CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF VA'ASILIFITI MOELAGI JACKSON
Celebrating the life of Va'asilifiti Moelagi Jackson, mother, grandmother, matai, innovator, fearless leader and a woman who made her mark on the world in so many different ways.
She was a dancer who danced her way into the hearts of many.
And a knowledge holder of fa'asamoa and the age old rituals and arts of the Pacific, she shares her beautiful stories here..
Rest In Alofa Va'asilifiti, as you siva your way across the stars xxx
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - SAPATI APA
SAPATI APA
SINGER/SONG WRITER & VISUAL ARTIST
SAMOAN
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I grew up moving back and forth from wellington to auckland, but every time I live in auckland, we’ve always stayed out south. I’m Samoan - both my parents are samoan, and at the moment I’m gigging with a couple of bands and also continuing work on my EP "Fraud"
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Has music and singing always being a passion & do you see yourself doing it full time one day?
I definitely see myself doing it full time at some point - but I also have a lot of other things I’d like to try in this lifetime. Music however, has always been there for me; it was a big part of my childhood and continues to be a big part of my life. It can be so therapeutic.…more
'WAKE UP CALL TO THE WORLD' says Israeli Professor
Samoa’s measles crisis is a “wake up call for the world,” because it has set a precedent for all countries to follow the example set by the Samoa Government, says the Director of the Israel Center for Disaster Medicine and Humanitarian Response, Professor Elhanan Bar-On.
Professor Bar-on with close to three decades experience in Humanitarian and Emergency Response is urging all Samoan residents to support the Government’s Mass Vaccination Campaign. “Your Government’s decision for compulsory vaccination is an example for the World to follow,” he complimented. “It is the right decision.”
He says that the epidemic is a lesson to the world on the impact of the anti-vaccination movement. “Anti-vaccination movements exists in every country and they have no shame in the consequences of their campaign,” he said.…more
Pasifika Heroes Books empower the next generation
Move over Marvel. Brown Superheroes are about to take over the world - and the imaginations of Pacific young people.
The Pasifika Heroes book set is the latest release by South Auckland-based teacher and author David Riley that caters to a growing need of Pasifika literature in New Zealand.
The four-book set features more than 100 inspirational stories of Pacific achievers from legend, history and today in a bid to help encourage young people to read more and to aspire to their dreams.
“It was always difficult to find books that my students wanted to read about,” says Riley. “I want Pacific young people to read more so that their literacy levels are just as good as anyone else’s and that they are reading stories they can connect with.”
According to a 2017 report published by Pasifika Futures, New Zealand’s Pacific peoples are a diverse and dynamic group with the fastest growing young population.
Almost half of this population are under 20 years of age and Pacific families have more children than any other ethnic group in New Zealand.…more
Two more Samoan children die of measles overnight
Another two children under the age of 5 have passed away in Samoa in the last 24 hours bringing the total of measles related deaths to 75.
The Ministry of Health confirms a total of 5,331 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started. There were 64 recorded in the last 24 hours.
There are currently 129 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities. Of this, 104 are at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH), 2 at Poutasi District Hospital, 2 at Lalomanu District Hospital, 13 at the Leulumoega Rural District Hospital, 1 at the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital (MTIIH) 4 at Foailalo DH 1 in Sataua and 2 at Safotu District Hospital. Admissions include 16 critically ill children in ICU/HDU.
The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 1,704. Of that, 1,500 (88%) patients have been discharged and the Samoan Govn says that approximately 93% of all eligible people in Samoa have been vaccinated against measles.…more
New team of British medics to tackle measles outbreak in Samoa
The United Kingdom Government confirmed last week that a second UK aid-funded Emergency Medical Team (UK EMT) of 14 British medics has been deployed to Samoa to tackle the deadly measles outbreak and arrived in Samoan on Sunday.
The first team flew out from the UK on 29th November and has been working for two weeks in Samoa to help people suffering from the virus. The second team have replaced this team and will be working 12 hour shifts over Christmas to treat critically ill children in Samoa’s national hospital in Apia.
International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said "I want to thank those British medics in the South Pacific for their dedication, especially at this time of year, for working so hard to tackle this deadly outbreak and treat those who are infected.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - DR LOANA TANIELU
DR LOANA TANIELU
EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN & CONSULTANT MIDDLEMORE HOSPITAL
SAMOAN
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Born, raised and educated in Samoa, Dr Loana Tanielu who currently works as an Emergency Physician & consultant in Middlemore Hospital, South Auckland has been a godsend to Samoa in their greatest hour of need. She has returned to Samoa as Clinical Lead of the NZ Medical Assistance Team and one of 42 New Zealand volunteers in Samoa working closely with Samoa medical staff to offer assistance since the measles outbreak with some on their second deployment. Dr Tanielu has remained behind after three rotations since she went over in November.
A graduate of Samoa College and the National University of Samoa, Dr Tanielu also worked as a Science and Biology Teacher at Samoa College. She then graduated from both the University of Auckland Medical School and the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science.
She is especially passionate about improving Pacific health discrepancies both in NZ and Samoa.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - SELA MAKA
SELA TUPOU PATISEPA MAKA
ENGINEERING STUDENT &
PRIME MINISTERS PACIFIC YOUTH - INTERNATIONAL SCHOLAR AWARD RECIPIENT
TONGAN
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Sela is 20 years old and was born in Tonga. The first recipient of the King Tupou VI Coronation Scholarship and received recognition from Ministry of Foreign A airs and Trade as one of the top academic achievers in 2018. In her first year at Massey University, Sela was part of a team who won the Creative Solutions Award for the Wine New Zealand industry in her engineering project course. She was also selected as a summer intern in a global engineering consultancy GHD in Palmerston North.
Currently a mentor at Massey University Pasifika Students association, Sela hopes to inspire others and has previously tutored for the Amanaki STEM Academy. She joined Tonga Youth Leaders, a non-profit organisation focused on providing opportunities for the next generation of young leaders.
Sela is working towards becoming an experienced and chartered process engineer.…more
MAX HOLLOWAY'S BEST UFC FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS - ESPN MMA
Look back at the best fights from the career of Max Holloway inside the Octagon, including his wins over Cub Swanson, Ricardo Lamas, Jose Aldo and Brian Ortega.
Check out Max' UFC career record here
American Samoans granted US birthright citizenship for the first time, in a landmark ruling in Utah
Judge Clark Waddoups has ruled in favour of three American Samoan plaintiffs, that they should be included in the US Constitution's grant of birthright citizenship stating that American Samoans are US citizens and should be issued new passports reflecting that.
Although American Samoa is a US territory, American Samoans have to date been deemed non-citizen nationals.
The ruling occurred in a district court in Utah, where a group of American Samoans living in the state had filed a lawsuit.
They argued that they should be considered US citizens under the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to anyone born in the US.
The Constitution's grant of birthright citizenship applied to anyone born in a US state or territory.
"This court is not imposing 'citizenship by judicial fiat.' The action is required by the mandate of the Fourteenth Amendment as construed and applied by Supreme Court precedent," wrote Judge Clark Waddoups in the US District Court for the District of Utah.
"Further, Plaintiffs are American Samoans.…more