We’re joined now by Dr Stephen Hoadley, Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Arts for our weekly update on global politics.  

1. US president Donald Trump had a bad week last week and this week is not any better.  Why has the US Covid-19 epidemic gotten worse and why is Trump blamed for it?

2.  What is the European response to America's epidemic?

3. Trump has also been critical of postal voting.  Why is such a routine practice become politicised?

4. Some of our listeners are Facebook followers.  Is there a new posting policy and why is it controversial?

5. What's happening in the Pacific region this week?

Recently Watercare presented a four stage plan to Auckland councillors on further water restrictions, if dam levels continue to drop. We’re joined by CEO for Watercare Raveen Jaduram for more.

Kennedy Maeakafa Fakana’ana’aki-Fualu also known as the Tongan Robin Hood was born in Tonga but migrated to NZ in 1980 when at the age of 12.

In 1985, he was the only 17 year-old Tongan to be accredited UE (University Entrance) but instead of enrolling at the University of Auckland, he chose to get married at only 18.

In 1987, he joined the Inland Revenue Department where he would always go beyond his normal call of duty in order to help Tongan overstayers with not only IRD numbers, but with “maximum refunds”. Consequently, his close associates called him the “Tongan Robin Hood”. He also took out leave without pay to file for the Tongan over stayers permanent residency during the amnesty of the mid 1980s.

He has lived overseas in California (USA), Tonga, and has spent most of the last 10 years in Brisbane. But last year, he decided to move back to Auckland to be close to his son Shakobe’s grave. He lost Shakobe to cancer (leukemia) in 2003. But he says that Shakobe is his inspiration in returning to charity work.

Over 33 years later, he has finally enrolled at the University of Auckland studying Law, Politics and Media. However, since the level 4 lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he has applied for Late Deletion of his Semester 1 courses, so that he can continue his labour of love for vulnerable overstayers.

Sign petition: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_99196/petition-of-makahokovalu-pailate-for-pacific-leadership?fbclid=IwAR1MRqGJEziN7-mlrBKt59RgBN4FsgNmrMTmIpq-pWtzzIsIYCv5GAMz0SU

Kennedy Maeakafa Fakana’ana’aki-Fualu also known as the Tongan Robin Hood was born in Tonga but migrated to NZ in 1980 when at the age of 12.

In 1985, he was the only 17 year-old Tongan to be accredited UE (University Entrance) but instead of enrolling at the University of Auckland, he chose to get married at only 18.

In 1987, he joined the Inland Revenue Department where he would always go beyond his normal call of duty in order to help Tongan overstayers with not only IRD numbers, but with “maximum refunds”. Consequently, his close associates called him the “Tongan Robin Hood”. He also took out leave without pay to file for the Tongan over stayers permanent residency during the amnesty of the mid 1980s.

He has lived overseas in California (USA), Tonga, and has spent most of the last 10 years in Brisbane. But last year, he decided to move back to Auckland to be close to his son Shakobe’s grave. He lost Shakobe to cancer (leukemia) in 2003. But he says that Shakobe is his inspiration in returning to charity work.

Over 33 years later, he has finally enrolled at the University of Auckland studying Law, Politics and Media. However, since the level 4 lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he has applied for Late Deletion of his Semester 1 courses, so that he can continue his labour of love for vulnerable overstayers.

Sign petition:  https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_99196/petition-of-makahokovalu-pailate-for-pacific-leadership?fbclid=IwAR3GRjVX0xaNaM5JCNaf9GKdgiamEDiBKWLf3dCiqCiC5Xo36xgp18aPY0Y

Shimpal Lelisi is the only Niuean member of The Naked Samoans.  He was born in Niue and raised in Auckland.  He won a place at Wellington drama school Toi Whakaari in the early 1990’s and went on to act in plays in Wellington at the Maori theatre company Taki Rua and Auckland Pacific Theatre.  

After making a debut in a TV show True Life stories he went on to shoot some scenes for a bite sized improvised TV show called Topless Women Talk about their Lives.

He also played nurse Louie Iosefa on Shortland street, appeared in ensemble TV drama City Life and netball drama Matou Uma(1999) which was part of anthology series Tala Pasifika.

Naked Samoans wrote and starred in a show at the NZ International Laugh Festival, before performing at the 2002 Edinburgh Fringe Festiva.

He later spent several years as one of the presenters on tagata Pasifika before moving on to Bro Town in 2004.

 

Shimpal is currently part of the creative team at Fresh TV and Coconet.

Today marks International Day of Parliamentarianism - Strong parliaments are a cornerstone of democracy. They represent the voice of the people, pass laws, allocate funds to implement laws and policies, and hold governments to account. They work to make sure that policies benefit all people, especially the most vulnerable. 

Tongan born and New Zealand raised, Labour MP Anahila Kano-nga-ta’a Suisuiki who has been able to act as a catalyst for action and change for women, social services and community groups.   With 17 years of combined social work and managerial positions within Oranga Tamariki in South Auckland, Anahila understands the importance of having values focused on the wellbeing of the whanau-family.

Pacific Dance New Zealand (PDNZ) are proud to introduce a brand-new digital initiative The Transform Series, which launches tomorrow Wednesday 24 June, 2020.  Consisting of 10 episodes of inspirational curated content, dance artists have come together to celebrate their unique cultural heritage and the traditions of Pacific dance forms here in Aotearoa.

10 Aotearoa-based artists have been selected to each create a 25-30min episode of personal content, to explore how their own dance practice is informed by their unique heritage. Hailing from 10 islands across the Pacific region from Papua New Guinea to Tuvalu to Uvea, these artists, dancers, and choreographers are masters in their specific fields of Pacific dance, and will share their knowledge and expertise. Sefa Enari, director of Pacific Dance New Zealand (PDNZ) joins us on Pacific Breakfast.

Joining us now is the Deputy Prime Minister of Aotearoa and leader of NZ First political party, Vaovasamanaia Hon. Winston Peters, to talk about his party’s decision in voting against the proposal, resulting to its current iced-up status

We’re joined on Pacific Breakfast now by our resident sport’s guru, Ray “Razor T” Tele’a for a wrap up of sporting action from the weekend.

Lynn Lolokini Pavihi tell us about how she is able to feed her child’s hunger for knowledge about island food and culture.

Lynn is a teacher and mother of two - Nevlyn (13) and Denzel (10)

Lock down was an opportunity for many families to pause and find new routines to get through each day.  For 10 year old Denzel Siuni  Pavihi Paka it was time where he found a love for cooking and ended up hosting Facebook videos sharing this new found passion to build his confidence.