Finau Fonua

Auckland

Journalist at Radio New Zealand (RNZ)

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Articles

Concerns over lifting of sea cucumber ban in Solomon Islands

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua

Conservationists in Solomon Islands are questioning a decision by the Solomon Islands government to lift a ban on the harvesting of sea cucumbers. The ban which has been in place since 2022, after a study revealed a dwindling sea cucumber population. The Government says the decision will economically benefit communities, but environmentalist Lawrence Makili (Mah-Kee-Lee) says it's unsustainable and threatens the species' survival.
Pioneering Māori scholar Mākereti Papakura to receive posthumous degree from Oxford University

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua |Dinah Lewis Boucher

Groundbreaking Māori scholar Mākereti Papakura will be posthumously awarded a degree from the University of Oxford nearly 100 years after starting her studies. Born in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1873, Papakura is believed to be the first Indigenous woman to attend Oxford, and her pioneering research on Māori culture has had a lasting impact on both academic and Māori communities.
Solomon Islands investigates missing mine money

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua

The Solomon Islands government has announced the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate millions of dollars in missing mine payments. Mines Minister Derick Manuari says the commission will investigate what happened to money from 33 shipments of bauxite from the country's southern province of Rennel between 2017 and 2019.
Oxford University honours pioneer Maori Scholar - ABC Pacific

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Finau Fonua

Oxford University has announced it will be honouring one of its alumni, the late Mākereti Papakura, with a posthumous degree. Born in 1873, Ms Papakura was a pioneering Maori scholar who enrolled at Oxford University in 1922. She became a widely regarded researcher, providing her insight of Maori culture and language at a time when it was marginalized. Tragically, Papakura passedaway in 1930, just weeks before she was due to present her thesis.
Cost of living, the economy and immigration key issues for Pasifika voters

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

Pacific Islanders in the state of Victoria will be among the 18 million voters in Australia set to head to the polls tomorrow. According to regional statistics, just under 80,000 Victorians are of Pacific Islander heritage, of which over 28,000 were born in the islands. There are no statistics available on where Australia's Pacific Islander demographic leans towards in federal elections.
Pasifika voters heading to the Australian polls say cost of living, climate, immigration, and the economy key issues influencing their vote

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

Program: Pasifika voters heading to the Australian polls say cost of living, climate, immigration, and the economy key issues influencing their vote6h ago6 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 8:00pmSpace to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Village banishments in Samoa are becoming more political - ABC Pacific

1 month 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 month 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

Feb 25, 2025 | 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.