We’re joined now by Dr Christina La’ala’ai-Tausa, political scientist & Analyst at Pacific Linc for more on the latest from Samoa. 

Dr Christina holds a Ph.D in Political Science from Massey University & provides political commentary and analysis into Samoa’s political system of government as well as Pacific-related politics in New Zealand.

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Tala Sooupu was born in Samoa and lived in Magiagi and Moamoa.  Her father ‘is Ae Semau Faanuu Sooupu  from the villages of Patamea and Asaga and  mother Sailau Sooupu is from Uafato (Fagaloa).

She moved with her family to New Zealand in 2005 where after a brief time in South Auckland they moved to Te Awamutu in the Waikato. 

Tala did all of her schooling in Te Awamutu where she held many roles in student representation for Pasifika students as a student advocate for the Waikato Students Union

 

At the end of 2020 Tala graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Laws. 

 

Tala is currently the Northern Vice President for the National Pacific Tertiary Students Board known as Tauira Pasifika and as of the beginning of this year she has been working as the Tangata o le Moana advisor for the Te Hiringa Hauora/Health Promotion Agency.

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Luamanuvae Luafataali’i Sa’iliemanu Lilomaiava-Doktor (Sa’ili) is a Professor of Hawaiian and Pacific Studies at the University of Hawaii West Oahu. 

Her research interests focus on Pacific migration, development, transnationalism, diaspora and the interactive relationships of these with culture and place. 

She locates the indigenous reference explicitly in fa’a-Samoa as in concepts of Vā / social relational space, and Malaga / travel back and forth within the local and global dialectics of development processes in Oceania.

 

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Hiria Faofua is a West Auckland business owner and the founder of Kids Korowai. The family owned business in West Auckland sells handcrafted items, including Korowai and Poi. 

The aim for the products is to provide a fun cultural experience for children while also promoting Maori culture and indigenous artisans. 

Hiria Faofua believes if every child had the opportunity to wear a korowai, it would provide the opportunity for them to stand in their own mana.

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“See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me.”

Watch the world of Moana brought to life by young, local performers in this musical adaptation of the hit Disney film by The Court Theatre in Christchurch. Thrilling and heart-warming, this coming of age story follows strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage – including an adventure with legendary demigod Maui!

Fun for the whole family, Disney’s Moana JR. features all your favourite songs from the movie, including How Far I’ll Go, Shiny and You’re Welcome.

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Va'ai Nah Folasa, journalist with Eyespy Radio in Samoa, joins us now on Pacific Days for latest updates on the events in Samoa.

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Ete talks with Samoan journalist, political commentator and former Editor of the Samoa Observer Mata'afa Keni Lesa about the ongoing political standoff in Samoa and recent developments.

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Friends4Fiame started by Tau’iliili Alise Stunnenberg, Sose Annandale, Luafa Ofoia and Nynette Sass, four women who came together to support their friend, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa when she resigned as Deputy Prime Minister of the HRPP party in protest against the suite of Lands & Titles Bills.

They have been instrumental in fundraising and organising Fiame’s community engagement during her election campaign and garnering the support of the Samoan diaspora through social media where they have tens of thousands of followers.

To tell us more about what’s happening in Samoa with regards to the political standoff between the elect and caretaker governments we have on the line and live on our Facebook the Co-founder of Friends4Fiame co-founder, General Manager of Island Hopper Vacations and Vice President of Samoa Cancer Society Tau’ili;ili Alise Stunnenberg. 

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Non communicable diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases represent the single largest cause of premature mortality in the Pacific.

Three-quarters of deaths in the Pacific are caused by chronic diseases. 

Dr Colin Tukuitonga who is a senior member of the Pasifika Medical Association says that soft drinks and an unhealthy diet were behind the "devastating" impact. 

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We're joined now by Dr Arindam Kar from Counties Manukau Health, to talk about Strokes. Sadly, Many in our Pacific Community have suffered or know of someone that has had a stroke.

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