Teuila Fuatai

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Teuila Fuatai

Education advocates in Aotearoa New Zealand say a government decision to remove special funding for Pacific and Māori students in vocational training harks back to the days of a one-size-fits-all model. The funding cut applies to a per-student subsidy for Pacific and Māori enrolments at polytechnics and private training institutions. Currently, the subsidiary is used to help fund dedicated support services for these students.

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Teuila Fuatai

The third UN Ocean Conference kicks off on Monday in Nice, France. Leaders, civil society groups, scientists and businesses, including those from the Pacific region, are due to attend the week-long summit. Dr Filimon Manoni, the current Pacific Ocean Commissioner, will be among the Pacific contingent at the conference. His role, established through the Pacific Islands Forum architecture, is to advocate for ocean priorities regionally and internationally.

3 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Teuila Fuatai

New research from the Lowy Institute shows the world's poorest countries will make record high debt repayments to China this year. The research, released last month, showed China is set to call in US$22 billion for debts from 75 countries assessed by the World Bank as the world's poorest and most vulnerable in 2025. Ten Pacific nations were on the list. China's foreign ministry, meanwhile, denies Beijing is responsible for developing debt.

3 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Teuila Fuatai |Iliesa Tora |Christina Persico

A New Zealand-born Niuean educator says being recognised in the King's Birthday honours list reflects the importance of connecting young tagata Niue in Aotearoa to their roots. Mele Ikiua, who hails from the village of Hakupu Atua in Niue, has been named a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to vagahau Niue language and education. She told RNZ Pacific the most significant achievement in her career to date had been the promotion of vagahau Niue in the NCEA system.

4 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Teuila Fuatai

Community leaders say a funding injection for Pacific wardens could pave the way for a national structure similar to the Māori wardens model. Pacific wardens are volunteers who provide support at big community events and activities. They operate in different parts of the country, including Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Waikato. Among this year's budget announcements was NZ$1 million in funding for the Auckland Pacific Wardens Trust.