via Radio New Zealand 

Cover image:  Associate Minister of Health Aupito William Sio. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas

"They are the heroes on the frontline everyday keeping our communities safe ..."

The government is to give a $26 million boost to support Pacific communities during the current outbreak of Covid-19.

Associate Minister of Health Aupito William Sio said the funding would go towards Pacific health and disability services, community vaccination services and improving communications to specific groups within the Pacific community.

The minister said Pacific providers had proven that they are an essential part of the government's response to this outbreak.

"In the August 2020 outbreak and today, they are the heroes on the frontline everyday out there keeping our families and communities safe," he said in a statement.

"These providers are known and trusted by the communities that they both live and work in. They have the language skills and the cultural intelligence required for the most effective response.

"E fofo e le alamea le alamea, the solutions for our challenges lie within communities," he said.…more

New changes for funeral homes under Alert Level 4 will allow families to visit loved ones in a limited capacity, but a Pasifika funeral director says online streaming is also serving the needs of Pasifika people particularly well in the Covid times with the extra need for Pasifika to be safe.  

"You can still bury and have the minister's sermon and the eulogies online, as well as the slideshows - all these elements can happen, you're just not there physically. The streaming service includes the burials, and the grave being filled in.…more

"Have you been in touch with the Pacific community? - Indira Stewart

 “My husband in Pasifika I talk to them everyday” - Judith Collins

In a spectacular heated shouting match on Breakfast TV1 this morning, the leader of the opposition and party spokesperson for Pacific Affairs launched a scathing attack on the Pacific journalists question line, insisting that ‘speaking to her husband everyday and being in touch with her Pacific contacts’ was an adequate response to the current Pacific Covid crisis. 

When asked by journalist Indira Stewart why she felt she was entitled to travel when thousands of other New Zealanders were staying home to prevent the spread of the deadly Delta variant of Covid-19, the National party MP lapsed into an angry tirade against the question line in a personal berating of the Pacific presenter: 

"Oh come on Indira this is ridiculous."

Watch the full interview below, click the square at the bottom of the screen to bring it up full screen - 

Collins has faced increasing criticism for flying to Wellington yesterday after National and Act refused to…more

Via Pasifika Medical Association Group 

The largest Pacific health provider in Christchurch, Etu Pasifika, is continuing to see high demands from Pacific families for the Covid-19 vaccine. They will be running a vaccination drive for their Pacific community this weekend.

Since reopening last week, the Etu Pasifika vaccination centre has been vaccinating between 250-300 people a day.  The clinic operates both a walk-in and drive-through service to meet the high
demands from Pacific families and ensure that the process is as fast and as safe as possible.

In an interview for 531 PI yesterday, Clinical Director for Etu Pasifika, Dr Monica Nua-George encouraged families to get vaccinated and protect each other.

“We want to encourage our families that this is a great time for us in Christchurch to get vaccinated because it will become much harder once the Delta gets into our area.…more

As New Zealand continues to be in lockdown and Covid cases increase in the community, getting vaccinated is of great importance. Here are a few things you should know about the vaccination process in Aotearoa.

“When you get vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself but also your aiga, friends, churches and community. The vaccine is free and available to everyone aged 16 and over. It will help to protect Aotearoa from COVID-19”

- The Ministry of Pacific People 

Vaccination Appointments and Bookings

If you are aged 30 or over, or you are in Groups 1, 2 or 3, you can book your vaccinations now. Parents or guardians who are eligible to book for a vaccination can also book in a vaccination for any 12 to 15-year-olds in their whānau. This will make it more convenient for whole families to be vaccinated at the same time.

Bookings for everyone aged 12 and over open next Wednesday on 1 September. When it is your time to book, there is no cut off — you can book any time.…more

via Pasifika Medical Association Group 

Collective responsibility between different organisations and Pacific providers is the thread that binds them together as Pacific communities continue to be the worst affected by New Zealand’s current Covid-19 Delta outbreak. 

Amidst concerns around the Government’s response to the needs of Pacific communities during this current Covid-19 crisis, several Pacific leaders say it highlights the importance of working together to address the needs of the Pacific community.

Director of Pacific Health at the Ministry of Health (MoH), Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, says her relationship with Pasifika Futures (PFL) allows for a better understanding of the communities needs.

“Pasifika Futures have access to the Pacific communities and so we get a holistic picture of what’s going on and are able to provide services to what people need on the ground.  

I hear the concerns of our community and we try our best to meet those needs, but it can’t be done alone.…more

The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics Games officially kicked off on Tuesday night with the opening ceremony held at Japan's impressive national stadium.  Like the Olympics, the games were to have taken place last year but were postponed due to the Covid pandemic and the opening ceremony was not able to include spectators.

The twelve-day sporting celebration includes a total of 539 events in 22 para sports. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said a total of 161 countries and 4,500 para athletes are taking part in this years games and includes the Refugee Paralympic Team.…more

Soul Cafe & Barber shop opened on Rarotonga last week and for co-owners Caleb Tatuava and Vou Williams, it's a dream fulfilled ten years in the making.

The funky new establishment which is located in Tupapa/Maraerenga, only 10 minutes walk from Avarua has a unique menu specialising in 'Build your own' sandwiches similar to Subway and a smoothie menu made from fruit growing on and around the island with hip hop inspired names.

The hip hop flavour also spills onto the Barber shop side with a massive mural dedicated to hip hop greats Tupac, Biggie, Snopp Dogg, Ice Cube & Eminem.  The shop is only one of three barber shops on the island and hopes to fill a gap in the market for local youth.…more