Introducing New Zealand's first Bachelorette - Lesina Nahkid-Schuster
TVNZ has revealed New Zealand's first Bachelorette and we're pleased to introduce Lesina Nahkid-Schuster.
It's a win for diversity with Lesina being of Pacific Islands, Caribbean, Lebanese and German heritage.
Lesina's father George is Samoan/German and although retired now, was a teacher at Mt Albert Grammar for over 20 years. Her Mother Dr Camille Nahkid is Trinidad & Tobago/Lebanese and is an Associate Professor at the AUT School of Social Sciences and Public Policy. She has done extensive research into Māori and Pasifika educational achievement; family and community among Pasifika youth; factors impacting on migrant resettlement; and culturally relevant research methodologies. In 2018 she was awarded a Member of New Zealand Order of Merit for services to ethnic communities and education.
Lesina is the eldest of her 2 siblings - her brother Alesano works with refugees, interviewing and helping them with entry into New Zealand & her sister Shani has recently graduated from Columbia University with a Masters in Sociology and Education.
Her whole family are fully supportive and really excited for her Bachelorette journey.…more
TUA TAGOVAILOA ENTER'S THIS YEARS NFL DRAFT
It's official, young Samoan Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has declared himself for the NFL draft.
Tua Tagovailoa came to Alabama as a 5-star recruit & ended his true Freshman season leading the Crimson Tide to a National Championship. He came up short as a Sophomore & was having arguably his best season in 2019, but suffered a season-ending hip injury. Throughout his career, Tua was one of the best players in all of college football. He throws a beautiful deep ball & is arguably the best at throwing slants. Overall, he might be the best QB Alabama has ever had.
The NFL draft is scheduled to be held from April 23–25, 2020 in Paradise, Nevada.
YUMMY by 'Sorry Girls' & friends
Parris Goebel gets some of the Request "Sorry girls" together along with other friends in LA to jam a lil sumthin sumthin to Justin Biebers latest track 'Yummy'.
They received so much love from the original rehearsal video they put together (Below) that they've given us something extra special.
Enjoy!
UPDATE ON THE SAMOA MEASLES OUTBREAK
The Ministry of Health confirms a cumulative total of 5,697 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started.
Currently the outbreak is declining with 30 new cases reported between December 29, 2019 and January 5, 2020.
As of 8.30am January 5th 2020, there were 16 measles currently admitted at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH) including 4 critically ill children in ICU/HDU.
The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 1,860. Of that, 1,761 (95%) patients have recovered and been discharged.
To date, 83 measles related deaths have been recorded. There were 2 fatalities (one infant and one adult) between December 29, 2019 and January 5, 2020.
There are currently no travel restrictions or vaccination requirement for those travelling to Samoa. Additionally, proof of MMR vaccination is not currently required for Samoans travelling to Australia, New Zealand, or the United States.
Only travelers to American Samoa are required to provide proof of vaccination for MMR.
ONEFOUR - AUCKLAND CITY AFTER MOVIE
Warning: Explicit Lyrics
With OneFour's "In the Beginning" Tour effectively shut down in Australia, the boys took their show to New Zealand for a sold-out performance at the Powerstation, Auckland on Dec 5th 2019.
On landing in Auckland the day before the show, they learned of the heavy prison sentence handed down to Yp & Celly. They also lost J_Emz who was denied entry into the country by NZ immigration.
Carlin Leota captures behind the scene footage as Spenny decides to carry the weight of the team on his shoulders and press on with the show despite being down 3 members.
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Presented by : OneFour Shot
Edited : Carlin Leota
Assisted by : Ben Mikha, Samson Rambo, Torrell Tafa & additional footage by @kumehanik
Samoa measles crisis: Helping Hands volunteers feeding families
via RNZ Pacific
The death toll from Samoa's measles epidemic has risen to 79, as a State of Emergency is extended in the country.
As medical staff continue to work around the clock, and the country welcomes international aid, there is a host of people preparing meals and care packs for those affected.
"The hospitals, they give the patients three meals a day, but we also wanted to help the families as well because you know there's a mum and a dad - the hospital can only feed so many," Eka Arp told Checkpoint's Alex Perrottet and Logan Church.
She and her volunteers have been hard at work preparing meals for families of those hospitalised with measles.
Her cousin Apu's home in Apia has been converted into an industrial kitchen to cater for all the need.
"Because we've gotten so many donations and we don't want anything to go off, we get teams of volunteers to come in and chop and pack, so we can freeze all the vegetables we have," Ms Arp said.…more
NICK WILLIAMS' CHRISTMAS SURPRISE
Former Blues and Junior All Blacks player Nick Williams was reduced to tears after his Welsh rugby club, the Cardiff Blues surprised him by flying out his Mother from New Zealand to spend time with him and his family over the Christmas break.
Nick has played for Cardiff for the last 12 years and his Mother has never seen him play live for the club. This upcoming season will be his final season at the club.
Nick is the older brother of Manu Samoa player Tim Nanai-Williams and cousin to Toronto Wolfpacks latest signing Sonny Bill Williams
Tribute to Va’asilifiti Moelagi Jackson
Va’asilifiti Moelagi Jackson - pioneer, leader, humanitarian dubbed the #QueenOfSavaii
NORWAY's EMT HAPPY TO SPEND XMAS & NEW YEAR IN SAMOA
The Norwegians Emergency Medical Team is spending their Christmas and New Years away from loved ones.
Even though they're away from home, the team would have loved to stay on for at least a month longer, says Team Leader Anne Marie Bruu. “We remain in high spirits because we believe in our cause and we want to help Samoa.”
"Spending the holidays in Samoa is also the Norwegian EMT’s way of showing our appreciation to our local hosts who have welcomed us despite the crisis,” she added “We feel right at home,” says the Logistic specialist.…more
Law Society President and Criminal Lawyer Tiana Epati has been named New Zealand Lawyer of the Year.
Ms Epati, 43, who ascended to the presidency of the Law Society in April this year, was named by legal news website LawFuel as the Lawyer of the Year for the impact her elevation has had on the profession.
Gisborne-based criminal lawyer Ms Epati is the first Pasifika president of the Society, reflecting both the changing nature and face of the profession and the ‘fresh voice’ that lawyers other than mainstream legal figures bring, said LawFuel publisher John Bowie.
The award, sponsored by Staedtler pens, is provided to the lawyer who has had the greatest impact upon the profession in the year.
In an exclusive interview with LawFuel, Ms Epati said the Law Society had made an error in ensuring that Maori and Pacifica voices were not “front and centre” of the Metoo debate that enveloped the profession.…more