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National Government are to blame for breach of suppression order

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on February 13th, 2011

The breach of name suppression of two sex abuse victims by the Ministry of Justice is a mistake that should never have happened and is another example of the National Government’s failure to protect the rights of victims.

Simon Power says he will be asking questions of the officials tomorrow morning to ascertain how this mistake occurred, when really he should be pointing the finger at himself and his Government. The slash and burn cuts that the National Government have continued to make across the public sector, are inevitably going to result in mistakes being made. The funding cuts to resources and jobs across the sector – equate to, additional pressure being placed on those still working there – leaving them stretched beyond the limit. Mistakes are bound to happen in this kind of working environment. The scary thing is there will probably be more made across the public sector, unless the National Government wake up to the fact that you can’t expect high levels of service, when funding and subsequently corners are being cut left right and centre.

The National Government has been vocal over the past year about suppression orders being breached but if victims can’t trust the Ministry of Justice to protect their anonymity in cases where suppression orders have been granted, then how can they reasonably expect the media or any other group or individual to adhere to stipulations of suppression orders.

Family members have stated that the victims would not have come forward had they known they were going to be publicly identified. The psychological damage that an incident like this causes those victims must be of the utmost concern to the Government. My concern now is that a case like this is likely to have an impact on other victims of sexual abuse victims, stepping forward out of fear that their details might be ‘accidentally’ released to the public.

An apology to victims will now be too late – their details have been splashed on a Government website for the public to see. There’s nothing that the Government can do to take that back.

Filed under: Victims' rights, justice
52 Comments

Risk of increased violence against women during the Rugby World Cup

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on February 10th, 2011

Like the vast majority of New Zealander’s, I’m a rugby fan, infact I’ve even played a few games during my lifetime.  Like most Kiwis I’m excited about the fact that we’re hosting the Rugby World Cup this year (I’m also proud of the fact that it was the Labour Party that secured the rights to host for our country…but that’s a separate issue).

One issue that I hadn’t considered till recently was the copious amounts of alcohol that is likely to be consumed over the course of the world cup and the subsequent impact that this could have on family violence, abuse and neglect.  It was a report written by Debbie Hager and Diane Woolsen Neville that alerted me to these concerns, ‘Mitigating the risk of men’s violence aginst women increasing during the Rugby World Cup 2011′.

The report cites evidence of increased levels of violence, abuse and neglect during major sporting events.  It looks like a successful campaign run overseas during these type of events is being rolled out in New Zealand, the ‘Blow the Whistle Campaign’ – this is a wise move.  Recommendations have been made in this report with respect to advertising, policing, venue safety, safety of children and young people and a number of other areas.  The Government will need to take up these recommendations to ensure that any risk of increased violence is mitigated during this time.

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Filed under: alcohol and other drugs, rugby world cup, women
28 Comments

The Key claim that his Govt placed a special emphasis on the rights of victims – adds insult to injury

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on February 8th, 2011

The Prime Minister’s Statement to Parliament included a claim that his Government has placed a special emphasis on the rights of victims.  What he failed to state was that this emphasis has been negative and detrimental to the rights of victims.

National has refused to enact the Domestic Violence Bill, which was introduced by Labour during the last term of Government.  This bill was the culmination of extensive consultation with organisations and key stakeholders who support victims of domestic violence.  Instead, whilst Labour’s comprehensive bill languishes on the Governments Order paper, National has passed their own watered down version.  The National Government bill does not give Domestic Violence victims the protection and support they need and deserve.

In the last year the National Government added insult to injury by slashing counselling and support to victims/ survivors of sexual assault.  Previously they were able to access counselling support via ACC on the recommendation of their counsellors or therapists.  The National Government imposed more stringent measures which included the requirement that victims/ survivors be subject to multiple interviews with different health professionals.  Salient to this, the eligibility criteria for funding support was narrowed, depriving the vast majority of those who would have been formerly approved. 

This unfortunate experiment continued despite calls from; Counsellors, Psychotherapists, social workers, women’s organisations, victim’s rights spokespeople and victims and survivors themselves.  We in Labour were proud to stand alongside these groups to challenge the Government.  After a year of hell for many victims/ survivors and their families a damming independent report was released, which forced John Key’s Government to admit that it had let victims/ survivors down.   The Government subsequently backed down on the more ruthless aspects of their failed policy, however the cost was immeasurable.  

The Government claims to have placed a special emphasis on the rights of victims – this is undeniably the case however this negative assault on victim’s rights was not what victims were expecting and is hardly worth John Key boasting about.

Filed under: ACC, justice
5 Comments

A PERSONAL BLOG ON QUITTING SMOKING

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on February 4th, 2011

This week my son started his first day of high school (year 9 or third form to those of us from that era).  Twenty years ago, I was embarking on the same journey.  That year back in 1991, was also the year I picked up smoking.  Now is the year I figure it is time to kick that habit.

Apart from a couple of MP’s who will have the very rare puff on a cigarette, I’ve been the only Labour MP during this term who smokes.  Pretty good for a caucus of 42 (or 43 when Carter was still with us).  I’m not giving it away because of the peer pressure from my colleagues (although this has been very intense from a couple of them…not mentioning any names Trevor).  I’m giving it up because it’s ridiculous – I’ve been controlled by this substance for far to long.  I’m sick of huffing and puffing my way through the occasional netball game I play;  I can’t sing along to songs without running out of breathe or struggling to reach notes; I have to hide in the most ridiculous places to have a cigarette when out in public, I’m worried that the wrinkles that have started featuring more prominently on my face are only going to get significantly worse if I continue smoking and most importantly – the last thing I want is for my son to pick up this same dirty habit at the same age I did 20 years ago at the same age that he is now, thirteen.

I hope I’m successful this time.  It’s been exactly two weeks since I had my last cigarette and so far so good – in fact better than any time I’ve tried before.  I had to give up coffee and alcohol as well to have any chance – both are triggers for my smoking.  One of my Senior Labour colleagues told me she gave up during the 2005 election campaign.  She reckons that if you can give up during a period of high stress, then it’s more likely to last.  2011 is likely to be a ‘challenging year’ – Wish me luck.

Filed under: alcohol and other drugs
23 Comments

Some Pacific Seasonal workers in appalling conditions

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on February 1st, 2011

I just had a Samoan man in my office going over the nightmare of an experience that his brother endured while here on the seasonal work scheme.  His brother was housed in a 2 bedroom flat with 11 other Samoan workers.  Five slept in the lounge and two slept in the kitchen while the other five slept in the two bedrooms.  There was no ceiling in the house – apparently more like a shed than a house and the washing machine and shower were both coin operated.  The house had no TV and no oven in the kitchen – only a two burner gas stove outside for cooking.  All of them were paying $100 a week for rent.  What 2 bedroom flat  in this state on the East Coast could possibly bed worth $1200 a week in rent?

The man fell sick and asked his employer if he could assist him in getting to a doctor.  The employer said yes but 3 days later had still not gotten him any medical attention and the mans health had deteriorated.   The NZ based brother who lives in Waitakere had to ring the employer himself to get them to seek  medical attention for his brother.

The Auckland based brother was so concerned that he ended up travelling to the East Coast to check on his brother and his working conditions.  On arrival he immediately saw that they workers had no safety boots, masks or sunscreen.   He made the decision, despite the employers protests, that he would take his brother back to Auckland and send him back to Samoa. 

What kind of country are we if this is how we treat our workers?  After reporting it to the Department of Labour, the NZ brother has been assured that the case is being investigated.  Meanwhile a lot of the workers putting up with those conditions don’t want to complain because their families are relying on them earning money and sending it back home. 

I will be following this up.

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Filed under: Pacific issues, workers rights
53 Comments

The reality for one West Auckland solo mum

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on November 25th, 2010

I read the NZ Herald article by Simon Collins this morning, Welfare revamp to push single parents to work.  It truly truly saddens me that we are punishing beneficiaries – in this way. 

A few months back Simon Collins also wrote a piece on a West Auckland solo mum called Sara – she got in touch with me around that time and we’ve been in  contact  since. 

Following the article about her in the paper, Simon got a number of calls from people who wanted to help Sara by way of monetary and food donations.  Simon wrote a follow up article that identified the support shown from the public.  Not long after the Minister of Social Develoment’s office contacted Simon asking him to let Sara know that she must contact her local WINZ office to declare any such support, as it may impact on the amount she is entitled to received for her Domestic Purposes benefit.   Paula’s office also advised Sara to apply for a Housing NZ House – my office assisted her with this, but unfortunately she is not deemed to be a  ’priority’.

It has been impossible for this mother to get her head above water.  She’s done everything right.  She walked out an abusive relationship for the safety of her and her daughter.  She enrolled in a degree at Unitec, in a course of study that will not only assist her with getting work in an area that she’s passionate about, but will also allow her to earn a reasonable income to support her daughter.  Let’s also not forget that by studying towards a degree, she’s also role modelling an appreciation for education and academic achievement.  She doesn’t smoke or drink and is careful about every single cent she spends. 

And yet, now she’s told me that she can no longer afford to continue her course of study.  She’s in the process of looking for work so that she can feed her daughter and herself as well as hopefully buy her daughter a few Xmas presents.  Her plan is to cross credit papers to another institution which will allow her to study part time.  This s not what she wants but she has not choice.

Given the legislative and policy changes that have taken place under National, my hands are tied with respect to getting her any help.  The only thing I can do is provide her personal support but what worries me is that there are hundreds if not thousands of other women in this predicament – How do we help them?

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Filed under: Uncategorized
195 Comments

Don Brash’s quest to end race based funding being fulfilled by John Key

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on November 22nd, 2010

Most people know that before I became an MP I’d spent a good number of years co-ordinating and managing Equity Programmes at the Universtity of Auckland.  In 2005 Maori and Pacific students at the University showed up in large numbers to support Helen Clark when she visited the campus.  Many of them knew that if the National Party were to win that election, all of the Maori and Pacific mentoring programmes and/ or academic support and pastoral care programmes, would be gone by lunch time.

It’s ironic that the very issues that nearly won National that 2005 election, were also their demise in the end.  Many Maori and Pacific went out and voted out of fear for what might be taken away.

However, the messages put out by the National party in the lead up to the 2008 election were very different.  The 2005 right wing attack on equity focused programmes and funding/ ‘race based funding’ – was dropped.  National made it look like very little would change.  They attempted to create a perception of National being ’Labour lite’.

Now after two years too long of this National Government.  All of the assertions made by Don Brash are coming to the fore.  The most recent example of this sits with the recent announcement regarding  the Tertiary Education Commissions Equity Funding.  The National Government are ‘tricky’ – they didn’t do an outright cut.  Instead what they’ve done is based next year’s equity funding for Maori and Pacific students, on 2009 numbers. 

Most New Zealander’s would be very aware that unemployment rates for Maori are comparitively higher and that a lot of those that are unemployed are young.  Most kiwis would understand that this therefore, pushes the demand for tertiary education up.  Most would therefore accept that there has been a probable increase in Maori and Pacific taking up University and Polytechnic study (when they can get in – keep in mind the Government’s caps on numbers).  So funding at 2009 numbers is the equivalent to a cut, given that there will be the same amount of money for an increased number of students.

The National Government would love to cut this type of funding all together, but they are being a little bit cautious at the moment as that wouldn’t assist them with wooing our Maori and Pacific communities as they attempt to extract some vote from them in the upcoming 2011 election.

I wonder what other creative strategies the National Government has for cutting back on Maori and Pacific specific programmes.  I’m sure that they have more for us to not look forward to.

Filed under: Uncategorized
106 Comments

STOP PRESS – PAULA BENNETT IS VISITING WAITAKERE ELECTORATE

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on November 18th, 2010

I have to say – this blog title on the Waitakere News website certainly captured my attention (refer to the link at the bottom of the this page). 

She can’t be far off from returning from her six week overseas trip because the Waitakere electorate has been flooded by Bennett billboards across Waitakere advertising a two hour constituency clinic when she’ll be available to meet.  As the Waitakere News blog rightly points out, constituency clinics are held on a regular basis by most (if not all) electorate MPs, however most electorate MPs don’t spend large amounts of tax payer money promoting a two hour period that they are available to meet (usually it’s a give-in that this will happen). 

In saying that, for the last six months my billboards have been prominent across Waitakere.  However, mine were advertising monthly ‘Public Meetings’.  Each month there was a different focus.  I’ve done – A joint public meeting with neighbouring MPs on Housing issues and another on the Early Childhood Education cuts.  Phil Goff also visited the electorate and whilst there we had a public meeting on the Future of Auckland (in the lead up to the Local Body election) and another at a later date with our Senior Citizens.  On top of that I’ve had one on the Welfare Reforms and following that one on Workers Rights. 

In light of this, I can see why Bennett would be desperate to get some billboards up…but…a constituency clinic????

http://waitakerenews.blogspot.com/2010/11/stop-press-paula-bennett-is-visiting.html

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Filed under: Uncategorized
11 Comments

John Chapman print on trademe – proceeds to go towards Mana bi-election

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on November 11th, 2010
John Chapman is a staunch Labour supporter and is one of our good friends in Waitakere:)
Given his support for Labour and generous nature, he’s kindly put up one of his prints for sale on trademe – proceeds raised will go towards the Mana campaign.
The print is entitled ‘It’s only going to get worse’ – how appropriate given the state of our country under the current National Government.  We may have to persevere another year (or slightly less) of a National Government but that gentle reminder of how much worse it could get if we have to endure any longer than that – is a great motivator for getting Labour people and the generally ‘disillusioned with National’ ordinary kiwi, enthused about the next election!
This is a limited edition print taken by American photojournalist John Chapman. The print was exhibited as part of ‘The English’ exhibition at the Upstairs Gallery in Titirangi. http://www.fotografie.co.nz/the_english/index.html 

The print is offered unframed and is printed on Hahnemuhle Fine Art Museum Etching acid free archival paper numbered and signed by the photographer to a limited number of 25. The image was taken near Green Park in London during the 1990’s. The print is offered for sale on the condition that it is not reproduced or copied in any way and that copyright is held by the photographer.

John Chapman is an American photojournalist who spent much of his working life in the UK and Middle East. His work has been widely published in the United States and Europe. Now living in New Zealand he is currently exhibiting at the West Coast Gallery in Piha. http://www.acknowledgingwaitakere.co.nz/index.html

The listing number is 329811210

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=329811210

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Filed under: Uncategorized
16 Comments

John Banks…What not to say to bright young Pacific Professionals….lessons learnt from last night

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on September 18th, 2010

The Young Pacific Leadership Network Inc Society, is a network of 20 – 40 year old Pacific Professionals from across all areas (academia, arts, public sector, private sector etc etc).  Last night approx 100 of us met to listen to Brown and Banks.  It was suppose to provide them both with an opportunity to ’sell themselves’ to these voters…however it didn’t go so well for one of them.

Before I launch in to the five, ‘what not to do’ tips with young bright aspirational Pacific people, I do want to say that it was awesome that both of them agreed to speak.  For that I am thankful to both Mayor Brown and Mayor Banks.

If I had more time I’d write some positive things…maybe later…but the reality is that the negative aspects are much much funnier!

Here we go:

LESSONS FOR JOHN BANKS

Don’t…

1. …arrive whilst Len is still speaking and then refuse to come inside until he’s gone.  When you tell one of the organisers that you would rather wait until he leaves out of respect for Len…no one believes you.  Infact you look silly pacing up and down the footpath in the cold!

2.  …spend 80% of the speech time trying to connect with us by talking about your experience in Mt Eden prison and the fact you met 25 good Pacific Island men in there

3. …launch in to passionate speals about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.  PI’s read newspapers as well and are thinking to themselves…’bro no offence but it ain’t just our people and our children that have a bit of a problem with consumption….ya know what I mean Papa John’…

4. …use scripture as a political strategy, when the meeting is being held at a bar and everyone is enjoying a few end of the week work drinks

5. …try and tell us that you have no association with the National Party whatsoever and that you will never take directives from them or undertake any work in association with them (the lies don’t compliment the scripture readings)

I could go on and on but I won’t.  I’m sure my right wing friends will have lots of feedback for me to respond to, throughout the day:)

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Filed under: Uncategorized
22 Comments

WOOHOO – VOTE FUTURE WEST CANDIDATES FOR WEST AUCKLAND!

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on September 17th, 2010

While the high-profile mayoral campaigns of Len Brown and the other candidate are underway, I think it is a really important time to look at who the solid westie candidates are.

The Labour, Greens, and local community independents are running as the Future West group for the Henderson-Massey and Waitakere Ranges Local Boards. Their candidates have worked incredibly hard with the Waitakere community that they are all a part of. They are fresh, young, and full of energy!  Future West have been door knocking for months, and have stepped up the campaign in the last few weeks by waving signs and attending as many local events and meetings as humanly possible.

The Future West candidates include Lincoln Dam, who is probably the youngest candidate in Auckland (if not New Zealand) at 19, who was Waitakere College head boy last year, and Jeremy Greenbrook-Held, who will most likely be confirmed as Labour’s candidate to face off against the Prime Minister in Helensville at next years election.

Future West will stand up for the West in amongst the anticipated chaos of the Supercity (chaos – due to John Key and Rodney Hides Government). Their goal is to get strong, progressive people elected to Local Boards, so the Westie way of life isn’t lost in the Supercity. Future West fiercely supports council ownership of assets like libraries, pools and water and will fight privatisation with every bone in their body. Future West will work hard for safer streets, local jobs, better public transport and to see the Eco-City values spread across the region.

Make sure you vote. Make sure your friends, your family, your workmates, and everyone you know votes, and if they’re Westies, make sure they vote for Future West!

Filed under: Uncategorized
12 Comments

Saw something interesting on trademe and had to blog about it…

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on September 16th, 2010

…I know – long time no blog from me!  I can reassure all of the Labour supporters and right wing red alert supporters out there – I have been busy beavering away in Waitakere (I’m sure the right wingers are relieved to know that:)

I will get back in to the swing of things properly over the next week, but in the meantime – thought I’d just quickly post something I saw on trademe.  It’s all for a good cause – raising money for Penny Hulse’s Council Campaign (we like Penny!).

A Set of four unique framed historic photos

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=317694397

Filed under: Uncategorized
4 Comments

Tongan Soldiers off to Afghanistan…

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on July 28th, 2010

The link below explains the situation and at this stage I’m not going to start ranting on about what I think – but I am geninuely worried when I see things like this.

In summary – Tongan soldiers will be supporting the British in Afghanistan.  55 will begin service in November and 220 more will follow.  They will be getting paid 30 pounds a day for putting their lives at risk…

http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/defence/20100728_tonga_soldiers_afghanistan.shtml

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Filed under: defence
21 Comments

The Govt needs to address the hardship that is occurring…here’s a couple of examples

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on July 27th, 2010

When the PM takes to his feet in the house, you can pretty much guarantee that he’ll have a punchline or two up his sleeve…someone needs to tell him that sarcasm really is the lowest form of wit.  Given that we are faced with increasing numbers of hardship stories – its difficult to stomach his humour. 

Last night myself, Chris Carter and David Cunliffe hosted a public meeting on housing concerns.  The decision to hold it on this issue, was due to the number of heart wrenching housing stories that us MPs are experiencing escalating numbers of.  I thought I’d blog about a couple.  The scary thing is that the two cases I discuss below, are becoming more and more common.  I’ve changed the names etc.

Case 1.
Sarah came to see me today regarding her housing situation. Sarah and her husband currently live in a private rental, paying $415 a week. The house leaks regularly and is not a healthy home for her children. She has just had her sixth child two weeks ago.

Sarah advised that she applied for a Housing New Zealand property, and went through the interview process and was waiting on a confirmation letter. Instead she received a letter saying HNZ were closing her case due to documents not being provided.

Sarah was adamant that she provided them, and went to the HNZ branch where she lodged them. She said she spoke to the person who she gave the documents to, and she apologised and found the forms, and discovered they hadnt been lodged. Sarah said she requested she speak to the Manager as she was very disappointed that this had happened. She was told the Manager was unavailable. The person behind the counter then went to speak to another advisor, who advised she needed to re-apply and go through the whole process again.

Sarah has advised that she has done this, and complied with everything that has been asked of her (as she did last time). She says she has been asked however to provide another letter from her Doctor regarding her son’s condition, which will cost her to go and get again, and she has already provided all the medical information that was asked for.

She says she was also asked to provide her passport and driver license, however this was all stolen from her car. Sarah advised she has given a police report to support this. Sarah advised that she has previously provided copies of her passport and license to HNZ, so this should already be on file.

This process has taken twice as long as it should have, through no fault of her own. This is causing considerable stress for Sarah, when she is still recovering and caring for a newborn.

Sarah is doing everything she can to help her family through this difficult time, including receiving budgeting advice, but their current situation is unhealthy and unsustainable.

Case 2.
Ana came in to see me last week regarding her housing situation. She is currently living in her sister’s two bedroom HNZ property, with herself and her four children sharing one small room. She has twin babies (four months old), a three year old and a six year old.

Ana advised she was living in a private rental, but due to the house being very cold she moved in with her sister. Her twins were born prematurely at 28 weeks and have specific health requirements. Ana advised she has given copies of the medical records that reflect this.

She advised she has been on the HNZ waiting list since November of last year, and that she had been working and is now on maternity leave. However, she has had to take extended maternity leave without pay until October, to care for the babies. She has recently applied for the DPB over this period, and said she is unable to meet market rent costs.

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Filed under: Uncategorized
41 Comments

Where are all the Ministers???

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on July 1st, 2010

Seventeen are missing from the house today (well actually 18 now because Sharples has disappeared).  It makes you wonder what is the point.  It also makes you wondere what is going on??  Is there some National emergency that we’re all unaware of? 

Judith Collins, Paula Bennett, Georgina Te Heuheu, Pansy Wong, Wayne Mapp, Tim Grosser, Nathan Guy, Bill English John Key, Jonathon Coleman, Murry McCully, Tariana Turia, Heather Roy, Kate Wilkinson, Rodney Hide, Gerry Brownlee, Maurice Williamson and Pita Sharples.

Filed under: Uncategorized
39 Comments

Pacific Economic Development Agency – really just whanau ora for Pacific Peoples…so I wonder if the Govt are nervous now

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on June 20th, 2010

PEDA really is just whanau ora for Pacific peoples.  The Government selected a private organisation and charged them with the responsibility of resolving some of the issues that exist for Pacific peoples.  From what I can see, PEDA is expected to work alongside existing organisations that are charged to achieve parallel objectives for Pacific peoples, and to fill any gaps that exist for the target group/s.  It will mean that the Government doesn’t need to take responsibility for coordinating this.  Ideologically it makes sense for the Nats to sink funds in to a private organisation and charge them with resolving some of the challenges plaguing Pasifika communities.  It would allow them (the Nat Government) to shirk their responsibilities and shrink the bureaucracy.  The National Party have made no qualms in the past, of expressing a desire to see the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs disestablished – this Pacific Economic Development Agency was suppose to be their first step towards this…but it’s backfired.

What’s worse for the National Government is that the negative reaction received by the PEDA initiative is the same type of reaction that would have been given to ‘whanau ora’, if there had been a higher level of transparency around what ‘whanau ora’ would mean in practice.  Who ever has been advising the nats on the Whanau ora initiative has been smart to advise them to keep the detail to a minimum.  One sniff of privatisation by the public – and an outcry similar to that received by PEDA would have been inevitable.  Unfortunately – the general public is still so confused about ‘whanau ora’, that they are tentative about reacting and probably would prefer to give it the benefit of the doubt.

If you asked Tariana about ‘whanau ora’ – she’d probably start talking about ‘tino rangatiratanga’ and how this is Maori having control over who provides services and how services are provided to Maori.  If you had an honest conversation with John Key or Bill English (which is unlikely to happen) – they’d tell you that it will enable the Government to devolve responsibilities for this sector to private organisations, therefore enabling them to cut back on Government spending.  Personally – I don’t care whether its Maori, Pakeha or Pacific who own the private organisations, I don’t want dodgy back room deals being made where hidden agendas are rife and transparency is non-existent.  Our Pacific communities don’t want that either – that’s why they’ve been jumping up and down over the allocation of funding to PEDA.

I do wonder whether the Government are now concerned about whanau ora – as more details emerge about this, it’s really just going to shape up to be a much bigger version of PEDA.

Filed under: Pacific issues, social development
28 Comments

Part 2 – Pacific media being silenced over PEDA

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on June 17th, 2010

Below is a public statement that has been put out by Efeso Collins – the 531 PI radio announcer who has been taken off the Saturday morning breakfast show for asking too many questions about the Pacific Economic Development Agency:

Talofa friends and family

I am emailing to advise that I have been ‘rested’ from presenting Talanoa Pacific this weekend.

This morning I received an email from Pere Maitai, Programming Director at Radio 531PI, informing me that ’serious matters’ had arisen since I last spoke with him 2 weeks ago and that I would be rested as a result from presenting this weekend.

I want you to know that up until his email, I have had no official information from him outlining any of the ’serious matters’ he was referring to. Further, I have asked him to supply me with information on these matters and await a response.

I am astounded at this decision has been made without my consultation.

I am committed to ensuring the Pasifika people have a forum for open, honest and frank discussion. This is what underpins Talanoa Pacific.

I look forward to this matter being sorted soon and am seeking legal advice.

Since my last broadcast I have received wonderful support from friends, family and listeners. Please know that I sincerely appreciate the love and support that people have and continue to offer.

Soifua, Efeso Collins

Filed under: Pacific issues
42 Comments

Pacific Media being silenced over PEDA – what about freedom of the press?

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on June 17th, 2010

When our Pacific media are told by management that they can’t ask the hard questions about issues affecting their community – then something is seriously wrong.  Efeso Collins has been taken off the 531 PI Saturday morning breakfast show for refusing to toe the line.  He has continued to challenge the $4.8 million that was allocated to the Pacific Economic Development Agency and now has been taken off air without any explanation provided.

Only about 6 weeks ago the world celebrated the World Press Freedom day – who would have thought that here in our own little developed country – Freedom of the press could be breached in this way.

I’ve attached links to the Pacific Eyewitness website that provides some information on what has been unfolding with regards to the silencing of our Pacific media.

http://pacificeyewitness.com/2010/06/16/overwhelming-support-from-pacific-community-for-answers-on-peda-ltd/

http://pacificeyewitness.com/2010/06/12/why-i-will-not-stop-asking-questions-on-pacific-eda/

http://pacificeyewitness.com/2010/06/12/talanoa-host-efeso-collins-challenges-radio-531pi-management-stance/

http://pacificeyewitness.com/2010/06/09/radio-531pi-management-issues-instruction-to-remove-efeso-collins-from-breakfast-talk/

Filed under: Pacific issues
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National Party meeting with Pacific Community on Education – a complete and utter spin-fest

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on June 9th, 2010

I only got the actual meeting details forwarded to me today about Georgina Te Heuheu and Sam Lotu-Iiga’s meeting with the Pacific Community on Pasifika Education.  Given the invite said that all members of the Pasifika community were invited to attend – I figured that included me, so I went along.

There were National Party rosettes floating around the room, so it was obviously a surprise to them that I showed up – in fact Georgina even said that when she acknowledged me in her speech (there is a long standing tradition that you acknowledge other parliamentarians, regardless of political party – NOTE: Sam Lotu-Iiga doesn’t do this).

The meeting was suppose to be about the National Party listening to the concerns of the Pasifika Community, but they obviously preferred not to be asked too many questions and as a tactic to ensure this – Georgina’s speech went for about an hour (the meeting was only schedule for 1 hour 30 minutes).

When it did actually get to question answer time, I refrained from saying anything – I didn’t want to use this forum for political grandstanding.  These are a summary of three of the questions that were asked and the answers that were provided from Te Heuheu and Iiga (I’ve put what I was thinking in brackets):

1.  Why is the Government capping numbers given this is impacting on our Pacific people accessing tertiary education?

Answer Te Heuheu – Too many students are lingering in study and taking up student loans that are funded by tax payers – we need to weed out the ones who are lingering (well Georgina – has anyone told you that Maori and PI take longer to complete their degrees – for a number of reasons, none of them being lesser intelligence or a higher level of laziness?)

Answer Lotu-Iiga – Students Associations are backing this decision (are they?).  The caps were put on by Labour (true but Nats can remove it given high levels of unemployment that didn’t exist under Labour).  National wants to support Pacific people going in to all sorts of jobs – Physiotherapy; Engineering (yeah but how can they do that when they can’t even get entry in to Uni???).  I’d like to see the caps taken off and Steven Joyce is considering this – we’re in discussions about it at the moment (well – Joyce didn’t put this in the budget did he – watch that space).

2.  Early Childhood Education is so important to Pasifika Communities – why is the Government cutting the funding?

Answer Lotu-Iiga – We’re not cutting it, we’re increasing it by $400 million (really????)…There are places around New Zealand that don’t need the funding that they’ve been receiving like Nelson who’s kindy association have $8 million in reserves (I don’t actually think it is $8 million, but I was under the impression that the money they did put away was in case of a change of Government…for this very reason).  The Government is cutting money from them and ring fencing money for communities who need it like the Pasifika Community (well I didn’t see any ring fencing of money in the budget for Pasifika ECE and by the way – all New Zealanders deserve to access to quality ECE for their children – and there is actually a large number of low-middle income earners in Nelson who could do with support).  We need to focus on getting more Pasifika kids in to ECE and that’s what this Government is focused on.  (If what Sam says is true – why are all Pacific ECE Centres kicking up a fuss over the budget announcements on ECE?)

3.  Why did the Government cut funding to Adult Community Education (ACE)?

Answer Lotu-Iiga – It’s not cut – theres still $3 million dollars alllocated to ACE (yeah but how many millions were cut Sam?).  The National Government doesn’t prioritise things like Morrocan Cooking (good old Morrocan Cooking again) we are prioritising numeracy and literacy (so why did the Government cut the funding to workplace literacy programmes?).

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Migrants aren’t useless Paul Henry

Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on June 9th, 2010

I was just watching the Breakfast show as I was getting ready for work.  They had that guy Richard O’brien on and were discussing his struggle to get NZ Citizenship and Paul Henry couldn’t help himself – according to Paul Henry, it would be nice to have some new migrants who weren’t useless….ummm – a high level of offence taken on that one.

I’m the daughter of one of those migrants that Paul is talking about.  So Paul is saying that my own fathers contribution to this country (laying railway tracks and boning and packing meat for domestic use and export) – was a useless contribution.  Its that kind of attitude that pisses me off.  Every new migrant that comes here to work the shit jobs does so for low wages and very little recognition.  The reality is that this country needs people to work those jobs – how many times does it need to be said – our health system would fall over if you didn’t have the cleaners in there working for minimum wage, doing the dirty work that most people would steer clear of ever having to do.

Get over yourself Paul – nothing would have fallen over if you had stayed in the UK.  In fact – TVNZ would have been better off for it if you hadn’t come back.

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