BUSTING the MYTHS around STROKE
A Pacific language video series by the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is highlighting key facts around stroke, in an attempt to bust the myths around this neurological disease. Stroke is a disease of the brain
Working together to increase the number of Pacific and Māori midwives
Under a new government initiative, New Zealand’s five midwifery education providers will work together to support the success of Māori and Pasifika students and increase the number of midwives in our Pacific and
Decolonising possibilities: the path to advancing trans-Indigenous possibilities
A program driven by the School of Culture, History & Language at the Australian National University Across the world, the university system has advanced colonial modes of education and research through its intrinsic
Dynamic Shift in Teaching Methodology at the University of Fiji
The University of Fiji has recognized the need to adjust to the ‘new normal’ where minimal physical interaction and an increased reliance on technology have become necessary in educational institutions and
MEET THE MENTOR NEELAM MAHARAJ: BUSINESSWOMAN AND MENTOR
Businesswoman Neelam Maharaj is a mentor with South Pacific Business Developments’ Fiji Bloom program. With her sister Neelma, she has built up three businesses from scratch learning many valuable business lessons
Pacific Islands need technology more than travel bubbles
A pathway to reopening Pacific Island tourism in parallel with the roll out of NZ’s COVID-19 vaccination programme in 2021 would be a significant economic boost for the region. While NZ
LOIMATA film wins Grand Prix at FIFO
Documentary LOIMATA, The Sweetest Tears, has just won the Grand Prix du Jury at Tahiti’s prestige FIFO, (Festival International du Film Documentaire Océanien). Produced and written by AUT Senior Lecturer
Leading skills innovation in the region
The Australia Pacific Training Coalition is an Australian Government-funded initiative in partnership with the Pacific. As Australia’s flagship technical and vocational education and training (TVET) investment in the
The importance of watercare for sustainable healthcare
A Papua New Guinea case studySustainability is rarely an easy road to travel and Hydroflux Epco’s latest sewage treatment project, in Papua New Guinea (PNG), is a textbook case of determination and persistence to
SPBD Releases TC Yasa Loans
South Pacific Business Development Fiji has launched its TC Yasa Rehabilitation Loan Programme, with 361 loans totalling $1.22 million processed in the first release. The loans were handed over in Labasa and Savusavu in
Protecting food security in the face of COVID-19
SPC Land Resources DivisionIn a move to help boost food security as the Pacific recovers from COVID-19, The Pacific Community’s (SPC) Land Resources Division (LRD) has established two rapid response projects: The
BUILDING COMMUNITIES: Providing safe and sanitary water supply in the Pacific
Providing basic access to safe water and services is essential in achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in the Pacific region. However, access to improved sanitation is uneven in the region. According to UNICEF,
Woman Dairy farmer benefits from Agriculture programme
Reducing Fiji’s dairy import bill is one of the key focuses of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Dairy Industry Support programme. Agriculture Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ritesh Dass said the programme was designed to help
Karyon Organic: The Key to Soil Health & Fertility
Farmers all around the world experience the same problem; over time, their crop yield slowly drops, the amount of fertiliser they need to use (as well as the amount of money they must spend) goes up, and their crops
Sacred concept of the vā underpins study
New Pacific research from AUT puts the sacred concept of the vā at the heart of its study. For pan-Pacific peoples, the vā is generally acknowledged as the relational spaces that bind and unify all people and
SPBD Responds to TC Yasa
Cyclone Yasa bought a wet and windy full stop to a very difficult year for Fiji’s people. South Pacific Business Development Fiji General Manager, Elrico Munoz, says their Vanua Levu, Rabi and Taveuni clients were
SPC: Health and wellness resources available for Pacific People
According to the World Health Organization global health survey in 2016, 71% of deaths globally were due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In the Pacific, NCDs are the leading cause of deaths accounting for 75% of
AUT Pacific researchers win HRC funding
Five Pacific researchers have received 2021 from the Health Research Council (HRC). The HRC’s annual career development awards foster and sustain New Zealand’s health research workforce. In 2020, more than $13
Neptune Pacific Direct Line
When Neptune and PDL joined into what would become Neptune Pacific Direct Line (NPDL) in March 2020, we never imagined the unprecedented challenges our world would face in response to COVID-19. The road to full recovery
AUT Associate Professor receives inaugural PHANZ Pasifika Award
Associate Professor Dr El-Shadan Tautolo has been recognised for his outstanding achievement and leadership in Pacific public health. The Public Health Association of New Zealand honours outstanding contributions to the
Karyon: improving crop yields, reducing hidden hunger
Vanua Levu farmer, Isikeli is one of the many Fijians who saw his property destroyed during Tropical Cyclone Yasa in late 2020. The roof of his home came off in the strong winds. But the first thing he is
Fiji Bloom: Nurturing Businesses from the Ground Up
Fiji’s first business accelerator program for micro-entrepreneurs successfully graduated nine businesswomen in a simple ceremony last November. An intensive six-month program, which combines formal training sessions
20 Years of Investing in Pacific Women
20 years ago, serial social entrepreneur Greg Casagrande made his first foray into the Pacific Islands, setting up the South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Samoa operations with the aim of helping women in need to