Dr Tuipoloa Opetaia Aati is a Jnr doctor at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland. He joins us on Pacific Breakfast now, to share how he utilises his mother tongue - Samoa, to break down cultural barriers.

Talanoa Ako - through the Ministry of Education, is a Pacific parent education programme that aims to equip and empower parents, families and communities with skills, knowledge and confidence they need to champion their children’s education. We’re joined now by the Associate Minister for Education, Hon Jenny Salesa for more on the Talanoa Ako app which launches today.

As many of you will be aware, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our community as we were asked to change our approach to how we do things, including staying home to save lives.

It has been a busy time in our hospitals also across the country who were tasked with preparing for the potential rise in COVID-19 cases while at the same time working to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

With us this morning is Counties Manukau Health Chief Executive Officer, Fepulea’i Margie Apa, to provide an update on the approach the DHB has taken at national Alert Level 2, particularly around visitor restrictions that are still in place at the hospital and across other DHB sites.

Iosefa Punefu Enari is a dancer, choreographer, artistic director and educator.  Mr Sefa Enari is the founder and artistic director of Pacific Dance New Zealand (PDNZ), the national organisation established in 2010 for the development of New Zealand’s Pacific dance industry.

Mr Enari was a founding member of Pacific Theatre in 1987. He trained as a professional dancer at LIMBS Dance Programme, UNITEC School of Performing Arts and holds a masters degree in Dance Studies from the University of Auckland. 

Through PDNZ, he has been integral in organising a number of national events including the Pacific Dance Artist in Residence, the Pacific Dance Choreographic Lab, various symposiums, educational and community programmes, and the annual Pacific Dance Festival. 

As a choreographer he created dance works for the World War One centenary commemoration at Auckland Museum in 2014 and the opening performance for the 2014 televised National Rugby Awards Ceremony. He has created works for art galleries, professional live theatre, television programmes and films. He has performed in the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe and throughout the Pacific.

We are privileged to have Sefa Enari on our show this morning Congratulations on being recognized in this year’s Queen's Honors list as a Member of the NZ Order of Merit For services to Pacific dance.

Mrs Molima Pihigia has contributed to the Niuean arts community and founded the Falepipi He Mafola Niue Handcraft Group in 1993.

Falepipi He Mafola maintains and promotes the art of weaving, as well as Niuean language, heritage and culture. Falepipi He Mafola led to the establishment of the Niuean Women’s Handcraft Group, which won the Pacific Heritage Art Award in 2009. The Handcraft Group has also been committed to raising awareness of waste minimisation within the Niuean community and Mrs Pihigia has utilised recycled materials in her art. She has served Falepipi He Mafola in a variety of capacities, and is currently Secretary and a tutor. She is actively involved in the art of Niuean weaving, hosting showcases at the Pacific Festival in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and running community workshops. She has been a tutor and heritage weaving artist for Tupumaiga A Niue Trust since 2010. She has been recognised within the Niuean arts and crafts community for bridging gaps between youth, whānau and tupuna through weaving. Mrs Pihigia is also an active member of PIPC Church Newtown.

The annual Queen's Birthday Honours list was announced on Monday, with eleven members of our Pasifika community, from across New Zealand honoured. This morning we speak with two recipients: Tofilau Bernadette Barbara Pereira, of Auckland. For services to the Pacific community and women & Ms Barbara Frances Ala'alatoa, MNZM, of Auckland. For services to education.

Hip hop MC King Kapisi - Bill Urale got his start in his hometown of Wellington playing drums in bands while at Wellington High School.  His first time rapping on stage was guesting with Wellington group Noise N Effect who would open up the mic at their gigs for all comers.

On stage NZ-born Samoan King Kapisi is a Kiwi hip-hop legend.  He’s performed at nearly every major New Zealand music event and alongside The Black Eyed Peas, Janet Jackson and the Beastie Boys, to name just a few.

Today we have the privilege of having Bill on the line to talk to us about the Black Lives Matter protest at Aotea Square in Auckland yesterday afternoon

Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer captured on video kneeling on the neck of 46-year-old George Floyd as he begged for his life, has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter & has been taken into custody.  On May 25, Minneapolis resident George Floyd was pinned facedown on the ground, in handcuffs, by Chauvin,  who pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes. Floyd, a 46-year-old African American, was suspected of passing a counterfeit $20 bill. He was unresponsive when paramedics arrived, and he was pronounced dead later.

In the wake of this tragic death, protests have erupted with worldwide condemnation.

In Auckland on Monday afternoon, a rally & march were held, one of many held across the country, which was organised by the BLM solidarity Auckland group, with thousands in attendance at Aotea Square. 

We’re joined on Pacific Breakfast now by Ibrahim Ali & Rosemary Bennett, President & Vice President of the Aotearoa Africa Foundation for more.

Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’i is a Samoan/Fijian/Kiwi from South Auckland who has lived and worked in Asia and the Pacific as an international civil servant, and former diplomat.  Tupe, her husband Esera, and their two daughters now live in Wellington where Tupe has recently been appointed the Chief Philanthropic Officer of the Borrin foundation - a philanthropic organisation funding legal research and education with a focus on criminal justice and family law.

Yesterday thousands of Kiwis joined in protests in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington to support the Black Lives Matter Movement and protest against racism.  Tupe was among a number of our Pasifika people who marched and held a vigil at  the Beehive yesterday.

A number of people trying to improve the health and lives of Pasifika have been recognised in the latest Queen's Birthday Honours.

Chris Teo was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to health, cycling and the Pacific community.  Chris started Uso Bike Ride to improve the health of Pacific people through cycling.  

We have Chris Te’o on the line now ..Talofa lava and Congratulations for being recognised in this years’ Queen's Birthday Honors list.