Latest news with #Niuean
The Spinoff
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
Pacific profiles: The guardians of the Rainbow Fale
The Pacific profiles series shines a light on Pacific people in Aotearoa doing interesting and important work in their communities, as nominated by members of the public. Today, Jazriel Lavakula, Mela Meilin Ta'avao and Penni Wolfgramm of the Rainbow Fale. All photos by Geoffery Matautia. On a busy Thursday lunchtime, I sat with Jazriel Lavakula, Mela Meilin Ta'avao and Dr Penni Wolfgramm of the Village Collective's Rainbow Fale. At their vibrant office in the heart of Manukau City Centre, the dynamic trio spoke warmly about their work to empower Pacific Rainbow/MVPAFF+ young people, their families, and the wider community. Mela: Talofa lava, I'm Mela Meilin Taovao. I'm from the villages of Faleapuna and Nofoali'i in Samoa, Ava'tele in Niue and Guangdong in China. I'm the eldest of six, a proud Christian girl, a dog mum and a youth worker at the Village Collective's Rainbow Fale. Penni: My name is Penni Wolfgramm. I'm Tongan from the villages of 'Utungake and Fungamisi, Vava'u, Niuatoputapu, Niutoua and Kolonga, Tongatapu. I'm proudly born and raised in Māngere, one of six children, and from a strong Catholic family. I serve alongside Jazriel and Mela, and I also work as the Pacific Rainbows+ People's lead for the Ministry of Pacific Peoples, and I'm a clinical psychologist for the Village Collective. Jazriel: I'm Samoan and Niuean, from the villages of Fasito'o uta and Alofi/Liku. I'm 30, born and bred in Papatoetoe, one of six siblings. I've been here for four years as a youth worker. I'm also a House Mother for the House of De' Lamour with 13 children. Outside of work, I enjoy performing as a drag performer and lip-syncer. How would you each describe the work of the Rainbow Fale? Penni: The Village Collective is a community organisation established in 1997, formerly known as FLEP (Family Life Education Pasifika). The lifeblood of this work we owe to pioneers, including the late Siaosi George Mulipola, Edward Cowley (Buckwheat), and Linda Lepou. Broadly, it's an organisation dedicated to the health and wellbeing of Pacific youth, their families and communities. Three fale fall under the Collective: there's Tala Vou for Pacific youth, the community fale supporting community efforts that drive Pacific wellbeing, and the Rainbow fale, which is a lighthouse for our rainbow/MVPAFF+ communities. The Rainbow Fale has been around since 2015, and it's dedicated to supporting the aspirations of Pacific rainbow youth and, more recently, adults. Jazriel:. Every week, we visit high schools in South Auckland and create spaces and activities for students to feel included and be themselves. We run workshops around identity, sexual orientation and healthcare and help guide them around navigating healthy relationships and cultural values. When I was in school, we didn't have organisations coming in to help us – we only had the older divas at our school to lean on. In August, we'll be releasing a documentary series – La Mepa pathways – showing five Pacific families that have raised a rainbow child or family member and capturing their stories and journeys. What drew you into this work? Mela: For me, it's a full circle moment getting to do the work that Siaosi, Linda and Edward pioneered alongside Jazriel. I love our in-school Matala programme (matala means to bloom in Samoan), because we see our young people as flowers blossoming into the world. We're there to nurture them into their fullest potential. Jazriel: I was inspired by the work of Phylesha Brown Acton, a Niuean fakafifine activist. I always wanted to be like her. She's my inspiration to be an advocate for rainbow Pasifika people and to work with young people. Penni: I didn't know the term trans existed until my late 20s. I owe that to how I grew up and the lack of role models and visibility. I never in my wildest dreams thought I could work in rainbow-focused roles. The homecoming for me was my PhD research into the experiences of leitī in Auckland. I see it as this wonderful rolling of waves where I've finally found a vocation I want to do for the rest of my life. You mentioned that the Rainbow Fale now runs initiatives for adults. What prompted that? Jazriel: Even though we are a youth organisation, we like to cater to our older generations, too. In 2020, we started Vahine Lei, which is a space for us older ones to meet monthly. It's a peer support system as we all work in different fields. Penni: For our community, it's not uncommon to be the only rainbow person in your workplace. The wonderful thing about Vahine Lei is that it's a space that serves as an antidote to the oppressive things happening sociopolitically. We can put it on the fala (mat) and talk it through. Even though we're older, our identities aren't consolidated. It's an ongoing journey. Our communities are very good at suppressing and repressing, and this space lets us talanoa. Nothing is left unsaid. We also bring our youth programmes and Vahine Lei together to encourage intergenerational sharing of knowledge, wisdom and resilience, in the vein of Tuakana/Teina relationships that exist across the moana. There is no doubt that spaces like these are vital. Could you speak to the necessity and urgency of having culturally specific Rainbow spaces right now? Penni: The experiences of being Pasifika and Rainbow are very unique. One in 25 Pacific peoples identify as Rainbow/MVPAFF+. There are challenges we face nationally and globally, but so often it's in our families, too. In a time when it can feel oppressive to wake up and just be, these serve as spaces of love and connection. We are Pacific first and foremost. For far too long, we have lived in the inbetween. Pacific peoples don't accept us, and the rainbow communities don't accept us. This liminal space is where we find safe havens. What sparks joy in your work? Mela: For me, it's getting to work with our young people. I've only been here a year and I'm still learning in this role, so there's lots to do. I also like being able to run professional development training with organisations on how to foster care for our people. Jazriel: Like Mela, I love going into schools every day and seeing the beautiful faces of the next generation. They always lift my spirits. Recently, we organised the Matala Ball, and it was great to see my workspace interconnect with my ballroom family. Penni: Honestly, it's seeing Mela and Jazriel's leadership come through and being able to share the joy of their work. I love seeing them blossom in their roles. Q: What are your aspirations, professionally and personally? Mela: First up, more accessible gender-affirming care for our young people. And I know it sounds cliché, but I want to exist in a more loving world. Jazz: It'd be great to have a bigger team and see more of our people in the community doing this line of work. I also want to continue in my advocacy nationally and internationally. Penni: I want to see a world where being Pacific and Rainbow/MVPAFF+ is much more normalised, celebrated and part of the fabric of what it means to be Pacific. For our Pacific leaders, both politically and in our communities, I want to see them wield their power responsibly and not hide their love for us. Let the love for us be loud! This is Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ On Air.
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.
