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Archived News: December 2019 |
From Scoop Independent News (11 December 2019) Auckland Rotuman Group makes a Human Rights complaint The Auckland Rotuman Fellowship Group Incorporated (ARFGI) is marking today's International Human Rights Day to draw attention to the NZ Government's discriminatory policy of only supporting selective Pacific Island languages. ARFGI has today made a complaint to the NZ Human Rights Commission against the Ministry of Pacific Peoples (MPP) on the grounds of unlawful discrimination against the Rotuman language and the annual Rotuman Language Week event. ARFGI has been unsuccessfully trying for over two years to get the Ministry of Pacific Peoples (MPP) to officially recognise the annual Rotuman Language Week and list it on the MPP website. ARFGI questions MPPs' commitment to Pacific languages, and why the Government is selectively only supporting 7 Pacific languages, when there are over 40 Pacific communities living in New Zealand-Aotearoa. ARFGI believes Government Services should not discriminate on the grounds of ethnic or national origins. The Group's members are deeply hurt and aggrieved at being treated unfairly and less favourably by Ministry of Pacific Peoples. ARFGI has been running weekly language classes and annual language weeks, using its own funds and resources, as part of the Communities efforts to save this unique and endangered language. This year is the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages. The Rotuman language is listed on UNESCO's list of the World's Endangered Languages. Minister for Pacific Peoples, Honourable Aupito William Sio, recently said that "for Pacific people, language can be a source of strength. It can help ground us and give us confidence." ARFGI General Secretary Rachael Mario questioned the Minister's intentions : "It appears that the Honourable Minister is paying lip-service to this commitment to Pacific Languages. He is actually undermining our Pacific identity. As he is selectively only supporting 7 Pacific languages. Does the Government feel some languages are more important than others? Or is the Minister playing politics with our languages – and only supporting those groups that have greater populations and more influence". Ms Mario added : "It doesn't make sense? Our community is using its own funds to desperately try and ensure the survival of our beautiful and unique language – and yet the Ministry that is supposed to represent us is saying they cannot help as they claim they do not receive money for our language! Yet MPP allocate funds and resources for 7 other Pacific languages. Plus we are using our own money. Could it be that MPP want us to pay them so that we can get their support and have our Rotuman Language Week listed on their website?" The Rotuman Language Week 2020 has been announced for 10 to 17 May 2020. MPP have again advised ARFGI that they can only list the 7 Language Weeks that MPP officially fund and support (see internet link https://www.mpp.govt.nz/language-culture-and-identity/pacific-language-weeks/). "Furthermore, despite much effort and engagement with MPP, there is even more bias on the Ministry of Pacific People's website as it does not list the Rotuman language greeting "Noa'ia e Mauri" or many other Pacific community's greetings. But it again selectively lists a few greetings on its Home Page's first paragraph and Welcome (see internet link https://www.mpp.govt.nz/). "Sadly the Ministry of Pacific Peoples have again refused to list our Language Week next year on their website. All we want is to be treated fairly and equally", Ms Mario re-iterated. ARFGI hopes that as today is International Human Rights Day, and this year is the United Nations Year of Indigenous Languages, that fairness and common sense will eventually prevail, and the human rights and aspirations of communities and their languages will be respected and fully supported in Aotearoa. Footnotes : • Rotuman people are a separate ethnic group with their own distinct language, culture and identity, and originate from the Polynesian Island of Rotuma. • Rotuma consists of the island of Rotuma and its nearby islets, and is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, about 500 kms north of Fiji, and 500 kms west of Wallis & Futuna. • Rotuma was annexed by the British on 13 May 1881 ('Rotuma Day'). Although Rotuma is its own nation, it is currently administered by Fiji as a dependency. • Wikipedia article on the Rotuman language https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotuman_language • Rotuma is described as an 'untouched paradise' with some of the world's most pristine and beautiful beaches. © Scoop Media From Nik Naidu in Auckland (9 December 2019) Media Release on behalf of the Auckland Rotuman Fellowship Group Incorporated (ARFGI) ARFGI is marking today’s International Human Rights Day to draw attention to the NZ Government’s discriminatory policy of only supporting selective Pacific Island languages. ARFGI has today made a complaint to the NZ Human Rights Commission against the Ministry of Pacific Peoples (MPP) on the grounds of unlawful discrimination against the Rotuman language and the annual Rotuman Language Week event. The Group has been unsuccessfully trying for over two years to get the Ministry of Pacific Peoples (MPP) to officially recognise the annual Rotuman Language Week and list it on the MPP website. ARFGI questions MPPs’ commitment to Pacific languages, and why the Government is selectively only supporting 7 Pacific languages, when there are over 40 Pacific communities living in New Zealand-Aotearoa. ARFGI believes Government Services should not discriminate on the grounds of ethnic or national origins. The Group’s members are deeply hurt and aggrieved at being treated unfairly and less favourably by the Ministry of Pacific Peoples. ARFGI has been running weekly language classes and annual language weeks, using its own funds and resources, as part of the Communities efforts to save this unique and endangered language. This year is the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages. The Rotuman language is listed on UNESCO’s list of the World’s Endangered Languages. For more information – please see the attached Media Release or visit https://www.rotuma.website/media-release-5 Press Release (9 December 2019) Pacific Practitioner Receives Medal of the Order of Fiji "This medal is dedicated to my family, my faith in God and of course to the people of Rotuma."
These were the sentiments made by Pacific practitioner, Mr. Broderick Mervyn at the Fiji Investiture Ceremony that took place at the Fijian President State House. The Fiji Government in 1995 instituted the Order of Fiji to recognize achievements or meritorious service by citizens of Fiji. The Medal of the Order of Fiji (MOF) is awarded to individual's services worthy of a particular recognition. This ceremony was to honor and reward those deserving members of our Society for their selfless contributions to Nation Building and on one or two occasions Mr. Mervyn received this medal for his services to youth and community development in Fiji and abroad and he becomes the youngest Rotuman recipient to receive this high honor. There have been six recipients that have received this honor and these include the late Deaconess Olivia Nataniela, former Rotuman parliamentarian Fatiaki Misau and the President of Fiji, His Excellency Jioji Konrote. "I am extremely grateful that during my 7 and a half years' in the field of youth and community development that both the Fiji College of Honors as well the Office of the President deemed it fit for me to receive this auspicious medal." Mervyn also added that the work he carried was for the people and the communities of Fiji and Rotuma.
From the Fiji Sun (2 December 2019) Fijian British Army Graduate Scores a Double Mark Panapasa from Rotuma scooped the Best Refle Shot and a Soldier's Medal award at the British Army passing-out recently. By Rosi Doviverata
Another Fijian British Army recruit has made a name for himself among the ranks. Mark Panapasa from Rotuma scooped the Best Rifle Shot and a Soldier's Medal award at the British Army passing-out recently. Mark left the country to pursue his military career in the British Army this year, joining his brother Chanel, who is also a member of the British Army Logistics Regiment. The brothers represented the Junior Bati Rugby League team in 2008 in Australia and played for the Nadera Panthers. Mark, who is a former engineer at Water Authority of Fiji could not be prouder for the love and support of his friends, family and his wife, Flavia and their two children, Felicity and Nicholas. |
