May 23rd 2013
Rose Matafeo wins Billy T award
New Zealand comedian Rose Matafeo has taken out this year's Billy T award for her show in the 2013 NZ International Comedy Festival.
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May 22nd 2013
ISSUE 56 EXCLUSIVE
Style SPASIFIK
Bianca Fallon has spent eleven years in the fashion industry. She is owner of Media Makeup and free-lances as a top hair, makeup and fashion stylist. The beauty queen came into the SPASIFIK office to show our very own STYLE reporter an everyday makeup tutorial.
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May 21st 2013
YWCA Samoa to develop young women’s leadership
The YWCA of Samoa has been dormant for the past few years but a new partnership with the YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand, funded by the World YWCA, is seeking to revitalise the organisation and give young women opportunities to lead and address issues throughout Samoa.
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May 20th 2013
Two titles to Maori beauty queen at Miss World NZ
NGATI Porou beauty Angela Cudd walked away with two sashes at the Miss World NZ 2013 pageant.
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May 14th 2013
Tongan mother wins Business Woman Award
A mother of five, Siunipa Nimo, won a business award last week (May 10) for improving her small homemade baking business using the South Pacific Business Development Microfinance program.
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May 13th 2013
Former Maori Broadcaster headed for NZ parliament
Former Maori broadcaster Claudette Hauiti is next in line to take over from Aaron Gilmore after bad behaviour at a restaurant forced him to resign from parliament yesterday.
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May 13th 2013
Student bringing technology to traditional Samoan houses
Using modern technology in the construction of traditional Samoan homes is the aim of research by Victoria University architecture student, Carinnya Feaunati.
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6th May 2013
Health: Get your bike on
Want to lose weight quickly, tone and strengthen your body? Then all you have to do is feel the force. Dr Nathan Johnson, of the University of Sydney and spokesman for Exercise and Sports Science Australia, says to Sydney Morning Herald that spinning “hits the sweet spot, it’s just the type of exercise we’d like people to do.
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April 30th 2013
Fiji's Fashion Week in doubt
The prospects for Fiji Fashion Week in 2013 are in serious doubt because of a lack of support from sponsors even after financial contribution from naming rights sponsor MHCC.
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April 29th 2013
From the South Pacific to the Beijing Dance Academy
Five Dance Studies students from The University of Auckland spent their summer holidays teaching and researching dance in communities across New Zealand and Tonga.
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April 24th 2013
Lineti Curran's legacy lives on - by Michelle Curran
To meet Lineti Matafingenoa Curran (nee Thompson) was an honour, being her granddaughter was a privilege. When asked to write a memoir of my Nana following her passing in February, there were many things I wanted to share.
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April 17th 2013
Ngai Tahu beauty wins Miss Teen Australia
A Ngāi Tahu descendant has been crowned Miss Teenager Australia 2013. 16-year-old Jasmine Stringer will represent Australia in the upcoming 2013 international pageant taking place in July in Panama, South America.
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April 17th 2013
Manalani English wins Miss Aloha Hula 2013
Maui took top honors in the first night of the 50th Anniversary edition of the Merrie Monarch hula festival in Hilo, Hawai’i, with both entrants from the Valley Isle taking the top two spots in the first night of competition.
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April 9th 2013
ISSUE 55 EXCLUSIVE
Style SPASIFIK: DIY Special
It is all about DIY this issue! Here are few easy ideas you can easily try at home.
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April 8th 2013
Women in the Solomon Islands make flowers pay
In Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, women are taking the lead in developing a burgeoning floriculture industry. At the same time, their enterprise is contributing to community resilience as rapid urbanisation exceeds employment opportunities and challenges the economic wellbeing of many urban families.
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April 5th 2013
PNG Community Development Minister hails new law for women
Papua New Guinea Parliament has finally passed the National Council of Women’s bill, which gives women greater access to representation in all levels of government.
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April 4th 2013
Top model a hit on the international stage
Crowned New Zealand's Next Top Model in 2010, the girl from Kawerau admits she quickly became disillusioned with modelling not long after winning the title and left the bright lights to return to her home town.
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April 4th 2013
Concerns Fiji constitution ignores women's rights
A leading Fijian political activist has accused the interim government of ignoring women in the country’s draft constitution. Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, co-ordinator of the women’s organisation Femlink Pacific, has told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat that references to women’s rights in the previous draft have been removed.
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April 2nd 2013
Samoa has first woman Supreme Court justice
Samoa’s first woman Supreme Court judge, Justice Ida Malosi, was sworn in last week by the Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi.
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March 26th 2013
New Tonga paper to focus on women and climate change
The editor of a newly launched newspaper in Tonga says he hopes the bi-monthly publication will act as an educational tool on important social issues affecting people in the Kingdom.
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March 22nd 2013
Indigenous designers and models from Australia and New Zealand create history
The world of fashion is set to be captivated by striking collections created by Indigenous designers and worn by the largest gathering of Indigenous models.
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March 22 2013
Pasifika fellow shines spotlight on Samoa
Interdisciplinary artist Shigeyuki Kihara, who is presenting a public lecture at the Wellington campus next week (March 27) is the first recipient of the 2013 Pasifika Arts Fellowship at Massey’s College of Creative Arts.
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March 20th 2013
Samoan author launches debut novel “Illumine Her” on Amazon
Illumine Her is a supernatural love story set in the South Pacific. Spanning several years, it follows the life of Alana Vilo, the heroine of this tale, as she journeys from someone emotionally devoid from the loss of her father to a woman with aspirations and determination. Chase Malek, the mysterious hero, helps usher her into this phase of her life.
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March 18th 2013
Health: Distracted eaters take in more calories
People who eat meals or snacks while watching TV, playing games or reading tend to consume more calories in a sitting, and especially later in the day, according to a review of two dozen past studies.
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March 15th 2013
Journalist encourages women participation in Parliament
A journalist believes Fiji and other Pacific Island countries can take a leaf out of the New Caledonia government’s book in promoting women participation in parliament.
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March 15th 2013
Successful PNG cervical screening and treatment pilot
The pilot of a globally successful cervical cancer early intervention programme is showing good early results at two hospitals in the Papua New Guinea Highlands.
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March 13th 2013
Ladi6 returns with new single and video
Samoan songstress, Ladi6 has today released "Ikarus" - the first single and music video from her third studio album.
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March 12th 2013
PM's Youth Programme changing lives
Maoti Mafi admits she struggled to think about planning for her future through education. But it changed for the Samoan student from Rutherford College in Te Atatu, west Auckland when selected for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme.
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March 12th 2013
Samoan women cut their hair for NZ Cancer Society
The loss of loved ones to Cancer inspired two young Samoan women to cut their hair. 18 year old Siaouli Maea and 30 year old Sa Sulusi took part in a special hair cutting ceremony held last weekend (March 2nd) in Petone, Wellington.
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March 11th 2013
P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A Launches Manukau Branch
The South Auckland branch of P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A Inc was officially launched on Women’s International Day 2013. The celebration kicked off with an early morning breakfast at the AUT University Manukau Campus.
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March 11th 2013
Health: Foods that are good for thought
How we eat can improve not just the function of our tickers, but also the longevity of our noggins. In his new book, 'Power Foods for the Brain', Neal Barnard (an associate professor at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences) outlines his nutrition plan to stave off Alzheimer's and dementia.
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March 8th 2013
First woman cabinet minister in Palau takes her oath of office
The first woman cabinet member for Palau’s ninth constitutional government has officially taken her oath of office. Baklai Temengil was sworn in last month to head north Pacific island nation’s Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs.
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March 8th 2013
Women's World Banking forum strengthens Pacific ties
Women’s World Banking (WWB) launched a highly interactive, practitioner-driven event that brought leading members of their global network, together with leaders of banks, microfinance institutions, and other bodies from the Pacific region.
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March 7th 2013
Six PNG women recruited into defence force
Six young Papua New Guinean women are amongst a group of 36 Officer Cadets that were commissioned to undertake a tough and enduring 18 months training at the Papua New Defence Force Officer Cadet School.
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March 7th 2013
Fiji National Council of Women plan a night market for International Women’s Day
The National Council of Women says that this year economic empowerment will be the focus of International Women’s Day.
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March 5th 2013
HRH Princess Angelika Latufuipeka
ProComm Services, a new Help Line-Call Centre for telecommunications services in Tonga was officially launched by Princess Angelika this week (Feb 28) at the Tungi Collonade, Nuku'alofa.
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March 4th 2013
Cook Island sisters compete to be New Zealand's next top supermodel
Two Aitutaki sisters are among hundreds of hopefuls vying to be New Zealand’s next top supermodel. Marito Maoate (24) and younger sister Moana (17) have entered ‘Supermodel New Zealand’ pageant 2013.
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February 1st 2013
Samoan leader takes fight to eliminate violence against women to the UN
Betty is the Chief Executive Officer of 'The Project'; a Pacific-led social services agency working with Auckland's Pasifika community at the grassroots level.
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February 28th 2013
Fiji signs commitment to combat violence against women
Seven out of ten women have experienced violence in their lifetime and violence against women and girls are the most pervasive human rights violation.
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February 28th 2013
Women protest against violence in PNG
Women in Lae, Papua New Guineas second largest city, are staging a sit in protest against the appalling trend of violence against women and lack of respect from men.
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February 27th 2013
SOSENE STANDS FOR SUPERCITY
Community board representative for the Mangere-Otahuhu Ward, Lydia Sosene, will seek re election in this years Auckland local government elections. Lydia of Samoan decent has over 22 years of experience working in the public sector.
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February 26th 2013
Jump training for bones
When was the last time you hopped, skipped or jumped? These are movements that often vanish from our lives when we leave childhood and school sports behind. Yet they’re also the kind of high impact activities that grown up bones really thrive on.
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February 22nd 2013
SpasifSugas in the City
The show will find out three things you would never have guessed about Cat and will also feature your favourites Pani and Pani and special guest Aunty Tala.
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February 21st 2013
New Vanuatu Women’s Centre opened
In his two-day visit to Vanuatu Australia’s Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, Vanuatu took the opportunity to unveil the plaque marking the opening of the new Vanuatu Women’s Centre (VWC).
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February 21st 2013
Fiji Water introduces fashion savvy straw-cap bottle
Fiji Water has redefined fashion with the introduction of specially designed water bottles aimed to benefit women particularly those who do not want to smear their lipstick while drinking.
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February 20th 2013
Feel fabulous and be part of the Pinikilicious Campaign
The Pinikilicious Organising Committee in association with the Mafutaga Ekalesia So’ofa’atasi Porirua (MESP) are calling all women, young and old in the Porirua and areas nearby to be part of the Pinikilicious campaign, a community outreach program for Pasifika women.
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February 19th 2013
Tongan teens feature in new theatre production
English folk dancing isn't commonly associated with Tongan teenagers. But audiences will get the chance to see just that in a play looking at the relationship between the two cultures and the pressure for Tongan students to succeed at high school.
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February 19th 2013
PACIFICA Manukau branch to launch on International Womens Day
The dreams and aspirations of Pacific women in South Auckland will be realised on the 8 March when they celebrate International Women's Day with a breakfast and launch their own PACIFICA branch.
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February 18th 2013
One Billion Rising to raise awareness of rape and violence against women
Across Asia, the Pacific and the rest of the globe, women, men and children are coming together to call for an end to rape and violence against women. And they’re doing it with dance.
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February 15th 2013
Vanuatu women’s group receives financial aid from Australia
The Vanuatu Women’s Centre says funding from Australia has enabled the organisation to purchase its own building in the capital.
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February 15th 2013
Women on the frontline in Fiji
Women police officers on Vanua Levu, Fiji will now take the frontline in cracking down on sexual offences in the division helping to maintain a friendly environment to victims of such offences.
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February 14th 2013
Beauty: How to eat better and look younger
There's no point shelling out huge sums on face creams and eye serums if your diet isn't up to scratch. Pop these 10 things on your plate and anti-age from the inside out.
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February 13th 2013
Professor wins Matauranga category at Maori of the Year Awards
Waikato University Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori Professor Linda Smith has won the Mātauranga category at the Ngā Toa Whakaihuwaka – Māori of the Year Awards.
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February 12th 2013
Alaska student collects 50,000 books for Tonga
A University of Alaska Anchorage student has collected 50-thousand books to be housed at a Tonga library still in the works, in the aftermath of a 2009 earthquake that triggered a devastating tsunami.
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February 11th 2013
Launch of 'Here are the Women'
“Here are the Women” is a powerful publication, bringing visibility and voice to the substantial number of women currently leading organisations across the Pacific. It leaves no doubt about the breadth and expertise of women’s leadership at local levels.
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February 11th 2013
Elimination of violence against women in the Pacific
Pacific gender experts are strategising to represent the region’s interests at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 57th Session in New York next month.
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February 11th 2013
Pacific MPs join forces to further women's cause
Australian Parliamentary Speaker Anna Burke has just devoted a precious spare weekend to yet another meeting, squeezed between two full sitting weeks.
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February 8th 2013
Calls to increase Pacifica Midwife numbers supported
Karen Guilliland, NZ College of Midwives Chief Executive, agrees with the reviewers of the CMDHB maternity services that there is an urgent need to increase the number of Pacifika midwives in the Counties Manakau area. CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 8th 2013
Fiji Women's Rights Movement oppose trademark of Kesakesa designs
The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement strongly objects the attempt made by Fiji Airways to trade the traditional kesakesa design.
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February 7th 2013
Beauty: Natural beauty looks for free
Island girls are known for their natural beauty. Check out these tips to find out how you can go without a scrap of makeup and still look absolutely gorgeous
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February 5th 2013
Historic election for three Palau women
The Palau General Elections last year (6 Nov) landed three women into Parliamentary seats.
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February 5th 2013
New President for Tonga Sports Association and Olympic Committee
Lady Robyn Tu’ivakano was elected as the new President of the Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) at the 2012 General Assembly Election, held at the TASANOC office, Haveluloto last week (Jan 31). She takes over the presidency from Lord Tupou.
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February 4th 2013
Wellington to celebrate Waitangi Day in style with Ladi6
Wellington’s in for a musical treat this Waitangi Day with Canterbury soul diva Ladi6 set to light up a day filled with free events and activities on the waterfront as part of Te Rā o Waitangi – a celebration organised by Wellington City Council and Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust.
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February 4th 2013
Tonga women urge government to work on gender equality
A Tongan Women’s agency says the latest review of human rights by the United Nations is a wake up call for the government and civil society to speed up progress on gender equality and domestic violence laws.
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February 1st 2013
Violence against Fiji women 'under-represented in media'
Fiji’s Emerging Leaders Forum Alumni (ELFA) says violence against girls and women is usually under-represented in the media and there is nearly always a lack of public outrage.
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February 1st 2013
Beauty: Feed your locks with foods for strong hair
Many of us SPASIFIK Sisters spend a fortune on expensive hair products for healthier tresses. However, the truth is, beautiful hair starts with our diets. Healthy hair is nourished hair, and that means supplying our bodies with the nutrients they need.
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February 1st 2013
Tautai Artist in Residence- Jean Melesaine Leasiolagi
Jean Melesaine Leasiolagi is the successful recipient of the Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust Artist Residency 2013.
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