Galumalemana Alfred Hunkin is a key player and a pioneer in the teaching and promotion of gagana Samoa in New Zealand.  He is a published writer, broadcaster, researcher, cross-cultural advisor / consultant and academic who established Samoan Studies at Wellington’s Victoria University in the 1980s and was also the inaugural director of the Wellington Multicultural Educational Resource Centre from 1980 -1989. 

Galumalemana was awarded The New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal for services to education in New Zealand and the MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) award in 2001 for his services to the Samoan community in its language maintenance efforts in particular. He retired in 2013 from Victoria University Wellington after nearly 30 years of service at the university and is now based back in Samoa.

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We are celebrating Samoan Language Week 2021 - Poupou le lotoifale.  Ola manuia le anofale-strengthen the posts of your house, for all to thrive.  

We now cross over to Brisbane, Australia and talk with  Leroy Matafeo a.k.a DHEM(pronounced as DEM) is a Samoan music producer based in Australia who says he’s always been surrounded by music. 

DHEM’s ear for beat making sits in the alternative realms of R&B and Hip Hop.

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We’re joined now by the Deputy Leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) Party - Hon Lauofo Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre Lauofo to talanoa on the latest developments in Samoa.  

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Ruby Satele: Collection Manager joins us now live from Tamaki Paenga Hira Auckland  War Memorial Museum, for a look at some beautiful Samoan historical measina.

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The Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (otherwise known as FAST) party has welcomed the decision by Samoa’s Court of Appeal to void the extraordinary appointment of a sixth woman member of Parliament effectively confirming their one seat majority to form a new government. 

The Court has determined however that there should be at least six women members of parliament to fulfill the 10% minimum as required by the constitution which means the one seat majority could be increased or lost depending on the outcome of electoral petitions pending.

To tell us more about the Court of Appeals decision and what it means for the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa us Tasi moving forward

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Mahu Maireriki is a Cook islander living in Ashburton.  Following the flooding in the area he talks to Ete about evacuating his family and how the community are dealing with the situation.

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As we continue our celebrations of Samoan Language Week 2021, we’re joined now by Elisapeta Alaimaleata, Executive Director & Founder of Le Fetuao Samoan Language Center in Hawaii.

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

Events attended over the last week for Samoan Language Week 2021. 

Update on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout for Cook Islands, Niue & Tokelau.

Formal apology from the Government re: Dawn Raids.

Comment on the current situation in Samoa.

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Reverend Ma’auga Motu is the Secretary of Samoa’s Council of Churches. Eteuati Ete caught up with him to talk about the church’s role in maintaining Samoan culture and political stability. 

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James Williams was born in Tuasivi hospital on the Big island of Savaii in Samoa and then grew up in Upolu.  He attended Samoa Primary, Leifiifi Intermediate, then Samoa College for secondary school and received the Dux of Samoa College in 1997. 

James went on to attend the National University of Samoa for University Prep Year and became a scholarship student to University of Canterbury. He enrolled to study engineering in 1999 but didn’t go further with engineering, instead in 2000 took up flying at the NZ International Aviation Academy in Christchurch to fulfill a childhood dream of becoming a pilot.

He has worked as a Flight instructor at the Canterbury aero club, operations department for Polynesian Airlines, Pilot for Airlink (Papua New Guinea), Air Fiji/Airlines Tonga (Fiji/Tonga), South Pacific Express (Samoa), Tigerair/Scoot (Singapore), Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) and now Jetstar Airways back in Christchurch NZ. 

Eteuati Ete talks with Captain James Williams about how his Samoan heritage has enabled him to fulfill his dreams and raise a family grounded in the same values but outside of Samoa.

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