Government grants to support our most vulnerable...

A big thank you to the Ministry of Pacific Peoples who gave grants to our church, since last year, of enabling us to buy mobile phones, tablets and $50 phone credit for our over 65s to keep in contact with their loved ones during lockdowns etc.

I was also able to pick up funding for buying material to make up masks rather than having to buy them and this is still in the process but was a real blessing to be able to gift these between the three groups of seniors that we have at our church i.e. Cook Islanders, Samoans and Niuean.

The beauty for me was the ability to be able to bless them, in such a way, as often our seniors are taken for granted in not knowing how to use digital devices but when given the opportunity to learn and then the devices to practice on, it becomes another skill that can grow with the help of grandchildren and other family members who have the patience and love to show them.

This is another reason for why I believe that more churches and non government agencies as well as families need to make more opportunities for seniors to come together in clubs to fellowship together and to learn and have cup of teas together.

It's something that I've already brought up in my birth church to confirm as soon as our country, if not globally, gets a handle on this pandemic with the global vaccinations that are currently underway because then it givens our seniors a place to go and something to look forward in clubs for seniors.

Never a dull moment as we fight this global Pandemic on all fronts and look for ways to bless each other and take care of our most vulnerable at the same time. There is still a way to go but we will eventual get there, Lord willing...
 

Papatoetoe Food Hub - soon with Lovo, Umu and Hangi...

Last weekend, I also took my Tikanga (level 4) Indigenous Research class to view a local Papatoetoe Food Hub which is first of its kind as a Social Enterprise that brings together a collaboration including community workers (paid volunteers) and the business sector i.e. Owner of Papatoetoe New World with consumers.

It's been the brain child of Raj, who used to work in Social Services for years but has now traded his work in a government department for serving the community in this innovative Social Entreprise.

It's quite amazing in that 3+ years ago, when I first discovered the fledging Food Hub through a student of mine who introduced me to the Hub over lunch and worked locally, I was quite impressed by the vision and then brought along my beloved to dine and view.

However, since the global pandemic hit Auckland, I hadn't been back until quite recently. However, upon returning to enjoy our meals (fantastically plated as above) and delicious as well as very reasonable prices, I was very impressed in that so much had changed to now include looking at making up 'umu' (Samoan earth oven), 'lovo' (Fijian earth oven) and 'hangi' (Maori earth oven) onto the menu.

Raj is currently looking for some young men/women who would be interested in learning and helping to pack a umu, lovo or hangi on Friday's and possibly Saturdays for a couple of hours and for their assistance would be also able to receive lunch.

This is quite a neat opportunity as not everyone knows how to make a umu, lovo or hangi or even what the difference is between them all. This would give the opportunity for them to learn about tradition ovens and food cooking plus also the different food preparation that goes into them and what does not work well in the earth ovens.

It might even be a neat way of passing on this knowledge because you never know if there's a chance to go back to the Islands and to live off the land (off the grid) and to be able to do these things from scratch or to even learn the principles of how to make earth ovens.

My class was wonderfully impressed with so much that they were able to learn and pick up from the Food Hub about sustainable living, also about worm farming, composting, planting planter boxes and so much more. 

If you are ever in the area, why not stop by and have a talk with Raj or choose from their delicious menu for breakfast for lunch. You could even walk around have a look at some of the innovation that draws from indigenous practices and principles. His vision might even inspire yours...

 

Class visit to Pah Homestead art exhibitions...

This last weekend, I took my class on field trips to two very different venues. The first venue was to a local art exhibition and the second to a local community food hub.

The first trip was to an art exhibition at a local Auckland City Council venue called Pah Homestead that has a very interesting history.

The origin location had been a Maori tribal Pah site (Maori village) which was probably fortified pre-European contact. 

However, it was later sold for only 60 Pounds in the in the mid to 1800s to Europeans. Over the years it changed hands several times until a wealthy European then built a large Homestead with many rooms as an Estate with extensive gardens. These still grace the Homestead and currently have many sculptures in the outdoor gardens.

The particular art works that the class viewed was by a contemporary Maori artist, Star Gossage. Her works range from painted boxes and portraits to large canvases with interesting dark hues in some of her works.

The exhibition spanned at least three rooms in the Homestead with interesting paintings that had been painted in Marae and portraitures of Maori women and girls in particular. Her exhibition continues until the 4th of July and was well worth the drive out...
 

Congratulations on Graduating with Master of Applied Indigenous Knowledge degree...

 

A BIG Shout Out to my beloved for graduating from class of 2018 - 2019 cohort with a Master's degree in  Applied Indigenous Knowledge (specifically Samoan).

Last year, with the global COVID-19 Pandemic, all graduation ceremonies were cancelled for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa (Maori Indigenous Higher learning Institute) and there was thought that there wouldn't be any going forward until there was an all clear.

But with New Zealand and specifically Auckland being at level 1, since March, then there was the discussion (plus some pressure from graduates) for a graduation ceremony that many families and friends of graduates attended including my family.

The above family photo was taken during the ceremony with my beloved in the middle after being 'capped' onstage. The green hood and sash depicts the colours of the Masters degree and he is holding his Masters degree certificate.

We were very proud of his efforts and had a family dinner and dessert before and after the ceremony that was held at Manukau Vodafone Events Centre earlier this week. His work friends also had a special lunch with him which was neat. 

Last year we did have a bigger family dinner at a local Restaurant, in lieu of having a graduation ceremony, in thinking that there wasn't going to be one but it was still neat to be able to have a double celebration as it definitely was neat to share in the celebrations.

It was also neat for me to attend for my students from my 2020 class who also graduated in an early ceremony as there were 6 sessions in total over two days with a morning, afternoon and evening session. Beautiful professional photos were taken and these were shared on the Wānanga's Facebook page for many deserving graduates with their families and friends...

COVID-19 Response - new book released soon...

I'm looking forward to finalizing our latest Mana Māngere writers' collective book with local guest writers in the next couple of months with so much happening in our communities.

This particular book is our fourth collection of poetry and short stories that was sponsored by our local Māngere / Otāhuhu community boards and we are again so thankful for their assistance and the support of our local Māngere Town centre library.

The cover is a beautiful piece of art by my lil' sis Maria as when I saw her composition, I knew that I wanted it to be the front cover of our book and she obliged the commission.

What is interesting about this book is that the topic is about our responses to the global COVID-19 Pandemic. The writers have discussed their thoughts and experiences through poetry and short stories and each composition adds layers of our responses to the pandemic both positive and negative.

We have young students who have contributed to book as well as more seasoned writers and our Mana Māngere writers collective who have been a neat source of inspiration, although it does sometimes take a while for their contributions to surface with so much happening in their busy lives as well as writing.

I'm looking forward finalizing the copy to go to print and then to finally printing the book with a book launch to plan for at a local venue for the writers' families and friends to part take in. I'm also looking to send a copy over to the Turnbull library, in Wellington as a contribution to the archiving of material during the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020 and 2021 for their records.

Never a dull moment but also our thoughts go out to many nations that are still fighting this pandemic globally. It is with confidence that many nations are now rolling out nationwide vaccines and with first world nations currently planning to support third world nations it is heartening to know that hopefully soon this pandemic will be brought to its knees.

I certainly hope and pray that it will be much sooner than later...
 

Cake O - Cakes to go (cup cakes orders)...

 

This long weekend, I've been supporting my 16 year old and lil' sis to begin their fledging or start up business called 'Cake O' with the by line 'Cakes to go'.

I've been so impressed by their combined efforts in the last couple of years in making mass cup cakes for events (over 100 cup cakes) that I've helped to coordinate i.e. the Spring Wedding of my brother and his beautiful bride at the Botanical Gardens, fundraising efforts of our Samoa pre-school, family meetings etc.

To top it if, they also now have customized Pacific design boxes (as they are both artistic too), OTT Over The Top cake decorative icing designs and ideas that just take these cup cakes to the next level.

What I especially like is the recipe that they've perfected not only in their melt in the mouth cup cakes but also the butter cream icing in which one mini cake is definitely not enough.

Their range includes 7 different cupcakes with some pretty innovative designs and names such as: 

1. Choc Breezy (chocolate flavoured)
2. Berry Swirl (Raspberry flavoured)
3. Banana-o-rama (Banana flavoured)
4. Lei cake (Oreo flavoured)
5. Fairy cake (Vanilla flavoured with rainbow icing)
6. Cocodice (Coconut flavoured)
7. Pacific Frangipani (Red velvet)

They also make OTT Over The Top specialty (celebrity) stand alone cup cakes that are boxed up for that special occasion i.e. Birthday cake (with or without a candle), anniversary cake/s for two, proposal cupcake/s, valentines cupcake/s, Fathers & Mothers day cupcake/s etc. and the list goes on. Ones with a plump cherry on the top, boxed up or plain with single swirl cupcakes for everyday.

The prices are as follows or you can contact them to negotiate for catering or cupcakes over 100+:

Single swirls are $2 each

• Small boxed x 2 = $4.50
• Middle boxed x 5 = $10
• Medium boxed x 8 = $15
• Party pack boxed x 16 = $30

OTT (Over the Top) specialty cupcakes are $2.50 - $3 each

• Small boxed x $5.50
• Middle boxed x 5 = $12
• Medium boxed x 8 = $20
• Assorted boxed specialty x 16 = $35

Specialty Pacific designed box/es

• $5 extra with cupcakes or box on own $10

If you want to order some you are most welcome to contact them on the information above i.e. digital business card for 'Cake O, Cakes to go' or leave a message on this blog and I can forward it onto them. Their email is: Cake.O.Cakestogo@gmail.com...

Annie Grace - beautiful singer songwriter...

 I'm blessed to have in our family the beautiful singer songwriter Annie Grace. It's been a blessing to see what God's done in her life in touching many people with her blessed songs that I've heard at many a wedding in dances and sung at special occasions.

I've known her mother as my favourite Aunty Talosaga growing up, who is very strong in the Lord as a prayer warrior and Pastor. I remember how she would buy me special gifts that was such a blessing as a child. My mum's sister, who's also another favourite Aunty Mafa, lives together in their household and has been like a second mum to Annie.

Annie's been gifted with a special talent of being able to touch people with her music which has won her awards. As a child she started singing in church (and still continues to) and I remember that when I first met my beloved, who was on a short stay guest at their home from overseas, her mum had asked Annie to bless us with a song.

The beauty of her music is not only in the arrangements of her song, thanks to her musically talented brother, Eric, and husband, Mission, and their team but also that she is able to sing her Christian songs both in Samoan and English.

At present, our two teenagers, are learning a Samoan young women's dance in a group, to one of Annie's songs for a Wedding next weekend for my cousin's family. The song above has a beautiful arrangement and I hope that the couple are blessed by another one of Annie's beautiful songs...

Happy 82nd Birthday to my Mum...

 

It's been a massive week of birthdays with my father's last week and then my beloved a day before my mum's and yesterday it was my dearest mum's birthday. She is probably the woman who has had the single greatest influence, amazing support and blessing in my life. 

I count myself blessed to have had such wonderful blessings in having my parents hand picked for me in that God must have known that I would need someone with lots of creative flair and organisation (my mum) and a no fear, highly disciplined person like my dad to both mentor me.

I wouldn't have been able to accomplish even half of what I've been able to succeed in had not it been for my parents' support and their unconditional, never ending love and belief in me. I just hope that I'm able to have the same support and influence on my children as they have been for me.

I pray that God continues to bless her and our family with many more years together and that we can be a blessing to her in as much as she has been such a beautiful blessing to my family over the years that my children love their grandmother so much...

Samoan language week 2021 - fa'atāuaina o le vaiaso mo le gagana Samoa...

 

Today is a special day as it marks the second day of Samoan language week with celebrations starting yesterday and also the birthday of my beloved of which we will be celebrating today.

The theme for the week is a Samoan proverbial saying or alaga upu: "Poupou le lotoifale, ola manuia le anofale" which when translated means strengthen the posts of your house for all to thrive.

This is an apt proverb for every family in that those posts could stand for sharing love, encouragement, care, loyalty, help, support etc. the positive things that we as parents should try and ensure so that our children, grandchildren and parents (often Samoan multi-generational homes) can thrive individually but also as a collective.

I'm so thankful for my parents encouraging me to speak my first language, especially my father who saw the importance of expressing this even when I didn't understand its importance at the time but it was a gift of being able to converse with my grandparents in their/own indigenous language and when returning to Samoa, I feel at home even though I was brought up in New Zealand.

Now for sharing this with our next generations in teaching them not only the language but also the principles and values of respect, caring for our elderly and the importance of faith as in the motto of Samoa as "Samoa fa'avae i le Atua" or Samoa's foundation is in God...

The Blessing Aotearoa, NZ to the rest of the world...

 Yesterday, at the Hagar Women's Retreat event I was blessed by a video that was shared at the end of the event that has been circulating since last year. It's a song that we sang at our family church of Life Church South after lockdown last year (different from my birth church of Mangere PIC) and it's gone global.

So if you search on YouTube you'll find that many nations all over the world took up the challenge to sing the song as a blessing for its nation/s on Youtube. This was a special blessing especially after the events of 2020 Pandemic and a way of uniting churches to share this blessing upon their nation/s.

I still think that Aotearoa, New Zealand's rendition is neat but then in listening to the various versions by Carribean, Australian, Espana, Italian, Canadian etc. it's quite amazing how each nation has made it their own through iconic scenes, indigenous and national languages and local, nationhood peoples.

I'd encourage you to have a listen to one or all the different renditions and pick your favourite one. If you have no favourites then just be blessed this Sunday through the coming together of churches globally to bless one another and you...

HAGAR - caring for vulnerable people in human trafficking and modern day slavery...

 

Today, I went to an all day Women's Retreat sponsored by Hagar at Life Church South in Manukau. It was a really well needed peace-filled day that had me thinking about a lot of things.

One of the sad statistics that was shared was the fact that Modern day slavery and Human trafficking are very alive and well and thriving in all countries of the world in varying degrees.

Out of 167 countries in the world, a system was developed that rated countries according to the status of women and the degree to which human trafficking and slavery was prevalent in society.

New Zealand came 14th out of 167 countries with Norway as the 1st and sadly the last two countries were 166 with Afghanistan and 167 faring as the worst for women.

It was explained that 40 million people in the world were in situations of slavery today with 24% being children and 71% being females. The most vulnerable people were known to be those especially who were moving across borders and often from war torn countries and refugees.

The factors which seem to be fuelling these include: consumerism i.e. the fact that there is a demand for it, secondly; the sexualization of people through porn, the sex industry etc. and thirdly; greed for making money. Sadly human trafficking and slavery is the second most illegal money making source after drugs and before selling firearms.

Sadly, international laws are still not being developed fast enough and even New Zealand doesn't even have any laws in place to combat modern slavery. But there is a petition that is currently being circulated digitally to try and address the problem and you can find it to sign and share on https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/take-action-against-modern-slavery/signatures

You might ask what one can do by being in a country that is relatively safe from modern slavery or human trafficking? one answer could be in buying from companies that try to buy ethically sourced products often shown on their products.

Or even sponsoring or donating to organisations such as Hagar, as I have decided to do, or finding out more information from Tear Fund, World Vision or Trade Aid as to how you can help or volunteer for such organisations. There is actually a lot we can do if we step out in faith as you never know where it might take you...

Happy 84th Birthday to Papa...

 Today, we celebrated the 84th birthday of my special Papa at a local Restaurant with three generations blessed by his presence and inspired by his life's story of leaving Samoa in 1957 at the young age of 20, to forge a new life in Auckland, NZ from his homeland of Samoa.

It's been a real blessing to have witnessed so many milestones in his life and when asked by one of his grandchildren as to what was the best year/decade of his life, he said that it was the year that he met my mum in 1962 when he was just 25 years old and she was 23.

Well, they say that the rest is history but had he not been working on the Tofua boat that sailed regularly from Samoa to NZ with passengers (and bananas which is why it was called the 'banana boat') he would not have met my beautiful mother (to be) who was travelling to Samoa for the first time and it was love at first sight.

It's been a blessing to have been mentored by both my parents in the things that I've learned about 'tu ma aganu'u fa'aSamoa' i.e. customs and protocols of Samoa and I've still got so much to learn but have been blessed by them as guiding beacons in my Christian life as well for which I am so thankful to God for parents such as them...

Beautiful artist gift for Aunt...

 

This week I've been busy with so many different things going on and so has my lil' sis' who's been busy working on her art projects for her Master's degree.

This is one particular piece that I really like that she recently drew then framed up and gave for our Aunt on the occasion of her 80th birthday.

I think my Aunt might have thought initially that it was a print or a poster because it looks so neatly done until you carefully look and can see my sister's signature on the bottom.

She's also drawing a special one for another upcoming birthday present and I know for sure that the recipient will really like it as well as it also designed similarly to this one with it's intricate shading for the discerning eye.

As for my art pieces, I've been taking a holiday for a time as I have so much other work and projects that are keeping me busy for the time being but soon I'll have to put some hard yards into making sure that those projects are also completed before the year's end...