NZ

Samoan politician claims discrimination at NZ conference

The Samoan woman said she was entering the SkyCity conference centre from Federal St to register for the conference yesterday when a European security guard put out his hand to stop her.

She said European delegates ahead of her were waved through, but the guard challenged her with a stern face.

Fuli said the guard did not touch her. She told him she was attending the conference and continued to the fourth floor to register for the conference in time for the opening powhiri.

"The only reason it could occur is because of the colour of my skin," said Fuli.

McClay says PACER Plus signing a historic day for NZ-Pacific relations

“This is a landmark moment for the economic future of the Pacific. Pacer Plus will help sustainably develop the countries involved through trade and help raise the standard of living for their people. A more resilient and prosperous Pacific is in all of our interests,” Mr McClay says.

“In the short-term, the Pacific countries who have signed this agreement will benefit economically and socially through the joint NZ Australia $55 million development package. Long-term, trade will help transform their economies by providing reliable income and sustainable growth.”

NZ in comprehensive 11-0 win over Samoa in OFC U 17 Championship

New Zealand opened its goal scoring spree in the fifth minute with a Willem Ebbinge score following an indirect free kick, chesting it down and volleying into the net.

Goals continued in the first half with New Zealand taking its tally to 5-0 at half time.

Samoa had an early worry as keeper Eti Fatu took a knock in the first minute of the first half and required treatment.

New Zealand keeper Dylan Bennett had his first touch of the ball when he came out of his area to clear a shot from Lotial Mano in the 44th minute.

Ten Pacific island high achievers awarded NZ scholarship

RNZ reports the Kupe Scholarship, awarded by the Education Ministry, aims to encourage more Pacific students into teaching.

Recent government figures showed a twenty percent rise in Pasifika students leaving school with a secondary school qualification over the last eight years.

The figures also showed more Pacific people were now studying at tertiary level.

One of the recipients of a Kupe, Moana Toleafoa, said she hoped to encourage others to break the mould.

Gagana Samoa - a language of the future

“As well as a language that epitomises the ancient Samoan culture, gagana Samoa is also a language of the future,” said Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy.

USP-New Zealand High Level Consultation (HLC) in Wellington

The impetus of the HLC last Friday was significant in light of the new USP-New Zealand Partnership Agreement which was recently launched by High Commissioner Mark Ramsden on 15 April 2016. Through this new Agreement, the Government of New Zealand provides a total of NZ$15 million for the current triennium (2016-2018).

Samoa, China and India top NZ’s overstayers list

China and India are at the bottom with the highest increase in overstayers for the same period. A different perspective for Samoa from a 2012 headline that read, Samoa, India and China top deportation list.

NZ quota for Samoans not filled for six years

RNZI reports 22,000 applications for the Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category were received last year for 1650 places in the two ballots.

But government figures show that even those who get a place can't be certain of taking it up.

Academic says NZ needs robust advice on Pacific

RNZI reports the New Zealand Institute for Pacific Research was launched this week, and is a collaboration between the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology and the University of Otago.

It's funded with US$5 million over five years by the New Zealand government.

Pacific quota registrations open

The registration opens on Friday, 1 April and closes at 4.00 pm on Friday, 29 April.

Immigration Instructions recognise the special relationship between New Zealand and Samoa, and the Pacific Access Category countries of Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Fiji.

Each year, up to 1,100 Samoan citizens, 250 Tongan and Fijian citizens and 75 I-Kiribati and Tuvaluan citizens are selected by ballot to be considered for the grant of residence in New Zealand.