2 July 2014
My week:
- After a week away on leave, it is good to be back, save for the work that is awaiting me!
- While away I worked on a number of things including updating my PhD thesis into a publishable state. Fortunately, two of my recent conference papers were based on the theoretically challenging part of the thesis which meant that in writing the papers I was simultaneously working on the thesis as well
- I also worked on a second edition of my Fakahalafononga booklet, which was published in 2009 in time for the 2010 Tongan general election with the intention of helping voters make informed choices at the polling booth. Progress is being made with additions to the booklet. It should be ready for publication at the end of August
- As well as the ‘routine’meetings and administrative tasks this week, I am looking forward to the Potatala discussion forum, which is a group that meets together every month to discuss intellectual and research matters, ranging from philosophy, pedagogy, economics, law, culture, language to religion
- I try to divide my time between Albany, Manawatu and particularly Wellington which doesn’t have the numbers that Albany and Manawatu do. I am due in Wellington on Tuesday 8 July for meetings, including with Christine Bogle-former New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga and diplomat, and a meeting with the Samoan Leaders’ Group. It will give me a chance to catch up with Rachael Leafe
- I write two weekly newspaper columns, conduct a radio programme on Planet FM every Tuesday morning as well as providing regular comments on mainstream media. So this week I discussed, among others: the NZ Labour Party list, petrol tax, the MMP electoral system, sustainable development and ‘blue and green currencies’ in PNG, ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s prime ministerial ambitions in Tonga (on Planet FM); the importance of a free and effective media to society (the Independent newspaper); how tradition and democracy can be reconciled (Tongan Weekly); and the upcoming Cook Islands general election (Radio New Zealand International)
The Pasifika Directorate this week:
- We are currently shortlisting the applicants for the Executive Assistant position which was left vacant after Azima Mazid resigned in June. Susanne Dunn, the temp, is doing a great job, and at short notice too
- Preparation is in progress for Albany Orientation Week next weekMonday 7th July – Saturday 12th is Orientation week for 2014 second semester Massey University at Albany Campus. Monday 7th at 10am – 3pm is the Pasifika Orientation at the Atrium Lounge Round Room a chance for Pasifika students to meet Pasifika staff and be made aware of all the support services available on site as well meeting other students. The lunch is a Umu of Pasifika traditional food so come and share the day with us. For further information please feel free to contact: Faye Hunt-Ioane, Pasifika National Recruitment, ph. 4140800 ext. 43253 mob. 0275557581
- The new round of Performance Review and Planning (PRP) is now underway. It is good to see where one was in six or twelve months ago and the progress made. And then to see what the next six or twelve months ought to look like
- Faye Hunt-Ioane and Selu Paea spend part of their week at the Directorate which gives us some much needed critical mass
- Some of our Tongan students are preparing to attend the annual Amatakiloa gathering which is hosted by Unitec and AIS in Auckland
- We are currently endeavouring to put a schedule together for the next leg of our community visits. We have visited all the branches of the United Church of Tonga. We are aiming to visit all branches of the Tongan Methodist Church which is a much larger congregation, with branches up and down the country
Happy reading!
Malakai