The Poly X Night Market is taking place this Friday 19th March at Trusts Stadium in Henderson, in Auckland. 

The market offers vendors an opportunity for Pacific businesses and showcases the beauty of the Pacific cultures for all to enjoy. With international borders closed, the markets are aptly themed – “We are bringing the Islands to you” as a call out to the domestic market to get a taste of Polynesia right here in Auckland!.

 

We’re joined now by Zeprina Fale from Poly X Ltd for more.

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We’re joined now by Lynette Leota on Pacific Days. 

Lynette is Tongan and based in Blenheim. She represents the Pacific community trust Kalia and is the organiser of the Poly Fest Marlborough which will happen in September. Lynette is involved in several businesses, social enterprises and community programmes - through ‘Limitless Lioness’ she is a Life Coach and Mentor for women to help them fulfil their goals and aspirations and also has a skincare beauty business which encourages self-love, positive image and identity.

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Teanau Tuiono, List M.P. for the Green Party, based in Palmerston North joins us now on Pacific Days for a talanoa. Teanau is a member of the select committee on Maori Affairs, member of the select committee on petitions, as well as Green Party Spokesperson for Pacific Peoples.

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The Fiji Law Society has added its voice to the growing chorus of concern about Fiji’s proposed draft Police Bill.

Civil society groups and opposition parties say the draft legislation will give police greater surveillance powers if passed in Parliament.  The leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party, Viliame Gavoka, says the “draconian” draft bill will turn Fiji into a “Police state”.

The draft bill also forbade officers from joining a union which Human Rights activist Shamina Ali says violated the human rights of officers.

 

Fiji’s Coalition of Human Rights says police should not be getting more power when the country is facing a pandemic of police brutality cases where individuals have lost their lives.

 

The Fiji Law Society recently released a statement expressing it’s concerns about the bill and society President William Wylie Clarke is on the line with us now from Fiji

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The people of Banaba in Kiribati have received the much-needed fresh water supplies from the capital Tarawa on Sunday.  The Banaban people on the island shared their sufferings and their desperate situation on social media, led by community leader, 68 year old Roubena Ritata. 

 

The Kiribati government-chartered vessel, LC Linnix arrived on the island with fresh water supplies, a desalination plant and materials to repair damaged water tanks on the island.  This morning we cross live to Tarawa for an update and talk with the President of the Kiribati Climate Action Network - Pelenise Alofa who has family in Banaba.

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Enid Westerlund is the owner of Enara fashion label, the founder of the Samoa Sinnet fashion show and recently started the AHA Books for Samoa Project in Tauranga. 

 

Born in Samoa Enid Westerlund moved to NZ and was selected for the Massey University Aviation Program where she learnt to fly planes for two years. With a 100 flight hours under her belt and a degree in Aviation management she worked at the Civil Aviation Authority and Samoa airports, where she was instrumental in aviation licensing and was the first business development consultant. 

 

Enid is passionate about helping her community through her many projects and fashion brand. She understands the limited resources available to our children in the islands and hopes to help with reading materials. 

 

The Samoa Books project aims to donate a thousand children’s books before June.

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Tropical Love Birds is a high energy drama-comedy played out in the trenches of a lovers’ relationship that is tested at the core.

Directed by Anapela Polata'ivao. Tropical Love Birds was sadly unable to open Thursday 4 March as planned, due to Auckland being at Alert Level 3 & is now opening tomorrow Tuesday 16th March & runs until this Saturday 20th March at the Mangere Arts Centre. 

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John & Fee Mann from D65 Fitness join us on Pacific Days to talk about the importance of spiritual health. 

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People on a tiny island Banaba in Kiribati say they've been without fresh water for three months and have resorted to drinking, bathing and cooking with contaminated water from a small cave.

Two desalination plants on the island are reportedly broken and a delay in getting spare parts from Japan means locals do not have access to clean water.

Pelenise Alofa, who has relatives on Banaba Island, says she's extremely worried about their health.

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The University of Waikato is committed to delivering a world-class education and research portfolio, providing a full and dynamic university experience, distinctive in character, and pursuing strong international links to advance knowledge.

Leni Lolohea is a graduate of the University of Waikato with  B/A double majoring in Political Science and Maori and Pacific Development. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Development studies and currently in the last year of his Master’s degree in Maori and Pacific Development.

Leni was born and raised in Auckland and has always been fascinated with the theory of development specifically Maori and Pacific development whilst having a strong political interest.  

Leni Lolohea currently serves as the Future Student Adviser - Pacific for Waikato University, based in Auckland and Hamilton.  He joins us now on the line to talk about his life, career and serving our Pasifika students.

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