All this week on Pacific Breakfast, we’ll hear from members of our community on big issues in the lead up to Election Day 2020. This morning we hear from our community on some of the issues facing our youth:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With 6 days until the 2020 General election this Saturday 17th October, as well as 2 referendums - On the recreational use of cannabis and the End of Life Choice Act 2019, we’re speaking with candidates & Party Leaders from across the political spectrum, to help you, our 531pi community, make an informed decision come election day.

This morning we’re joined by Hannah Tamaki, leader of the Vision New Zealand Party & Vision New Zealand candidate for the Waiariki electorate. 

Hannah has worked amongst many diverse communities, for over 40+ years, assisting many to positively transform their lives.  

Over the years Hannah has assisted her husband to build a large, successful, history-making movement. Faith and family are very important to Hannah. 

She can lay claim to many achievements, however, she would say her greatest achievements are her three children, ten grandchildren and now two great-grandchildren.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Family First - Pacific Wave is a movement of Pacific Community Leaders, providing Christian based training for younger leaders.

We’re joined on Pacific Breakfast now by Nick Tuitasi QSM for more. 

Nick is a first generation NZ born Samoan and a proud baby boomer.

He spent 25 years in the NZ police before moving to the MSD to head up the Pacific Youth Development Strategy.

He spent 4 years as the Pacific Engagement Advisor for Te Wananga O Aoteaora, before delivering the Pacific Parenting Programme for the Parenting Place for 9 years.

Now currently the Pacific Director of the lobby group, Family First New Zealand and initiator of Pacific Wave Leadership – the brown arm Family First.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vunilagi Vou is a Pacific space for Pacific art and conversations. Ema Tavola is a professional curator and Pacific arts consultant who has spent more than ten years in the fields of community arts development, arts funding and investment strategy, events, public programming and gallery management. 

Vunilagi in Fijian language refers to the horizon and Vou means new.  Ema has moved forward with the reopening of her art gallery providing a new professional platform to work from reflecting the potential of Pacific art.

During COVID-19 lockdown the gallery in Otahuhu closed down and Ema has spent the past few months working on getting her new space setup and ready for exhibitions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Retimanu is the Chairman of the Wellington Pasifika Business Network and an established business owner.   Paul is also the Director of Manaaki Management. - a company who provides full event and venue management of Te Raukura - te Wharewaka o Poneke (Karaka Café, Pipitea Marae and The Lodge at Shelly Bay).  The Wellington Pasifika Business Awards is coming up on the 11th November 2020.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Epeli Tuibeqa is a well known Fijian fashion designer and creative mind behind fashion couture label Kuiviti. This weekend he prepares for his first standalone show - Noqu Kalou Noqu Vanua Show.

Fashion is a way of expressing ourselves through our clothing and accessories.  It is defined as the cultural construction of the embodied identity.   We continue our celebrations for Fiji Language week this time we move into the creative space. 

 He studied Accounting and Auditing at Fiji National University and is a performer with the Oceania Dance Theatre at the University of the South Pacific.

Epeli is also a performer who says that he does not limit his creativity and encourages other young artists to try new things that will get them out of their comfort zone.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our Fiji Language Week celebrations - Macawa ni vosa Vakaviti talking with some leaders within our Fijian community.

Dr Api Talemaitoga is an Auckland-based GP, who has helped set up practices in both in Christchurch and in Manukau, Auckland.  He’s a busy man with a passion for seeing people take control of their own health and well-being by helping them understand the symptoms and conditions they are experiencing as well as what they can do about it. 

He also spends some of his spare time supporting and encouraging those who are exploring a potential career in Pacific Health. But today we look forward to talking with Dr Api about the importance of the Fijian language in his life.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rising Foundation are running a school camp this week at Tui Ridge Park in Rotorua.  

One hundred and twenty (120) students from five Auckland Secondary Schools are in attendance  and 70% of participants are of Pasifika heritage.   

Throughout the programme Year 9, 10, 11 students are closely monitored by skilled social workers and Year 12 & 13 mentors and the theme of the camp is ‘Identity’.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we continue our celebrations of Fiji Language Week 2020, we’re joined now by Professor Steven Ratuva - Director of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies and Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at the University of Canterbury.

Professor Steven Ratuva, is an award winning Fijian political sociologist. He won the University of Canterbury Research Medal for 2019, recipient of the Marsden award as well as winner of a number of project funding awards. 

He was Fulbright Professor at the University of California (LA), Duke University and Georgetown University and Chair of the International Political Science Association (IPSA) Research Committee on Conflict, Security and Democratization as well as member of the advisory board of IPSA.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With 9 days until the 2020 General election on the 17th October, as well as 2 referendums - On the recreational use of cannabis and the End of Life Choice Act 2019, joining us now for an overview of the past week is AUT Journalism academic Richard Pamatatau.  

A journalist for more than twenty years, including stints as Radio New Zealand’s Pacific Issues Correspondent, deputy editor to NZ Info Tech Weekly and a contributor to The New Zealand Herald. He is a contributor to the book Reimagining Journalism.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.