The New Zealand International Business Awards (NZIBA) 2021, the country’s most prestigious national awards for export businesses, have returned for 2021 with entries and nominations now open.  

Run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise - Te Taurapa Tūhono (NZTE), the NZIBA celebrate the success, vision and determination of New Zealand businesses on the world stage.

David Downs, convenor of judges for the New Zealand International Business Awards 2021 joins us now on Pacific Days

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A short documentary film by nine Solomon Island filmmakers has won an award at an international film festival.  Sky Aelan won Best Short Documentary at the Melbourne Short Film Festival.  Sky Aelan has been shown in more than ten international film festivals including Imagine Native, Lubee film festivals, Pasifika Calgary International and the Rasbury International film festival.

We crossover to the Solomon Islands where we have Regina Lepping who is an actor, youth advocate, filmmaker and activist.  At the age of 22 she wrote and directed her first short narrative film Broken Wind Chime.  In 2015 she founded Honiara Film Club a club that connects all local filmmakers.  She was also one of the main actors in Blackbird.

Eteuati Ete caught up with Regie to talk more about her career, filmmaking and the beauty of Pacific storytelling.

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Paul Lisi has over ten years of experience working in the arts sector as a performer and producer.  Before joining Creative New Zealand, Paul’s career has spanned theatre, dance, television and film, and he has performed across Aotearoa and internationally.

He has played an important role in the implementation of the Pacific Arts Strategy through many Creative New Zealand projects.  This includes the annual sector conference Nui te Kōrero, the Arts Pasifika Awards , local and international residencies focused on supporting and nurturing Pasifika talent.

Paul held the position of Senior Communications Adviser, Pacific since 2019 and has been an integral part of growing Creative New Zealand’s engagement with the Pacific community. Paul has recently been appointed the New Arts Practice Director-Pacific.

https://www.creativenz.govt.nz/

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As we celebrate NZ Music Month we talk to musicians who bring a Pasifika twist and contribution to the industry.

Originally from Auckland, New Zealand Bex Sioweli is well known by her stage name Sassy.  Growing up in a musical family in New Zealand she sang in church and was part of an orchestra where she played the violin.  She has a Bachelor in Music in Jazz and later became a music teacher.  Sassy did a three year stint at the International Secondary School in Suva.

She has performed in Vanuatu, Tonga, Australia, New Zealand and around Fiji with the Uprising festival, Tagimoucia festival and the One Love Family Fiesta in Sukuna Park.

Some of Sassy's most notable songs are sung in the iTaukei language and she talks with Eteuati Ete about her love for music and Fiji.

https://www.facebook.com/sassysoulpacific 

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Kuddles In-Home Childcare & Education is a licensed ECE home-based childcare service providing quality child care in a safe, secure & nurturing home environment. 

We’re joined now by Lingi & Michelle, two of the team from Kuddles, to share more about the services they provide. 

Lingi Taupau is the Programme Coordinator/Compliance/Liaison visiting teacher & Michelle is the enrolment advisor/marketing rep.

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As part of the 50 year celebrations this year of the Citizens Advice Bureau in New Zealand, every fortnight on Pacific Days we’ll be speaking with one of the CAB centres around Aotearoa, for an overview of what’s happening in their local community. Today we’re joined by Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Hastings Manager, David Gerbault.

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Over the last few weeks, we’ve been taking a closer look at some of the stories that make up Tamaki Herenga Waka: Stories of Auckland exhibition. The new exhibition at Auckland Museum. 

Today we’re joined by Sefa Enari. Sefa 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. He was named as a Member of the NZ Order of Merit in 2020 for his services to Pacific Dance.

PIC Newton is known as “The Mother-Church” (cf: Newton PIC: The First 50 Years A brief history of the church compiled by Dr Melani Anae). 

The “first, oldest, largest and only PIC that caters for four ethnic groups (Samoan, Cook Is, Niuean and it’s young people through ESG (English Speaking Group)”. It has given refuge, strength and identity” to generations of Pasifika in Auckland. 

The late Mrs Epi Phethean, was a stylish figure who taught many prominent singers as the Choir Mistress at PIC Newton, some of who performed in the choir, including her Nephew  Iosefa Enari (1954-2000) and The Yandall Sisters who were also choir members and music students of Mrs Phethean. The Crimson church gown worn by the Epi Phethean is now on display as part of Tamaki Herenga Waka.

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Now for our weekly wrap up of global politics with Dr Stephen Hoadley Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Arts.

Royal Navy ships are to pay a visit to our region soon.  

Israel under critical spotlight again.  

Questions around Coronavirus.

News from the Pacific region.

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Eighteen organisations around the country received collective funding of almost $1 million through the Pasifika Suicide Prevention Community Fund earlier this year.

Le Va, a Pasifika-led non-government organisation that supports families and communities, administers the Fund on behalf of the Suicide Prevention Office. The Fund offers grants for community initiatives that aim to develop solutions to prevent suicide.

One of those organisations is Zeal. Zeal is an organisation that works with youth. Their mission is to make transformative spaces and experiences accessible to all young people in Aotearoa. 

We’re joined now by Jesse Boyce, Chief Executive Officer of youth organisation Zeal, who was appointed in 2018.

Jesse held roles at Bible Society New Zealand, Ministry of Youth Development, Upper Hutt City Council, and Wellington Boys’ & Girls’ Institute. 

He founded Zion Dance Studios in Christchurch, which has impacted thousands of young people and community members.

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Movefit is more than just activewear it is a label created by a Cook Islander living in Rarotonga who is passionate about encouraging healthy & active lifestyles. 

Movefit was created to extend the current Miss Cook Islands & Miss World Oceania "MOVE WITH ME" campaign. To MOVE at least for 30 minutes a day despite your fitness level, there are always options & alternatives to keep you MOVING in paradise. 

This brand is designed by Tajiya to help people feel confident & comfortable in their own skin.   It is the first activewear brand in the Cook Islands suitable for all sizes, age groups & made affordable during these tough Covid 19 times. 

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