PMN Tonga

Samson Setu & Manase Latu are only two of fourteen successful applicants, chosen from thousands of applicants worldwide, to win a place at the prestigious New York Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program 2020/2021 roster. 

They are the first ever Pasifika or New Zealand singers to do so. 

Samson, a proud NZ born Samoan bass-baritone recently studied at the Royal College of Music, London, completing a post-graduate diploma. 

He is also a former student in the Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Programme for Young Singers, Freemason’s New Zealand Opera Artist, and the Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist of 2018 for New Zealand Opera.

His most recent accomplishments include competing as a finalist in the 2019 IFAC HANDA Australian Competition, where he received awards of a three-week program at the State Opera House in Saarbrücken, a four-week intensive course at any Goethe Institut Centre in Germany, and an opportunity to participate in the International Vocal Arts Institute Summer Program in New York in 2020.

Manase, a proud NZ born Tongan tenor graduated from the University of Auckland. A previous Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist, in 2019, he placed first in the Dame Malvina Major Napier Aria competition and was selected as the 2019 Circle 100 Scholarship recipient. Most recently, he won the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition, arguably the most prestigious singing competition in Australia.

Other recent accomplishments include being a finalist for the Lexus Song Quest Competition and winning the renowned New Zealand Aria Competition, one of the biggest singing competitions in Australasia. 

In 2017, he was invited to join the Singer Development Programme run by the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation, and he recently pursued his master’s degree at London’s Royal College of Music as a Kiri Scholar under the tutelage of Russell Smythe.

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Lapiuingi Valu Maka - Sales and Student Recruitment Manager talk about the latest programs available during the lock-down COVID 19. Live interview with John Pulu 

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Helena Kaufononga Pasifika, Pasifika, and Training and Employment Consultant mentioned a number of Pacific people living in the Waikato region getting the COVID-19 test is very low. The team at the K'aute Pasifika Trust is encouraging all Pacific people to get tested, whether they are symptomatic or not. 

 

If you didn’t know, K’aute Pasifika, based in Hamilton is a charitable trust established in 1999 to help improve the holistic wellbeing of pacific families. They provide free health, social, education & employment services to pacific communities and people who wish to access their services.  Live interview with John Pulu

 

 

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John McCaffery, Honorary Senior Lecturer 

Talks about  a new action plan for Pacific Education in New Zealand has sparked concerns among some educationalists. 

Last month Associate Minister for Education Jenny Salesa launched a new ten-year plan that looks to support Pacific learners and families to achieve their educational dreams.

Honorary Senior Lecturer and researcher at the University of Auckland's Faculty of Education John McCaffery concerns over the future of bilingual education in NZ.

John is the Bilingual Education Researcher for Bilingual Leo Pasifika, a cross-Pacific community organization that brings educators and communities together to support programs that build Language Culture Identity and Belonging in all Aotearoa NZ children. Live interview with John Pulu

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Mote Pahulu - New Conservative Party Candidate. Live interview with John Pulu

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Kristina Sofele talks about Vaka Tautua launched a new FREE Pacific helpline for the Auckland region recently. 

for more information 

0800 OLA LELEI (0800 652 535) is a freephone service where people can talk to a trained Pacific mental health or social worker about any worries, issues or concerns they may have due to COVID-19 (coronavirus).

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Emeline & ‘Alipate Mafile'o talks about Affirming Works community food parcels

Affirming Works community have been supporting, thousands of Aucklanderswho are desperately turning to food banks as increasing job losses are impacting family incomes. 

There are now 29 registered food banks serving the Auckland region and in Ōtāhuhu, ‘Alipate Mafile'o and the team from Affirming Works have prepared food parcels for families in need. Live interview with John Pulu

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Mr Mefi Naufahu  talks about Waikato Community Tongan Language Week. Live interview with John Pulu

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