community events in the lead up to Christmas and in the new year. https://therecreators.co.nz/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Banaban communities of Auckland are coming together this Saturday, 19th December in Ranui, for the 75th diamond jubilee, to commemorate the arrival of the Banabans in Rabi, Fiji. The jubilee celebrations will also include the launch of the Raranga report. We’re joined now by Maggie Corrie Kaipati, Secretary for the Auckland Banaban Christian Fellowship Support Hub, for more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF) announced the winners for its Inaugural Pacific Cooperation Foundation Youth Leadership Awards at Parliament last week, in a special ceremony, hosted by the Hon. Aupito Toesulusulu Tofae Su’a William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs.  The aim of the PCF Youth Leadership Awards is to encourage and reward service leadership to benefit our communities not just in Aotearoa New Zealand, but also the Pacific region.  All this week on Pacific Breakfast, we will be speaking with some of the incredible winners. This morning we’re joined by Aigagalefili Fepulea'i Tapua'i, winner of the PCF Supreme Award for Pacific Youth Advocacy – Sponsored by the Pacific Cooperation Foundation. Fili recently won Young Leader in the Westpac 2020 Women of Influence NZ Awards.  She is also head girl at Aorere College and an Indigenous and climate activist. She is a founding member and chair of 4 Tha Kulture, an indigenous South Auckland youth environmentalist collective which co-organised the largest and most recent School Strike for Climate. She was the 2019 New Zealand Storytellers High School Public Speaking Champion, the New Zealand representative at the 2020 Global Young Leaders Conference.  As an advocate for low socioeconomic and South Auckland youth, Fili worked with the School March Against Violence and aims to uplift marginalised youth in her community.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poporazzi Productions is a pacific-owned multimedia production/creative house established in 2018, with its first foray into storytelling through a drama series titled Misadventures of a Pacific Professional, based on the unconscious bias faced by many Pacific people in the workforce. It was nominated for Best International Drama at the 2020 Melbourne Web Fest. This year Poporazzi worked with Umbrella Multimedia to co-produce Talanoa with Tupe, a talk-show on Oriana TV and Sky 83 focused on Pasifika success. Tupe, as it turned out, is also an aspiring recording/performing artist having recently released a track called Fall for me, said to be a part of a bigger body of work titled Unsung to be released at a later date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of the global 16 Days of Activism Campaign to stop gender based violence, the Blue Pacific Talanoa Series hosted a webinar on Friday 4 December, 2020 on the topic “Between Culture and Faith: Unpacking the Power Driving Gender Based Violence in the Pacific” There are unacceptably high rates of violence against women and girls in the Pacific. Social dynamics, gender power relations and attitudes still normalise this violence. The 2020 Pacific Biennial Sustainable Development Report highlights deeply ingrained attitudes in communities; societal and cultural factors that see violent relationships as normal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disciple Pati made her debut in December last year with the award winning track “The Boy Who Cried Woman” which won the NZ On Air Best Pacific Video at this years Pacific Music Awards 2020. She joins us now to talk about her follow up single “Atma”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this year, a collaborative research by A Better Start & CCS Disability Action looked at the ethnic inequality in access to disability support. It looked at how Maori & pacific islanders are represented compared to non-Maori & pasefika around areas such as disability support services (DSS) [Ministry of Health’s] and ongoing resource services (ORS) [Ministry of Education]. Included in the scope of the research was the payment rates of the Disability Allowance and ethnicity.  The results? Strong evidence that Pacific peoples were underrepresented amongst children and young people accessing the Ministry of Health’s Disability Support Services. Between the March 2010 quarter and the March 2020 quarter, for people of working age, New Zealand Europeans received a median payment rate from the Disability Allowance that was between 1.4 and 1.6 higher than for Māori and between 2.1 and 2.4 higher than for Pacific peoples. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mangere East Community Centre presents “A Fortnight Before Christmas” community event taking place tomorrow, Thursday 10th December from 5pm-8pm, at the Mangere East Library & Village Green. We’re joined now by Grace McMillan-Caires, Mangere East Community Centre Coordinator for more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As an employee or employer you need to know your holiday legal employment rights and obligations – it’s especially important as we enter the Christmas and New Year season. Employment New Zealand has five top employment tips to help you prepare and avoid problems later. These tips are based on minimum rights. Employers and employees can agree to terms above these minimums. Freephone 0800 20 90 20 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now for our weekly wrap up of global politics with Dr Stephen Hoadley Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Arts. This morning:   Update on U.S. President Donald Trump.    Russia and Japan long-standing border dispute.    Australia and China dispute. .     News from our Pasifika region? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, to start on the Hamilton Samoan Methodist Church on Wednesday 2nd December. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Monday Frances gave evidence about the sexual and emotional abuse she experienced in the early 1970s when she was a primary school student. The abuser was a Marist Brother who taught at the nearby Marist Brothers intermediate school in Ponsonby, Auckland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, Hon Poto Williams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 tickets See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.