Christina Persico

Bulletin Editor at RNZ Pacific

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Articles

Book aims to share Niuean culture

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Susana Suisuiki |Christina Persico

A children's book on Niuean culture has just been released in New Zealand. Titled, Hunt for Niu Tupu, the story is about a young girl and her grandfather in Niue examining niu (coconuts) in their backyard. The book's author, Inangaro Vakaafi, said the book is a reflection of the adventurous life of a child growing up in the islands. "You can find so much adventure in your backyard, especially in Niue where I grew up," she told Pacific Waves.
Samoa men qualify for the HSBC SVNS play-off competition

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Christina Persico

The Samoa men's sevens team has qualified for a playoff to try and return to the sport's top tier. Samoa defeated Canada 28-5 in the semifinals of the second-tier World Rugby Sevens Challenger event in Krakow, Poland, before going down to Portugal 24-19 in the final. But the result was enough to see them qualify for the promotion/relegation tournament in Los Angeles (LA) next month.
The climate question: where COP fits into the world's response

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Christina Persico

A Pacific climate change advisor, who has attended multiple iterations of the United Nations climate summit, the Conference of Parties (COP), says it is not perfect, but it is the only process the world currently has. Each year, heads of state and climate activists travel from around the world to discuss international climate change policy. The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) supports Pacific countries in their COP strategies and presentations.
Samoa’s Lelei Lelaulu Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize

2 weeks ago | pacific.scoop.co.nz | Christina Persico

Article – RNZThere are 338 candidates nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific Bulletin EditorA Samoan man, Lelei LeLaulu, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He is a development entrepreneur working at the confluence of climate change, tourism, food security and renewable energy. The Samoa Observer reported his career spans journalism, global development, and policy reform.
Samoa's Lelei LeLaulu nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Christina Persico

A Samoan man, Lelei LeLaulu, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He is a development entrepreneur working at the confluence of climate change, tourism, food security and renewable energy. The Samoa Observer reported his career spans journalism, global development, and policy reform. He has advised organizations such as the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and the United Nations, and chaired numerous NGOs, including currently the Earth Council Alliance.
Health ministry urges public to 'destroy mosquito breeding places' after Fijian student dies from dengue

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Christina Persico

Fiji's Ministry of Health has confirmed a secondary school student in the Western Division on the main island of Viti Levu has died of dengue fever. A medical team conducted its investigation and awareness at the deceased's school, Xavier College in Ba, and also at his home. The ministry has been spraying adult mosquitoes on these premises, and conducting clean-ups and spraying in hotspot areas in Ba with 70 percent coverage, as well as disease investigations with 60 percent coverage.
Fiji men's team grouped with NZ, Australia and Spain for SVNS World Championship

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Christina Persico

The pools have been drawn for the SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles next month. The championship pools, which are based on rankings, were confirmed at the conclusion of Singapore Sevens at the weekend. The top eight teams at the conclusion of the regular season round of the 2025 HSBC SVNS will compete for the title. Three-time world player of the year Daniel Carter said in the rugby calendar it was nice to have something to work towards.
Sainthood has 'boosted morale and faith', says PNG bishop

3 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Susana Suisuiki |Christina Persico

"Not only Papua New Guinea, but for the whole of the Pacific, this is big news and a big blessing."A Catholic bishop in Papua New Guinea has expressed his pride over the country's first saint, Blessed Peter To Rot. Bishop Rosario Menesez from the Lae Diocese told Pacific Waves the news has boosted the public's morale and faith.
Traditional West Papua craft on display in Auckland

3 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Susana Suisuiki |Christina Persico

A PhD candidate from West Papua has launched an exhibition at the University of Auckland based on her research into 'noken', or finely woven string bags. Veronika Kanem has spent the past four years researching the traditional craft, particularly within the Muyu Tribe of Southern West Papua. The noken bag is often used in cultural ceremonies, bridewealth payment, or a child's initiation into adulthood. The bags are painstakingly created from various natural fibres of plants and tree bark.
Fijian man recalls harrowing experience during Myanmar's deadly earthquake

3 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Susana Suisuiki |Christina Persico

A Fiji expatriate living in Myanmar says the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the Southeast Asian nation last Friday was traumatising. The earthquake near the city of Mandalay has killed more than 2000 people. Manasa Qaranivalu was at work in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, when the earthquake struck. He told Pacific Waves that he was in a "panic mode" and thought his office building was going to collapse on him.