Latest news with #Niuean
NZ Herald
06-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
NZ Sign Language Week: Why I raise my hearing children with NZ Sign Language
Experiencing language for the first time Solouota's parents, from Niue, had no knowledge of sign language and took baby Rosie home and improvised what they called 'home signs' - hand gestures and signals they used to communicate with their toddler. When Rosie was old enough, they put her in a mainstream kindergarten and then primary school with her siblings, in Porirua. Rosie's three brothers invented unique signs for her too. 'They all have their own signs and different ways of communicating, so it was a real mixture,' Rosie told the Herald through an interpreter. 'Home signs ... pointing around and using body language and gestures with my three brothers, so we could understand each other.' As luck would have it, the local primary school - Rangikura School - opened a deaf unit. And when Rosie was 8 or 9 years old, a new teacher started who introduced her to NZ Sign Language - Rosie's first formal language. Even now, Rosie remembers the wonder of that time. 'Wow. It had such an amazing impact on me - to have access to the language of deaf people. '[The teacher] was very expressive with me and I was able to understand her,' she told the Herald through an interpreter. 'Sign language was developed by deaf people and it's the language of deaf people. I struggled ... and then I was able to access this normal language for me.' Today, Solouota is a single mum to three hearing children aged 4, 6 and 7, all of whom speak NZSL. 'It's their first language - New Zealand Sign Language - because that's my language and I'm their mum. It's their first language - New Zealand Sign Language - because that's my language and I'm their mum Rosie Solouota 'When they were babies, I signed with them. And as they've grown ... they were already starting to pick it up at six months old. 'Now, as they're getting older, they know how to sign, they know how to use body language and facial expressions as part of NZ Sign Language from me, their mum.' Now in her mid-30s, Solouta works as a NZSL tutor and advocate for the deaf community. This week is NZ Sign Language Week and she is this year's sign language hero. Almost 25,000 people in New Zealand use the language, one of New Zealand's official languages, and this year's theme is: An Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere. Loss of mother tongue Solouota feels a sense of loss that she couldn't learn Niuean growing up, given there were no Niuean sign interpreters. 'I'm a deaf person, so I can't access spoken language,' she said Her children, who are all hearing, all speak Niuean and te reo Māori, as well as English, in addition to their first language NZSL. She said NZSL had changed her life's trajectory and hoped more Kiwis will learn it. 'NZ Sign Language is essential for me. I use it every day in my life. It's part of who I am - it's how I access life and a part of who I am as a person.'
RNZ News
23-04-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Pacific news in brief for 24 April
Photo: 123RF Fiji's Narcotics Bureau has warned the country's battle against drugs could get harder if fentanyl becomes widespread. FBC reported Jemesa Lave from the Bureau saying this drug is more dangerous than methamphetamine and cocaine. He said fentanyl has already made its way into nearby countries such as like Australia and New Zealand. Lave said countries like Fiji are vulnerable to being a transit point for bigger markets. An economist says the European Union (EU)'s blacklisting of Vanuatu over tax governance concerns is discriminatory, unjust, and immoral. Eleven jurisdictions are identified by the EU as failing to meet international tax standards. Six of these are in the Pacific region, with Fiji, Palau and Sāmoa included. Economist Marla Dukharan told the Vanuatu Daily Post countries that are not predomonantly white, wealthy and globally powerful are being targeted. According to the EU, jurisdictions are assessed for tax transparency and fair taxation measures. Regulation aimed at multinational companies trying to exploit international tax loopholes is also a criteria. However, Durkharan said there is limited awareness of the UN tax convention globally. She also warned imposing income or corporate tax in Vanuatu's subsistence and agriculture-based economy would create more problems than solutions. The presidents of the Marshall Islands and Palau have attended a closed-door virtual session on climate and the just transition. The leaders' session was convened by UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, which will host the annual UN climate summit this November. Guterres addressed the media afterwards , saying no region is being spared from the ravages of accelerating climate catastrophes, and the crisis is deepening poverty, displacing communities, and fuelling conflict and instability. He said he urged leaders to step up efforts to submit the strongest possible national climate plans well ahead of COP30, and to scale-up support for developing countries. Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is cutting short his visits to Singapore and Indonesia to attend a Fijian chief's funeral. The Fiji Times reported Rabuka will arrive in Nadi on Friday and fly to Savusavu on Saturday for the funeral of Ratu Epeli Mailekutu Wainiu. The Prime Minister met Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday. A statment from the Fiji govenrment said discussions focused on prospects for cooperation in capacity building, governance, trade and economic cooperation. New Zealand's Veterans Minister Chris Penk will attend Anzac Day commemorations in Alofi, Niue. Anzac Day, which honours and remembers Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women, is this Friday. Penk said around 150 Niuean men volunteered for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in World War I, and in the Second World War, Niueans served as coast watchers. Penk is also planning to meet with Niue prime minister Dalton Tagelagi. Sihek birds have laid eggs at their new home of Palmyra Atoll - reportedly the first wild eggs for the species in almost 40 years. Nature Conservancy reports nine young sihek - also known as Guam kingfishers - were released at the organisation's Palmyra Atoll Preserve in September 2024 by the Sihek Recovery Program. Palmyra Atoll was selected because it is largely predator-free and fully protected. Bird conservation scientist with the Nature Conservancy's Island Resilience Strategy and the Zoological Society of London, Dr. Caitlin Andrews, said the hope is to reestablish a self-sustaining Sihek population in the wild.
SBS Australia
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
TALANOA with the cast of 'Moni'
The film is funded by Screen Australia and SBS under the program to promote storytelling via film to give a voice to communities like Samoans in Australia. The cast of 'Moni' visited our studios and the following is the first part of an interview we had with them where they gave us a glimpse of the process that got them together and the experience they gained from making their film. 'Moni' was written and directed by Taofia Pelesasa, of Samoan/Niuean heritage, and the cast are mostly of Samoan and Tongan heritage. 'Moni' will be shown on SBS TV in July this year.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Veterans Minister To Attend Anzac Day Services In Niue
Press Release – New Zealand Government The New Zealand Defence Force is continuing to identify Niuean coast watchers, so that we may properly recognise their service, including efforts to match names to photographs taken on Raoul Island. The first two commemorative plaques are already … Minister for Veterans Associate Minister of Defence Veterans Minister and Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk will visit Niue this week to honour the contribution of Niuean service personnel to New Zealand and the Pacific on Anzac Day. 'New Zealand shares a deep and enduring partnership with Niue in defence and security, forged through joint service and sacrifice in times of war,' Mr Penk says. 'It is a privilege to be invited to attend the official Anzac Day commemorations in Alofi, to join in remembering the brave service personnel no longer with us and to acknowledge Niue's continued efforts in supporting peace and stability for our people. 'During the First World War, around 150 Niuean men volunteered for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF), serving in the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion. For a nation of 4,000 people, this was a remarkable commitment — and a testament to their courage and sense of duty. 'At least 15 Niuean soldiers died in service. Their sacrifice is etched into our shared history and will always be remembered by New Zealand. 'In the Second World War, Niuean men served as coast watchers, helping to safeguard the Pacific during some of its most precarious moments. Their quiet vigilance was critical to regional security. 'The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is continuing to identify Niuean coast watchers, so that we may properly recognise their service, including efforts to match names to photographs taken on Raoul Island. The first two commemorative plaques are already underway. 'During my visit, I will also meet with Niue's Prime Minister Hon. Dalton Tagelagi, whom I was pleased to have met recently in Wellington, and his Cabinet. I am also looking forward to attending a village dawn service to experience the community spirit that is integral to the Niuean way of life. 'Our relationship with Niue is anchored in this legacy of service and continues today through the ongoing dedication of Niueans in the New Zealand Defence Force.' Mr Penk departs on Thursday 24 April and will return to New Zealand on Saturday 26 April. He will be accompanied by the NZDF Joint Forces Commander, Major General Rob Krushka.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Veterans Minister To Attend Anzac Day Services In Niue
Press Release – New Zealand Government The New Zealand Defence Force is continuing to identify Niuean coast watchers, so that we may properly recognise their service, including efforts to match names to photographs taken on Raoul Island. The first two commemorative plaques are already … Minister for Veterans Associate Minister of Defence Veterans Minister and Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk will visit Niue this week to honour the contribution of Niuean service personnel to New Zealand and the Pacific on Anzac Day. 'New Zealand shares a deep and enduring partnership with Niue in defence and security, forged through joint service and sacrifice in times of war,' Mr Penk says. 'It is a privilege to be invited to attend the official Anzac Day commemorations in Alofi, to join in remembering the brave service personnel no longer with us and to acknowledge Niue's continued efforts in supporting peace and stability for our people. 'During the First World War, around 150 Niuean men volunteered for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF), serving in the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion. For a nation of 4,000 people, this was a remarkable commitment — and a testament to their courage and sense of duty. 'At least 15 Niuean soldiers died in service. Their sacrifice is etched into our shared history and will always be remembered by New Zealand. 'In the Second World War, Niuean men served as coast watchers, helping to safeguard the Pacific during some of its most precarious moments. Their quiet vigilance was critical to regional security. 'The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is continuing to identify Niuean coast watchers, so that we may properly recognise their service, including efforts to match names to photographs taken on Raoul Island. The first two commemorative plaques are already underway. 'During my visit, I will also meet with Niue's Prime Minister Hon. Dalton Tagelagi, whom I was pleased to have met recently in Wellington, and his Cabinet. I am also looking forward to attending a village dawn service to experience the community spirit that is integral to the Niuean way of life. 'Our relationship with Niue is anchored in this legacy of service and continues today through the ongoing dedication of Niueans in the New Zealand Defence Force.' Mr Penk departs on Thursday 24 April and will return to New Zealand on Saturday 26 April. He will be accompanied by the NZDF Joint Forces Commander, Major General Rob Krushka.
