GREETINGS
Kia Ora (NZ Maori)
Kia Orana (Cook Islands Maori)
Ia Orana (Tahiti)
Fakaalofa lahi atu (Niue)
Malo e lelei (Tonga)
Talofa lava (Samoa)
Talofa (Tuvalu)
Taloha ni (Tokelau)
Aloha mai e (Hawaii)
Halo olaketa (Solomons)
Bula vinaka (Fiji)
Namaste/kaise (Indo-Fijian)
Kam na mauri (Kiribati)
Alii (Palau)
Ekamwir-omo (Nauru)
January 7th 2009
New to Spasifikmag.com EDUCATION
A Maori educator from New Zealand is the first recipient of a doctoral degree from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Read more on the Education Page
Also...
New Zealand's performance on the world and Olympic stage has resulted in 53 nominations being considered for the 2008 Westpac Halberg Awards. Read more on the Sport&Leisure Page
January 7th 2009
PEOPLE
Maori, Pacific people recognised in New Years Honours
Maori leader Professor Ngatata Love, Olympic shot put champion Valerie Vili and Samoan actor/playwright/writer Oscar Kightley are among the list of Maori and Pacific peoples recognised in New Zealand’s New Years honours.
January 7th 2008
WORLD NEWS
Tonga withdraws from Iraq
Tongan troops serving in Iraq as part of the US led coalition have returned home without any fatalities to report as the withdrawal of coalition forces begins to roll out.
December 29th 2008
PACIFIC REGION
'Destructive' Fiji expels Aussie adviser
THE Rudd Government has branded as unhelpful and destructive yesterday's decision by Fiji's military rulers to expel Canberra's South Pacific Defence Adviser.
December 24th 2008
GOVERNMENT
A Christmas message from Pacific Affairs CEO
The Chief Executive of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, Dr Colin Tukuitonga has extended a festive message to the community to highlight the ministry’s achievements in 2008
December 23rd 2008
PACIFIC REGION
Fiji to be suspended by Pacific Forum
Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum will meet in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in January to discuss suspending Fiji from the group. This follows continued stonewalling by Fiji’s military government and threats to expel New Zealand’s acting high commissioner
December 22nd 2008
MUSIC
Making an Impact on the DJ world
After winning the national DJ title, representing New Zealand at the World DMC Champs in London, and finishing second in the Australian champs, Michael Stewart, aka DJ Impact is making his mark. KATHLEEN GUTTENBEIL reports.
December 18th 2008
ENTERTAINMENT
Poly celebs put on their dancing shoes
Dancing With The Stars returns in early 2009 with eight stars who will take to the floor including Maori TV host Tamati Coffey, former Black Sticks captain Lizzy Igasan and former Samoan All Black Josh Kronfeld
December 19th 2008
PEOPLE
Pacific by blood, and in my heart
WINONA NGARO often faced racial abuse and prejudice not just from palagi people, but even her own Pacific peers while growing up in Auckland. The identity crisis she went through is an experience many can relate to. But in her heart she has always been a Pacific Islander
December 17th 2008
PACIFIC REGION
Early Xmas present for Samoan MP detained in U.S
A U.S federal judge has dismissed a criminal complaint against Samoan MP, Joe Keil, who has been detained since September but will now return home in time for Christmas
December 16th 2008
ART
Le Folauga takes Pacific art to Asia
Le Folauga: the past coming forward - Contemporary Pacific Art from Aotearoa New Zealand is the first exhibition of contemporary Pacific art from New Zealand to be shown in a major fine arts museum in Asia.
December 16th 2008
PACIFIC REGION
One News reporter/SPASIFIK columnist detained in Fiji
TVNZ One News reporter and SPASIFIK columnist, Barbara Dreaver, was detained at Fiji's Nadi Airport on Monday night (NZT) soon after arriving to cover the deteriorating diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Fiji
December 15th 2008
STREET BEAT
Christmas – the best and the worst
Street Beat reporters MELE TU’UHOLOAKI and KATHLEEN GUTTENBEIL get into the Christmas spirit
December 15th 2008
MUSIC
Fronting up for solo success
Samoan rapper David Dallas hopes to make his mark as a solo artist with the release of his new EP, ‘Something New’. KATHLEEN GUTTENBEIL catches up with the former front man of award-winning group Frontline.
December 15th 2008
ENTERTAINMENT
The Rock's mum arrives in Aotearoa
The mother of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has landed in New Zealand where she will appear as the guest speaker at the Samoan Sports Awards in Manukau on Saturday night, 13 December
December 15th 2008
PACIFIC REGION
NZ, Australia aid democratic reform process in Tonga
The New Zealand and Australian governments have given Tonga a financial boost towards their democratic reform process.
December 12th 2008
POLITICS
Child poverty record irks Maori Party
In a week that has seen the National-led government ram through a raft of legislation on tax cuts, Kiwisaver and employment contracts before Christmas, government partner The Maori Party has provided a timely reminder
December 12th 2008
ART
Sea Travels across the Pacific inspires artist
The creation of a large installation to adorn Waitakere City Council's civic building has been a journey for visual artist Fatu Feu'u, reminiscent of that taken by his ancestors, who inspired the piece
December 11th 2008
TRAVEL
Vaka Eiva 2008 draws hundreds to Rarotonga
Rarotonga played host to over 600 paddlers in November for the fifth running of the Steinlager Vaka Eiva, the largest sporting event in the Cook Islands
December 10th 2008
PACIFIC REGION
Pacific Islands call for cooler limits on warming: Oxfam
Pacific Island countries are pushing for cooler limits on global warming, saying the limits favoured by bigger countries will be disastrous for island-dwellers.
December 10th 2008
TOURISM
Upcoming cultural activities in Tahiti
Visitors to Tahiti looking for cultural experiences have a potpourri of choices during December.
December 9th 2008
THEATRE
Where We Once Belonged wins best new play
The theatrical version of ‘Where We Once Belonged’ by Sia Figiel and adapted for the stage by Dave Armstrong has won the New Play of the Year at the prestigious 2008 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards
December 8th 2008
STREET BEAT
2008 highlights, New Year’s resolutions
Street Beat reporters MELE TU’UHOLOAKI and KATHLEEN GUTTENBEIL ask you what your highlights in 2008 were and your New Year’s resolutions
December 8th 2008
POLITICS
Mangere MP angry he can’t be sworn in Samoan
The MP for Mangere is angry that he cannot be sworn into Parliament in his native language this week when parliament is seated for the first time since National won the election in November.
December 8th 2008
FILM
Tongan film explores lost cultural identity
Niuean radio personality and music producer Tony Fuemana has made his first foray into filmmaking with ‘My Lost Kainga’, a tale of lost cultural identity filmed in Tonga. KATHLEEN GUTTENBEIL reports
December 8th 2008
MUSIC
Repeat nominees vying for Hawaiian Grammy
Daniel Ho's audiences have lately been gravitating toward one particular song on his new 'Ikena music CD, writes Dave Dondoneau of the Honolulu Advertiser.
December 4th 2008
PACIFIC REGION
Tonga rolls out red carpet for Olympic hero Vili
Tonga rolled out the red carpet for New Zealand’s Olympic shot put champion Valerie Vili when she arrived there on Wednesday.
December 4th 2008
POLITICS
Maori Party Keen to be part of Housing Solutions
Maori Party Co-leader, Tariana Turia, has commended PM John Key, for telling it like it is, and describing the Government as in danger of becoming a 'slum landlord'.
December 3rd 2008
PACIFIC REGION
Tonga takes step towards democracy
The semi-feudal Pacific monarchy of Tonga has taken a step towards greater democracy with the appointment of a commission to recommend the make-up of a new parliament.
December 3rd 2008
ENVIRONMENT
Take climate change seriously, Island nation pleads
The Samoan delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference meeting in Poznan, Poland this week is calling on developed countries to take more action on climate change, writes SPASIFIK columnist CHERELLE JACKSON of the Pacific Media Team.
December 1st 2008
Global Issues
World AIDS day highlights threat in NZ and Pacific
December 1 is World AIDS day and it is an opportunity to take stock of the growing HIV-AIDS threat in New Zealand and the Pacific region and creating more awareness.
December 1st 2008
Pacific Region
Samoan appointed to top UN role
Iosefa Maiava, of Samoa, the former deputy secretary of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has been appointed Head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) - Pacific Operations Centre (EPOC).
New featured property from Tiapapata Samoa.
