AGP Executive Report

Pacific Rugby & Community: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters says Moana Pasifika still has a pathway to survive, with new potential backers showing interest, while ruling out a direct government bailout and pointing to building a sustainable business model after the club was placed into liquidation. Niue Culture: Niuean-Māori tattoo practitioner Iata Peautolu is returning to Niue to run a Tātatau Art Workshop aimed at documenting stories, traditions and cultural knowledge to deepen understanding of Niuean tātatau and its symbols. Climate & Food Security: Pacific nations are strengthening climate response for tuna fisheries as an Advanced Warning System helps governments track climate-driven shifts in tuna beyond national waters. Language & Libraries: Samoan Language Week wrapped with community celebrations at Manurewa Library, highlighting how public libraries can support Pacific languages and help others understand Samoan culture. Arts & Identity: Pacific Dance Festival 2026 opens in Māngere with a diverse line-up that includes Niuean artists, bringing movement, story and identity to communities across Aotearoa. Remembering a Jurist: Obituary coverage marks the life and impact of Sir Kenneth Keith, a major figure in New Zealand’s legal landscape.

Niue tātatau preservation: A Niuean-Māori tattoo practitioner is returning to Niue to run a Tātatau Art Workshop focused on documenting stories, traditions, and cultural knowledge for future generations, aiming to deepen understanding of Niuean tātatau beyond iconic symbols like niu, vaka, and uga. Climate & food security: Pacific countries are rolling out a new climate warning system to help governments track how shifting tuna stocks affect economies, food security, and livelihoods as fish move beyond national waters. Samoan Language Week in the community: Samoan Language Week celebrations continue through cultural events that mix legends, screen printing, traditional food, music, and family activities, including a Manurewa Library gathering led by Auckland leaders highlighting why Pacific languages matter for everyone. Pacific arts spotlight: The Pacific Dance Festival 2026 opens in Māngere with a diverse line-up that includes Niuean artists, bringing movement, story, and identity to venues across Tāmaki Makaurau. Regional culture & identity: A deputy mayor marks the end of Samoan Language Week by stressing libraries as spaces where Pacific heritage is shared and understood.

Moana Pasifika future: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters says the Super Rugby club still has a pathway to survive, after owners moved to liquidation—he’s pointing to new potential backers and pushing for a sustainable business model rather than rushed criticism. Niue culture preservation: A Niuean-Māori tattoo practitioner is returning to Niue to run a Tātatau Art Workshop, aiming to document stories, village nuances, and sacred places behind a distinct Niuean tātatau style. Samoan Language Week in the community: In South Auckland, the end-of-week celebrations at Manurewa Library brought families together around Samoan language, songs, food, and cultural stations—while Oamaru’s Pacific Island Trust ran an all-ages programme mixing legends, screen printing, and traditional cuisine. Pacific arts on stage: Pacific Dance Festival 2026 opens in Māngere with a big line-up, including Niuean artists, and runs across multiple venues with a focus on movement, story, and identity. Honours & service: Inspector Neru Leifi, who has mentored police in Niue, was recognised with an MNZM for decades of frontline and community policing work. Remembering Sir Kenneth Keith: An obituary marks the legacy of the jurist and legal reformer, including his role in shaping major New Zealand rights and information laws.

Niue Cultural Preservation: A Niuean-Māori tātatau practitioner is returning to Niue this week to run a Tātatau Art Workshop aimed at documenting stories, traditions and cultural knowledge to help shape a deeper understanding of Niuean tātatau for future generations, with a focus on identity and village nuances behind key symbols like the niu (coconut), vaka (canoe) and uga (coconut crab). Samoan Language Week in the Community: Samoan Language Week activities in New Zealand brought families together for legends, language, screen printing and traditional food, while Auckland’s Deputy Mayor marked the end of the week at Manurewa Library—highlighting how public libraries help others understand Pacific languages and culture. Pacific Arts & Movement: The Pacific Dance Festival 2026 kicks off in Māngere with a two-and-a-half-week programme of Pasifika movement, story and identity, featuring artists from across the Pacific including Niuean performers. Honours & Service: Several Pasifika leaders were recognised in New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours, including sport and governance figure Beatrice Faumuinā, alongside other community-focused recipients. Service to Niue Connections: Police inspector Neru Leifi, of Māori and Sāmoan descent, received an MNZM and credits decades of service that included mentoring police in Niue and community policing work across the Pacific.

Niue tātatau revival: A Niuean-Māori tattoo practitioner, Iata Peautolu, is returning to Niue this week to run a Tātatau Art Workshop aimed at documenting stories, traditions and cultural knowledge to help shape a deeper understanding of Niuean tātatau for future generations. He says identity is central to tātatau, and hopes the workshop will unpack the meaning behind iconic symbols like niu (coconut), vaka (canoe) and uga (coconut crab). Samoan Language Week celebrations: In South Auckland, community groups and families marked the end of Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa with cultural programmes, songs, food and hands-on activities like screen printing Samoan patterns and “valu le popo” coconut scraping. Pacific arts on stage: The Pacific Dance Festival 2026 opens in Māngere with a two-and-a-half-week run of performances across multiple venues, featuring a diverse line-up that includes Niuean artists. Honours and service: Several Pasifika leaders were recognised in New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours, including sport and governance figure Beatrice Faumuinā, plus other Pacific recipients for community, education and public service.

Samoan Language Week: Oamaru Pacific Island Trust (OPIT) wrapped up Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa with a family-friendly night of Samoan legends, history, language, screen printing patterns, coconut “valu le popo,” and traditional food like pani popo, sapasui and fa’alifu taro. Community & libraries: Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson marked the end of the week at Manurewa Library, saying public spaces help others understand Pacific languages and culture, with cultural attire and leis turning the library into a celebration of Samoan identity. Pacific arts & dance: The Pacific Dance Festival 2026 opened in Māngere with a big, diverse line-up, including Niuean artists, and runs across Tāmaki Makaurau before heading to Kerikeri for Matariki programming. Niue connections in the spotlight: Police inspector Neru Leifi, of Māori and Sāmoan descent, shared how he helped mentor police in Niue and deliver community policing training in Indonesia—now recognised with a New Zealand Order of Merit honour. Honours for Pasifika leaders: New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours named 12 Pasifika recipients, led by discus Olympian Beatrice Faumuinā for sport and governance, alongside other community, education and arts awards.

Samoan Language Week (Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa): Oamaru Pacific Island Trust (OPIT) brought legends, history, screen printing, and traditional food to its cultural programme, with kids and families trying “valu le popo” coconut scraping and dishes like pani popo, koko Samoa, sapasui and fa’alifu taro. Community Libraries & Pacific Languages: Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson marked the end of the week at Manurewa Library, saying public libraries help others understand Samoan language and culture, not just celebrate within the community. Pacific Dance Festival 2026: The festival opened in Māngere with a big line-up across venues, featuring artists from Papua New Guinea, Wallis and Futuna, Rotuma, and Niue, alongside Uvea choreographer Justin Haiu’s “Call to Wallis.” Niue Connection in the Arts: Fiji-American artist support is boosting a Niue youth mural initiative, adding fresh momentum to local creative projects. King’s Birthday Honours (Pasifika recognition): Twelve Pasifika people in New Zealand were recognised, led by Olympian Beatrice Faumuinā for sport and governance, with other honours spanning education, community service, and the arts. Public Service Spotlight: Police inspector Neru Leifi received an MNZM, sharing his long career and mentoring police in Niue.

Samoan Language Week: Oamaru Pacific Island Trust (OPIT) marked Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa with an evening of legends, history, screen-printing Samoan patterns, coconut scraping (“valu le popo”), songs, and shared food like pani popo, koko Samoa, sapasui and fa’alifu taro. Community & libraries: Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson helped close the week at Manurewa Library, saying public spaces should help others understand Pacific languages and culture, not just celebrate within the community. Pacific arts & dance: Pacific Dance Festival 2026 opens in Māngere with a two-and-a-half-week run of Pasifika movement and story, featuring artists from across the region including Niuean performers. Niue culture in music: Niuean icon Che Fu won a Lifetime Achievement award at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards and opened with a takalo, calling the honour a tribute to his Niuean family and community. Honours spotlight: New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours named Pasifika leaders including Beatrice Faumuinā (sport and governance) and other Pacific recipients across education, health, arts and community service. Remembering: Sir Kenneth Keith, a major New Zealand jurist and legal architect, was remembered in an obituary.

Niue Culture in the Spotlight: Niuean music icon Che Fu (Che Ness) took home the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards Lifetime Achievement honour, crediting his grandmother-raised Niuean identity and kicking off with a takalo as Pasifika finalists filled Auckland’s Civic Theatre. Pacific Dance Festival 2026: Māngere is set to light up with the Pacific Dance Festival 2026, a 2.5-week celebration of Pasifika movement and identity featuring artists from across the region, including Niuean performers, with venues spanning Māngere Arts Centre, Te Oro, and Studio One Toi Tū. Honours & Community Service: New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours recognised 12 Pasifika people, led by discus Olympian Beatrice Faumuinā, alongside other community, sport, education, and arts leaders—an ongoing reminder of how Pasifika service is shaping Aotearoa. Local Leadership in Policing: Inspector Neru Leifi received an MNZM for decades in New Zealand Police, including mentoring police in Niue and community-focused work across the Pacific. South Auckland Nightlife: A look at South Auckland’s Samoan nightclub scene captures the all-ages energy, bass-heavy sound, and the compere-led call-and-response that turns garage drinks into dancefloor moments.

Pacific Dance Festival 2026: South Auckland’s Māngere is set to light up tonight with the opening of the Pacific Dance Festival, a 2.5-week celebration of Pasifika movement, story and identity, with venues across Tāmaki Makaurau and a Matariki programme in Kerikeri; this year’s line-up is the festival’s most diverse yet, featuring artists from Papua New Guinea, Wallis and Futuna, Rotuma and Niuean performers, including the opening work “Call to Wallis.” Niue in the spotlight (music): Niuean icon Che Fu (Che Ness) took home the Lifetime Achievement award at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards, and opened his performance with a takalo, saying being Niuean is something he carries from his grandmother and hopes his community feels proud of. Honours & service (Pasifika recognition): New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours 2026 included major Pasifika achievements, with 12 Pasifika people recognised nationwide; among them, discus Olympian Beatrice Faumuinā was named a Companion for sport and governance, and police inspector Neru Leifi was honoured for decades of service, including mentoring police in Niue. Travel & culture (Wallis and Futuna): The Wallis and Futuna Pocket Guide launched online in collaboration with Wallis and Futuna Tourisme, offering practical travel advice and cultural insights for independent travellers.

Pacific Dance Festival 2026: South Auckland’s Māngere is set to light up tonight with the Pacific Dance Festival’s biggest line-up yet, a 2½-week celebration of Pasifika movement, story and identity across venues like Māngere Arts Centre and Studio One Toi Tū, with Niuean, Wallis and Futuna, Rotuman and Papua New Guinea artists among the featured talent. Royal honours with Pasifika impact: New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours spotlighted Pasifika service and leadership, including discus Olympian Beatrice Faumuinā (sport and governance) and other Pasifika recipients recognised across community, education, health, arts and public life. Niue culture on stage: Niue music icon Che Fu (Che Ness) received a Lifetime Achievement award at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards, opening with a takalo and crediting his Niuean upbringing and community for carrying his career. Community ties through education: Avele College Old Pupils Association chapters are gearing up for their bi-yearly reunion, with Niue among the Pacific nations historically sending students to the school.

Niue Culture Spotlight: Che Fu (Che Ness) was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards, and opened his performance with the takalo as a proud nod to his Niuean upbringing and community. Pacific Arts & Heritage: A new Pacific-designed carpet by Samoan artist Ana Teofilo is being installed at Tūhura Otago Museum, drawing on motifs from across the Pacific, including Niue, to keep culture visible in a major gallery revamp. Honours & Community Service: New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours 2026 recognised Pasifika leaders and contributors, with Beatrice Faumuinā highlighted for sport and governance and other Pacific recipients noted across education, health, arts and community work. Regional Connections: A Wallis and Futuna Pocket Guide has launched with Wallis and Futuna Tourisme, offering practical travel advice and cultural insights for independent travellers. Sports & Family Life: The All Whites’ World Cup debut story spotlights Michael Boxall and his family, blending sport, pride and travel plans for the campaign. Niue Links in the Wider Pacific: Police inspector Neru Leifi, recognised for decades of service, also shared experience mentoring police in Niue and supporting community policing across the region.

Pacific travel & culture: South Pacific Pocket Guide has launched a new Wallis and Futuna Pocket Guide with Wallis and Futuna Tourisme, offering practical trip planning, cultural insights and on-the-ground recommendations for both Wallis and Futuna. Niue community & arts: Niue music icon Che Fu (Che Ness) was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards, performing the takalo and speaking about being raised Niuean by his grandmother. Music scene spotlight: The Aotearoa Music Awards also drew big moments beyond Niue, including Lynda Topp’s emotional “battle cry” speech and a recap of standout highlights from the night. Honours & Pasifika recognition: New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours 2026 included multiple Pasifika recipients, with Beatrice Faumuinā recognised for sport and governance and other Pacific leaders and community figures named across education, health, sport and the arts. Service to policing & the Pacific: Inspector Neru Leifi received a New Zealand Order of Merit honour after decades in New Zealand Police, including mentoring police in Niue and community policing work across the Pacific. Education & reunion ties: Avele College Old Pupils Association chapters are preparing for their bi-yearly reunion, with Niue among Pacific nations historically sending students to the school.

World Cup Pride: New Zealand All Whites player Michael Boxall is set for his World Cup debut, with family support from wife Libby and their kids as they travel to watch matches in Los Angeles. Honours & Service: Police inspector Neru Leifi, of Māori and Sāmoan descent, received an MNZM and credits decades of frontline and Pacific community policing, including mentoring in Niue. Royal Honours Spotlight (Pasifika): RNZ Pacific reports 12 Pasifika recipients in New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours, led by Olympian Beatrice Faumuinā (sport and governance) and including other community, education, health and arts leaders. Niue Culture in Music: Niuean music icon Che Fu won a Lifetime Achievement award at the Aotearoa Music Awards, performing the takalo and framing the honour as recognition of his Niuean family and community. Pacific Arts & Heritage: A new Pacific-themed carpet for Tūhura Otago Museum draws on motifs from across the Pacific, including Niue, to keep culture visible in public spaces.

Honours & Service: Niue-linked police leader Neru Leifi has been recognised with a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), marking decades in New Zealand Police including mentoring in Niue and community policing training across the Pacific. Royal Recognition for Pasifika: The King’s Birthday Honours 2026 spotlighted Pasifika achievement in Aotearoa, with 12 Pasifika recipients among 178 overall—led by Olympian Beatrice Faumuinā (sport and governance) and other community, education, Māori and arts leaders. Music & Culture: Niue icon Che Fu received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards, opening his performance with the takalo (Niue War Dance) and reaffirming pride in his Niuean roots. Arts & Heritage: Pacific artist Ana Teofilo is creating a new carpet for Tūhura Otago Museum’s Tāngata Moana gallery, drawing on motifs and treasures from across the Pacific, including Niue. Community & Education: Avele College Old Pupils Association chapters are preparing for their bi-yearly reunion, with Niue among the Pacific nations historically sending students to the school.

Arts & Community: Fiji-American artist backs a Niue youth mural push, adding fresh momentum to local creative spaces. Honours & Pasifika Pride: New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours 2026 recognised 12 Pasifika people, with Niuean sport-and-governance figure Beatrice Roini Liua Faumuinā among the standouts; the wider list also highlights community, education, health and sport contributions across Aotearoa. Music & Identity: Niue icon Che Fu took home a Lifetime Achievement award at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards, opening with a takalo and framing the honour as a tribute to his Niuean family and roots. Culture in Museums: Samoan artist Ana Teofilo is revamping Tūhura Otago Museum’s Pacific gallery with a new carpet design drawing on motifs from across the Pacific, including Niue. Education & Alumni: Avele College Old Pupils Association chapters are gearing up for their bi-yearly reunion, with Niue among the Pacific nations historically sending students to the school.