"The Reverend made me an alter girl after the first time he abused me in his home. As an alter girl, I had to go early to the church on Sundays to help him put on his robes. He used this as an opportunity to sexually abuse me again.  

The abuse happened only once in the church, and it happened after the third time that he had abused me in his home. The next time he asked me to come in early, I ran away from my home to avoid having to go. I began running away often, and I never went back to that church." 

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The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is currently holding its first ever Pacific Investigation hearing into abuse in care of Pacific people in this country.  The enquiry is looking at abuse of Pacific people in both state and faith-based institutions between 1950 and 1999.…more

Ahead of the New Zealand governments Dawn Raid apology this week, we take a look at The Polynesian Panthers and their political and social justice movement.  Their call for an apology came as part of their 50th anniversary commemorations.

Who were the Polynesian Panthers?

The Polynesian Panther Party (PPP) was a revolutionary social justice movement formed to target racial inequalities carried out against indigenous Māori and Pacific Islanders in Auckland, New Zealand. Founded by a group of young Polynesians on 16 June 1971, the Panthers worked to aid in community betterment through activism and protest, education, legal aid, and other social resources.

What was the Polynesian Panthers Party’s ties to the Black Panthers?

The Polynesian Panthers were explicitly influenced by the American Black Panther Party, particularly  African-American revolutionary Huey Newton’s policy of Black unity through his global call-to-action. Huey Newton was a co-founder of the Black Panther Party with Bobby Seale.…more

"My abuse in care led to me having a long history of PTSD and depression, especially as I started unlocking memories that I have suppressed. I drowned those memories with weed and alcohol, I masked them.

The abuse destroyed my relationships with my family.  I came out of care so angry that they put me there, abandoned me, left me and forgot about me. They assumed that after the system did its thing that I would be fixed and that when I came out, I would be right. But every time I went into these places, it made things worse. I came out and I was so angry with my family." 

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is currently holding its first ever Pacific Investigation hearing into abuse in care of Pacific people in this country.  The enquiry is looking at abuse of Pacific people in both state and faith-based institutions between 1950 and 1999.…more

"We didn't get to say goodbye to my parents. My little brother Masiu and I were left at the house with the other Tongan families living there. Masiu was only 6 years old.

The officers didn't care about what would happen to Masiu and I. They just took our parents and left. We were very confused about everything and didn't know what to do. We just wanted to be with our parents. Masiu was crying. I was angry, and I didn't know how to care for him because I was still sick myself. We didn 't have any money. The neighbours fed us." - Tesimoni Fuavao in his testimony.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care is currently holding its first ever Pacific Investigation hearing into abuse in care of Pacific people in this country.  The enquiry will look at abuse of Pacific people in both state and faith-based institutions between 1950 and 1999.…more

"I always considered myself to be like a taro shoot trying to grow in the snow — it can never happen you know...

When the State intervened and took me away from my parents, they became responsible for what happened to me in care and the pathway my life took into the borstals and prisons. We were put into a system that couldn't cater for us Pacific kids. The State shouldn't take you away if your life is going to be worse off. My parents had to pay maintenance for me when I was in care. We were already poor and struggling. I don't know how this would have made my parents feel. My parents shouldn't have been required to pay one cent to the State for looking after me." 

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is currently holding its first ever Pacific Investigation hearing into abuse in care of Pacific people in this country.  The enquiry will look at abuse of Pacific people in both state and faith-based institutions between 1950 and 1999.…more

Yesterday afternoon an 'Ava Usu' ceremony (welcoming ava ceremony) was held at the Fale Pasifika, Auckland University to officially celebrate the appointment of Saveatama Eroni Clarke as NZRU's very first Pasifika Engagement Officer. 

The ceremony was also held to celebrate the significant contribution of Pasifika people and culture to the rugby community in New Zealand.

Although, Saveatama has been in the role for over a year now, the official appointment and ceremony had been delayed due to Covid.

Prior to the ceremony starting a mihi whakatau (welcome), karakia and waiata was given from the NZRU side and accepted by Ika Tameafuna on behalf of Saveatama Eroni Clarke.

The Ava Usu ceremonial proceedings then started with the distribution of ava sticks and mats, tulafale speeches and the ceremonial drinking of ava and words of blessing & encouragement given to Saveatama Eroni Clarke on his new title.…more

Ren Slatter joins Discovery Channel's newest show "Shark Acadamy". 

The tv show follows Shark Scientist Dr. Riley Elliott as he looks for a new member for his team, but he only has room for one. Eight recruits battle it out for the chance to go on his Dr. Riley's next expedition. There are challenges, and many close shark encounters on the way towards potential victory. 

By Va'ai Nah Folasa 

DISCLOSURE

I must state at the outset that I wear two hats when discussing this issue.

Firstly and above all I am an advocate for womens rights. I support and promote gender equality. As founder and President of the Logo Puialii Samoa Youth Group (LYG) I am mandated to press for women's freedoms and rights and to prevent harassment, abuse and violence in all its forms at all times.

Secondly I am a reporter/ journalist and am bound to report the facts truthfully, ethically and in a timely manner. I see no conflict with my dual role.

Having recently witnessed my female cousin be a victim of harrassment to the point where she resorted to suicide you will forgive me for being both passionate about this issue and sceptical about funded support.

THE MARCH

A march was called for this afternoon to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment and freedom from abuse.  

A truly noble cause for which I personally support 100%.…more