Finau Fonua

Auckland

Journalist at Radio New Zealand (RNZ)

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Articles

Village banishments in Samoa are becoming more political - ABC Pacific

1 day ago | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua

In Samoa, the controversial practice of people being banished from their villages has been highlighted by recent media reports. Last week, Samoa Observer reported a matai chief was controversially banished from the village of Fausaga for making rude social media comments against a senior chief. In another unrelated report, a man was found by Samoa's Land court to have been wrongfully banished after he testified in a police case against a politician.
Village banishments in Samoa are becoming more politically motivated - ABC Pacific

1 day ago | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua

In Samoa there are concerns the practice of banishing people from villages is being abused and has become politically motivated. Last week, the Samoa Observer reported a matai chief was banished from the village of Fausaga for making rude comments on social media against a senior chief. Separately, a man was found by Samoa's Land Court to have been wrongfully banished after he testified in a police case against a politician.
Pacific Island culture on display at Melbourne's TOPA festival

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua

Melbourne's multicultural festival, the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts is currently underway with traditional and contemporary art, fashion, music and performances on display in community halls, museums and galleries throughout the city. The three week event is held annually in the art and fashion capital of Australia...offering an opportunity for the public to experience Asian and Pacific island cultures.
Destanee bows out of Australian Open - ABC Pacific

Jan 16, 2025 | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua

Samoan-Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava has bowed out of the Australian Open after a gritty second-round match loss to American Danielle Collins. Aiava lost the first set before winning in the second, but Collins the world number 11 rallied to win the third set against the crowd favourite. The Melbourne-based player won her first grand slam last week when she defeated Belgian Greet Minnen.
Over 200,000 Fijians believed to be squatting, according to Oxfam

Dec 10, 2024 | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua

Fiji may be among the more developed of Pacific economies, but recent reports says around 200,000 people or a fifth of the total population are living in squatter settlements. It's prompted charities - Oxfam and Fiji's Habitat for Humanity to urge the government to do more to help those living in poverty. "It's a huge problem," said Susana Naidu, director for Fiji's Habitat for Humanity.
Global powers rebuke Vanuatu's case for climate accountability

Dec 4, 2024 | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua

Vanuatu's special envoy to the International Court of Justice, has denounced submissions made by the Australian, US, Saudi Arabian, and Chinese Governments at a hearing on climate change accountability. The world's highest court is meeting for two weeks to consider whether states have obligations beyond international climate accords like the Paris Agreement.
Victoria's first Pasifika MP salutes family ties in her maiden speech

Nov 27, 2024 | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua

Samoan woman Anasina Gray-Barberio made history earlier this month when she was sworn into Victoria's Parliament - making her the first Pasifika MP ever in Australia's second most populous state. In her maiden speech in Parliament, on Wednesday, the MP paid tribute to her Samoan background and family while raising the concerns of her Australian constituency. Melbourne's Pasifika community was there to mark the event, and a choir sang hymns from the parliament's hallway.
US Pacific Islanders head to the polls

Nov 5, 2024 | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua

The presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is predicted to be a tight and fiercely contested event. Among the voting demographics are Americans of Pacific Islander heritage, who make up only 0.5% of the US population. The two states with the most Pacific Islanders - Hawaii and California - are likely to vote democrat. But in other areas of the country with significant Pacific Islander populations, the results could go either way. Voter concerns are also varied.
Fijians celebrate Diwali with public holiday

Oct 30, 2024 | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua

Tomorrow, Fiji celebrates Diwali with a public holiday. Diwali is the most important day on the Hindu calendar and Fiji is among only a handful of countries to mark it with a public holiday. But for many in Fiji, Diwali is also a statement of social cohesion, an event which pays tribute to Indo-Fijians, who make up nearly half of the country's population. Helping the country's most vulnerable is a key feature of Diwali celebrations in Fiji.
Trump campaign targets Pacific Islanders with the help of Tulsi Gabbard

Oct 30, 2024 | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua

There are over 1.4 million Pacific Islander Americans, a demo-graph which makes up 0.5% of the US population. Despite its small size, Pacific Islander Americans have been targeted as a voting block by the Republican campaign ahead the US elections next week. Republican candidate, Donald Trump, held a rally last week targeting Pacific Islander American voters.