PACIFICA Council Meeting

Date: Saturday, 18 October, 2008
Time: 9.00am - 4.00pm
Venue: Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs
Host: Vaine Orama (Newtown) Branch

Branch members came from as far North as Whangarei, with Dunedin the most Southern. The meeting was attended by approximately 25 members. The women were a dynamic group who made the meeting interesting and productive.

Of key interest and note is that six of the current National PACIFICA Executive Team will not be standing for their currently held Executive positions, this includes the position of National PACIFICA President, as the current President, Dr Diane Mara will have served her four year term in office at the end of this year.

Diane has done a great job during her term as PACIFICA President. Thank you Diane!

As a branch within PACIFICA Central Region we were pleased to hear that Seinia will stand again for the office of Central Region Vice President.

National PACIFICA positions are:
- Assistant Treasurer
- Treasurer
- Assistant Secretary
- Secretary
- Vice President South Island
- PACIFICA President

Vice President Central Region
Vice President Northern Region


Branch Report Highlights

Tiare Ahuriri, Tangiianui, Takitumu, & Hastings Branches were all involved in the sPACIFICally PACIFIC event in August of 2008. An event that showcases Pasifika cultural dimensions through Pasifika students in the Hawke's Bay region. Each year it just gets bigger and better, and 2008 retained this continuity. Ngatoka Gifford-Kara, Taime Pareanga Samuel, Maryanne Marsters - Presidents.

Whangarei branch celebrated their 30th anniversary, which was held in early September in the Schnappa Rock Cafe at the Tutukaka Coast. The 40 ladies who attended were treated to a coach trip to the venue, a buffet lunch with gorgeous cake and then entertained by our branch with songs and dances from Samoa, Fiji, Niue and the Cook Islands. Again this event has brought more members on board. I would like to thank Josephine Bartley for her support, for coming along and bringing Seiuli Moria Walker and Evelyn Knowles to celebrate with us. We were pleased with the day and incredibly proud of what has been achieved on that day and how the branch has survived for 30 years. Venee Mortimer - President.

Actions and highlights of the Auckland Central Branch included, but was not restricted to, establishing a new database - in order to maintain accurate records, better ascertain numbers of current and active members vs. those that require a gentle reminder; renewed relationships in Health across three District Health Boards; and developed a calendar of events for 12 months. Each month having a theme with supportive activity. Particular emphasis on supporting members with projects of national as well as local interest to Pacific women. Anne Fitisemanu -President.

Wellington Central Branch big fundraiser for the year was held on Friday, 4th April, 2008 - PACIFICA Passion Evening of fashion, food and entertainment. Held from 7pm to 11.30pm at Marist St Pats Rugby Clubrooms in Hataitai, over 220 people attended and we raised $5,500. The evening comprised a speech by Hon. Winnie Laban, a fashion show, entertainment from the Laughing Samoans, Salsa Magic Dance performance, Moana Ete singing, raffles and an auction. We also received a donation of $2,000 from Capital & Coast DHB Pacific Unit for the project, bringing the total funds raised to $7,500. This will be utilised to raise Pacific women's awareness of breast and cervical cancer screening in Wellington. Mele Wendt - President.

The Palmerston North Branch are pleased to report that our branch is doing really well. Our keen members, even though we are busy with work and studies, we still manage to keep the branch active. We meet when it's required. We're hoping to have a weaving workshop before the AGM so we can enter the Weaving Competition. five of our members attended the Central Region Mini Conference and enjoyed it. Four of our members went to Samoa in May for EFKS church conference. Loau and her husband went to America in July. There are untold responsibilities that we have and yet we're all well and happy and look forward to PACIFICA activities. Lemalu S. Tini Tulitua - President.

And the Tokoroa Branch say that being in a small town community, we are wearing several hats, so members are together constantly, not just for P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A meetings. We lost our esteemed Life Member, Mama Ngakai Pere in June. She had been awarded her Life Membership in Hastings, where Fanaura and I attended. I also was privileged to receive my Life Membership at Hastings. Our thanks to the Tangiianui and Takitumu Branches for hosting our Conference in February 2008. In July, we hosted the Northern Region Mini Conference, which twenty three delegates attended, plus nine of our members, and local women from our tivaevae group, who demonstrated their embroidery art, as each delegate was given a cushion, with applique pieces for successful outcomes. The day was very wet, and cold but there was so much warmth and laughter from our Pacific women, as we are "hot" and happy people, by disposition! We're looking forward to our A.G.M. in Auckland next February, and intend to fund raise for this, so that all of our members can attend. Francis Campbell - President.

Much thanks go to Vaine Orama Branch for the great venue, great food and drink, much warmth and welcomes, which set the scene for a productive and enjoyable P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. Council Meeting. Meitaki Maata!

NOTE: Other PACIFICA Branches were in attendance at the meeting. Branch highlights contained on this blog were taken from branch reports handed out at the meeting.

Maryanne