Category Archives: Uncategorized

Pacific Language Weeks in Aotearoa

Talofa lava!! 29 May – 4 June marks Samoan Language Week, the first of 7 language weeks dedicated to celebrating Pacific languages in New Zealand, which began in 2007. The Ministry for Pacific Peoples, the Human Rights Commission, other government departments … Continue reading

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4th centenary of Dutch visit to Tonga

Last week, our Director Pasifika, Associate Professor Malakai Koloamatangi travelled to Tonga to partake in celebrations commemorating the 1616 visit of Jacob Le Maire and Willem Cornelisz Schouten to the kingdom. The Dutch explorers were the first Europeans to visit Tonga, … Continue reading

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Developments at the Pasifika Directorate

It’s been a while since I’ve been posted but I hope to post regularly from now on: there have been staff changes with a new student advisor, Carlos Tupu; a new research assistant, Fine Koloamatangi; and a new Executive Assistant, … Continue reading

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First post for 2015

This is the first instalment for 2015. A lot has happened since the beginning of the year – it promises to be another busy year, no doubt building on the 2014 foundation. Recent highlights and what to look forward to: … Continue reading

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Highlights for the week beginning 8 September:

  The Small Islands Developing States conference in Samoa 1-4 September was great. It was great to see the partnerships being formed around sustainable development for the SIDS. It was also great to hold this major international conference in our … Continue reading

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Week beginning 25 August

Week’s highlights: It was interesting to give the welcoming speech on Monday evening at the ‘Meet the Candidates’ Tongan community meeting at the Lotofale’ia Methodist Church in Mangere. The meeting was attended by over 100+ people. They got a chance … Continue reading

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Week beginning 11 August

Activities for the week: A profitable discussion was had with Alistair Allan, Director of Facilities Management at Albany about the marae and Maori complex including the fale and Pasifika complex. Although, the will exists to complete the project there is … Continue reading

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Week of August 4

My activities for the week   Kia orana! It is Cook Islands Language Week so learn a Cook Islands word or two; It was good to catch up with Prof David Vincent from the UK’s Open University who is here … Continue reading

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Week of 21 July

What I am doing this week: It is annual plans and budget 2015 time of the year. It is interesting to consider new and old initiatives and how we are trying to implement the ‘Growing Pearls of Wisdom’ Pasifika strategy … Continue reading

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14 July

Week of 14 July   My highlights for the week: It was a pleasant surprise to find out on Monday that I had been elected as Vice President of the Pacific Islands Political Studies Association (PIPSA) – a venerable grouping … Continue reading

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