Fono puts focus on Pasifika R and E
More than 250 Pacific researchers, evaluators, service providers, central and local government people and associated colleagues attended the first Pacific Research & Evaluation Series of Symposia and Fono held in Lower Hutt as part of the lead-up to the Social Policy, Research & Evaluation conference ‘What Works’.
Two SPRE conference keynote speakers gave presentations – United States Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin and Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director, First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada. Various groups and sectors held symposia on the first day, including Health, Local Government, Samoan Ministers Theological Symposia and Education, along with cultural caucuses such as Tokelau, Niue, Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa. Wainuiomata Marae hosted the Pacific Indigenous Knowledge symposium on the first evening. Plenary presenters included Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Taisi Efi and Professor Gary Hook from Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, Whakatane; SPEaR; the Health Research Council (HRC); Taeaomanino (Porirua-based service provider); Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs (MPIA) and the Family Centre. The event was sponsored by SPEaR, MPIA, the HRC and the Ministry of Health, and was hosted by the Family Centre. Taimalieutu Kiwi Tamasese led the organising team.
A report is being prepared, and information will be on the SPEaR website (at www.spear.govt.nz) when this is available.
