TIARE AHURIRI

Aere ra Meagan, he wahine ataahua, he wahine toa

2011-08-02T03:48:00.000-07:00

It was with great sadness that Tiare Ahuriri representatives joined with the many hundreds of people who last week farewelled National President of the Maori Women's Welfare League Meagan Joe, who passed away on 27 July 2011, after a battle with breast cancer. Tiare Ahuriri members spent some time with Meagan and her whanau as she lay at Pukemokimoki Marae in Napier, the same place where we had celebrated her investiture as National President in 2008 (see earlier blog article). Tiare Ahuriri President Caren Rangi then accompanied our National President Sally Dalhousie to Meagan's funeral service at Waipapa-a-iwi Marae in Mohaka, Northern Hawkes Bay, along with Tania Thomas, Board member YWCA, and Rowena Phair, CEO, Ministry of Women's Affairs. The funeral service was a beautiful celebration of a much loved mother, daughter, nanny, partner, friend and devoted leader of the MWWL. The respect in which Meagan is held by all attending was clear to see, and was strongly reflected in the eulogy provided by current and past members of MWWL. Our love and thoughts are with Meagan's mother Te Maari (a longtime member of the HB branch of PACIFICA), her partner Mereana, and her daughter Sonya and mokopuna . Aere ra Meagan, may you rest in peace.

PACIFICA Connections in the Community

2011-07-08T05:33:00.000-07:00

This article appeared in the July edition of Tamatea (suburb of Napier) community newsletter "Connections"

Tamatea’s Global Connections

Puna and Berry Rangi both come from the Cook Islands and have lived on Westminster Avenue in Tamatea for 37 years since shifting here from Christchurch in 1974. Their two children went to Tamatea Primary, Intermediate and High Schools, and they now have grandchildren attending Wharerangi Kindergarten, Tamatea Primary and Tamatea High. They have seen a lot of changes in Tamatea over the time they have lived here, including the establishment of Park Island, the changes in the Tamatea Shopping Centre, and the development of the Parklands area. However, they have also seen the small suburb character of Tamatea maintained.“One of the things we enjoy about Tamatea is that it has always had good community spirit. We have seen it during our association with different parts of Tamatea – the schools and kindergarten, our Avon business, the Tamatea Community Church, Pirates Rugby Club and Tamatea Country Women’s Institute,” said Berry.And from Puna - “In some ways, it is similar to the villages in which we grew up in the Cook Islands – people are friendly, and you recognise the “Tamatea” faces. And our daughter and her family live six houses around the corner!”

Happy Birthday Diane!

2011-07-08T05:27:00.000-07:00

PACIFICA members joined with Dr Diane Mara, her son Henry and friends recently to celebrate her 60th birthday. Much laughing, eating and reflecting took place! Diane is enjoying her new role as Academic Leader, ECE Pasifika, School of Critical Studies in Education, at University of Auckland - but no, she has not deserted the sunny Hawke's Bay for the City of Sails! Diane remains living here in Napier, and commutes to Auckland each week to undertake a job she finds both enjoyable and rewarding. Happy Birthday Diane!

2011 - a busy year so far

2011-07-08T04:40:00.000-07:00

Branch Report Central Region Mini Conference 9 July 2011, Hastings Prepared 6 July 2011 by President, Caren Rangi

Warm Pacific Greetings ladies of the Pacific!!! Well another busy year in Hawke’s Bay, and here are some of the highlights from the activities we have been involved in with our Pacific communities and the community of Hawkes Bay.

2010 End of the year Branch Get-to-gether Tiare Ahuriri had a fun evening at Branch President Caren Rangi’s place on 21 December 2010 to celebrate another year in the life of the Napier PACIFICA branch.

PACIFICA AGM Due to extremely hectic lives at the beginning of 2011 Tiare Ahuriri were unable to attend the PACIFICA AGM in Tokoroa. We wish to extend our sincere apologies.

Supporting breast and cervical screening

Member, Berry Rangi was involved in two initiatives aimed at improving the health of Pacific women in the Hawke’s Bay.

1. Putting a Colourful Welcome into having a Mammogram.

A focus on strategies to improve poor breast screening rates for Maori and Pacific women by the Hawke’s Bay screening team saw Pacific Health Promoter, Berry Rangi push for the provision of the pareu as an alternative to using a patient gown in examination rooms. Berry received strong support from local Pacific women for the introduction of this concept. This resulted in a recent gifting ceremony of korowai and pareu to local breastscreening service Hawke’s Bay Radiology. Well done to the Hawke’s Bay screening team and especially our own Berry Rangi.

2 Health Promotion
In consultation with the Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints Church Women’s group and the Tongan Catholic church in Flaxmere, Berry Rangi planned and ran a health promotion event for breast and cervical screening on Friday 10 June 2011. It focused on Pacific women in Hawke’s Bay and included healthy lifestyle activities like healthy and economic cooking demonstration, hand massages, heart foundation health promotion and preparing for disaster and emergency survival kits. The event was attended by 41 Pacific women and resulted in 2 women enrolling for breast screening, and 13 women requesting appointments to have cervical smears.

Pacific Health in the Hawke’s Bay
Tiare Ahuriri President Caren Rangi has been given the opportunity to collect information and prepare a report for the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board on the views of Pacific Peoples in the Hawke’s Bay on good health, and actions to increase the health of our Pacific communities. Caren has been assisted by fellow branch member Maryanne Marsters, as well as Samoan Community Leader Talalelei Taufale . This work is an important step in the continuing effort to get a coordinated focus on improving Pacific health here in the Bay.

Introduction to Pacific Island Language – Adult Community Education (ACE course)

In 2010 Tiare Ahuriri in collaboration with Te Manga Maori, Eastern Institute of Technology, delivered an ACE programme ‘Working with Pacific Communities’. As a result of this course, discussions with local Tongan women, and Te Manga Maori, Tiare Ahuriri are working on delivering two language ACE programmes. An Introduction to the Kuki Airani Language and an Introduction to the Tongan Language.

Pacific Cultural Training, Support staff at EIT

Last year one of the spinoffs from our successful WPC course was a request to contribute to the Pacific Cultural Training for the NZ Police. Spinoffs have continued and 2011 have resulted in two 3 hour WPC sessions delivered to EIT students. A 3 hour WPC session was recently requested for EIT support staff to be delivered in October 2011.

New Members

Next month we will welcome two new members – one is Ligi Talagi, Niuean who is shifting to HB from Auckland to work at CYFS, and the other is Gese Talaga, Samoan, wife of our new EFKS Minister Rev Afa Talaga.

Josephine Tiro

On 17 June 2011, we (Caren Rangi, Berry Rangi, Diane Mara, and Maryanne Marsters) of Tiare Ahuriri travelled to Wellington and joined with our PACIFICA sisters from other branches to celebrate the life of our friend and staunch PACIFICA member Josephine Tiro (Newtown Vahine Orama branch). We were all moved by what family and friends shared about Josephine. Our Central Vice President Loau Seinia Fruean spoke at the family service of Josephine's time in PACIFICA. including her term as Loau's predecessor. The love for Josephine, and from Josephine shone through all who spoke during the family service and the funeral. We love Josephine and will keep her in our hearts and mind always. Aere ra e maine, na te Atua koe e tiaki mai.

PACIFICA Hawkes Bay Activities 2010

2010-08-20T12:57:00.000-07:00

Report to Central Region MiniConference, Wellington, 21 August 2010

Warm Pacific Greetings lovely ladies of the Pacific!!! Well 2010 has been a crazily busy year for us all, but here are some of the highlights from the activities we have been involved in with our Pacific communities and the community of Hawkes Bay.

Continuing our working relationship with Tangiia Nui Branch

During this year, we have continued working with one of our sister branches in Hawkes Bay, Tangiia Nui by keeping each other informed on activities of relevance to our communities, and working together on joint events. This enables us to make sure that we can all work alongside our communities in both Napier and Hastings.

Working with Pacific Communities Adult Community Education Course, EIT, April - August 2010

At our planning session at the end of 2009, we talked about how our wider Hawkes Bay community generally does not understand the many dynamics of our Pacific communities. We decided that one of our roles is to contribute to building that understanding. At the same time we were approached by Te Manga Maori, the Maori faculty at EIT if we were interested in running any Adult Community Education courses for/with our Pacific communities.

So we embarked on our big project for 2010 which was to develop and deliver an 18 week "Working with Pacific Communities" Adult Community Education course that focused on providing students with a range of views and experiences from people from different Pacific communities, on a whole range of topics of relevance to our people.

We were delighted that within weeks of advertising the course that we had 22 enquiries, then 17 students enrolled. The students came from the health and social service sector, and were all people who were working with or wanting to work closer with Pacific people and wanted to understand our people better.

During the 18 weeks we covered topics such as:

Pacific journeys - migration stories, including why people came to Hawkes Bay

Pacific "flavours" - our humour, concepts that are important to us, impact of Christianity

Our languages

The importance of interrelationships

Characteristics of our different Pacific communities - Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands Maori, Kiribas, Solomon Islands

The RSE scheme and its impact on Pacific communities in Hawkes Bay

Health and education issues

We brought a range of people in from our different Pacific communities to present their experiences of being Pacific in Hawkes Bay, including three Vanuatu ladies on the RSE scheme. We took the class to a local aoga amata where they were also able to spend time with a local Samoan Minister to discuss a range of issues such as money and the church.

The programme finished on 5 August with the Tangiia Nui branch joining our class to provide a session on Pacific food (of course) and interaction with the local Cook Islands community looking at crafts and traditions. The biggest point of discussion on this final night was 'when is the next course going to start'???? From the evaluations, students noted how their own world views had been broadened, and how much more they understand about all the different dynamics of our people.

We are soooooo proud of what we have been able to achieve with the course, and have some thinking to do about what we do next!

Cultural Training, NZ Police, July and August 2010
One of the spinoffs from our successful WPC course was a request to contribute to the Cultural Training for the NZ Police. We provided two sessions on different aspects of Pacific protocol, as well as providing some information on the makeup and dynamics of Pacific communities in Hawkes Bay, and what this might mean for the Police in their interactions with our families.

Supporting Community Events
Even though the course kept us pretty busy during the year, we were still able to attend and support the following community events:

Ministry of Education Local Office Reference Group - contributing to discussions on our Pacific children and their schools
EIT Consultation on their Pacific strategy
Spacifically Pacific Hawkes Bay Cultural Explosion - judging the HB Secondary Schools Pacific Culture Competition

Supporting Breast and Cervical Screening

During 2010 we have contributed to the following activities to promote breast and cervical screening to our Pacific women in Hawkes Bay:

Promoting PACIFICA at the breastscreening Mobile Unit in Maraenui, Napier, in March
Running and participating in a Pacific Women's Health Day, in May where there were education sessions on both breast and cervical screening (15 Pacific women attended)

Member activities

Berry has continued her work as Pacific Breast and Cervical Screening Health Promoter, working with womens groups in the different Pacific churches around Hawkes Bay

Diane is off on holiday in Europe as we speak.

Caren was appointed to the Board of NZ On Air in May.

Maryanne continues her great work as mentor to our Pacific students at EIT.

Rose recently resigned as the Ministry of Education Pacific Liaison Officer and is off to pursue her career in the church.

Evangeline is due to have her first baby any minute now!!!!

So, life is busy for all of us -but never dull!!

TECHNOLOGY PACIFICA STYLEZ!

2009-11-04T02:48:00.000-08:00

During this year's National Council meeting in Dunedin, Saturday 31 October 2009, Tiare Ahuriri and Tangiia Nui Branch Presidents Caren Rangi and Taime Pareanga Samuel made PACIFICA history by being the first (as far as we know!) members to "Skype" into a Council meeting.

For those not familiar with Skype, it is computer software that allows people to communicate face-to-face using webcameras. Though both Caren and Taime were unable to travel to Dunedin for the meeting, they were able to "join" the meeting from Caren's dining room, and contribute to discussions around two items of interest to them (PACIFICA's screening activity and economic development). While there are still some equipment issues to be sorted out (i.e getting better microphones) Caren and Taime were also able to hear some of the discussion that took place, as well as see the beautiful faces of those attending the meeting in person.!

We would like to encourage other branches to utilise the technological wizardry that is available, and that can help us keep up communications and flow of information.

2009 - where has it gone?

2009-10-13T14:36:00.000-07:00

As I was getting our Branch Report ready for the National Council meeting in Dunedin Oct 30 - 31st, I realised how fast this year has passed by, and how many activities branch members have been involved in, within our Pacific communities and the wider Hawkes Bay community. So this is a bit of a catch up on our 2009 activities that we haven't yet had a chance to include in our blog:

Branch Xmas Brunch 13 Dec 08 - We had a very nice brunch at The Thirsty Whale and it was a nice relaxed chance to reflect on 2008 and to look forward to events of 2009. The biggest newsflash was Evangelene announcing her engagement to Deon and pending nuptials Easter 2009!

Prime Minister's Job Summit 27 February 2009 - Caren attended the Job Summit as a Pacific community representative along with fellow PACIFICA member Mele Wendt and 5 other Pacific people. Caren and the PACIFICA National Executive worked quickly during the week of the summit to put out a press release emphasising the importance of Pacific women being at the table when discussions of national significance were occurring. Caren produced a report following on from the Summit which was submitted to the National Executive, and reiterated the importance of our PACIFICA members being involved in the subsequent regional job summits around the country.

HB Regional Job Summit 6 March 2009 - The Hawkes Bay Regional Job Summit was the first regional summit following on from the national summit, and Pacific women were ably represented by Diane. While there was not much opportunity for interactive discussion between participants, this at least provided a chance for us again to flag that we need to part of the conversations around responding to the recession.

Fundraising Batons Up 1 October 2009 - We joined with the Tangiia Nui branch to run a Batons Up to raise funds for our contribution to the scholarship as well as our branch expenses for travel. We raised $425 for each branch which was very pleasing. We are now investigating further ways of getting funds.

Contribution to National Conversation about Work 14 October 2009 - We hosted Dr Judy McGregor, EEO Commissioner and Sue O'Shea, Princial Advisor EEO from the Human Rights Commission, who are currently getting around the country having a national conversation about work with employers, employees and industries to find out people's views on what makes good employment conditions. They came to see us to get some views of Pacific women in Hawkes Bay. Our branch members were able to share their thoughts and perspectives on the factors that support and hinder good working conditions. We will be encouraging our other branches around the country to add their views as Judy and Sue get to their regions, and will be raising this at the National Council meeting.

Attendance at local community events - members of our branch attended the following Pacific community and wider community events during the year:

Opening of Te Apii Kuki Airani Early Childhood Centre 16 May
Spacifically Pacific Hawkes Bay "Take It ON" Hip Hop competition and Cultural Explosion July and August
Samoa Tsunami Memorial Service 12 October - this was an opportunity to reflect on the devastation caused by the tsunami in Samoa and Tonga, and share our thoughts, hopes and prayers for our Samoan and Tongan sisters in PACIFICA and in our communities.

And on a personal note....

Branch members joined Evangelene and her new husband Deon at their beachside wedding at Clifton at Easter 2009.It was a great day and night, made all the more special by the fact that the wedding ceremony was conducted by Vange's Dad the Reverend Nio Daniela.
Maryanne and Diane have been working on various pieces of research work about aspects of our Pacific communities, including a Pasifika student mentoring programme at EIT and a project on chronic illness in Pacific people.
Berry has been continuing her work encouraging more of our Pacific women to undertake breast and cervical screening. Caren has joined her in the work around breastscreening, having taken up a 0.5FTE position with BreastScreen Coast to Coast to coordinate services and health promotion work, particularly for Maori and Pacific women.
Other members are keeping very busy with study, work, family and community!

Looking to the future....

Our branch focus for the rest of 2009 and early 2010 is to continue to lift the profile of Pacific women in Napier, as well as continue our encouragement of Pacific women to be screened. Other planned activities are:

making a submission to Napier City Council supporting the move to reduce the number of gambling outlets in Napier
hosting a breakfast event for Pacific women in Hawkes Bay to encourage women to think about standing for local and central government positions - our local MP Chris Tremain has agreed to come and be guest speaker for this event which we will hold late 2009/early 2010.

Overall, we wish to continue to uphold the important role of Pacific women in the Napier, HB and NZ community, by supporting each other and our Pacific families and communities to be successful, healthy and happy. Roll on 2010!

Thanks Maryanne!

2009-06-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

Tiare Ahuriri helds it AGM on 28 April 2009, where Branch President Maryanne Marsters relinquished her post, having taken on the Assistant Secretary role on the National Executive Committee. The branch is extremely grateful to Maryanne for everything she has done as the inaugural Branch President to get our branch up and running (including setting up our blog) and for being a wonderful representative of PACIFICA and Tiare Ahuriri. We have undertaken to provide her with whatever support we can in her Assistant Secretary role. Maryanne passed on the President's baton to Caren Rangi, who in turn passed on her Secretary/Treasurer role to Saane Unga.

Tiare Ahuriri challenges other branches to get members screened!

2009-06-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

Having a Breast and Cervical Screening Health Promoter as one of our members means that we are constantly reminded of the importance of regular screening for both cancers. We have made this a focus area for our branch, starting with ensuring that all our members have the necessary information, and are enrolled/registered with the programmes where they are of the eligible age (20 – 69years for cervical screening, 45 – 69years for breast screening).

We are mindful that PACIFICA plays a role in advising the National Screening Unit on the views and ideas of Pacific women on screening. With this in mind, Tiare Ahuriri would like to issue a challenge to all branches to ensure that all your members are fully informed about the importance screening, and encouraged (gently but firmly!) to be screened if they are not currently participating in screening. As a national organisation, we would be in a much better position to advocate to the National Screening Unit if we were confident that our members were participating in screening.

And maybe once all our members are participating, then we could each identify 2 women who are not being screened and encourage them to participate – (and they could tell two friends, who could tell two friends, and so on and so on and so on.........!)

CONFERENCE 2009 - END OF AN ERA, NEW BEGINNINGS

2009-03-24T05:04:00.000-07:00

Our National Conference 2009 was held in Auckland 20 - 22 February and was attended by 4.5 Tiare Ahuriri members (Maryanne, Berry, Diane, Caren and Caren's baby Kaiata - a junior PACIFICA member!) - and we were accompanied by Tangiia Nui President Aunty Taime Pareanga Samuels.

The Conference marked the end of Diane's term as National President, but also heralded the beginning of our Branch President's rise in the ranks - congratulations Maryanne on being appointed to the National Executive as Assistant Secretary. The Conference was a great opportunity to meet and network with our PACIFICA sisters from all around the country, be addressed by our new Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Georgina te Heu Heu, discuss important issues such as support to our communities during the recession and celebrate in true PACIFICA style the many things we have to be thankful for; these include Diane's contribution to PACIFICA during her term, the talents of our women in the PACIFICA fashion show, not to mention the cultural items ! Thanks to the Northern Region for organising a fantastic weekend for us all. Lastly we are pleased and excited to welcome and congratulate our new National President Sally Dalhousie and her talented National Executive Team - Josephine, Peggy, Debs, Metua, Ngatokoa, Ta'i, and Maryanne - and we wish you all the best!

AN MLIS FOR MS MARSTERS!

2008-12-30T21:46:00.000-08:00

What a great year it has been for Tiare Ahuriri - and especially for our President Maryanne Marsters who in early December was awarded the MLIS from Victoria University Wellington. In addition to working hard towards attaining her Masters in Library and Information Studies, Maryanne has also been instrumental in corralling together those Pacific people who are working in the library informations systems sector around the country. Those of us living here in Hawkes Bay see firsthand the impact that Maryanne has had in her position at the Learning Centre at the Eastern Institute of Technology, and the large numbers of students (many of them our own Pacific students) she has helped.

Tiare Ahuriri is very proud of Maryanne and her achievements and we were able to celebrate this with a lovely brunch at The Thirsty Whale on December 13th. Well done Maryanne!!!

CONGRATULATIONS AUNTY TAIME ON YOUR QSM

2008-12-30T21:41:00.000-08:00

Also making the New Years Honours List is another Hawkes Bay PACIFICA member - Taime Pareanga Samuel, who was awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the Cook Islands community in Hawkes Bay.Read page 3 of the Hawkes Bay Today or go to http://www.hbtoday.co.nz Well done Aunty Taime we are very proud of you too -congratulations from Tiare Ahuriri!

OUR DIANE MAKES THE NEW YEARS HONOURS LIST!

2008-12-30T21:17:00.000-08:00

Our Diane made the front page of the Hawkes Bay Today today in the New Year's Honours List as she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. We are very proud of her and what a fantastic boost for Pacific women everywhere! Here is the article.

EDUCATION CHAMPION PUTS CHILDREN'S WELL-BEING FIRST

DR DIANE MARA, MNZM
When Taradale-based educationalist and Pacific women's affairs leader Dr Diane Mara came to Hawke's Bay without a job, it was a reasonable bet her CV would sooner or later do the trick.
She soon found herself lecturing in early childhood education at the EIT.
But two years later the near-same CV has also pulled in a somewhat bigger fish, a New Year honour in the form of being made a Member of The New Zealand Order of Merit.
A first generation New Zealander of Tahitian descent, she was born in Auckland 57 years ago. A Kelston Girls' High pupil who moved from out west to teach in schools in South Auckland, she has been recognised for her service to the Pacific Islands community.
Education has clearly been the focus, and still is, whether it be a Victoria University doctoral thesis taking eight years' interviewing and assessing Pacific Island women in tertiary education, or her appointment this year as senior research manager for a three-year EIT project aimed at improving the well-being of children and youth in Hawke's Bay.
Somewhere, she hopes to turn her thesis into a book, but has published work that continues to be used in teacher-education courses throughout New Zealand.
Armed with a BA (education and psychology), she entered teaching at training college in Auckland, before 13 years in primary schools, conceding it was teaching not administration for her.
She lectured at the training college and, before coming to Hawke's Bay, was senior researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research.
She will soon end four years of presidency of the Pacific Island women's council PACIFICA and looks forward to developing the recently established Napier branch, Tiare Ahuriri.
There's a similar type of national-local comparison between a former significant role with the National Screening Unit, and joining the Napier Family Centre, as a representative of All Saints Church.
Having moved to the region to be near her 17-year-old son, a Hohepa Home resident, Dr Mara has found even more reason to stay and says: ``Having come from Auckland, and Wellington for the past eight years, I thought it would be different here, but I love it. There's lots to do.'

PACIFICA help welcome Breastscreening Mobile Unit to Hawkes Bay

2008-11-27T03:42:00.000-08:00

Members of Tiare Ahuriri recently joined with members of the Hawkes Bay Cook Islands Community, the Hawkes Bay District Health Board and BreastScreen Coast to Coast to welcome the Breastscreening Mobile Unit to Flaxmere for the first time. The welcome and blessing ceremony was held on a sunny Hawkes Bay evening at the Cook Islands Community Centre in Flaxmere, where the Mobile Unit will be based to provider mammograms to local women for four weeks. The ceremony, held on 14 November 2008, coincided with the local Takitimu Festival, and the visiting 100 strong Cook Islands contingent (comprising representatives from Rarotonga, Auckland and Wellington) participated in the ceremony singing Cook Islands songs and providing drumming. The highlight was the cutting of the giant pink ribbon by visiting Cook Islands Prime Minister the Hon Jim Marurai. Also in attendance were paramount Takitumu chief Pa Ariki, Cook Islands Speaker of the House Cassie Eggleton, Cook Islands High Commissioner Tepure Tapaitau and representatives of health and community organisations in Hawkes Bay. Pacific Breast and Cervical Screening Health Promoter Berry Rangi (a Tiare Ahuriri member) has been encouraging local Pacific women to take the opportunity to have their mammogram while the Mobile Unit is in the area.

Standing outside the Mobile Unit in the photograph above are (L to R):

Cushla King - Manager BreastScreen Coast to Coast, Jenny Cawston-Health Promotion Manager Hawkes Bay DHB, with Tiare Ahuriri members Caren Rangi (with daughter Kaiata), Diane Mara and Berry Rangi.

Welcome for new National President, Maori Womens Welfare League

2008-11-16T02:01:00.000-08:00

On Saturday 1 November 2008, Berry and I accompanied Diane to Pukemokimoki Marae in Napier for the welcome home and acknowledgement of the new National President for the Maori Women's Welfare League, Meagan Joe. The event was attended by representatives of many MWWL branches around the country. Diane made a presentation of a Cook Islands hat and a koha on behalf of PACIFICA and made a lovely speech highlighting the strong links between our two organisations (and we managed to sing a Tahitian song to support her speech). It was also noted that both National Presidents live in Napier - go Hawkes Bay! Here are our two National Presidents together.

Caren Rangi

PACIFICA Council Meeting

2008-10-26T05:44:00.000-07:00

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

Navigating Pacific pathways in the creative sector

2008-08-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

The Hon. Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, has just issued a Media Statement on Navigating Pacific pathways in the creative sector, in which the minister says that greater participation of Pacific peoples in the creative, emerging and growth industries is being supported through online resource. The launching of such a resource was held on Friday, 29 August 2008, and is a website, the “Pacific Starmap” website.

In her statement the Minister said that “Pacific peoples are known for their creativity and artistic talent – this is not only a reflection of our cultural identity, it is also a platform for the economic development of our Pacific communities and New Zealand.”

Following is the link to the above mentioned Media Statement of the Hon. Luamanuvao Winnie Laban. So, click on the link and stay informed with what is out there for Pacific peoples, supporting Pacific peoples.

Media Statement on Navigating Pacific pathways in the creative sector

Maryanne

Saane goes to Tonga

2008-08-29T00:05:00.000-07:00

Tiare Ahuriri member Saane Unga returned to Tonga a week ago because her mother fell ill. Our love and prayers went with Saane. I am now pleased to say that Saane's mum is much better and Saane is enjoying being home with mum and dad, brothers and sisters, friends and family, and just soaking in Island Life again. It looks like Saane will be back with us in about a week and a half. This blog address has been sent to Saane so, if anyone wants to leave a message for her or just leave a comment, please do so.

Looking forward to the return of our Tongan flower!

Maryanne

Letter to the Editor

2008-08-28T07:41:00.000-07:00

PACIFICA Inc president, and member of Tiare Ahuriri branch, Dr Diane Mara sent the following letter to the editor of Hawke’s Bay Today.

PACIFIC SHOWCASE BENEFITS US ALL
(Hawke's Bay Today, 18 August 2008, p. 6)

Dear Editor

The Hawke's Bay sPACIFICally Pacific programme has just finished for another year. I was privileged to attend the opening at the King's House Church on Sunday 10th and the final Cultural Explosion evening at Pettigrew Green Arena on the Friday night. In both cases the venues were packed out. Congratulations for this wonderful exposition and celebration of Pacific youth are due to the organisers, in particular Mr Talalelei Taufale and Rose Fatialofa and members of the sPACIFICally Pacific Hawke's Bay Charitable Trust. The enthusiasm and commitment of the young people from seven Hastings and Napier secondary schools as they performed dances and items from a range of Pacific cultures was a joy to behold. The hours of preparation and the support of school staff, parents and the wider Pacific communities including the churches resulted in polished, precision performances, beautiful costuming, and inventive choreography and staging that would rival any of the performances at the annual secondary school's Polyfest held in Auckland. All of the week's events, thanks to sponsorship, had free admission so there was no barrier to anyone in our community attending and witnessing such talent. In contrast to much of the negative profile given to our youth in the media the positive creativity of this week needs to receive greater attention and a wider appreciation across the region. As the population of Pacific youth of this region grows they will become increasingly engaged in and indeed, increasingly shape the cultural life of Hawke's Bay. sPACIFICally Pacific demonstrates what can be achieved when we support youth to celebrate their cultural heritages and their changing identities so that all our community benefits. Our cross-cultural future is in good hands if events like sPACIFICally Pacific continue to be encouraged and that is up to everyone in our community.

Yours sincerely

Dr Diane Mara
Tiare Ahuriri Branch
PACIFICA Inc.(Pacific Women's Council)

Well said Dr Diane Mara!

Maryanne

sPACIFICally PACIFIC Week

2008-08-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

It was a great week for sPACIFICally PACIFIC, the sun shone brightly and people flocked in for the offical opening on Sunday, 10 August, at Kings House Church, Maraenui, Napier, which was officially opened by the Hon. Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs. The local community engaged with organisations and schools at the Information Expo and local talent was showcased. PACIFICA’s Tiare Ahuriri was there with members not only on the sPACIFICally PACIFIC committee, and members interacting with the Pacific community from stalls but, the announcement of PACIFICA’s newest branch Tiare Ahuriri was included in the Hon. Luamanuvao Winnie Laban’s offical speech. To read the Minister’s speech, click on the following link. Link to Speech.

Over the week an event occurred each day, there was a Pasifika Drama competition held in Flaxmere, a Primary School festival also held in Flaxmere, a Careers Day that was held at Pukemokimoki Marae in Napier, a Hip Hop Dance competition held at the Pettigrew Green Arena in Taradale, and an amazing Cultural Explosion competition night that would rival Auckland’s Polyfest. It was a fabulous week and Tiare Ahuriri was there judging competitions and supporting our Pacific community.

The sPACIFICally PACIFIC committee did a fabulous job, and it was inspiring to see our Pacific community come out and support our young Pasifika’s. I am sure next year will be even better, for each year this event blows me away with something new.

Maryanne

First time blogger!

2008-08-12T02:10:00.000-07:00

Kia orana to our President and all members - wow Tiare Ahuriri sure is up with all the technology - it helps when we have a clever President! Anyway, this is great and I'm already thinking about how we might make use of the Events Calendar. See you all on the 20th!

Introduction

2008-08-09T06:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Tiare Ahuriri branch blog. The purpose of this blog is to communicate, interact, and keep both Tiare Ahuriri members, and PACIFICA members informed of our activities. What we have done? What we are doing? What we are planning to do?

Our mission, vision and objectives are:

Vision - Strong and Successful Pacific women

Mission - Support, promote and strengthen Pacific women and their communities in Hawke's Bay

Objectives - Have fun, support one another, support our Pacific community, provide a Pacific women's viewpoint in Hawke's Bay, and reach out to our sister branches in Hawke's Bay, and nationally.

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Feel free to leave a comment ladies, or send an email, or you can go to our PACIFICA Incorporated website for further information and contact details. www.pacifica.org.nz

Otherwise, watch this space, there is more to come!!

Maryanne