Samoan

Dr Teevale was also a wife and a mother, a daughter, sister, and a friend to many. 

Pacific academics across the country have paid tribute to the academic who passed away in April, aged 50.

Known for her passion, dedication and advocacy for Pacific education, Dr Teevale was appointed the first Director of Pacific Development at Otago University in 2013.

One of her key roles was to drive the University’s newly adopted Pacific Strategic Framework 2013-2020.

Tagata Pasifika reports Aaron Pulemagafa who goes by the moniker, The Western Guide, said the lack of Pacific bilingual songs in New Zealand's music scene and his fondness of Samoan ballads led him to create his latest single, Siva Mai.

Performed in both Samoan and English, Siva Mai incorporates the Afrobeat genre - a style of music derived from Nigeria.

"It's been my goal to merge mainstream and Samoan music and make our music more friendly for people who don't understand Samoan or who don't listen to Samoan music," Pulemafaga told Pacific Waves.

Aiden Sagala died on March 7 in Auckland City Hospital after police said he “innocently sat down for a beer after work” that was laced with methamphetamine.

Police said Sagala was not involved in importing or distributing the contaminated beer “in any way”.

Tonight, his sisters shared with Newshub the details about the last moments of his life.

Secretary for Culture and Heritage Laulu Mac Leauanae says, “we are thrilled to welcome Rachel to the Manatū Taonga whare. The role has been created to ensure that the histories of Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand are documented and preserved for future generations.”

Laulu adds that a key focus of the role will be working with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples and the Pasifika community to create a comprehensive historical record of the Dawn Raids period.

Profit and his family spent a weekend in Timaru attending the Colgate Games recently. After the athletics meet, the family came back to their vehicle and realised they had a flat tyre. 

Tagata Pasifika reports in a video titled ‘NZ is just different’, Profit told his followers, “I was about to go out and change the tyre when my wife reminded me that we have roadside assistance, so we called them, and they told us they would be there in 15 minutes.

“It has been like, 10 people – literally 10 people, I’m not exaggerating – that has stopped and said ‘hey man, you need help?’

Spending most of her childhood at her Grandparents house in West Auckland allowed for many creative opportunities for the artist. Some that would be imprinted on her for a lifetime and now through her work. 

“Growing up at Nana’s house was always fun. We were just able to express ourselves… I think Nana and Grandpa made that a safe space for us to be that way and that’s where my creativity kinda grew” she says.

The 40-strong choir formed after Samoan and Solomon Islander workers at Australian Country Choice's Brisbane facility started meeting after work for singing sessions.

After management heard about the singalongs, an electronic keyboard and a guitar arrived.

So too did an invitation to hold an Easter concert for staff and friends.

Keeping home alive

The performance featured hymns sung back home to celebrate Easter as well as traditional dances.

Rev Taule'ale'ausumai has been a Presbyterian minister for 31 years and says it's not the first time she's been associated with St Andrew's.

"I've had four different St Andrew's in my ministry. When I first trained, I ended up at St Andrew's Levin and then after that, I was called to the UK, to Birmingham, to St Andrew's College.

"Then I came back and became the University chaplain in Auckland and then St Andrew's in Henderson called me."

Fusi Masina Tietie of the villages of Fusi Safata and Siusega was given the award for her work as a women's rights activist and her online blog "Her Voice" on Monday during the commemoration of the Commonwealth Day.

The 204th recipient of the award, she was presented the award by the Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and the UK High Commissioner to Samoa, David Ward in a ceremony at the Sheraton Aggie Grey's Hotel.

This desire helped shape his decision to run for mayor of the largest city in the country, he tells Pasifika Editor Vaimoana Tapaleao. 

Of all the significant people who have influenced his life, it is the story of a stranger on a South Auckland bus that brings Fa'anana Efeso Collins to tears. 

One day, as he was getting off a bus in Ōtara, the driver stopped him, after recognising him from TV. 

"He said to me, in Samoan: "O oe o Collins?" (Are you Collins?)