New Zealand

This is the first dedicated Tongan centre in the Auckland Kindergarten Association’s 115-year history, and was designed in collaboration with the local Tongan community reports PMN News. 

AKA Chief Executive Pauline Winter says the community's wish was for every child at the kindergarten to have their identity strengthened, and receive a foundation for lifelong learning, which is reflected in the name. 

“Fonua is about the connection of people, land and beginnings and is also the Tongan word for placenta.

Of the new cases, 4712 were reinfections.

RNZ reports there were also 211 people with Covid-19 in hospital as of midnight Sunday, with seven cases in ICU.

The seven-day rolling average of cases was 1605.

Last week 11,544 new cases were reported and 12 further deaths attributed to Covid-19.

On August 1 2021 the New Zealand Government offered a formal apology for the 1970’s Dawn Raids. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Carmel Sepuloni says,  “In welcoming this cohort of emerging Pacific leaders to Aotearoa New Zealand, we’re embracing the opportunity to grow a generation of Pacific leaders that will gain the knowledge and understanding to make a difference to their communities and countries.” 

Of the new cases, 4630 are reinfections reports RNZ.

The ministry reported 24 deaths over the past week.

The ministry said 26 deaths were attributable to Covid-19. It said the change in total deaths with Covid-19 may not be equal to the number of new deaths reported today.

"This is because deaths that occurred more than 28 days after a positive test that are subsequently determined to be unrelated to Covid are removed from the total."

It's triggered a national debate about climate change and whether vulnerable homes should be rebuilt or written off.

"I don't want to go back there," said Amy Bowkett.

The mother of two lived in the Hawkes Bay area, one of the regions worst hit by Cyclone Gabrielle. When the Category 3 storm hit with wind speeds of up to 159km/h (99mph), her home was completely destroyed.

Along with 50 of her neighbours she spent a terrifying 48 hours trapped without power, water or phone signal.  

Secondary school-aged performers were welcomed at a pōwhiri on Wednesday for the event's 48th anniversary.

RNZ reports Polyfest's theme this year is mana motuhake - creating one's own destiny.

Director Seiuli Terri Leo-Mauu said they were "very grateful" to be back, running live without interruptions.

"The vibe is so good," she told Morning Report on Thursday.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Samiu Vaipulu has confirmed this to Kaniva News.

“‘E fai ‘a e ngāue ki ai”, he said in Tongan.

Promoters of Validus, which is registered in the United States, are prohibited in New Zealand from: 

 “We‘ve got a group of Tongan people who have come here who have also experienced 12 months ago the earthquake and tsunami in Tonga. They are already traumatised from that event a year ago," says the Pasifika Medical Association Chief Executive Debbie Sorensen.

“In Tonga following the volcano, every time a truck went past a house people were frightened because the house would shake, and they felt that another volcano or tsunami might happen.

Of the new cases, were 3813 reinfections.

Of the deaths being reported today, one was from Northland, 15 were from the Auckland region, two were from Hawke's Bay, two were from Taranaki, one was from MidCentral, two were from Whanganui, five were from Wellington region, three were from Nelson Marlborough, four were from Canterbury, one was from West Coast and three were from Southern.

Bryce Barker, who now lives in Australia, was held alongside fellow members of his research team.

They were doing fieldwork in a remote part of PNG's highlands when they were taken by a criminal gang from Hela Province who demanded a ransom for their freedom.

Their release brings to an end days of negotiations, and a complex security operation involving PNG police and defence personnel, in consultation with the Australian and New Zealand governments.

It comes two days after another woman who had also been taken was set free.