The States Parties to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (“Rarotonga Treaty”) convened  their first ever meeting on Tuesday 15 December 2020.  The meeting was in response to the call by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at their 50th Meeting, held in Tuvalu in 2019, to operationalise the provisions of the Treaty.

Following its adoption at the 16th Forum Leaders meeting in the Cook Islands, the Treaty was only the second of its kind—today there are five such regional nuclear free zones covering 116 nations.

For further insight into the Meeting of Parties held earlier this week, see https://www.forumsec.org/2020/12/15/towards-a-fully-nuclear-free-blue-pacific-forum-sg-at-rarotonga-treaty-meeting/

For further insight into the Rarotonga Treaty including the Treaty text, see https://www.forumsec.org/treaty-collection/

MFAI media release on the Cook Islands becoming Party to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons see https://www.facebook.com/mfaicookislands/posts/1083989601767279

For insight into the Cook Islands 1995 participation in protest campaign against nuclear testing on the French Polynesian island of Mururoa, read Cook Islands News coverage at https://www.cookislandsnews.com/weekend/remembering-turbulent-times-in-pacific-history/

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The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has successfully completed two survey flights of Fiji and remains ready to respond to those affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa. 

The Category 5 Tropical Cyclone, which has now been downgraded to a tropical low, has made its way through the Fijian islands and is tracking away through open seas in the South West Pacific. 

A team from Headquarters Joint Forces, responsible for coordinating the NZDF response, deployed an NZDF C-130 Hercules from Base Auckland to conduct an initial survey flight on Saturday 19 December.

We’re joined now by NZDF Air Component Commander Air Commodore Shaun Sexton for more (Air Commodore Sexton).

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Judy Matai’a  is the Chief Executive Officer at the Anglican Trust for Women & Children (ATWC), based in Auckland.  In the 160 year history of ATWC; Judy is its first female CEO.  

 

Prior to moving to ATWC, Judy worked for the Department of Child Youth and Family Services as well as teaching in undergraduate social work programmes at Unitec and at the University of Auckland.  

 

Judy has a strong commitment to social change and community development, through a Collective Impact approach.  An approach that values and embraces new learning, new ways of genuine collaboration that esteems transparency.  

Judy holds Masters Degrees in Social Work & an MBA (Hons) both from Massey University; and an undergraduate degree from the University of Auckland.  In 2018, Judy also graduated from the Global Women’s Breakthrough Leadership programme.

In addition to her advisory roles across Oranga Tamariki and the Ministry of Social Development, plus the various Board positions she holds; Judy is involved in Governance training for Pasefika leaders with LEAD Centre for Not for Profit Governance & Leadership.  

Recently she was involved in the review of Pasefika Governance participation across the Auckland Rugby Union.   This review of governance participation led to the NZ Rugby Union developing a specific Pasefika national leadership role to grow participation across all its rugby provinces.  

Judy joins us on the line to talk about the work she is doing researching Pasifika governance.

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Pania Newton is a lawyer and activist for Maori land rights who emerged as the face of the Ihumatao protest against Fletcher Building developing disputed land near Auckland airport .  

She is a determined and articulate spokesperson who has been pushed into the spotlight to lead the Save Our Unique Landscape(SOUL) campaign for the preservation of Ihumatao land that Fletcher Building bought for housing development.

Last week a deal was struck between the government and Fletcher Building to buy the disputed Ihumātao land for just under $30 million, the first step in breaking the stand off between protectors and Fletcher Building.

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Fa’aso’otauloa Sam Saili was born, raised and educated in the tiny island of Samoa. He is 12th of 13 children so he has been in negotiations all his life.  Sam has been in the ICT sector for over 20 years with expertise in System Analysis and Design, Data Networks, Databases and Project Management. 

Software development company SKY EYE was founded in Samoa in 2013 and has now expanded to Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu offering geospatial technology services.

Fa’aso’otauloa Sam Saili  is a fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce (RSA) and twice selected as one of Samoa Observer’s People of the Year in 2017 and 2019.  

Raised in the Samoan culture of “tautua” or “to serve”, it has been natural that the company he founded with his siblings embraces serving for the benefit of the community.  Sam joins us on the line all the way from Samoa, to talk to us about his life and work and the Maua App.

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Last Friday in South Auckland, a selected audience of community leaders, business owners & influencers with a heart for Maori & Pasefika were guests to the official launch of a company called Seki Tech.

Speakers included world renown medical professional Dr. John Mayhew, former All Blacks & the Warriors doctor, along with testimonies from WHO advisors and psychologists from leading sporting organisations across the Tasman.

The guests were treated to new artificial intelligence technology utilization with the ability to confirm our health status in an instant. 

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On Saturday night, the much anticipated fight between Iron Mose Jr Auimatagi & David The Great White Light, for the WBO Cruiserweight Oriental belt took place in Auckland.

The bout, which was originally due to feature on the undercard of the Joseph Parker, Junior Fa fight, went ahead, after that fight was postponed & is now due to take place on 27th Feb 2021 at Spark Arena.

David Light won the bout by unanimous decision & could now be looking at a world title fight in 2021. Mose’s record now stands at 14 wins, 2 losses & 2 draws.

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Preston Feite - Winner of the Men's Physique Tall Class NZ IFBB Tournament of Champions.

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Tuiloma Gayle Lafaiali’i is from the villages of Sapunaoa and Lalomanu in the district of Falealili, Upolu Samoa on her mother's side and Scotland/Ireland on her dad's side, and was born in Auckland raised in Wellington and is a graduate of Victoria University.

​She has over 20 years work experience in the New Zealand Tertiary Education sector, including seven years at NZQA as the Senior Advisor Pasifika. 

​An experienced senior leader across a range of Private Training Establishments, Tuiloma managed facilities and operations at Laidlaw College (formerly the Bible College of NZ), was General Manager at The Learning Post (an eLearning training Provider) and Academic Director at Educol. 

​Tuiloma is married to Toleafoa Sefa Lafaiali’i, and her other fulltime job is raising their daughter and two dogs Koko Samoa and Milo.

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Leulua’iali’i Satuala Tofaeono Tanuvasa is a writer, motivational speaker, model, and publisher. He is a student ambassador for the University of Auckland, Managing Director for Fuelavelave Press, and Cultural advisor for Sau E Siva Productions. Wonderfully made suice de prevention  He is also teaching at the Pacific Education Centre. 

The Samoan proverb, “O le ala i le pule, o le tautua – the pathway to leadership begins with service” is his life mantra. He believes that service to others is the essence of greatness and the highest of distinctions.  

Leulua’iali’i publishes the largest collection of Samoan educational resources following the legacy of his father the late Tofaeono Tanuvasa Tavale. 

One of his main aims is to preserve the language for future generations. Leulua’iali’i works closely with organisations or groups that share this mission. He believes that there is strength in unity and working towards a shared mission. Leulua’iali’i is currently based in Mangere, South Auckland and is an active parishioner at St Therese Parish, Mangere East.

The inaugural Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF) Youth Leadership Awards were held last week, with a special ceremony at parliament. This morning we’re joined by Leulua’iali’i Satuala Tofaeono Tanuvasa who is the Top Pasifika Cultural and Language Advocate Award 2020 sponsored by the Ministry for Pacific People.

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