Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 37

Congratulations to 1 News Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver who won 2 major awards at the Voyager Media Awards last night for her coverage of the Samoa Measles Epidemic last year.  

Barbara who was born and brought up in her Mothers home island of Kiribati has always been passionate about the Pacific Islands and fighting for Pacific Islands issues to be covered in mainstream media.

She said of winninng both awards "I am so super proud to take out two major categories - 'Best TV news story' and 'Best coverage of a major event' but winning it for my Samoan measles coverage is bittersweet. While I am thrilled that the significance of this tragic event is recognised it does feel wrong in some ways to celebrate because of the lifetime of hurt so many families have ahead of them." 

She said the Samoan measles epidemic affected her profoundly on both a personal and professional level and she really struggled with witnessing so much needless grief.…more

The Pasifika Medical Association's (PMA) scholarship recipient, Pyllein Pauli Taetafe, says that her career as a nurse has helped her realise her dream of helping children suffering with illnesses. 

“Seeing children suffer with their illness is sad. But I get my strength from knowing that I’ve given them the best care possible and the times I’ve made them smile, encourages me as I know I’ve done my small part to make them happy.” 

She says she can empathize with families, after having to overcome the death of her own father when she was just seven years old. 

“When my dad was dying, I experienced the process from a child’s lens and now as an adult I’m seeing children being sick, so the emotional connection is real for me and I feel I’ve come full circle.” 

She says the job becomes difficult when patients succumb to their illnesses, especially children. 

“I’m a Sunday school teacher and a youth leader so my passion for children does come through.…more

For first-time mum Louina Tuipulotu being pregnant and having a baby during the Covid-19 lockdown period, made her feel extremely anxious.  But when she finally gave birth at the end of April to a healthy daughter and held her newborn in her arms, all that worry went away.

“I’m glad we are both well and healthy. I’m enjoying being a mother for the first time.”

Normally, the Tongan mother and her husband Viliami would rely on their large extended family to support them. But the Hamilton couple only had each other during her pregnancy and while Louina gave birth to their daughter Fusi Athaliah. She says the experience brought her and her husband closer together.

“I was supported because my husband has been taking very good care of me. It’s made me feel comfortable and relaxed.”

Ngatepaeru Marsters, a midwifery clinical educator and member of the Pasifika Medical Association, says Pasifika mothers who are giving birth during this time have had to adapt without having their families by them for support.…more

On May 15th, a group of 10 from 4TK/ 4 Tha Kulture (South Auckland Climate Change Activism Group), visited landmarks from all around South Auckland, armed with banners and chalk.

“It’s important for our Pacific and wider community to understand how COVID-19 and climate change are directly related, especially with the rising sea levels in the Pacific Islands as well as the growing rate of natural disasters like Cyclone Herold. The future of our people depends on it.” Says 17-year-old South Auckland 4 Tha Kulture (4TK) Organiser Aigagalefili Fepulea’i - Tapua’i.

The May 15th strike was solely centred on 4 Tha Kulture’s new demand, alongside School Strike 4 Climate (SS4C), for a Green COVID-19 Response. They demand that, as Aotearoa now begins to offset the economic impacts of COVID-19, the Government must invest in building a renewable and regenerative economy. This must be done through meaningful partnerships with communities, Tangata Whenua and Pasifika, and youth to ensure a just transition and that no one is left behind.…more

By Jordan Bond for Radio New Zealand

Government ministers have backed down over tangi and funeral rules, which initially restricted attendees to a maximum of 10 people at a time.

It is now set at 50 people, but the funeral director must submit a plan and have it accepted showing they can mitigate health risks of spreading Covid-19.

"It's definitely what the public have been asking for, so they'll be happy. We're happy, and we'll accommodate whatever needs to be accommodated by the Ministry of Health," said Funeral Directors Association spokesperson Simon Manning.

The association asked Minister of Health David Clark for the limit to be 100 people, arguing they would be more than capable of handling that number, Manning said.

Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors general manager Gavin Murphy agreed that 50 people was too few, but should be better than a limit of 10, which put some families in an unfathomable situation.…more

Six medical scholarships offered to thirteen recipients, with a combined value of $90,000, are providing a head start to Pasifika students pursuing a career in the health sector.

It’s the third year the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) has offered the scholarships, which supports undergraduate and postgraduate studies, placements in the Pacific islands and students from Otahuhu College’s Science Technology English and Maths(STEM) programme, an initiative supported by the association which prepares Pacific high school students for a career in health science.

PMA CEO, Debbie Sorensen, says the scholarships ensures more Pacific students are supported in careers that will benefit the Pacific community.

“Our group has been supporting Pacific clinicians for over 20 years, we recognise their value to the health sector and Pacific communities continue to benefit from their expertise.…more

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a staggered move into level 2 starting on Thursday, with schools and bars reopening later and groups limited to 10 people.

Ardern, joined by Director-General of Dr Health Ashley Bloomfield, made the announcement at 4pm, saying the country would officially move to level 2 at 11.59pm on Wednesday.

"We may have won the battle, but we have not won the war," Ardern told New Zealanders.  "None of us can assume Covid isn't with us."

She said retail, malls, cafes, restaurants, cinemas and other public spaces including playgrounds and gyms would be able to reopen on Thursday, 14 May.  

Schools would return to normal classes from Monday 18 May, while bars would have to wait until Thursday 21 May to reopen.  Ardern clarified that bars would be distinguished from restaurants by using the Easter trading regulations.  She warned that groupings would also be restricted to just 10 people.

"Why 10? simple.…more

Relief doesn’t even begin to describe how Cook Island mother Rachel Metuangaro and her 15- year-old daughter are feeling this week. After six-weeks of having to under-go strict isolation in Auckland, the pair have finally been given the all clear to head back to Rarotonga this weekend.

“We are one of the first groups to go home, we’re just so happy,” Metuangaro says. “Our family back home have been worried about us, but they are looking forward to us coming back. Sadly though, we won’t be able to see them straight away. As soon as we get off the plane, we have to hop on a bus that will take us to another facility where we will have to quarantine for two more weeks.”

In the last two-weeks they were moved from The Mount Richmond Hotel to The Holiday Inn in Mangere, a place that has become a temporary quarantine centre for returning Cook Islanders.

"Everybody has been in really good spirits since we heard the Cook Island borders have opened again,” says Metuangaro.…more

The CoconetTV ongoing Pacific Islands updates for our community in Aotearoa and the Pacific region.

To catch up on previous updates click here

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End of week round up - 

NEW ZEALAND - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern outlined conditions the country will face under Alert Level 2 prior to next week's announcement of when New Zealand will move.