As our Tongan families eagerly await news of their loved ones in the Kingdom following Saturday’s volcanic eruption we speak with a community leader based in Timaru about her relief at being able to speak with loved ones this morning.  Sina Manoa Latu is the co-founder, former President and now General Manaager of the Tongan Society South Canterbury.

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Talita Kefu was born and raised in Tonga and moved to the US in May 2019.  Her career spans from broadcasting journalism to sports development and development communications. 

She is currently working as a translator/interpreter with a background in media and communications. Talita is a first time mom to her 1 year old son and with her husband, they live in San Francisco, California

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It has been an anxious and nervous wait for Tongans around the world following news of an underground volcanic eruption that led to tsunami waves in the Kingdom also affecting nearby islands.  Reports say that the violent volcanic eruptions started early Friday evening and tsunami waves hit Tonga around 6pm on Saturday with all telecommunications lost not long after.

Tongan families in New Zealand desperately seek news of the fate of their loved ones.We are joined now by Pakilau Manase Lua to talk about how the Tongan community in New Zealand are banding together. 

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We’re joined now by the Minister for Pacific Peoples, Hon Aupito Toesulusulu Tofae Su’a William Sio for our final fortnightly talanoa for 2021. 

Update on vaccination rates for Pacific Community.

Govt strategy to combat omicron variant.

2021 PMPYA recipients.

Highlights of 2021.

Final message for our Pacific communities across N.Z. heading into Christmas holidays.

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Josie Beswick, Duty officer with Coastguard New Zealand joins us now on #PacificDays to talanoa about boating safety over the summer holidays.

For more information please see below:

Old4New Lifejacket Program: see https://www.old4new.nz/

Educations Courses on offer: see https://www.boatingeducation.org.nz/courses/

To find out more about all things Coastguard. https://www.coastguard.nz/

For on-water assistance or putting in a trip report please call *500 or use your local Coastguard VHF channel.

For marine emergencies please call 111 or VHF Channel 16.

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Filifotu Vaai, one of the incredible Pasifika writers featured in Vā – Stories by Women of the Moana – an anthology of creative fiction from 38 writers, with a total of 70 original short stories and poems joins us now on #PacificDays for a talanoa. 

To purchase your copy, please go to: https://www.amazon.com/V%C4%81-Stories-Lani.../dp/B09NPFSTKV

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Audrey Teuki Tetupuariki Tuioti Brown - Pereira. One of the incredible Pasifika writers featured in Vā – Stories by Women of the Moana – an anthology of creative fiction from 38 writers, with a total of 70 original short stories and poems joins us now on #PacificDays for a talanoa. 

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We're joined now by 'Anau Mesui-Henry from Four Shells Kava Lounge on #PacificDays to talanoa about proposed changes to Kava Food standards in New Zealand & Australia by Food Standards Australia New ZealandTo make a submission please go to (Deadline is 9pm N.Z. & 6pm Canberra time tonight): https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/.../Pages/default.aspx#531pi#Pasifika#OurPeople#OurStories#Kava#FSANZ#FourShellsKavaPMN TongaPMN FijiPMN Samoa

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Fepulea’i Margie Apa has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive of interim Health New Zealand. She joins us now on #PacificDays to talanoa about her historic appointment.

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Now for our weekly wrap up of global politics with Dr Stephen Hoadley Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Arts. 

UN Security Council declaration. 

Update on Russia/Ukraine conflict. 

China's President Xi Jingping ongoing crackdown.

The United States - The world's largest arms wholesaler. 

The New Zealand Cabinet new Defence Assessment.  

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