Latest news with #Rotuman
Scoop
18 hours ago
- Scoop
Vanuatu RSE Workers Celebrate First-Ever Bislama Language Week
Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific journalist For the first time, Vanuatu Bislama Language Week is being officially celebrated in New Zealand and for Ni-Vanuatu seasonal workers toiling in the orchards of Pukekohe, they are feeling a sense of pride. The week marks a historic addition to the Ministry for Pacific Peoples' annual Pacific language calendar, which now includes 12 languages: Rotuman, Samoan, Kiribati, Cook Islands Māori, Tongan, Papua New Guinean, Tuvaluan, Fijian, Niuean, Tokelauan, Solomon Islands Pijin and Bislama. Bislama is the national language of Vanuatu and a creole language spoken across Vanuatu's 83 islands which is a blend of English, French, and Indigenous words. Clifford Yahwo has been participating in the seasonal program and this year marks his tenth year, he said he is feeling thankful he gets to witness this historic moment. Yahwo said it is great to have the opportunity to celebrate Bislama in Aotearoa. "Vanuatu is a small country in the Pacific, close to Fiji, Solomon (Island), New Caledonia. "I am so happy, like we are very happy we to celebrate here in New Zealand. We come for work, but its good we have this opportunity to celebrate Bislama language here in New Zealand." "Also, [in] Vanuatu we have different cultures - each island [has its] own culture, different from different island. Another thing is we are independent people. We had our independence since 1980." Fellow team leader David Navian, who also manages another group of workers at Punchbowl orchards, echoes the same sentiment, especially because people get to learn about their language. Laughing from the cold weather and crisp air in Pukekohe, he offered a few of his favourite phrases: "Hariap yumi go long haos" which means Hurry up, we're going home. "Karem kwiktaem yumi tekem moa bin" which means Pick quickly, we get more bins. "Blessem, kol kol tumas!" Bless, it's too cold! The theme for this year's inaugural Bislama Language Week is 'Tokabaot Klaemet Jenj - hemi ril mo yumi mas lukaotem laef' which translates to 'Talk about climate change, it is real, and we must look after life'. Ministry for Pacific Peoples chief executive Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone said this is more than a cultural milestone. "There is deep pride in Bislama. It connects people across islands, generations, and borders," she said. "We are proud to stand alongside the Vanuatu community as they celebrate Vanuatu Bislama Language Week for the first time in Aotearoa New Zealand. "This is a powerful moment of recognition, connection, and pride. Bislama carries the stories, humour, and heart of its people - and we are honoured to support its journey here" Events are being held across the country all week and as the workers like to say: "678 to the world."
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
From Māngere To Medicine: Pacific Migrant Dreams Big
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter Māngere teen Selina Camillo, 18, migrated from Fiji to Māngere just a few years ago, but she's already making academic waves as she works towards becoming a heart surgeon. Since setting foot in Aotearoa for the first time in December 2022, Camillo has topped her class, served as head girl at Southern Cross Campus, and is now studying at the University of Auckland – the first of her family to do so. Studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, she is one of only 16 students awarded a Milford Foundation Scholarship this year, which provides up to $10,000 annually. She also received a University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship. The funding has helped ease the cost pressure of studying, as she didn't want to be a financial burden for her parents, who secured permanent residency in January this year. 'I was always worried about how am I going to pay for my tuition fees,' she says. 'It really made me feel that it will bring me closer to achieving my dream of becoming a doctor.' Her interest in the human heart stems back to a young age in Fiji and is what motivated her to specialise in cardiology. 'That was the first organ that I was taught in year 7 back home,' she says. Camillo grew up seeing heart disease impact her family and other Pacific households, a pattern that school later confirmed was part of a global trend as one of the leading causes of death. 'So I was very interested in just being able to get into that field as a Pacifica to be able to help our people not only to treat the disease but also to help promote healthy lifestyle and bring a reduction to lives being affected by heart disease.' Through her academic success, Camillo is proud to highlight her culture. The scarcity of Pacific professionals in medicine empowers her, and she says visibility matters: 'So far I don't know any Rotuman doctor here nor my family, but there's only one Tuvaluan doctor I know who's based in Wellington,' she says. '[Representation] is very important, especially coming from very small islands, Tuvalu and Rotuma. Most people don't even know where Rotuma is at all.' Still, Camillo remains undeterred, her motivation is clear. 'I just want to be able to represent my island, my culture.' Only 981 people in New Zealand identified as Rotuman and 4653 as Tuvaluan, according to the 2018 Census, With small numbers, these groups are often lumped into the broader 'Other Pacific Peoples' category in education and government data, limiting their visibility and access to targeted resources. Most assume she is Samoan, but she has to correct them by saying she's Rotuman or Tuvaluan – a culture many are unfamiliar with, she says. 'It helps people to know more about my people, my culture. So sometimes I feel proud of being able to put my culture somewhere that's good for others to see and also learn something new.' She says her cultural upbringing shaped her values and her drive. 'Tuvaluan is my first language, mother tongue,' she says. 'Growing up with my grandparents and mum in Tuvalu, I learned a lot about my culture … we were just dependent on fishing and plantation.' Also raised in Fiji, she learned to read using a Bible. 'My first book was the Bible because we couldn't really afford books. And by the end of Year 2, I also topped Year 2 in Fiji.' She credits her grandparents' values – respect, humility, and discipline – with guiding her academic journey. 'I just wanted to be a role model to my siblings as I wanted to make a change in my family to make my parents proud in performing well in school.' Milford Foundation CEO Bryce Marsden says the scholarship is about more than financial support. 'We've seen fantastic results from our first two cohorts. We look forward to the 2025 group joining them as future leaders and visionaries.' This year, the Foundation has committed nearly $460,000 across three cohorts. Camillo says her family is her 'why' and hopes to inspire others. 'Do not let your circumstances make you feel doubt about yourself or limit you from reaching your goals,' she says. 'Just grab every opportunity.'
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
From Māngere To Medicine: Pacific Migrant Dreams Big
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter The scarcity of Pacific professionals in medicine empowers her, and she says visibility matters. Māngere teen Selina Camillo, 18, migrated from Fiji to Māngere just a few years ago, but she's already making academic waves as she works towards becoming a heart surgeon. Since setting foot in Aotearoa for the first time in December 2022, Camillo has topped her class, served as head girl at Southern Cross Campus, and is now studying at the University of Auckland – the first of her family to do so. Studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, she is one of only 16 students awarded a Milford Foundation Scholarship this year, which provides up to $10,000 annually. She also received a University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship. The funding has helped ease the cost pressure of studying, as she didn't want to be a financial burden for her parents, who secured permanent residency in January this year. 'I was always worried about how am I going to pay for my tuition fees,' she says. 'It really made me feel that it will bring me closer to achieving my dream of becoming a doctor.' Her interest in the human heart stems back to a young age in Fiji and is what motivated her to specialise in cardiology. 'That was the first organ that I was taught in year 7 back home,' she says. Camillo grew up seeing heart disease impact her family and other Pacific households, a pattern that school later confirmed was part of a global trend as one of the leading causes of death. 'So I was very interested in just being able to get into that field as a Pacifica to be able to help our people not only to treat the disease but also to help promote healthy lifestyle and bring a reduction to lives being affected by heart disease.' Through her academic success, Camillo is proud to highlight her culture. The scarcity of Pacific professionals in medicine empowers her, and she says visibility matters: 'So far I don't know any Rotuman doctor here nor my family, but there's only one Tuvaluan doctor I know who's based in Wellington,' she says. '[Representation] is very important, especially coming from very small islands, Tuvalu and Rotuma. Most people don't even know where Rotuma is at all.' Still, Camillo remains undeterred, her motivation is clear. 'I just want to be able to represent my island, my culture.' Only 981 people in New Zealand identified as Rotuman and 4653 as Tuvaluan, according to the 2018 Census, With small numbers, these groups are often lumped into the broader 'Other Pacific Peoples' category in education and government data, limiting their visibility and access to targeted resources. Most assume she is Samoan, but she has to correct them by saying she's Rotuman or Tuvaluan – a culture many are unfamiliar with, she says. 'It helps people to know more about my people, my culture. So sometimes I feel proud of being able to put my culture somewhere that's good for others to see and also learn something new.' She says her cultural upbringing shaped her values and her drive. 'Tuvaluan is my first language, mother tongue,' she says. 'Growing up with my grandparents and mum in Tuvalu, I learned a lot about my culture … we were just dependent on fishing and plantation.' Also raised in Fiji, she learned to read using a Bible. 'My first book was the Bible because we couldn't really afford books. And by the end of Year 2, I also topped Year 2 in Fiji.' She credits her grandparents' values – respect, humility, and discipline – with guiding her academic journey. 'I just wanted to be a role model to my siblings as I wanted to make a change in my family to make my parents proud in performing well in school.' Milford Foundation CEO Bryce Marsden says the scholarship is about more than financial support. 'We've seen fantastic results from our first two cohorts. We look forward to the 2025 group joining them as future leaders and visionaries.' This year, the Foundation has committed nearly $460,000 across three cohorts. Camillo says her family is her 'why' and hopes to inspire others. 'Do not let your circumstances make you feel doubt about yourself or limit you from reaching your goals,' she says. 'Just grab every opportunity.'
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
From Māngere To Medicine: Pacific Migrant Dreams Big
Māngere teen Selina Camillo, 18, migrated from Fiji to Māngere just a few years ago, but she's already making academic waves as she works towards becoming a heart surgeon. Since setting foot in Aotearoa for the first time in December 2022, Camillo has topped her class, served as head girl at Southern Cross Campus, and is now studying at the University of Auckland - the first of her family to do so. Studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, she is one of only 16 students awarded a Milford Foundation Scholarship this year, which provides up to $10,000 annually. She also received a University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship. The funding has helped ease the cost pressure of studying, as she didn't want to be a financial burden for her parents, who secured permanent residency in January this year. 'I was always worried about how am I going to pay for my tuition fees,' she says. 'It really made me feel that it will bring me closer to achieving my dream of becoming a doctor.' Her interest in the human heart stems back to a young age in Fiji and is what motivated her to specialise in cardiology. 'That was the first organ that I was taught in year 7 back home,' she says. Camillo grew up seeing heart disease impact her family and other Pacific households, a pattern that school later confirmed was part of a global trend as one of the leading causes of death. 'So I was very interested in just being able to get into that field as a Pacifica to be able to help our people not only to treat the disease but also to help promote healthy lifestyle and bring a reduction to lives being affected by heart disease.' Through her academic success, Camillo is proud to highlight her culture. The scarcity of Pacific professionals in medicine empowers her, and she says visibility matters: 'So far I don't know any Rotuman doctor here nor my family, but there's only one Tuvaluan doctor I know who's based in Wellington,' she says. '[Representation] is very important, especially coming from very small islands, Tuvalu and Rotuma. Most people don't even know where Rotuma is at all.' Still, Camillo remains undeterred, her motivation is clear. 'I just want to be able to represent my island, my culture.' Only 981 people in New Zealand identified as Rotuman and 4653 as Tuvaluan, according to the 2018 Census, With small numbers, these groups are often lumped into the broader 'Other Pacific Peoples' category in education and government data, limiting their visibility and access to targeted resources. Most assume she is Samoan, but she has to correct them by saying she's Rotuman or Tuvaluan - a culture many are unfamiliar with, she says. 'It helps people to know more about my people, my culture. So sometimes I feel proud of being able to put my culture somewhere that's good for others to see and also learn something new." She says her cultural upbringing shaped her values and her drive. 'Tuvaluan is my first language, mother tongue,' she says. 'Growing up with my grandparents and mum in Tuvalu, I learned a lot about my culture … we were just dependent on fishing and plantation.' Also raised in Fiji, she learned to read using a Bible. 'My first book was the Bible because we couldn't really afford books. And by the end of Year 2, I also topped Year 2 in Fiji.' She credits her grandparents' values - respect, humility, and discipline - with guiding her academic journey. 'I just wanted to be a role model to my siblings as I wanted to make a change in my family to make my parents proud in performing well in school.' Milford Foundation CEO Bryce Marsden says the scholarship is about more than financial support. 'We've seen fantastic results from our first two cohorts. We look forward to the 2025 group joining them as future leaders and visionaries.' This year, the Foundation has committed nearly $460,000 across three cohorts. Camillo says her family is her 'why' and hopes to inspire others. 'Do not let your circumstances make you feel doubt about yourself or limit you from reaching your goals,' she says. 'Just grab every opportunity.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Rotuman Language Week Aotearoa 2025
Press Release – NZ Rotuman Community Centre Åf'kia ma rak'kia 'os fäega ma ag fak Rotuma – tēfakhanisit Gagaja nā se 'äe ma gou Treasure & Teach Our Rotuman Language and Culture – A Gift given to you and I by God This coming week Rotuman people and our Communities in Aotearoa celebrate Rotuman Language Week 2025. The week-long Community-led event by The NZ Rotuman Collective, will showcase the unique and beautiful language and culture of people who originate from the idyllic Pacific Island of Rotuma. 'Each day of the week has been allocated a different theme', Chairperson Rachael Mario said, 'With the Elders, Youth, Children, Community and Religious leaders hosting their days.' And as well as Language and Culture, the Rotuman Language Collective also focusses on key social justice areas that Communities need more awareness on, including: – Mother's Day acknowledging mothers and family (on Sunday 11 May) – Community Engagement (on Monday 12 May) – Decolonisation and Pasifika People's advocacy for social justice (on Tuesday 13 May) – Seniors Health & Well-Being with Hula Fit exercise, Lunch (on Wednesday 14th May) – Cultural Art Classes for the community (on Thursday 15 May) – Children's Day – La'ri'ri'i jump jam (on Friday 16 May) – Serving our Communities by Rotuman Youth – distribution of food parcels (on Friday 17 May) – Ethnic Festival – showcasing our dances and culture (on Sunday 18 May) 'It is extremely important for our migrant communities to connect with Maori as people of this land and be aware of colonisation and displacement. This will also help Rotuman people understand our own colonisation by the British and Fiji', Ms Mario said. The Language Week will commence tomorrow Sunday 11th May with a blessing and Church Service, led by the members of the Kingsland Rotuman Methodist Congregation, where the Group's origins began over 30 years ago. This Kiwi-led initiative was started in 2018 by the Auckland Rotuman Fellowship Group Incorporated (ARFGI) and has now grown to include many groups throughout the world. The feature event will be on Sunday 18 May Ethnic Festival, including the Rotuman Showcase with a traditional dance and fashion show. And followed by Community Engagement with Hon. Dr. Carlos Cheung (MP for Mt Roskill) and other community leaders. This year, UNESCO reaffirms its commitment in 2025 to celebrating and safeguarding endangered languages as vital components of cultural heritage and human diversity making this Language Week even more important. The theme for this year's Language Week is: Åf'kia ma rak'kia 'os fäega ma ag fak Rotuma – tēfakhanisit Gagaja nā se 'äe ma gou (Treasure & Teach Our Rotuman Language and Culture – A Gift given to you and I by God Rotuman people are a separate ethnic group with their own distinct Polynesian language, culture, and identity. Rotuma is described as an 'untouched paradise' with some of the world's most pristine and beautiful beaches. 'Language is what makes us who we are, and is part of our culture and identity', Ms Mario said. 'And it is our duty to preserve this invaluable taonga'. The Group hopes the week's activities will help bring people together, and showcase Rotuman culture. 'We invite everyone to come and join us, and celebrate being Rotuman', Ms Mario added. 'It has not been easy for our community to keep our language alive in Aotearoa', Ms Mario said, ' We pay tribute to our elders and leaders, who for the last 40 years, have continued to celebrate our culture in New Zealand, and for helping keep our customs and traditions relevant'. 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. The Rotuman language is listed on the UNESCO List of Endangered Languages as 'Definitely Endangered'.
