Loimata - A Real-Life Wayfinder
The water is strangely calm today outside the Maritime Auckland Museum. Looking out onto the two waka that held the heroic feet of Ema Siope, I watch as they sit vivaciously in the dock, bobbing up and down. I feel as though I have to keep an eye on them, or else they might break out and sail away at any moment. Anna Marbrook, the director of Loimata, joins me, and notes that Ema knew every inch of the waka that sits before us, and it seems as though they continue to embody her energy to this day - ready to move with the ocean and speak with the stars.
Ema Siope is a navigator, a wayfinder, a true sailor, who used the stars and traditional (some might describe them as ancient) navigation techniques to sail the seas. Dr. Tamasailau Sualii- Suani speaks of her power as both a polynesian and a woman, “Ema is an amazing master navigator who has been able to really be a champion in a world that is largely male...…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - ANE TONGA
ANE TONGA
Artist/ Curator of Pacific Art & Inaugral curator of Pacific Art in Toi o Tamaki, Auckland Art Gallery. She is the newest and youngest board member of the Arts Council of NZ - the governing body of Creative NZ arts funding agency.
Tongan
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My name is Ane Tonga and I am from the villages of Vaini and Kolofo’ou. I was born and raised in Auckland-in Mount Wellington/East Side to be exact.
You and your older sister Nina are both Arts Curators in a major NZ gallery and museum - are you unicorns? How unique and important is this for Moana people?
Unicorns are closely related to horses and we’re Tongan so watch out, ha! All joking aside, Nina and I aren’t dissimilar to other Tongan and Pacific people; we are proud of our heritage and demand nothing less than excellence when it comes to the work that we do to serve indigenous and Pacific peoples.…more
HOME WORKOUT WITH ASH - UPPER BODY WORKOUT
Pasifika Fitness Instructor Ashleigh Elliott from Fit Mums NZ is back again with a great Upper Body Workout you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Follow along with her here - she has easy options for those just starting out on their Fitness Journey plus put it together with her 8 min Tabata workout here - click here
WHAT THE “NEW NORM” FUNERALS MEAN FOR PASIFIKA
The spread of the Covid-19 virus and the compulsory self-isolation period has dramatically changed the way we live, with restrictions on how we socialise and gather as a community.
One area that has had a devastating impact on our families is the strict restrictions on the funeral and burial process when loved ones die during this period. The Ministry of Health has banned all public funerals and burials and in most cases, bodies are buried between 24 to 48 hours after death.
“This has been the hardest time in my entire career,” says Tongan/Maori funeral director Francis Tipene, who also fronts the popular reality show The Casketeers. “It’s been heartbreaking to uplift someone from a home or the hospital and telling their family that would be the last time they will see their loved ones.”
This week, Francis and other funeral directors challenged the strict guidelines, knowing how difficult it was for Pasifika families who were in mourning. Changes were made, allowing family members living in the same household as the deceased, to attend a funeral service and burial.…more
KAVA DRINKERS & KAVA CLUB GOERS - "STAY HOME & SAVE LIVES"
Manase Lua, National Manager Kanorau / Principal Advisor Pasifika shares an important message for those who are breaking the rules and gathering for Kava sessions -
To my fellow kava drinkers and regular kava club goers, please listen to the authorities. The more of you breaking the rules and meeting secretly to have kava together, the higher the risk of transmission of the Coronavirus into our communities. These are your parents, sister, aunts, grandparents and kid’s lives you are playing with. Your selfish actions could actually kill people, your people, your own family members. That’s how serious this thing is. Save lives. Stay home. Drink kava online with friends. The faster we beat this virus, the fast we can return to our normal tradition of drinking together.…more
WASH YOUR HANDS PROPERLY AND KEEP COVID19 AWAY
Remember when coming home from the supermarket or walking in public places please wash up properly!
Proper ways to wash hands! As the country lives through the Alert 4 lockdown - know how to wash your hands after all that supermarket shopping! There is a right way to do it properly as seen here*
*As learnt from Dr Siouxie Wiles video and taught by NOT a Dr ShimpalLelisi 🌺in the video above
And Seiuli Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson shows us how he teaches his youngest daughter Tia how to wash her hands with this adorable video he shared on his social media below
PASS THE SEI CHALLENGE
"We are dancers of the Le Manumea Hotel Fiafia Night here in Samoa. Though we are all connected through our Samoan blood, we also are proud to represent the Cook Islands, including parts of Melanesia and Micronesia through our ancestry!
Our 'Pass the Sei' video is just a fun take on the 'Don't Rush' challenge, and would love to see more Pacific Island Queens join in!” #SupportLocal
PASIFIKA NURSE ON THE FRONTLINE - COVID19 TESTING
Name: Saunima’a Josephine Samuelu
Villages: Falefa, Apia, Papa Sataua.
Profession: Registered Nurse working in Auckland New Zealand.
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Where are you currently situated?
Auckland. My job in the COVID-19 Crisis is a COVID-19 Nurse Responder stationed to work at the Community Based Assessment Clinics (CBAC) to test people for COVID-19. I’m part of the team of Alliance Health Plus Nurse Responders to work at the CBAC testing stations across Auckland.
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Describe what you do on the daily?
Every nurse is allocated to a CBAC team. There are currently 6 CBAC testing stations across Auckland. I’ve worked at the CBAC Panmure and now stationed at the CBAC Northshore, 3 Akoranga Road. The CBAC Northshore testing station is accessible for people who live in Auckland central, West and Northshore areas.
Before we start our day, we have a team briefing led by the team Operations Coordinator who is a nurse. The briefing involves a prayer, allocated tasks (so that everyone is clear about what they’re doing i.e.…more
HOME WORKOUT WITH ASH - TABATA WARMUP
Cook Islands Maori Fitness instructor Ashleigh Elliott from Fit Mumz NZ shares an easy 8 minute Tabata Warmup you can do at home while on lockdown!
Follow along with her here & don't worry, she has easy options for those just starting out on their Fitness Journey.
ISLAND DANCE CLASSES!
Island dance classes!
Get moving in lockdown with this awesome workout by Pacific dance teacher Charlene Tedrow of 'Ura Tabu’
Get fit and learn these beautiful Pacific dance moves at the same time!