Polyfest cancelled in show of solidarity against Hate crime in Christchurch...

Yesterday, was called the darkest day in NZ's history, by the Prime Minister - Jacinda Ardern) in the worst mass murders - shootings committed against Muslims, as an act of terrorism in Christchurch, New Zealand.

To date, some 49 people have been killed and still many remain in critical conditions, in Christchurch hospitals, as a result of a shooting rampage at two mosques but it also seems that the gunman, an Australian citizen, had sprayed bullets around the city before shooting his victims in the Mosques.

Many people have since been sending messages on social media, thoughts and prayers to the devastated communities of Christchurch. Others have lit candles, dropped off flowers to the various spots around the city and visited churches for prayer vigils for the victims and the friends and families.

Yesterday, during the height of the scare, schools were on lock down and mosques were too as the authorities tried to get a sense of what was happening in Christchurch while the rest of NZ and the world stood on alert as the story unravelled.

This senseless act of killing, or hate crime, has taken NZ by surprise as the first major act of terrorism of it's kind to reach the shores of NZ, in having prided itself as a haven for multi-ethnic communities and seeing such attacks happening overseas.

It's now come to light that the gunman may have taken at least two years to plan this attack and may have shared his views but wasn't on a possible terrorist watch list and probably choose NZ to make a statement of his own kind as many victims were Muslim immigrants seeking refuge from overseas situations.

As an unprecedented move and outpouring of support to those effected in the communities of Christchurch, it is believed that the organisers of the largest Pasifika festival in the world i.e. the 'Polyfest' (Polynesian cultural dance Festival) in it's 44th to date, has cancelled the festival in it's fourth and final day in paying respect to grieving families and friends of the victims.

It demonstrates solidarity in standing with the mourning communities of Christchurch against this violent act of terrorism that an individual (with probable accomplices) felt that it was their right to act out. It is with much hope and prayers that it was the first and will be the last of it's kind to ever be felt on our shores.

Although I feel for performing students, parents and schools who've put in so many hours of rehearsals and effort into each performance. It would have been inappropriate to continue on with festivities when in another part of NZ, mass funerals are being organised and families are still awaiting for the outcomes of hospital surgeries etc.

Our eldest was affected by this in now missing out on performing on the Tongan stage in her final year at high school and many youth around Auckland will now be waking up to the fact that our country is in a state of mourning and grieving for the loss of loved ones instead of celebrating our cultural diversity upon five main stages (Maori, Samoan, Cook Islands, Tongan and Niue) with 20 plus other cultural performances that won't be staged today.

It is a sad day indeed for many reasons but a sobering thought that there are people out there in our communities who harbour such evil that they would feel the right to act out such hatred on innocent people that would affect a nation. May God be with us in times like this...

Learner driver initiatives with Auckland Transport (AT) ...

Check out: https://at.govt.nz/driving-parking/road-safety/young-drivers/your-teenager-and-driving/

Yesterday, I took our middle child to a 'learner driver' education talk that was held at our local movie theatre. It's a new initiative, through Auckland transport (AT), that I've just been made aware of for teens between the years of 15 - 19 who are interested or have already started their learner driver education.

The neat thing was that I heard about the event on a Facebook Ad that linked to the Auckland Transport website that had all the information for me to take Register and take our teen to listen to an interesting talk from a guy from 'Attitude' (neat organisation that works with youth) with the added bonus of: either a free popcorn or double chocolate ice cream; an information bag and a free movie to watch.

I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and would highly recommend it to other parents/caregivers who have teens who are keen on learning to drive and need the information to either support them whilst being behind the wheel and all the different avenues out there that can provide support.

Back in the day, I had a full license at 15 years where it could all happen on a single day: i.e. the theory exam(multi-choice), eye examination, oral exam (3 questions from anywhere in the Road code) then the practical exam.

Nowadays it's very different but it's good to know that places like AA can support with 3 free practical lessons if the parent/caregiver is an AA member, which is what I will be insisting for our teens and other 2 day workshops are also offered in different suburbs of Auckland.

I've copied the link below and thank for parents for taking the time to support me those many years ago when I couldn't wait to be behind the wheel. Of course, I passed the driver ed exams and then had to wait a few more years before I passed my father's test but that's another story.

https://at.govt.nz/driving-parking/road-safety/young-drivers/your-teenager-and-driving/

Suffice to say that I wouldn't recommend you put your daughter onto the motorway when you're first teaching her to drive, at 15, in a column gear, blue and white Zephyr Mark II, as she could do worse things than to drive onto the roadside ditch...

Pasifika month with Auckland City Council...

Auckland Town Hall, the official venue for Auckland City Council meetings

Have been so busy this past few weeks that I haven't had the chance to blog as frequently as usual and last week I attended our first Auckland City Council Pacific Advisory Panel meeting, at the Auckland Town Hall meeting rooms, for the month with so much planned to happen for our Pasifika communities.

In fact, it's known as Pasifika month with many big events happening like the Polyfest (Polynesian dance festival) held at the Manukau Velodrome around mid month i.e. the largest in the world where high schools come together to compete in various Pasifika and other cultural dance competitions over a 4 day period i.e. 13 - 16 March with cups to be presented on the final day.

This year our eldest is competing in the Tongan section which is pretty good in developing dance skills in another culture. The most competitive are probably the Samoan, Tongan and Cook Islands sections as well as the Niuean but the Indian/Bollywood section has become quite popular too.

Pasifika is the other festival which will be very popular and held over the weekend of 23 - 24 March at Western Springs Park with many bands and cultural dances etc. featuring 10 villages where you can buy food, cultural items, clothing, paraphenalia etc. Our Pacific panel group has been invited to the opening and looking forward to this event as well.

There are also a lot of Auckland City Council and local board funding available for Pasifika arts groups to apply for and am at present going through funding applications in being an arts assessor for arts funding in the South Auckland area. It's so neat to see so many Pasifika groups and talent applying and being awarded arts funding to share their arts projects with the community as well as other ethnic groups and it's so neat for me to be a part of this in supporting our communities

Am also looking at launching a book this month as a part of my contribution to the Pasifika arts focus for later this month. So will keep you in touch with the developments and looking forward to blogging about what's happening in our Pasifika communities for Pasifika month.

Ia soifua ma ia manuia (goodbye and be blessed)...

5 features of diaspora Samoan women's identity markers...

'Return to Paradise' Resort beachfront in Legafa, Samoa

Today I decided to change tack in my PhD studies and reach out to other diaspora (living overseas from a point of origin) Samoa women via social media (and in this case Facebook) to ask about ideas or thoughts regarding what the top 5 features for identifying as Samoan women including rites of passage in our communities i.e. what sets us apart as uniquely Samoan women from other indigenous women groups?

In formal studies there's usually an ethics committee at the tertiary institution that one would have to go through to check on issues of privacy, the types of questions asked, storage of data, that would be asked that weren't offensive or leading, that the research undertaken would be dealt with ethically etc.

The Ethics committee is still a part of this study but I see this as a conversation starter through a social media platform to enable diaspora Samoan women to discuss this topic and if there is interest to be a part of my formal study then the opportunity will be there too.

I definitely have my own views but instead of launching directly into writing about them, I thought it best to consider a range of perspectives from women who identified as Samoan women whether they lived in Samoa or outside of the motherland.

For me I have particular interest in the views of those who live as diaspora Samoan women living outside of the motherland and particularly those living in New Zealand but views from other countries would also be interesting to learn about.

So you are most welcome to list your top five and give reasons for your answers on this website or via through the Facebook thread that I will begin. I guess for me the importance of having public engagement earlier on is that it will allow for women to discuss 'our' own issues or ideas genuinely without having pressure of being a part of a university study.

So what are your top 5 features and why?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

'Green Book' movie review...

Last week I had the opportunity to watch the movie 'Green Book' which is currently playing in Cinemas based on the real-life story of two people: a world class African American concert pianist, Dr Don Shirley (has 7 PhDs and speaks 8 languages) and a working class Italian American driver who both make a journey and build a friendship between New York and the Southern states of American to play concerts over a 2 month period.

I highly recommend this movie as one that discusses race relations and homophobia in the US during 1962 around the time with Martain Luther King had started his support of openly protesting against prejudice, racism and the many challenges that African Americans experienced at the time.

The actual name of the movie is named after a 'Green Book' that was compiled by an African American post office worker, years earlier, who was aware of the dangers where apartheid-like laws operated in many of the Southern States.

It also assisted many black travellers by giving names in the book and the locations where black travellers could stay for the night or for a few days at hotels, motels or itinerate places that they would be welcome to stay when travelling for funerals or across state as this could mean the difference between life or death in some states as demonstrated in the movie.

A tremendous performance by both actors: Mahershala Ali, who plays Dr Don Shirley and Viggo Mortensen who plays the Italian American driver with the possibility of winning an Emmy in the upcoming awards...

Best Oka (raw rish in coconut cream) in Vaigaga...

Best fresh 'oka' in Vaigaga 

 One of the best places in Samoa to pick up Oka (raw fish in coconut cream) is in one of my Aunty's village of Vaigaga. You have a choice of many fresh fish to purchase daily or you can buy a cup of delicious spiced oka worth SAT$6 with or without bones.

So everytime we pass close by we, when we get a chance, we buy some oka in which you can taste the lime/lemon, cucumbers and hot pepper to either consume on their picnic tables with a SAT$1 boiled green banana, or we take it home to place in the fridge to eat with the next family meal.

You gotta believe that it doesn't last long in our family ie. it doesn't last to the next day and then we're craving for more. So no fancy restaurants for us (except we we're out visiting on a special occasion) as when we go to Samoa it's just at the local markets to support our local families or the local supermarket.

So if ever you're in Samoa and you're wanting to check out some fresh oka, don't go past the village of Vaigaga which is only a 5 - 10 minute drive (depending on traffic conditions) as it's sure to whet your 'oka' wanting appetite...

In memory of the devasting 1918 Influenza epidemic...

Mass graves at Vaimoso from the 1918 Influenza Epidemic and commemoration stone

 Last week I was able to take my family to Vaimoso in Samoa to view the commemoration stone erected by the NZ government some years ago and the lines of concrete depicting the mass graves of the 1918 Influenza Epidemic.

It is understood that within villages, some were able to bury their dead on their own lands but so many Samoan were effected at the time that the epidemic was at its peak, that the NZ Garrison got involved in burying the dead who lived close by to Vaimoso in a bid to contain the epidemic spreading further.

It's part of the indigenous research that I'm doing for our next book soon to be released in commemoration of now over 100 years since the fatal influenza epidemic reached Samoa's shores back in the year 1918.

The research for this book has been a couple of years in the making in wanting to get the story right and also in trying to understand the circumstances that lead up to what happened and the aftermath which is still being felt today.

I know that the effects of this devastating event still affect some of the families that I am connected to in not knowing or having gaps of knowledge in their genealogy because significant family members who held that knowledge died during the epidemic and those family connections and stories were not passed on.

I must say that even for many Samoans, this part of their history is unknown to them and I most recently found out where the mass graves were located because this part of our history has not been taught well inside and outside of Samoa and for me, our books are a part of encouraging the education of our children to know about their history that informs their past, present and future...

'Return to Paradise!'... Samoa e...

Looking out at the lush beauty of 'Return to Paradise' Resort from the welcoming reception area

 Just back from a quick trip with the family to Samoa i.e. Returning to Paradise and had an absolute great time visiting family, some indigenous research on three books that I'm currently working on and celebrating our middle child's birthday at my Aunt and Uncle's (and co.) 'Return to Paradise' Resort in Lefaga.

It was the dream of my Aunt and Uncle's family, with the help of my maternal Grandmother, to develop this dream resort which many are now able to enjoy, not only as patrons but also as it brings income through employment and leasing to local villages when in days of old were seen as being quite remote in their locations but are now thriving.

It's also a part of the story in a book that I am working together with family to collate in my grandmother's biography and many adventures that she took part in even as late as in her eighties. She was still up for an adventure and we hope to share that pioneering spirit that she had which influenced us growing up will be shared in a book with our next generations, especially those who never got to meet her.

In fact, a very big CONGRATULATIONS! to the 'Return to Paradise' Resort team for winning the Samoa 2018 Excellence in Tourism trophy recently which is an amazing feat as you just have to check out the other contending resorts in Samoa to see the competition that they were up against.

And a big thanks for making our birthday special with such tasty cuisine, yes, a little unimaginative as we kiwi's all ordered the fish and chips; the yummy smoothies with my favourite being the Pineapple Hula drink and an amazing birthday cake with frosting that melted in your mouth.

So I would most definitely highly recommend the 'Return to Paradise' Resort as the go to resort for those special occasions of birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, vow renewals, or just to relax complete with several pools (3 for children) that we really enjoyed, a beach that you just have to keep an eye out on wave action etc. a wedding chapel and beautiful grounds to just walk through. They even had a crab race that was fun to watch as well.

We're looking forward to our next Ah Siu Family reunion being booked at the resort in January of 2021, with some already booking well ahead to avoid being disappointed in missing out (that's a reminder to me too). It'll be a place that that we can relax and enjoy together and still be able to special make memories that will last a life time...

Summer evening strolls with the family...

 Now that summer has truly set in, we have started taking summer evening strolls as a family and it's a good time to get out of the house and enjoy each other's company whilst discussing things that come to mind in a relaxing atmosphere whilst out in nature.

It also benefits the body in taking in fresh air and having that 30 minutes a day exercise that we're all encouraged to enjoy family and what better way to than working out together as a family and making memories whilst we're at it.

I must say that I can't take the credit for it as it's my beloved's forte in getting us out in the evenings to be active when I'd rather be relaxing on the laptop but when I do force myself to put on my runnings shoes and comfortable clothing, then it's all worth it.

This weekend we took time to walk around the Panmure Basin which takes less than an hour with so many workout stations and people doing the same thing that it feels like camaraderie of sorts with some walking, biking, running, skateboarding etc.

So if you're children or partner/spouse ever get bored at home and need something to do then I would encourage a bike, walk, stroll around a local park, the street or block etc. to get that adrenaline up, especially if you add a couple of hills in there and you never know, you just might enjoy it like I'm doing....

Beware $ counting machines don't always get it right...

This week I came across an interesting situation whereby I went to the bank to withdraw some money to send overseas.

The bank gave me my requested amount in $50 notes which was weighed on the bank's money counter and I was able to see the amounts that I had requested on the money machine counter.

As I was busy to go back to work I didn't ask for the money to be manually counted (my mistake!) and took the counters word for it.

I asked that all the dollars be placed in the bank's plastic money bags and sealed it so that there wouldn't be any lost between the two venues that I would be travelling from/to.

However, when I went to another bank, some 15 minutes later to exchange the dollars to another currency, the other teller opened the sealed money bag, started counting the dollars and we both saw a $10 note slip out amongst the other $50 notes.

I was surprised and instantly thought that it was a mistake of either $10 over or the note replaced a $50 note, it was the latter. I decided that it would be difficult to prove otherwise, continued with the transaction as I had a busy schedule ahead and decided to write it off as a stern warning to always check it manually next time.

A few hours later, I discussed the situation with another bank teller and her considered opinion was that the bank in question would show a $40 deficit at the day's end. I decided to go back to the former bank, discussed it with the teller of whom I had withdrawn the monies. She assured me that she would get back to me at the end of the day after balancing their tills.

The teller did get back to me, later in the evening, and explained that there was no shortfall of $40. I then decided that I would go to the bank the next morning to investigate further and when I returned the next day I was told that when checking the weight on that particular machine between a $10 and $50, that they were the same and she promptly gave me $40 in return.

Just a stern warning and reminder, to myself, to not always take the word of a money counter against what you can see with your own eyes, otherwise it's your word against theirs...

Congratulations to our Pasifika NCEA candidates and committed educators...

 Yesterday, the NCEA National Certificate in Educational Achievement results were released with many proud parents posting on Facebook and other social media of their child's/children's achievement/s.

And I'm no different in being a proud parent of our elder child who has successfully accomplished achieving an Excellence Endorsement overall in NCEA level 2 studies and now in the final year of high school and looking forward to University studies next year.

However, on the flip side of the coin, not all our Pasifika students were winners in this battery of tests and it gives the negative stigma and impression that if one doesn't pass these exams that they are somehow not smart or will not do so well in life.

It is far from the truth, but something that one is aware of in observing how educational exams disadvantage some sectors in society because of the language and cultural capital that is expected to be able to understand and answer the questions in order to get the 'excellence standards'.

As an ex-English teacher in teaching Pasifika/Maori students to excel in pre-University English exams and seeing many rise to the challenge and succeed, I'd talk about providing the difference in thinking: of providing evidence, of being succinct, of being highly structured, keeping focused on the question, thinking creatively in problem solving in order to produce those excellent results etc. and using texts that Pasifika students could readily relate to with universal themes.

That's because I knew that the teacher often made the biggest difference: in being highly competent, in knowing their subject well with a keen eye and then passing on that confidence and hints to students so that they could equally do well.

But in observing some of the teacher delivery and expectations, it is a worry that Pasifika students, in many schools are often seen as not doing so well, but to me the biggest difference is having caring and capable teachers who make the difference who are both Pasifika or non-Pasifika but the difference is being committed to do their best so that they can get the best results out of their students with no excuses or blame!

So my congratulations are to all committed teachers who care and are competent in teaching our Pasifika students and to supportive Pasifika parents who care enough to give that time and space for their children to do well because it's often been described as a 3 legged stool where the: parents/family, child and school/teachers are in sync that brings about success to each child and that if one of the legs isn't functioning well then it is doubly difficult for the child to succeed in school.

A big congratulations to Pasifika students success but also a thought to those who need more support in wanting to leave no one behind...

'Ei Katu' popular Cooks Islands flowers garland...

One of my craft projects last year was learning how to make an 'Ei katu' which has been popular in the Cook Islands  and Tahiti for many, many years. The words mean in their te reo (indigenous language) flowers garland worn upon the head similar to a lei (Hawaiian, Samoan word) of flowers worn around the neck.

Usually they are made with beautifully scented tropical flowers for specially occasions like weddings, 21sts birthdays and now graduations etc.

Now with the proliferation of so many silk flowers on the market, mainly from China, that looks so real and last so much longer, many Pasifika women have now taken to making silk flower garlands.

For me, I enjoy making them up with many different colour combinations and have worn them at book Festivals, family gatherings and made them up for family members too. I know of many Pasifika women who make these up for family members, groups, dances etc. and they are beautiful to behold in gatherings but mainly of Cook Islands women.

They have become quite popular and I'm also now selling them for those who are interested in wearing them as they can complement a wardrobe beautifully with the many colour combinations that can be made up. Just check out my 'Trademe' page of 'pacifichibiscus' for further details...

'Lion' movie highly recommended...

Last night, my family decided to watch a Netflix movie, whilst I was busy on a creative project and I ended up joining them in watching the 2016 movie called 'Lion' which is set in India and later in Australia featuring Nicole Kidman as one of the actors in the movie.

The movie is based the life story of a young boy who lives in Northern India who is then separated by his family by boarding a train that takes him, over two days, to Calcutta. In his bid to survive on the streets, he ends up in an orphanage of sorts and is adopted out to an Australian couple. The story traces his journey back to visiting his biological family in India.

I'd heard about this movie some time ago but hadn't had the time nor the inclination to watch but due to my family's choice, I'm glad I did. It was a reminder, for me, that sometimes in life we need to do things that are outside our families and interests to make this world a better place.

I definitely would highly recommend this movie to you, although there are scenes which are quite sad and tells of the abject poverty of India as well as how children were abused or unheeded with the millions of people who live on the street. The movie also reminded me of the 'Slumdogs Millionaire' movie some years ago that really made me stop and think.

Since growing up in my birth church of Mangere PIC (Pacific Islanders Presbyterian church), the founding minister there was a missionary to the Pacific Islands from the London Missionary Society called Reverend Bob Challis (his wife was my piano teacher) he encouraged our Sunday School to sponsor a child through giving monthly volunteer offerings.

I took that idea into my personal life and since finishing my studies and working full-time, I started sponsoring children who lived in third world countries, this was before I had my own family and to this day we are currently sponsoring a little boy and his community in India through World Vision for $25 per fortnight. It's only a small donation but it helps one boy across the world to make his world a better place.

In watching the movie with my beloved, it reminded him of his three years in India on missionary work and learning the Bengali language. Certain landmarks he pointed out as being places that he had visited and a reminder of the poverty that exists there with areas of pollution with so many people who live and die on the streets.

This film reminded me of how important it is to be altruisic in the need to support other communities outside our own. This is part of our Christian faith in leaving a legacy for our children to consider lending a helping hand to those in need...