Fijian Videos to Make you Laugh Out Loud!

The Website LaughOutLoudFiji.com is dedicated to Fijian jokesters and comedians where they can share their talents and make others laugh out LOUD!

Joke telling appears to be a lost art in Fijian society so it is great that some have started to revive it.

Joke telling and comedy, when appropriately delivered can really add life to any Fijian gathering, especially around the Yaqona bowl in villages and homes.

Jokes and comedy often recount a tale or event which allow people to laugh at themselves in a totally inoffensive manner.

It is a wonderful antidote to life at the toughest of times and needs to be embraced and relished once again.

Watch and enjoy the videos on this website to confirm even the therapeutic effect of telling jokes!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW WEBSITE!

Invite to Multilingualism Symposium

Symposium with Prof. Bernard Spolsky,Building a multilingual society: creating habitats for language survival

Māori: Kitākitā mai, ketekete atu, kōwetewete mai: haruru te wao

Samoan: Fausia o se sosaiete e tele gagana: gaosia o si’osi’omaga e fa’aolaola ai gagana

AN INVITATION TO ATTEND THE SYMPOSIUM

Time: 2pm – 4pm

Date: Monday 28th November 2011

Venue: Hunter Council Chamber, Level 2 Hunter Building, Gate 2 Kelburn Parade, Victoria University of Wellington

This symposium focuses on prospects and challenges in building a multilingual New Zealand.

It will be particularly concerned with developing habitats for the survival of Te Reo Māori, Le Gagana Samoa and other Pasifika languages.

LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE SYMPOSIUM

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS & COPY OF FLYER!

Pacific Broadcasting Consultation

This is an invitation to a community meeting to share your Broadcasting Experiences with Researchers tasked with examining Broadcasting services and programmes for and about Pacific communities in New Zealand.

When: Wednesday 16 November
Time: 6 – 9pm
Where: Wesley Church, 75 Taranaki St, Wellington.

Refreshments will be provided.

Click here for the Meeting Flyer.

Those of you unable to attend, please free to log on to the link below to fill out the e-survey on the same topic.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PacificAudienceSurvey

Vinaka.

RE-THINKING AND RE-FRAMING CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS IN FIJI – A STRATEGY FOR DEMOCRATICALLY CONTAINING FIJI’S MILITARY IN POLITICS

PRESENTED BY: Raijeli Drodrolagi Nicole

FORMAL RESPONSES BY: Dr. Megan Mackenzie, Political Science and International Relations (VUW)

SEMINAR INTRODUCED AND FACILITATED BY: Dr. Teresia Teaiwa, Pacific Studies (VUW)

Monday 3rd of October

6pm – 7.30pm, Victoria University of Wellington, 6 Kelburn Parade

ABSTRACT:
The 1987 military coup marked a turning point in Fiji’s history with the military setting into motion its direct intervention in domestic politics. Since then, the country has had 4 coups, 3 constitutions, 4 general elections and at least a dozen governments. The December 2006 coup touted as the coup to end all coups belies the reality that the Fiji military is quite accustomed to intervening in domestic politics. Hence, the proposed 2014 elections raise the important question: what is the role of the military in post-election democratic times? This seminar argues that any re-democratisation project in Fiji needs to critically re-visit Fiji’s civil-military framework. In doing so, the seminar, drawing on my dissertation “Civil-Military Relations in Fiji: A Concordance between the Military, Political Elites and the Citizenry” highlights Rebecca Schiff’s “Theory of Concordance” (1995) as a framework to unpack civil-military relations (CMR) in Fiji and to articulate a possible pathway to regaining civilian control of the military. Schiff’s point of departure from the dominant paradigms of CMR does not posit absolute separation between the key civilian and military institutions. Rather the theory suggests that effective civil-military relations can be realised via the extent to which the political elite, the military and civil actors find agreement, and accommodate one another in the definition of the values and objectives of the armed forces. Applying Schiff’s theory to Fiji, the seminar will highlight ways in which the citizenry–specifically– civil society–can be empowered to proactively engage with the military. I propose an engagement that contains the military and opens up paths to free elections and democratic civilian rule.

BIO:
Raijeli Drodrolagi Nicole recently completed her Masters in International Law and Politics at University of Canterbury. She has extensive experience in policy development, lobbying and advocacy work, working with NGOs, unions, employer groups and governments at the United Nations. She returned to New Zealand in December 2007 after holding the position of Executive Director of the Isis International-Manila, an international women’s human rights info-com organisation that monitors and reports on Asia-Pacific governments’ responses to women’s rights and other development issues. She currently works at the Department of Internal Affairs in Christchurch.

CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF SEMINAR FLYER

Light refreshments will be provided
For more information, please contact:Sylvyetta Hanipale
P: 463-5830 E: Sylvyetta.hanipale@vuw.ac.nz

MPIA Central Region Update

Fakatalofa atu,

This week’s greeting is from Tuvalu. Please find attached this week’s edition 19.09.11.
http://www.timelesstuvalu.com/

Features in this edition include;

· MPIA on the radio

· RWC Pacific artist village: Wellington Town hall & Civic square (Sat Oct 1st )

· John Burns Study Award (Wellington Region)

· Horowhenua Youth Scholarships (closing date Fri 23rd Sept)

· Pacific Grant Fund – Ministry of Health (closing date 30 Sept)

· Calling for expressions of interest for the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts delegation, Solomon Islands 2012

CLICK HERE TO VIEW YOUR COPY OF THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Fakafetai lasi (Thank you)

Anton Carter | Central Regional Manager
Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs (MPIA)
ASB Building, Level 2, 101 – 103 The Terrace
P O Box 833, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Office +64 4 473 4493 | Mob 021 750 661

Auckland Fiji Day Celebration 2011Events

FIJI DAY CELEBRATION SIGIDRIGI – Taste of Fiji Party – Fri 7th Oct 6:30pm

SIGIDRIGI & ZIMBA NITE – Taste of Fijian Live Music, Yaqona, Fun and Food

Family Event

DATE: Friday 7th October

VENUE: One Tree Hill College, 421-451 Great South Road, Penrose

TIME: 6:30pm

COST: $5 per head, $20 family

Fiji Independence Day celebration – Sat Oct 8th @ Te Pai

Venue: Netball Waitakere Tepai Courts; 31-35 Tepai Place, Henderson Auckland.

8am start to an All Day Event

The Fiji Independence Day Celebration 2011 Committee is nominated to co-ordinate, prepare and organize the Fiji Day Celebrations to coincide with the Rugby World Cup 2011 1st Quarter Finals on Saturday 8th October 2011 to be held at Netball Waitakere Tepai courts – 31-35 Tepai Place, Henderson Auckland.

For more information please contact:
Pastor Josua Tavaga Mob: 0210370467 or
Email:Pio Wong Mob: 0212407922

FIJI DAY CELEBRATION AFTER-FUNCTION – Sat 8th Oct

After-function: 5pm – Midnight

Venue: Ellerslie Eagles Rugby League Club, (Ellerslie Domain, 186 Main Highway)

Details: DANCE/DJ Music, plus BIG SCREEN QF1 – W Pool C vs RU Pool D – 6pm
QF 2 – W Pool B vs RU Pool A – 8:30pm

Dinner: Available/Sold

Entry: $10

Fiji Independence Combined Church Service – Sun 9th Oct 12:30pm

‘Arise, shine,…to you the riches of the nations will come.’ – Isaiah 60:1-5

COMBINED FIJIAN COMMUNITY – MULTI-CULTURAL CHURCH SERVICE

VENUE: Grace International Church, 77 Line Road, Glen Innes

Details: Message Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr Ilaitia Tuwere, Methodist Church-Auckland.

Followed by Draunimoli, Tea or Coffee (please bring a plate).

Followed by big screen live quarter finals 3 and 4 at Ellerslie Eagles League Club, Ellerslie.

NZIM & WECC WOMEN IN BUSINESS SERIES WITH AMANDA ELLIS

Amanda Ellis

Women – testing limits and changing the business world for the better

Amanda Ellis is the head of the New Zealand Aid Programme. As Deputy Secretary International Development for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Amanda is the most senior woman in the New Zealand foreign service.

Ms Ellis was previously Lead Specialist (Gender), in the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management group at the World Bank in Washington DC, where she designed the Women’s Economic Opportunity Index and the first global data base of laws impacting women’s ability to be economically active.

In 2004 Ms Ellis founded the Gender Entrepreneurship Markets (GEM) programme at the International Finance Corporation. She developed the “Gender and Growth” assessment tool, used in Africa, Latin America and Asia, the first ever SME credit lines for women in Africa (now a global product) and practical initiatives to support women entrepreneurs with training in business, finance and management skills, and access to markets.

Prior to joining the World Bank Group, Ms Ellis was Head of Women’s Markets and National Manager Women in Business for Westpac Banking Corporation in Australia. Her team grew annual revenues from a standing start to over half a billion dollars in just three years, proving the value of the women’s market.

Ms Ellis is the author of two best selling Random House titles, “Women’s Business, Women’s Wealth: create the life you want at work and in business” and “Woman 2 Woman: NZ women share their experiences of career and business”

Date: Thursday 29 September

Registration:
12 noon: Registrations and light lunch
12.30 pm: Presenter begins
1.30 pm: Close

Venue:
NZIM, Level 7, Lumley House, 3-11 Hunter Street, Wellington

Cost:
NZIM & WECC members $17.39 + GST (WECC members please contact NZIM to register)
Non-members $26.09 + GST

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received 2 full working days prior to the event. Cancellations after this time and ‘no-shows’ on the day will be charged the full invoice amount. Substitutions are permitted if you can no longer attend.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Rugby World Cup 2011- Fiji Village

Come celebrate, support and party with the RWC Flying Fijians Rugby team – the first Pacific team to play in Wellington!

First 100 tickets sold goes into the draw for a special prize to be drawn on the night by the team!

Tables are limited – book a table of 6 or 8 for only $20.

Contact Tina 021 2163868 or Florence on 021 523569 for bookings & tickets.

Door sales from 7pm.

Fijian Language Class Time Table – 2011

Bula Vinaka,

Please note this is the confirmed venue for all language classes ‘Na Vuli Vosa Vakaviti’ till the end of the year.

Venue: Tawa Community Centre, 5 Cambridge Street, Tawa (Next to the Public Library).

Time: 4:30 – 6:30pm

CLASS DATES

Saturday 27 August 2011

Saturday 3 September 2011
NO CLASSES ON 10 AND 17 SEPTEMBER
Saturday 24 September 2011
Saturday 1 October 2011
Saturday 8 October 2011
NO CLASSES ON 15 AND 22 OCTOBER

(School Holidays)

Saturday 29 October 2011
Saturday 5 November 2011
Saturday 12 November 2011
Saturday 19 November 2011
Saturday 26 November 2011

December classes To Be Announced

For additional information please contact:

Litiana Yabakivou
Mobile: – 0273734725; Email: yabakivoulitiana@yahoo.co.nz

Pacific Cultural Awareness Seminar

Regional Public Health invites you to attend their PHASE Seminar (Public Health Advisor Skills Enhancement Seminar)

Here are the Details:

Date: Wednesday 17th August 2011
Time: 9.15 am – 11.15 am
Venue: Hutt Valley DHB Learning Centre Auditorium. Level 1, Clock Tower Building, Hutt Hospital, High St, Lower Hutt.

Regional Public Health Pacific Staff Will be presenting:

Fostering Pacific cultural awareness to improve public health practices that affect Pacific people

The presentation provides an introduction to Pacific cultural values, some common barriers to effective practice, and suggestions for fostering increased awareness and improved organizational responsiveness. The seminar will be interactive, and participants are encouraged to think about areas within their line of work that either currently or potentially affect Pacific people.

If interested please let:

Api Poutasi know at: api.poutasi@huttvalleydhb.org.nz or 04 587 2817.