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	NEWSROOM 23 April 2008






	(Photos: Stella Tanoi)

	NEW ZEALAND: Department of Labour's Pacific Division national wide meetings begin Source: Pacific Division Press Release The Department of Labour's Pacific Division of Immigration New Zealand will be visiting Pacific communities nationwide, with 13 community meetings being held from Central Otago to Northland. The meetings are scheduled from 22 April to 29 May. "We wanted to return to the local communities and talk to them about the work we do in the Pacific region but also the work we do with the local Pacific communities," says Mai Malaulau, Immigration New Zealand Pacific Division's Director. "There has been a lot of work going on with a number of initiatives that touch on the lives of people in New Zealand and in the Pacific Islands and this seemed like a good time to go back to the community and tell people about it and also offer them an opportunity to ask questions," she said. "We'll update Pacific people on the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme, the Samoa Quota and Pacific Access Category Ballots and provide a progress report on the Review of the Immigration Act. The Pacific Division has held meetings with the pacific community since 2005 and from the start said they would regularly report back to the community on issues, policy changes, future directions and upcoming events. Community meetings will be held in Christchurch, Central Otago, Nelson, Blenheim, Wellington, Manawatu, Hawke's Bay, Bay of Plenty, Hamilton, Northland, and three meetings in Auckland. The meetings will start at 6.30 in the evening and will be held in a local Pacific community hall or church. Further details of the meeting's venue and place are below: Date Location Venue Tue 22nd April Christchurch Holiday Inn City Centre, 172 Cashel Street, CHRISTCHURCH Wed 23rd April Central Otago (Southland/Otago) Alexandria District Club, Centennial Avenue, ALEXANDER Mon 28th April Nelson (Tasman/West Coast) Victory Community Centre, Totara Street, NELSON Tue 29th April Blenheim (Marlborough) St Andrew Presbyterian Church, 5 Henry Street, BLENHEIM Tue 06th May Wellington Elim Church, 11 Herlot Drive, PORIRUA Wed 07th May Manawatu (Taranaki/Wairarapa) Presbyterian Church, 87 Oxford Street, LEVIN Tue 13th May Hawke's Bay (Central Hawke's Bay) Cook Island Community Centre, FLAXMERE Wed 14th May Bay of Plenty (East Coast) St John the Baptist Anglican Church, Jocelyn Street, TE PUKE Tues 20th May Hamilton (Waikato) Celebrating Age Centre, Hamilton City Council, HAMILTON Wed 21st May Northland (Kerikeri/Whangarei/Kaikohe) Northland Pacific Island Charitable Trust Building, 22 Finlayson Street, WHANGAREI Tue 27th May Auckland (Tongan) Tokaikolo Church, "Nasaleti" 148 Coronation Street, MANGERE BRIDGE Wed 28th May Auckland (Samoan) Venue to be confirmed Thrs 29th May Auckland (Pan Pacific) Venue to be confirmed These venues are to be confirmed. Please contact our call centre for updated information To find out meeting venues, call Immigration Service freephone on 0508-55-88-55 or email faalogo.vaai@dol.govt.nz Photo Caption:** Some various community meetings that the Pacific division have held.





	(Photos: SASNOC)

	SAMOA: PFL Samoa Sports Awards 2007: Semi-finalists Source: SASNOC Press Release After much anticipation, SASNOC is delighted to announce the following semi-finalists for the PFL Samoa Sports Awards 2007. The ninth category: 2007 Overall Sportsperson of the Year will be decided from the first 5 categories below. 2007 Semi-finalists for Male Athlete of the Year Aunese Curreen: Athletics • 27 years old • NZ National Club Competition (Hamilton): 1st 1500m • NZ National Championships (Inglewood): 1st place 800m (1.50.82) • Australia National Championships (Brisbane): 4th place 800m (1.49.61) • World Championships (Osaka): 7th in heats 800m (1.47.72) • Triple Gold Medal winner at the 2007 SPG: 800m, 1500m and 5000m Mikaele Pesamino: Rugby 7's • 20 years old • Top IRB 7's Try Scorer for 2006/7 with 43 tries • 4th Top IRB Points Scorer for 2006/7 with 231 points • Nominated for 2007 IRB 7's player of the series Samuelu Faialaga: Boxing • 25 years old • 2007 SPG: Gold Medal winner in 57kg division • Oceania Boxing Championships: Gold Medal in 57kg category 2007 Semi-finalists for NPI Female Athlete of the Year Ele Opeloge: Weightlifting • 23 years old • 2007SPG: Triple Gold Medalist in 75kg+ • Commonwealth Championships: Gold Medal 75kg+ • Oceania Championships: Gold Medal 75kg+ • Weightlifting World Cup: Gold Medal 75kg+ • Current Commonwealth, Oceania & South Pacific Record Holder in 75kg+ • Ranked 7th in the World for 75kg+ Pualele Atoa-Craig: Archery • 29 years old • 2007 SPG: Gold Medal in Women's Recurve individual competition • 2007 SPG: Bronze Medal in Recurve Women Maylani Ah Hoy: Tennis • 33 years old • 2007 Samoa Games: 1st place Women's Singles • 2007 SPG: Triple Gold Medalist: Women's Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Women's Team Event 2007 Semi-finalists for Young Samoan Male Athlete of the Year Shannon Humrich: Sailing • 18 years • 2007 SPG: Bronze Medal winner in Team Laser class Andrew Ah Liki: Archery • 18 years old • 2007 SPG: Silver Medalist: Men's Team Match Play Recurve • 2006 Oceania Games: Double Silver Medalist Iki Ikeroma: Wrestling • 18 years old • 2007 National Championships: 1st place • 2007 Oceania Championships: 1st place in 60kg Greco Roman & Freestyle • 2007SPG: Double Gold Medalist for 55kg in Greco Roman & Freestyle 2007 Semi-finalists for Young Samoan Female Athlete of the Year Steffi Carruthers: Tennis • 15 years old • ITF Tennis Tour (Victoria, Australia) Best Female Player, Triple Gold Medalist: Team Event, Junior Girls, Junior grass courts • Seeded #1 for the Samoa Junior Tennis National Team • Pacific Championships (Fiji), 1st place singles & doubles • Fiji-Pacific Oceania Junior Championships: Double Silver Medalist: Under 18 singles & Doubles • 2007 SPG Gold medal winner in Women's Team Event Luana Milroy: Sailing • 17 years old • 2007 SPG: Double Bronze Medal winner in individual Laser class & Team laser class Mary Opeloge: Weightlifting • 18 years old • 2007 SPG: Triple Gold Medal winner in 75kg class • Commonwealth and Oceania Championships, November 2007, 1st place in 75kg division 2007 Athlete with a Disability of the Year Mapu Eseese: Athletics • 46 years old • 2007 Oceania Paraolympics: Bronze medal winner in shotput 2007 Semi-finalists for Team of the Year Manu Samoa 7's • Winner of 2007 Wellington 7's (as pictured) • Winner of 2007 Hong Kong 7's • 3rd place overall in the 2007 IRB 7's World Series (only 8 points behind 1st place, NZ) • Played in 5 out of 8 finals in the 2007 IRB 7's World Series • SPG2007 Silver Medal in Rugby 7's 2007 SPG Mixed Touch Rugby Team • SPG2007 Gold Medalists in the Mixed Touch Rugby Competition • The only team sport that won Gold at the South Pacific Games 2007 other than Tennis. Samoa Women's Netball Team • 2007 Singapore Series (Samoa): 1st place • 2007 SPG: Silver Medalists • 2007 Commonwealth Games: ranked 5th • 2007 Netball World Championships: 6th place 2007 Semi-finalists for Coach of the Year Luafalealo Vitale: Samoa Amateur Boxing Association • Lalomauga Club Coach • Trophy for Champ of Champs • Oceania Championships: 3 Gold Medals • 2007 SPG: 6 Gold Medals • Coaching & training athletes in preparation for Beijing Olympics Fuimaono Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua: Samoa Rugby Union • IRB World Sevens Series: 1st place in Hong Kong • IRB World Sevens Series: 1st place in Wellington • 3rd place overall in the 2007 IRB 7's World Series (only 8 points behind 1st place, NZ) • Played in 5 out of 8 finals in the 2007 IRB 7's World Series George Mariner: Samoa Touch Rugby Association • Local Club Competition 2006-2007: 1st place • 2007 SPG: Gold Medal Winner for Mixed Grade • Contributed to development of Touch Rugby through working at primary school, college & club level 2007 Semi-finalists for Official / Administrator of the Year Noumea Simi: Samoa Netball Association Inc. • President Samoa Netball Association • Facilitated workshop for local bench officials for NZ champs • Organised Oceania bench officials courses for 2007 SPG • Coordinated Singapore Series in Samoa • Facilitated sponsorshp of Samoa Netball • Director of Media & Communications 2007 SPG • Attended & organised Oceania AGM in Apia during SPG Hellen Omeri-Levale: Samoa Softball Federation • Attended Oceania Umpiring Clinic (Samoa) & Sports Administration Course (Fiji) • Instrumental in developing & implementing SSF strategy since 2006 • Oversees all development programs • Conducted an umpire's clinic which resulted in Samoa's first umpires, levels 1 - 4. • Competition Manager for Softball SPG2007 • Oceania Softball Development Officer for Samoa 2007 Dominic Fa'agalu: Samoa Shooting Federation • Member of the Le Pe'a Shotgun Club affiliated to Samoa Shooting Federation • Graduated with an International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Diploma of Honour for shotgun Certified for four years as an international referee for all shotgun disciplines • Officiated as a referee during the 2007 South Pacific Games • Represented SSF at various SASNOC meetings • Set up a virtual museum of memorabilia of the history of the sport of Shooting in Samoa at his residence for all members • Choreographed both Manu Samoa siva tau for the Samoa Rugby Union and the Pacific Island Team Nominations opened on February 2nd and remained open in some categories right up until March 27th, before the SASNOC Board elected up to three semi-finalists in each category. There was a good response from Samoa Sporting Associations with over one third of SASNOC's 35 affiliated sports submitting nominations in at least one category. It was surprising however, that not all the medal winners from the 2007 SPG were nominated for the Awards. The judging panel, made up of only five members will have their work cut out for them in deciding the winners in the nine prestigious categories, but they will not make their final decisions until just a few hours before Awards. • President of SASNOC: Vaeolenofoafia Vui Tapasu Leung Wai (who will also act as Chair to the panel) • New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa: H.E. Caroline Bilkey • Assistant Minister of Ministry of Sport, Education, & Culture: Solamanumalo Keneti Sio • Journalism Association of Western Samoa (J.A.W.S.) Representative: Sioeli Alofaifo • SASNOC Representative: Pauli Lalau Willie Fong Not only will the winners of the nine categories be announced on the night of the Awards, there will also be up to five inductees for Samoa's Inaugural Hall of Fame, and a Special Award presentation on behalf of the International Olympic Committee based in Lausanne, Switzerland. We look forward to celebrating the Awards with you this Saturday 26th April 2008 from 6pm in the Weightlifting Gymnasium at the Faleata Sports Complex. Corporate tables of 8 are available now for ST$1000, with individual tickets being sold for ST$125. Ticket price includes: • a full buffet dinner catered by Apaula Heights, • a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages • the Official Programme for the Awards, and • Entertainment on the night. Book now with Lei at the SASNOC office phone:25033 or Janita phone: 7526707 or email <mailto:janita@sasnoc.ws> janita@sasnoc.ws We have a limited number of tables available for this event, so get in quick! Please note that all table and ticket payments are due by Thursday 24th April, 2008. Photo Caption: 2007 Semi-finalists for Team of the Year, Manu Samoa 7's; 2007 Semi-finalist for NPI Female Athlete of the Year, Ele Opeloge (Weightlifting); 2007 Semi-finalist for Male Athlete of the Year, Aunese Curreen (Athletics).



	(Photos: James Kneubuhl)

	AMERICAN SAMOA: ASCC Programs Focus on Career Opportunities Source: ASCC Press Release In the week leading up to Easter, two divisions at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) provided students with a greater awareness of career possibilities here in the Territory, as well as firsthand experience in working in the public and private sectors. The Upward Bound program held their 3rd Annual Career Activity, followed by a highly successful Career Fair organized by the Business Department for both Upward Bound and regular ASCC students. UPWARD BOUND Hosted by ASCC for many years, the federally-funded Upward Bound program provides educational opportunities and services for eligible high school students who meet federal criteria. The program offers academic and social skills development training to low income and first generation college-bound students with a grade point average between 2.5 and 3.5. A total of 50 Upward Bound students, including 10 from Manu’a, participated in this year’s Career Activity. The activity got underway on Saturday, March 15th, when the collective group of Upward Bound students took part in the Red-Cross Pick-a-Thon, then continued on Monday with the students attending an orientation session held at CNR/Land Grant on the ASCC campus. Following the orientation, the students separated into small groups to spend the next few days as observers and temporary workers in one of the 23 participating American Samoa Government, federal, private and ASCC offices. “The Career Activity really opened the eyes of our students,” said Upward Bound Program Director Elizabeth S. Leuma. “First, through taking part in the Pick-a-Thon, they experienced the satisfaction of community service. Then, working in the offices enabled them to see how professional organizations function. In most cases, the offices also assigned them tasks, which give the students a chance to demonstrate responsibility and feel like part of a team.” At the end of their site visits at the offices, each student submitted an evaluation of the experience, and in turn received an evaluation of their performance from the office hosting them. To conclude their Career Activity, the Upward Bound students spent the morning in the ASCC Career Day this past Thursday, before gathering at the Deluxe Café for their own program’s closing luncheon with their supervisors and guest speaker Dr. Seth Galea’i, President of ASCC. ASCC BUSINESS DEPARTMENT Titled “Expand Your Horizons”, last Thursday’s Career Day event for the general ASCC student body saw the Business Department transform the gymnasium into a “career fairground” that included over 20 booths staffed by representatives from businesses, the government, and education. From early morning till mid-afternoon, students filled the gymnasium as they browsed the many career and education options available locally. The event got underway with a welcoming ceremony, during which ASCC Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Irene Helsham and American Samoa Chamber of Commerce President David Robinson made special remarks, and for the rest of the day students had the option of either checking out the booths or participating in a series of seminars taking place simultaneously. A number of distinguished speakers lent their insights by participating in the seminars, including Sandra King-Young of PICED, Rep. Vaito’a Hans Langkilde, business student Miss Tualele Samau, and Herbert Thweatt of the American Samoa Small Business Development Center. To wrap things up, business students and the ASCC Ukulele Ensemble provided an hour’s worth of entertainment prepared especially for the event. Business Department Chairperson Dr. Faofua Fa’atoafe praised her students for taking on a lion’s share of the organizational duties to make the event a success. “Many of our courses require active participation in management and planning, advertising, salesmanship, accounting and other business-related activities,” she explained. “The organization of the Career Day gave the students a chance to display those skills, and you can tell by its success of the event what a fine job they did.” Under the supervision of Dr. Fa’atoafe and Business instructors Lam Yuen Jr. and Norma Lefiti, students handled most of the logistical planning, public relations, arranging of presenters and seminar participants, soliciting of sponsors, creation of visual displays, entertainment coordination and other activities which combined to make the event not only informative but also fun for all the participants. “An event like this gives the business community a chance to make connections with students, and vice versa,” said Dr. Fa’atoafe. “All of us have a stake in the economic future of our Territory, and someday these students could emerge as business leaders in our community, so creating a means of forming partnerships early on works to everyone’s benefit.” With the Career Day now a happy memory, Dr. Fa’atoafe and her students wasted no time in preparing for their next major activity, a business field trip to the Independent State of Samoa which will take place early in April. For more information on ASCC and its many programs and activities, visit the College’s web page at: www.amsamoa.edu. Photo Caption: In the week leading up to Easter, two divisions at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) provided students with a greater awareness of career possibilities here in the Territory, as well as firsthand experience in working in the public and private sectors.

	FIJI: Gender Experts Meet in Fiji for Pacific Consultation Source: UNDP Pacific Centre Civil society members working in the area of gender, government representatives and development partners concluded a two day meeting in Suva today that discussed Pacific perspectives on gender inequality. The discussions were part of the consultations on the process of preparing the Asia Pacific Regional Human Development report on Gender, and will feed into the report, which is being facilitated by the Human Development Report Unit of the UNDP Regional Centre Colombo. The two day Pacific consultation, held at the Holiday Inn in Suva followed the Asia consultation that was held in Malaysia from 14-15 April. The Pacific consultation discussed "unequal power and voice" that has been identified as the overarching framework for this work. The discussions also focused on gender socialization and identities which influence opportunities and choices for women and men, as well as sensitive aspects relating to gender that include cultural norms and practices. The meeting discussed the six themes under consideration for the report. These include gender and political and justice system gaps; economic gaps and the importance of investing in gender equality; energy and environment; gender based violence; gender in crisis prevention and recovery; and gender in the context of migration and mobility. The Pacific consultation while gathering Pacific perspectives on gender inequality also helped narrow down the core issues that will be addressed in the report. The Asia Pacific Regional Human Development Report on Gender will be the third in a regular series. The first in this series was the 2006 report "Trade on Human Terms: Transforming Trade for Human Development in Asia and the Pacific." The second, "Tackling Corruption, Transforming Lives: Accelerating Human Development for Asia and the Pacific" will be released soon.

	TAHITI: The Best Family Friendly Resorts in Tahiti Source: Trans World News Indulge your family with a vacation to the Tahitian Islands. Float through crystal clear lagoons, sail to private islands, enjoy a delicious picnic on the pearlescent beach, and explore the verdant tropical islands of Tahiti on a private tour with your family. Tahiti is a land of immense beauty that your family will remember for a lifetime. TravelWizard.com, the sophisticated traveler’s luxury vacation connection, has put together the following list family friendly resorts in Tahiti. Each of the Tahiti resorts listed is offering family friendly promotions and activities. Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa offers fifty percent off of meals for kids 14 and under, a children's program and a reduced rate when booking two lagoon view suites. Le Meridien Bora Bora Resort offers a reduced rate when booking two beach bungalows, a welcome gift for children, a 30 minute mini lagoon cruise for the family and free access to the kids garden. InterContinental Resort & Spa Moorea offers a reduced rate when booking two lanai rooms, kids 12 and under eat free, 12 -14 year olds receive fifty percent off, one free kid pass for every paying adult at the Moorea Dolphin center, a children's program and discounted family activities. Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa offers fifty percent off of meals for kids 14 and under and offers a reduced rate when booking two garden bungalows.

	TUVALU: Pacific Islanders could be New Class of Refugees Source: Solomon Islands Online With Tuvalu showing signs of the effect of climate change, the rest of the Pacific is under the same threat which could lead to Pacific Islanders creating a new class of refugees. An article published by the Inter Press Service (IPS) written by Marwaan Macan-Markar talks about this potential threat the region. The article, following the recent climate change talks in Bangkok, states that, 'A rapidly warming planet may soon create a new class of refugees -- those fleeing climate change in their homelands'. It goes on to quote a background note by the secretariat of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which states that, 'Tuvalu is showing signs of such a dire prospect. The Pacific island nation of some 12,000 people has already appealed to the governments of Australia and New Zealand to open their doors for its citizens to find a new home. The appeal stems from the Polynesian island "witnessing the salinisation of agricultural land and vanishing beaches due to sea-level rise." The Tuvaluan government wants to find new homes "for at least 3,000 people, and possibly its whole population, within the next few years"'. Tuvalu, which has been facing the issue of climate change which, through sea level rise, could completely submerge the fourth smallest country in the world, has made appeals to its neighbors to allow its people to resettle before disaster strikes. The article quotes Ian Fry, international environmental officer in Tuvalu's ministry of natural resources and lands, as saying, "The New Zealand government has approved a limited intake of about 17 people a year. The Australian government has rejected the appeal." He added that Tuvalu hopes to make another appeal to Canberra. "Climate change has become a security issue for us; the security of an entire nation is being threatened by global warming. Tuvalu may be uninhabitable in 30 years if there is no global action to stop the sea-level rising." 'In fact, Tuvalu's predicament is shared by island-nations that belong to a 38-member bloc, the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). And for this group, the week-long climate change talks in Bangkok has offered another platform to raise the alarm about their survival if the world fails to drastically cut greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions, and if there is no aid to help the SIDS adapt to the ravages of climate change'. For SIDS, the issue is not just about fighting a global phenomenon that threatens the world but it is about the survival of its people. It is the SIDS that will be immediately threatened by sea level rise caused by climate change. If their homes disappear, all inhabitants of these nations will lose not only their home but their culture and way of life and all which make up their identity. And the rest of the world will be faced with the issue of groups of people with no home, not as a result of war or politics or such but because what was once their home is simply not there anymore. According to the article, 'what SIDS wants through the climate change talks is a course of action that will help its members to avoid the plight of Tuvalu. "We want to avoid moving to a foreign country. We are trying to address this problem before it becomes an issue beyond our control," Pasha Carruthers, head of the Cook Islands delegation at the Bangkok talks, told IPS'.

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