Pasifika Wire

Multimedia talent Ma'a Brian Sagala comes out from behind the mic to help kick of the talanoa for Pasifika Wire in 2023.

Ma'a shares his journey into broadcasting, providing a voice for Pasifika people across the motu, his insight into the world of being a Master of Ceremony and what it means to be a recipient of the Queen's Service Medal for services to the Pacific community in New Zealand, and gives us a glimpse of what we can expect from the PMN, Radio 531pi host in the New Year. www.pasifikawire.com

The first  Pasifika women elected into the Auckland Supercity council for Manugakiekie-Tamaki Ward in 2018, says working with her community at a local government level is a role she loves and a position she does not take lightly. A strong local voice for the community, Councillor Josephine Bartley says climate action, equity within the work place and workers rights are at the forefront of her work within the council.

Samoan academic Wanda Ieremia-Allan is a PhD candidate in the Pacific and Indigenous Studies programmes at the University of Waikato, and is delving into archival research that traces the inter-generational, intellectual gafa/lineage of indigenous Samoan writing of the early 20th century in the former London Missionary Society niusipepa (newspaper) O le Sulu Samoa. www.pasifikawire.com

As one of two Auckland city councillors for the Manukau Ward, Fa'anana Efeso Collins prepares for the next part of his journey in local government that spans over more than nine years. Fa'a'nana says it is a humbling, emotional, and empowering feeling that has led to his family's decision for him to stand for the office of Mayor of Auckland - the largest city in Aotearoa New Zealand and home to the largest Polynesian population. www.pasifikawire.com

Daniel Faitaua has reached another milestone in his career as not only the first Pasifika TVNZ European correspondent based in London, but now the first Kiwi Pasifika president of the Foreign Press Association in London in its 134 year history. www.pasifikawire.com

Qiane Matata-Sipu is an award winning storyteller with more than 15 years working in the media sector as an editor, photographer, journalist, communications specialist, visual artist, and community advocate. So it is no surprise that Qiane created her own communications and multimedia production business Qiane+co and is the creator and founder of NUKU, a story telling platform using audio podcasts and photography, to name a few. www.pasifikawire.com

In a newly released report, He Purapura Ora, he Māra Tipu – From Redress to Puretumu Torowhānui, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care urged the Government to take urgent action to restore mana to survivors of abuse by addressing their 95 recommendations. PW talks to Ali'imuamua Sandra Alofivae about the report. www.pasifkawire.com

The first report into the Wellbeing of people in Aotearoa New Zealand was released by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission last week. Pasifika Wire caught up with Sharon Shea and Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath to talk about what it means.

The Director of Climate Change Resilience for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) says the Pacific Island Nations' voice was heard loud and clear at the the two week Climate change summit COP26 in Glasgow Scotland earlier this month. Tagaloa Cooper says despite the small number of delegates from the Pacific Island Nations who were able to travel to Glasgow due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Pacific made an impact. www.pasifikawire.com

Faith is a guiding light for Lise Hope-Suveinakama in a journey that began in Tokelau, then a move to New Zealand to further her studies attending Wairarapa College then completing a double degree in Arts and Law at the University of Waikato. Lise then returned to her homeland to take on roles within the public sector that took her around the world, working as the Senior Legal Adviser for the Tokealu government, Judicial National coordinator, and National Coordinator for Women.

www.pasifikawire.com