New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern gave an impassioned speech to Samoa to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between the two countries. She is leading the first international delegation in Samoa since Covid hit the world. The group has a representative from every party in parliament - including Christopher Luxon, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni, and Minister of Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio. The Prime Minister acknowledged the trauma of NZs colonial governance of Samoa in history, but looked to an exciting future between the two nations.
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Ōtaki MP Terisa Ngobi said having a free immunisation stand at a community event made the services easier to access. The campaign targetted people aged 15 to 30 years old, but anyone over 30 years old was also welcome to get a vaccine. Based on MidCentral’s population data and information from general practices, it estimated that there were between 9300 and 12,000 people aged 15 to 30 years old who had not had a measles vaccination. Blancher said there was a focus on Māori and Pasifika people, because they were disproportionately affected by the measles outbreak in 2019. The idea of herd immunity applied to all diseases, where if the majority of people was vaccinated there was less chance of an outbreak, and of lower severity, she said.
Meet the fascinating bunch running to represent a South Auckland community
Justin Latif | Local Democracy Reporter, South Auckland
There’s a by-election happening in South Auckland and, as Justin Latif reports, you’d struggle to find a more diverse group of candidates.
What do a globetrotting singer, a record-breaking weightlifter, an ex-fisherwoman, a social media expert, a radio show host and an IT guy all have in common?
Not much, other than that they all want to claim the vacant spot on Māngere-Ōtāhuhu’s seven-person local board, for which postal voting is now open (ballots close at midday, February 17).
What do a famous singer, a record-breaking weightlifter, an ex-fisherwoman, a social media expert, a radio show host and an IT guy all have in common?
From top left, Communities and Resident s Malcolm Turner, Labour s Papaliitele Lafulafu Peo, Sharon Bragg, and the NZ Outdoor Party s Phil Bridge (top right), Elnez Tofa, and Christian Malietoa-Brown.
Photo: Supplied / Tina Tiller
Not much, other than that they all want to claim the vacant spot on Māngere-Ōtāhuhu s seven-person local board, for which postal voting is now open (ballots close at midday, 17 February).
Off the back of Labour s crushing election victory last October, former member Anae Neru Leavasa was able to secure the Takanini electorate seat, setting up an opportunity for someone new to represent the 80,000 or so residents of this South Auckland area.