Silika Isaia was born in Samoa, raised in Christchurch for the first half of her life and now resides in Otara.  She is a 19 year old singer-songwriter who is currently studying for a Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland with the hopes that this will be a stepping stone towards conquering some of the worlds biggest stages. Her love for singing stems from a firm family foundation within the church where her father was the choir lead and Silika would play the piano.

Silika has played alongside Dave Dobbyn, Bella Kalolo and Pacific Soul as a soloist on the Christmas in the Park in the Park 2019 and as part of the lineup in the Divas National Identity Tour Auckland show.  She won Best Solo Vocalist at the Stand Up stand Out grand final and was runner up in 2019. As the lead singer of 78District won the National Final of Smokefree Tangata Beats in 2019.  She was a national finalist in Smokefree Rockquest in 2019 placing 2nd in NZ and 2nd at the National Final of the Smokefree Tangata Beats in 2018 winning the “Best Vocals” award at both.  Silika won the Play It Strange National Peace Song Award in 2018 with her original song Madmen.  

Her most recent highlight was to be one of the opening acts for L.A.B at their Mt Smart Stadium Show last weekend.  We have the great privilege of having Silika join us in the studio to tell us a bit more about her journey.  Talofa Lava and good morning and thank you very much for popping in to have a chat with us this morning.

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The Nadroumai Women’s Club in Western Viti Levu convened on the coral coast, last week, to celebrate a successful agroforestry project that will provide benefits for future generations.

The project, “Enhancing value-added products and environmental benefits from agroforestry systems in the Pacific” wrapped up with a list of forward-looking achievements that will provide income, sustenance and climate change mitigation benefits for years.

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Polymentia movement is a Facebook page raising Dementia Awareness & helping to break the stigma that’s attached to DEMENTIA in our Pasifika community.

Polymentia movement is a space to share your story, spread awareness & support loved ones affected by Dementia.

We’re joined now by Jesykah Vaha & Bee Makani Pasifika Dementia Advocates, for more.

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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.

The Suez Canal blockage.

Update on sanctions imposed on China for human rights abuses.  

Europe in political disarray over vaccine distribution.

Pasifika News

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Yesterday at AUT South Campus in Manukau, an announcement by the Associate Minister of Health, Ayesha Verrall, was made regarding a new initiative to support the success Maori & Pasifika students & increase the number of Maori & Pasifika midwives. 

Te Ara ō Hine for Māori and Tapu Ora for Pasifika will be developed by Māori and Pacific midwifery educators, students, new graduates and stakeholders from Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, Otago Polytechnic, Ara Institute of Canterbury (Ara) and Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec).

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Wellington Rugby League have partnered with Healthy Families Hutt Valley to change lives through the game of rugby league, with their new smokefree sport initiative kicking off this April.

The initiative powered by Wellington Rugby League aims to drive home the message that by creating supportive physical and social environments which are smokefree and vapefree, we can affect change and be positive role models for our tamariki and rangatahi.

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Today we are joined by Langi'o'uiha Isileli Latu Tangulu (Langi) who is an artist wood carver with 25 years experience & who started a new carving business Vava’u Carving House Limited with his partner Caroline Matamua in the last six months. 

Carving House Ltd offers customised products from birthday keys, souvenirs, decorative platters and bowls to standing bar stations. Very popular are cultural carvings such as war clubs, kava bowls, and birthdays keys and gifts. 

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It has been 50 years since the Polynesian Panthers were formed, and now a call for a formal government apology for the Dawn Raids has come. 

“This apology is long overdue. The Dawn Raids are a shameful stain on New Zealand history, defined by racial tension and unrest as police and immigration authorities victimised Pacific Islanders they suspected of abusing the terms of their visas, says Green Party spokesperson for Pacific Peoples Teanau Tuiono, who joins us now on Pacific Days for more.

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Māngere College is currently calling for past students and staff to come and join the 50 year celebration Māngere College is turning 50 this year. And we want all past students, whanau and staff to join us in celebrating this special milestone. 

Māngere College Principal Tom Webb says that the 50th Jubilee is an exciting time of celebration which will bring together alumni students and staff from across the decades to celebrate and reminisce about the good times.

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The Bible Society New Zealand is one of 150 Bible Societies globally sharing the mission of accessibility & engagement with the Bible.

The Bible Society NZ was Established in 1846, & is the fourth oldest organisation in the country. This year the Bible Society N.Z. celebrates it’s 175th anniversary. 

 

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