Ia manuia lou Aso fanau 83 Tama Peleina...

My father pic in the late 1950s in Auckland

Wishing my dear father: Faalavaau, Aiolupo, Fasavalu, Uilitoni Tauau a Happy 83rd Birthday today in a special birthday that he shares with his grandson Jojo in Melbourne.

It was such a blessing to share a lunch and then dinner with our family together to thank God for such a blessing as having a father who has been able to share in the love of firstly his children and now grandchildren and great-grandchildren living in Auckland and overseas.

I'm presently working on his memoirs and there is so much to write about but so little time with the many projects that I have going all at once but I am thankful for the time that I have been given to share with him in memories and seeing the hand of God at work from the very beginning.

I so see him as a pioneer as my mother and late paternal grandmother, one of many of that generation of pioneering Samoans who left beloved homelands in the late 1950s and early 1960s to cast their future towards the new horizon of New Zealand. In doing so, we as first-generation Samoan New Zealanders were blessed by their 'tofa mamao' or wisdom for the future and have benefitted by their many decisions.

My father was and still is conscientious and hardworking, a planner and organizer. I saw him helping to support our family growing up and a house for his mother in Siufaga in Samoa. He worked with my mother and gave my sister and me the opportunity to go to University and study. 

He supported the vision of building a Pacific church in Mangere that many families have been blessed to attend, the building of a church in his home village of Siufaga with the many fundraising efforts. The building of our house in Samoa that was blessed last year and the many times that he would support our various families and church families with weddings, funerals, special occasions etc.

I have learned a lot from my father but there is so much to still learn. I am thankful that God gave me such a father who's been able to speak into the lives of his grandchildren, such as mine and has been a real beacon of faith in that my children see his real faith lived out daily in his consistent family prayer devotions in the mornings and evenings.

May God continue to bless our special father and I will always be thankful for having him in our lives...

Celebrating Samoan language week in NZ...

Official launch poster for Samoan language week 2020

Today is the first day of celebrating Samoan language week in NZ from 24 - 30 May with the theme being: "Tapena sou ōso mo lau malaga" translated as 'prepare your gift for your journey'.

The thought behind the theme is to encourage Samoans (and supporters) to prepare for the journey ahead and to share gifts along the way which is something that my family does whenever we visit i.e. in taking something to share with the others.

It highlights the way in which we as Samoans honour the traditions we have of taking a 'oso' gift/s whenever we are travelling to visit others and it doing that we show honour to the family that we will be visiting. It also shows respect in that we are valuing that time to be spent together.

In a sense, as we share a 'oso' or travelling gift, we are also honouring our ancestral tradition in continuing a time-honored custom that our ancestors practiced those many years ago. For many of us we take foods that are hard to source to where we are travelling to eg. mussels, NZ confectionary to Australia, NZ foods to Samoa, Samoan delicacies to NZ and so on.

This is something that I learned through my parents when I used to travel alone to United States first as a teenager and I'd take food or other gifts to my family there and come back with macademia chocolates, Tshirts and US confectionary etc. and now with my own family in sharing with our children in not visiting empty-handed but choosing appropriate gifts and in doing so, we share our love and respect through sharing time-honouring traditions that build, nurture and strengthen our language, culture, and identity...

COVID-19 community testing station/s...

COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing Station at Manukau, Auckland

A couple of days ago, my beloved and I went to get tested for COVID-19 at our local Manukau Drive thru testing station just outside Destiny Church on 25 Druces Road.

The next day, the test results were texted to our mobile phones and we both gave a sigh of relief in receiving negative results. Whew!

It was an interesting experience because we didn't know quite what to expect as we'd heard from people about how uncomfortable it was and had watched people wincing from the nasal swabs on TV.

So bravely my beloved coaxed our car into one of two lanes and then drove our car to where the administrators took our details (all the while we stayed in our cars) then over to where we were nasal swabbed. Hint: Head up, close your eyes and hold still for a fast swab.

We then drove over to where we were given a food parcel/s that we could pass on to others with an encouraging promo to encourage other whanau/family members to also go for a nasal swab i.e. better to be safe than sorry.

This particular testing station was open at 8am to 3pm and we attended at 9.30am where there were a few cars lined up and not much of a wait time. NZ presently is presenting fewer people testing positive i.e. a couple of days ago there were 3 days of no confirmed cases so as a nation it's good know that we are doing well but mindful of those nations who are still battling the virus on the front lines...

When a warrior is fallen who will replace ...

Yesterday, I attended the tangihanga (Maori traditional funeral rites) of a dear friend and colleague with some of our students from my last year's class that he had also shared in teaching. I found out on the weekend that he had died suddenly which took me by surprise as I had seen him on zoom that week.

His tangi paid special tribute to him as a teacher, a colleague, a friend, a family member etc. at his home Marae in Panmure, Te Tira Hou where the three of us kaiako/tutors held occasional weekend classes. slept over with our tauira/students, had meals together, went on special field trips, sang songs, laughed, talked, shared, drove mini vans all over Auckland and enjoyed each other's company.

It definitely won't be the same without him and I will miss his wisdom, his patience, his company and the hugs that greeted every morning in our office, the jokes we'd share and the wonder of the transformations that we were privileged to share in seeing lives changed for good.

I will sorely miss my dear friend. He was a gentle giant with much mana (prestige), he was well respected and was never on time as, much like my father, he was always early to morning karakia (prayers). He was constant, consistent and always had time for people. He never made people feel ashamed for not knowing Maori tikanga (cultural practices) and was a mentor for many people including me.

There is a Samoan proverb that talks about when a toa - warrior passes, who will then take his place? His shoes would be much too big to fill. He was a legend and so knowledgeable about things Maori but also very humble, with great humility and genuinely cared about people.

I will miss you my dear friend but know that now you are in a place where there will be no sorrow, nor loneliness, nor sadness and that you will receive your great reward because of your great faith. Our office will never be the same. As he can never be replaced. Arohanui (much love) my friend...

Ia manuia lou malaga. May your journey go well...

Jojo Rabbit movie...

This week, I got to watch 'Jojo Rabbit', a movie directed by New Zealand Maori director and actor Taika Waititi. It's an interesting movie because it wasn't one that I was at first interested in watching but after listening to some rave reviews about the movie, I then decided to watch it with my family.

It's definitely not a movie that I like due to the subject matter (in the prejudice, racist and Holocaust of killing Jews etc.) but it does challenge viewers to consider Adolf Hitler from a different viewpoint as depicted by Taika Waititi.

It's not a movie for the faint-hearted as the movie does discuss some of the ideology of Nazi Germany and the propaganda against Jews from a child's viewpoint as being brain-washed into hating Jews and being encouraged to treat them as less than human.

It was definitely a different 'take' on Adolf Hitler and all that he stood for. I think that the parody of Taika playing Adolf who believed in his Arean race propaganda would have stirred some purists and for some, it would have been offensive for a brown man to play the 'white racist' but it was also an interesting story through the eyes of a young boy and Jewish girl.

I think after watching the movie it gave me hope that not all is what it seems. It's a movie that I would encourage teens to watch with their parents and study in-depth as there's so much to learn from and consider. Lest we forget and it starts again...

Preserving Indigenous knowledge...

Salmon Woman and her children by David Boxley (1998)
Bainbridge Islands, Seattle, USA.

In these days of teaching and writing, I was reminded today of an artwork that I received in 1998 on my last trip to the USA and specifically a quick stopover in Seattle on my way to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

At the time I was working on a Ministry of Education contract and I decided to take a break had made plans to travel to the States to visit friends and to visit Seattle to learn more about "Native schools".

At the time, the NZ government was just starting to look at Kura Kaupapa schools i.e. Maori-medium lead schools and for me going to visit a Native American school in Seattle with their education infrastructure was something I was interested in, to research and learn more about their model of education.

I had the privilege of visiting a Native American school in Seattle and two public high schools of Garfield High and Rainier Beach High. It was the principal from the Native American school of whom invited me on a short tour to his local Bainbridge Island to meet with David Boxley (renown artist and former high school teacher) at an art class teaching local native Americans indigenous arts.

I stayed for the art class and they were a little surprised that I was able to draw the oval box-like shapes that are used in many of their art designs but when I explained that I had been an art student many years prior with my interest in art, they then understood.

The print of the Salmon woman and her children as pictured above was a gift from the principal as a sovereign of meeting someone from NZ (of Samoan descent) who was interested in Native American education.

The story behind the Salmon woman is an interesting account of the relationship between the local Native American people and their environment. It reminds me of the important roles that woman often play in indigenous cultures as in Sina for Samoan stories and cultural artifacts that we must continue to share with our children and for generations to come...

Happy Mothers' Day 2020...

Happy Mothers Day to all our special mothers out there who daily sacrifice their own needs in order to support the needs of their families and friends around.

I think of mothers around the world who are currently at the battlefront of the COVID-19 assault, working as Doctors and Nurses, as Essential workers i.e. supermarket cashiers, grocery stores, those volunteering on the front lines bringing food parcels to people in need.

And more recently mothers who are pseudo-teachers supporting their child/ren's education with online learning supporting their dreams and goals to do well despite the current situation that we are in as a nation and globally.

I think of my own mother and grandmother who have been so influential in my life. As role models, they taught me about believing in a God who cares and gives, they showed me the gift of creativity and resourcefulness, about never giving up and giving it your best.

So this day is about honouring those special women in our lives who do so much for us. I thank my daughters for the special breakfast and the planned lunch that we're having (with the help of my beloved) and it's so neat to be able to share this special day with my mother currently here from Samoa.

May God bless our special mothers', those who are new, those who have been mothers for many decades and those who may not have their own biological children but who are mothers to many through their dedicated love and attention to nephews, nieces, as aunties or friends.

May your day be especially blessed but if no one comes forward to bless you then go out and spoil yourself. Be that buying special flowers, or having that special something that you've wanted. Go out and enjoy because you deserve it!...

Stroke - Virtual Walk NZ...

Earlier on when the Lockdown started, I joined a team and we are virtually walking the length of NZ in sponsoring the Stroke Foundation of NZ.

It's not the first time I've done virtual walks with a team as when I first began working for TWOA Te Wananga o Aotearoa, we would have teams walking the length of NZ, around the Pacific Islands and to different destinations.

This particular virtual walk is a long 3,000 km trek from the tip of the North Island at Cape Reinga (where early Maori believed that their souls would retire to Hawaiki when they passed away) all the way to the South Island area of Bluff which is the final destination.

With my team we are almost there (if not already there) and it's been such a neat way to accumulate 2 kms every second day on my walks for the last few weeks. It's also given some incentive to walk to as I know that I'm supporting a great cause.

In fact, if you're willing to sponsor me under our Pacific Hibiscus logo the link is at: https://virtualwalkofnz.everydayhero.com/nz/pacific-hibiscus or better still you can join up as well and go for regular walks whilst supporting an important cause.

It's definitely kept me motivated and keen to walk and have clocked up over 30kms so far and that's without really even trying or giving it a second thought. I've been enjoying the walks with our youngest, my beloved and the dog comes along too for a little run around the park and then we go home to a lovely cup of tea.

Not forgetting the social distancing and keeping our bubble safe (dog included) from other bubbles and enjoying the fresh air, lovely scenery and the crisp air on our evening and morning walks. Something I would definitely recommend to continue as we slowly come out of our bubbles with COVID-19 Alert level 2 just around the corner...

Proposed Bills threatens Samoa's future...

Source: Save the Old Apia Court House Campaign
(Facebook page) Artist: JMUArts

Under the cloak of the dreaded COVID-19 virus that is sweeping the world in its wake with fatalities, there is another dreaded situation that is brewing in our beloved Samoa that threatens to bring it to its knees.

It comes with the planned implementation of three Bills that are currently being proposed and discussed by the current government:

• Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020
• Lands and Titles Bill 2020
• Judicature Bill 2020

Now, I'm no law student, I leave that to my sister, daughter and other family members who are either studying, consulting or making their living in this profession.

But as an interested diaspora Samoan of dual citizenship (NZ born with Samoan ancestry) with Faalavaau matai (chiefly) title from the village of Siufaga (2000) and as an Indigenous researcher with a vested interest in what happens in Samoa, having built our family home in Fasitoo-uta last year for our parents and taking our family over regularly to keep ties with Samoa, I think all Samoans should be awake and watchful over the coming weeks as to what the outcome of these proposed (but already planned to be implemented) Bills will bring to the fabric of a new Samoa.

There have been many outspoken opponents to the Bill, in Samoa, overseas and especially on Social media ranging from the NZ Law Society headed by Ms Tiana Epati (daughter of retired NZ Judge Aeau Semi Epati), the Samoan Law Society and even the former Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta'isi Efi (with an Honourary Doctorate), weighing in with a very telling stance and challenge about the validity of these new Bills especially when members of his family were heavily involved in drafting and confirming what we now know as the 1962 year of Samoa's Independence in becoming self-governing.

To really get a good grasp of what's going on, it's best to read up on the Samoa Law Society and NZ's law society comments, have a look at the draft bills, read up Samoa Observer's articles, scan the various Samoan based social media sites eg. SSIG, Samoa mo Samoa, Save the Old Apia Court House Campaign etc. watch Tui Atua's commentary that also revealed the fact that the Samoan government is in deep debt to China and needs to able to fund the loan in some way, shape or form with Samoa's land being one of its greatest assets.

One of the interesting challenges from the current HRPP (Human Rights Protection Party) government is the idea that the constitution is too palagi in its origin and that the Samoan forefathers who helped to draft it didn't know better (that's my own interpretation of the government's position) and that the new bill/s will bring about a more Samoan perspective on the current position. Really? let's have a think about that...

What they seem to forget is that the 1962 constitution was a culmination of decades of hard-fought words and war against being suppressed by foreign powers through the resistance of fighting civil wars in the late 1800s to early 1900s (similar to NZ with Maori) powered by British, American and German interests vying for political power over the Pacific region, with Samoa being the cradle.

The creation of the Mau movement of resistance, in those early days, saw many of our Samoan forefathers exiled from families heading for the bush and sent overseas; the 1918 flu epidemic that swept through Samoa taking thousands of lives due to NZ's inept governing (an apology later given by NZ government in 2002 and 2018); the execution of (my interpretation) of a beloved leader Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III and 10 other Samoans in 1929 (Black Saturday).

Those were just some of the events that our Samoan forebearers and constitutional founders brought to bear when drafting out then confirming the 1962 constitution as we know it. It is arrogant to think that in 2020 the proposed new bills would be 'more Samoan' thinking than what had been already hard-fought, lived and died through, with the genuine Samoan-ness at that time compared to today.

In the 1960s, the then-modern world was slowly seeping in to envelop Samoa but there were still traditionally built houses, transport and indigenous Samoan cultural practices being observed genuinely with little injection of the colonial values and lifestyles that Samoans in Samoa live today. In 2020, some 60 years later, that is not the case.

This morning, a motorcade of some 30+ cars started at Satapuala headed by the SSIG Samoan Solidarity International Group to take a petition to Mulinuu. My signature was on the petition as there is still time for a referendum, as suggested by Ms Epati, but who's to know what will happen. Samoa, ala mai. Samoa awaken this is not the time to rest for what lies ahead. It is said that the worst thing to happen is when good people do nothing. Now is not the time...

Lockdown family makeovers...

Photo credits: Glorielle Filisi - our eldest
taken outside our home in Auckland, NZ.

One of the other things we've gotten up to, as a family, during the Lockdown has been posing as a model for our eldest who likes to use our faces as a canvas for her 'makeovers' for each of our family members.

It all started with our two youngest daughters having their full facial makeovers (and hair to some degree) followed by their dad i.e. eyebrow shaping complete with a haircut. Although he wouldn't let them touch his growing beard.

As I was the last in our bubble and I couldn't run away from it, I succumbed to pressure and asked for a natural look that would complement the elei (tapa - siapo type material) top and the pseudo ula nifo (faux tooth necklace) borrowed from my youngest's growing jewellery collection.

The photo attached is the finished product and I thank our eldest for her efforts as it mirrors the avatar that I often use for my digital pictures on social media. It was a painted picture of Sina that I illustrated in our first book.

Now I have a more up to date photo, I'll be using it for my author page and across all media platforms to update my photo and so that people have an idea of the person behind the writing and books. It also gives a chance to place a face to the regular blog posts that I write and are read throughout the different countries around the world.

So if you do get the chance, why not consider accepting a facial makeover from a family member because you never know as you might get a lovely surprise and then take some photos but if it's not your cup of tea, you can always wash it away...

Home baking during Lockdown Day 40+

Cook Islands donut recipe

Since our National Lockdown started some 40+ days ago (although now in level 3) our family got into some serious baking with the Bakeries closed during Lockdown level 4.

We searched the internet and went on the Coconet website https://www.thecoconet.tv and found lots of Pasifika recipes old and new, bought ourselves a Baker's large flour sack and some yeast and went for gold.

The funny thing was that when the Lockdown happened in the first couple of weeks it seemed like many other New Zealanders also had the same idea so when we went to buy yeast at various stories, there was none left.

Until my beloved went to shop at a local Indian supplies store and found yeast on the shelf and the rest was history. We've been baking ever since and the response has been mixed from ecstatic to "really?" depending on the successful (or unsuccessful) outcome.

To date, we've tried making the following for dessert, breakfast, supper etc. topped with cream, icing, sauces etc. all complemented with a cup of tea, coffee, water etc. Definitely would not have happened had we not had the time and space to share together in making:

• Cook Island donuts (pictured above) / cream donuts
• Cakes / cupcakes
• Coconut buns (with coconut sauce)
• German buns or steamed pork/chicken buns
• Dumplings
• Apple pies
• Chocolate chip cookies or biscuits
• Cheesecakes

I haven't quite got to the puddings yet but that's next on the agenda although I did hear that some of the local bakeries are now opening up with social distancing encouraged. Somehow, I don't miss them and think we'll continue with our own home baking. Maybe we might even open shop but then again it might take away the fun, so nah!...

What gives you hope and makes you stronger?...

Painting up the next book/s during the lockdown

For all of the tragedy that this pandemic has brought about to the world in hundreds of thousands of lost lives, for those who have the luxury of being able to stay in bubbles, it has also given us the luxury of time to consider not only what's important but why it's important.

For me, the restriction of staying within my family bubble has given me the time to reflect on how our time here on earth is fleeting, and for many, this has grossly been affected by this deadly virus that takes, kills and destroys in its wake.

Especially the elderly, the physically vulnerable and those who are disadvantaged in having to work, live or are close to those who are already sick with the virus.

But within my faith base, I'm reminded of the old adage of "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and that when we put our faith and trust in God, in something bigger than ourselves then our hope is not futile, no matter what the outcome.

So during this time I've been able to write, reflect, paint, and consider the legacy that I would like to leave behind. To be able to utilize the gifts and talents that I've been gifted with, in this life, to leave something meaningful that others might learn from in my writings and paintings.

I think of my late maternal great-grandfather, whom I never met but learned that he died in the 1918 influenza epidemic in Samoa. In writing and launching his story in a picture book last year (lest we forget) who was to know that I too would be in a time and place where a world pandemic would occur as similar to what occurred in his, and he later died from, in his lifetime.

It makes me smile to hear our youngest say that when she has grandchildren or great-grandchildren, that she would be able to share what it was like for her to live at the time and the emotions she felt. That is what hope is about in living beyond the fear and uncertainty around us.

That there is hope for another day and that although some precious lives have been lost, that all is not lost when we pray for strength for those families tragically affected. For when we hope and pray for another day then live like it matters then that makes others strong too...