Press Release – New Zealand Defence Force

The Auckland City Mission will be one of the many community food banks which will benefit from the generosity of the Defence Force’s nation-wide drive to collect canned food during October. Read more »

Press Release – United Nations

5 countries today signed a number of international conventions related to human rights on the sidelines of the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate, while Chile ratified the convention designed to suppress acts of nuclear terrorism. Read more »

Press Release – Government of Tonga

Due to numerous complaints from the public that they were not given enough time to organise their donations to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund, the Coordinating Committee has decided to hold another Radio-thon. Read more »

Press Release – Caritas Aotearoa

One year on from the Pacific tsunami that claimed almost 200 lives, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has allocated the half-a-million dollars New Zealanders donated to its tsunami appeal, primarily to housing projects across Samoa and Tonga. Read more »

Press Release – New Zealand Film Commission

Wellington short film Day Trip, by filmmakers Zoe McIntosh and Costa Botes, has been selected for the prestigious 48th New York Film Festival in September/October.   Read more »

The honeymoon suite where Wendy and Chris Booth were hit by the tsunami. (Photo: Alex Perrottet/PMC.)

SAMOA TSUNAMI SERIES 1: A year ago this week, the tsunami devastated southern Samoa and also hit American Samoa and parts of Tonga. At least 192 people died, most of them in Samoa. The disaster struck just a month after Pacific Scoop had been launched. Here we begin a series of special reports to mark the anniversary of that fateful day last September 29.

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Alex Perrottet in Apia.

Down the south coast of Upolu are a collection of tourist operations ranging from high-end resorts to basic beach fales.

Many are family businesses and they all provide employment from the surrounding villages. Tourism is an essential commodity and without being able to operate, many have had to survive months without a livelihood. Read more »

Mutton flaps banned in New Zealand and US but not in Samoa. (Photo: Kiva.org.)

Fatty food imports, such as mutton flaps and turkey tails – waste products from affluent countries – are a cause of obesity in the Pacific and have been criticised in the NZ Medical Journal.

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Rose Rees-Owen

Alma Hayes returned from her two-week holiday in Samoa, refreshed and rejuvenated. She talks of beautiful sunsets on tranquil beaches and delicious and fresh produce.

“You can’t get much fresher than going out to the banana tree and whacking off a bunch for breakfast,” she says. However, Hayes stayed in fales with breakfast and dinner included. Read more »

Memea Bubsy Eleitino Ma’aelopa (left) and Dr Terepai Moate at the Pasifika medical conference. Photo: Gladys Hartson-Shingles/APJ

A special two-day conference called Healthcare Heroes is being held today and tomorrow  for mentoring up to 200 year 13 Pacific students studying science in Manukau. Pasifika health professionals are seeking ways to boost career appeal to the youth.

Pacific Scoop
Report – By Gladys Hartson-Shingles

Health workers and professionals want to boost the sector attractions to young Pacific people and encourage them to take up a health career.

“We need to show young people the options of what their life can be like if they are looking at a career in health,” former Cook Islands prime minister Dr Joe Williams told a conference. Read more »

Vijendra Kumar, former editor of The Fiji Times ... reflections on an iconic newspaper. Photo: Pacific Journalism Review

Pacific Scoop
Analysis – By Vijendra Kumar, a former editor of The Fiji Times

During its 141-year-long history, The Fiji Times has changed hands at least five times and has been none the worse for it. Each new owner infused it with fresh ideas and better resources to ensure its continued growth and expansion.

The history of The Fiji Times is replete with examples of creativity and innovation, boldness and daring and a spirit of optimism and national pride. It has always embraced the future with hope and confidence and as such has carved an honourable place as an observer and recorder of the unfolding chapters of our history spanning three centuries.

And so it will continue. Read more »

Speech – New Zealand Government

I want to firstly congratulate Dr Elelkana Faafoi, who has provided such inspiring leadership in the role as Managing Director of Te Lauhigano Tokelau. Steering the course of your own development, guided by your own values and the unique assets of … Read more »