WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - KIRSTEN FISHER MARSTERS
Kirsten Andrea Fisher-Marsters
Swimmer
Cook Islands
-
Kia orana, I'm Kirsten Fisher-Marsters. I am a competitive swimmer. I represent my fathers side of the family who are Marsters from Palmerton Island in the Cook Islands. I have alot of love for both New Zealand and the Cooks and if I am asked where I feel at home, it would be wherever my family is.
What has your experience been like representing Cook Islands at the Commonwealth games?
Everytime I put my Cook Islands uniform on, I feel honoured. What I love about the Commonwealth Games is being with fellow kukis from different sports. We have a very special team spirit and when I hop on the blocks ready to race I want to do well for my team and for my country, we are there for each other to celebrate our achievements and support eachother if things don't quite go our way. That's why I love representing Cook Islands.…more
What awaits you in Beautiful Samoa
“Beautiful is back” – that is the latest slogan taking social media by storm as Samoa officially opened its borders in the beginning of August.
The excitement of a nation that has been closed to travelers for almost 3 years due to the pandemic was felt through the wonderful display of welcome at the Faelolo airport earlier this week. Cultural dances and songs filled the airport as each traveler was welcomed with fresh flower garlands, beautiful smiles and a heartfelt “Talofa!”. It was truly a welcoming ceremony that befits this island nation known as ‘Beautiful Samoa’.
Theres so much new and old things to do on island. You can climb Mt Silisili in Savaii, see turtles on your way to Namua and treat yourself to all the goodies at Sula Bakery in Mota'a. The options on how to spend your time in the 685 are endless.
Whether you are a returning visitor, citizen or a first time-traveler—Samoa is a destination that should be on your “must travel'' list.…more
Commonwealth Games 2022 - Pacific Islands Update
We're over half way through the games now and Samoa are currently leading the medal tally for the Pacific Islands with 1 Gold and 3 Silver by way of their weightlifters.
Fiji currently have the double silver from their Fiji Rugby 7s teams & a bronze in Weightlifting, Papua New Guinea has a Silver in Weightlifting and Nauru managed to bag a Bronze in weightlifting before they finished their Commonwealth Games campaign too.
Catch up on our weekend wrap here and the Pacifics first Gold medal here
It's been a busy couple of days for our Pasifika athletes so we've got results & who to look out for as we head into the weeekend for you below.
NB all times indicated below are in NZT.
-
COOK ISLANDS
Alex Beddoes is the Cook Islands sole track athlete and ran his 800m heat yesterday with a season best time of 1:52.72
Kuki boxer Tawhiri Toheriri-Hallet went down to Cyprus' Rafail Pafios over the weekend but you can check out his story in the video below.…more
Pacific News Headlines: 3rd August 2022
Watch a wrap-up of your week in news from across the Islands, in under a minute.
Samoa wins gold at the Commonwealth Games - the winner hailing from a family of athletes.
-
Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Commonwealth Games 2022 - Pacific Islanders in Action
The Pacific islands have snatched their first 2022 Commonwealth Games GOLD ladies and Gentlemen!
In fact, our Pasifika athletes managed to collect one Gold and two Bronze medals in Weightlifting for three of our island nations early this morning.
Samoa have won their first Gold with 23yr old Don Opeloge smashing the Commonwealth Games record in the Mens 96kg Weightlifting final. He strolled in and snatched 171kg and clean & jerked 210kg giving him an aggregate score of 381kg (also a Comm Games record). Fijian Taniela Rainibogi picked up Bronze in the same event.
-
Earlier in the evening Maximina Uepa picked up a Bronze medal for Nauru - one of the smallest Pacific island nations competing at the Commonwealth Games! How good?!
Maximina competed in the 76kg division lifting 96kg in the Snatch and 119kg in the Clean & Jerk.
-
Take a look at how our Pacific Islands teams are tracking and who we should look out for over the next few days at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
NB all times indicated below are in NZT.…more
Pacific Music Awards 2022 - Meet the first time finalists
The biggest celebration of Pacific Music in New Zealand returns with crowds again for the live Pacific Music Awards event on Thursday 4th of August.
There are 26 finalists in total with a mix of new musicians debuting music, established music artists, Pacific industry icons and everything in between.
This year iconic Samoan singer-songwriter Fa'anana Jerome Grey will be honoured with the Pacific Music Awards Lifetime Achievement award and there will be a new Creative New Zealand award - the recipient will be announced on the night.…more
Support to Samoa’s Climate Change Plan and rebuild of Savalalo Market
Prime Minister Ardern met with members of Samoa’s Cabinet in Apia, today, announcing the launch of a new climate change partnership and confirming support for the rebuild of the capital’s main market, on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa.
“I am pleased to reaffirm our commitment to Samoa — and the priorities of the Government of Samoa — as we mark this milestone in our countries’ shared history,” said Jacinda Ardern.
“Through the Samoa–Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Partnership, we are committing NZ$15 million in flexible finance to support the delivery of Samoa’s climate change priorities. This funding will help build Samoa’s resilience to the impacts of climate change and its transition to a low emissions economy. We will work with the Government of Samoa to determine governance arrangements, and opportunities for future investments.
At the request of Samoa, Aotearoa New Zealand will also provide NZ$12 million toward the rebuilding of the historic Savalalo Market, which was destroyed by fire in 2016.…more
Speech: 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa- “Lifelong Friends – Uō Mamae"
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern gave an impassioned speech to Samoa to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between the two countries. She is leading the first international delegation in Samoa since Covid hit the world.
The group has a representative from every party in parliament - including Christopher Luxon, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni, and Minister of Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio. The Prime Minister acknowledged the trauma of NZs colonial governance of Samoa in history, but looked to an exciting future between the two nations.…more
Commonwealth Games Weekend Wrap - Pacific Islands
The 22nd Commonwelath Games kicked off in Birmingham, UK on the 28th of July with the opening ceremony held at the Alexander Stadium. 11 of our Pacific Islands nations are competing - Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu & Vanuatu.
The theme of the games is 'Sport is the beginning of all' and the Pacific Islands nations walked out in alphabetical order together with Australia and New Zealand under the Oceania region.
Swipe through for some of our teams marching in.
We've put together a few of the highlights from the weekends competition as well as a couple of 'Ones to watch' in events that are still to come.
-
History makers
Solomon Islands and Tuvalu have teams that have qualified for Beach Volleyball for the very first time at the Commonwealth Games.
Hanna Marasalau & Calorose Sisia (below) are the womens pair who debuted at the games for the Solomons losing to England in their first game but will play fellow Pacific Islanders Vanuatu next and Scotland in their final pool game.…more
Pacific News Headlines: 29th July 2022
Watch a wrap-up of your week in news from across the Islands, in under a minute.
The Manly Sea Eagles pride jersey debacle comes to an end, after players and management reach a compromise.
-
Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air