The New Zealand parliament has been urged to reflect deeply on racism; the re-appointed head of the University of the South Pacific head will focus on good governance and stability; the Cook Islands is to declare a dengue outbreak over, and more.
New Zealand parliament urged to take action on racism
As New Zealand MPs debated the Dawn Raids apology, parliament was urged to reflect deeply on racism.
The government apologised early this month for the raids, which unfairly targeted Pasifika peoples as overstayers in the 1970s.
During the debate, Labour MP Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki called on MPs to work to end racism in migration, health, education, sport and the justice sector.
"It is appropriate for us who are the descendants of the Dawn Raids to stand together with the tangata te whenua of Aotearoa to fight all forms of racism," the MP said.
"The longer we are divided, the longer we are ruled by racist policies."
She said the Dawn Raids apology was a step in the right direction for the overall healing process.
However MPs from a range of parties said the apology must be backed up by meaningful immigration reform
Teanau Tuiono Photo: RNZ / Jogai Bhatt
The Green Party's Teanau Tuiono said there must be follow-up.
"Fix this immigration system. The Dawn Raids were about overstayers. We're going through a Covid crisis and we still have many people who are caught up in the cracks of that. And many of those people also are our essential workers who have carried us through this pandemic.
"These are more than just workers. They are family," he said.
Tuiono has called for pathways to residency for people in similar circumstances to those targeted in the raids, and an amnesty for temporary workers and overstayers.
Re-appointed university head pledges to focus on stability and good governance
The re-appointed head of the University of the South Pacific, vice-chancellor and president Pal Ahluwalia, said he looked forward to instilling stability and ensuring the USP adheres to principles of good governance.
Professor Ahluwalia and his wife, nursing lecturer Sandra Price, were deported from Fiji in early February after the government claimed the couple breached provisions in their work permits.
He is now at the Nauru campus awaiting a move that will have him based in Samoa, and resumed office on Monday for a three year term.
The USP Council offered him a new contract following its meeting on 2 June.
Professor Ahluwalia said it had been a challenging time, but he was proud to have a team that had been vigourous in managing the university and ensured the interests of students and staff remained paramount.
Having been based in Nauru for the past six months, he said he had gained first-hand experience of regional campuses, and was better positioned than ever to elevate the standards of regional campuses.
Professor Ahluwalia and his wife are awaiting confirmation of his employment contract before they shift to Samoa.
He has thanked the Nauru Government and the president of Nauru, Lionel Aingimea.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/444529/nauru-leader-defends-usp-council-decision-to-reappoint-ahluwalia
Cook Islands to declare dengue outbreak over
The Cook Islands will likely declare its dengue fever outbreak over by the end of next week.
A spokesperson from the health ministry - Te Marae Ora - said the country had not had a case for three weeks.
Dengue is spread by mosquitos. Photo: SCIEPRO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
An outbreak of the mosquito borne Type-2 variant of the dengue virus was declared on Rarotonga in February.
An eradication programme kicked off in March involving spraying of mosquito breeding grounds of stagnant water, open drains and blocked manholes.
Four arrested after cocaine packages wash ashore in Tonga
Four people arrested in the Tongan district of Vava'u have been denied bail at the Magistrates Court in the town of Neiafu, include three foreign nationals.
They remain in custody while an investigation continues into cocaine packages found washed up on Vava'u beaches.
Matangi Tonga reports that a 70-year-old British man, his 58-year-old American wife, and a 25-year-old American man were arrested last week with 2kg of cocaine, at Houmelei in Neiafu Tahi.
In total seven people were arrested during raids at three residences: in Ha'alaufuli and 'Utulangivaka in Vava'u Division, and in Nukunuku on Tongatapu Island.
The four arrested in Vava'u are scheduled to reappear in court on Thursday, and another three local people are to appear on Tuesday.
