Pacific News Briefs

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a display of athleticism, the Samoan Police Service proved too strong for the crew of HMAS Choules in a series of touch football and volleyball matches in July. 

The friendly competition in the Samoan capital, Apia, celebrated the shared sport-loving tradition between the two nations. 

The Samoan Police team took on the joint Navy-Army team in a hotly contested game of touch footy, with the scores locked 5-5 at half time.

The speed and tenacity of the local police service, combined with their home-ground advantage and comfort in the searing heat and tropical humidity, proved decisive, edging out the Aussies 11-10. 

Australian Army Sergeant Georgia Smart, of Choules, said it was an amazing opportunity to play footy against Australia’s Samoan friends.

“It was a lot of fun. The Samoans were fast, well-versed across the field,” Sergeant Smart said.

“You could definitely feel the passion and camaraderie out there.”

Looking to restore national pride, the Choules volleyball team started strong, winning the first match in a convincing 15-6 victory.

The Samoans came back strong in game two, and clinched the three-game series with 15-13, 15-8 wins.

Wrapping up the event, Commanding Officer Choules Commander Arron Convery thanked Samoan Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo for his nation’s generosity while the ship was in port, presenting a plaque on behalf of the crew.

Choules visited Samoa during a south-west Pacific regional presence deployment in June and July, as part of Australia’s ongoing engagement with Australia’s Pacific partners.

[HMAS Choules press release]

PADDLING FOR SAMOA

Years of early morning training sessions on Auckland’s North Shore are about to pay off for canoe sprint brother and sister Tuva’a and Samalulu Clifton when they pull on the Samoan colors at the Paris Olympic Games.

The pair have spent 12 years honing their skills at Lake Pupuke, and now for the first time will be Olympic team-mates. 

Tuva’a paddled for Samoa at the 2020 Tokyo Games, while Samalulu is making her debut, having previously paddled for New Zealand at other international events. 

The Cliftons, with their other sister Aotea, began canoeing while competing in surf life -saving competitions as teenagers. 

Now, nearly 12 years later, they are at the top of the sport. Suva’a recently won a gold medal for Samoa at the Pacific Games in the K1 500m. 

Both said their training under coach Gavin Elmiger had significantly helped them. 

Both siblings said it was an “honor” to be representing Samoa at the Olympics. 

The pair had a training camp in Europe before heading off to the Olympic village and making their final preparations. 

Tuva’a will compete in the men’s K1 1000m and Samalulu in the women’s K1 500m.

[Island Business]

X-RAY SCANNER

On Thursday evening Samoa inaugurated its first-ever customs container x-ray scanner and examination facility, marking a dual celebration for the island nation.

The event drew a crowd including government officials, diplomatic corps, donor partners, parliament members, and community leaders.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Customs and Revenue, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio highlighted that the initiative had been in the works for several years, driven by public concerns over rising incidents of illicit substances and weaponry entering Samoa. 

Tuala expressed optimism that the new scanner and examination facility would bolster border security, effectively thwarting illegal imports.

"Safeguarding the security and prosperity of all Samoans remains our top priority," Tuala affirmed, emphasising the pivotal role of customs officials in maintaining integrity and effectiveness within the new facilities. 

Quoting a traditional Samoan proverb, he reminded them that the true value lies not in the physical structure of the facilities but in the dedicated personnel and their commitment to service.

He reminded the customs officials who will be using the facilities to use it wisely for the greater good of the country. 

"The primary responsibility now rests upon you," Tuala said.

(Samoa Observer)

BRUTAL VIOLENCE IN PNG

Violent attacks on three remote villages in Papua New Guinea's (PNG) north has reportedly killed 26 people, including 16 children, while several people were forced to flee after attackers set fire to their homes, the United Nations said.

"I am horrified by the shocking eruption of deadly violence in Papua New Guinea, seemingly as the result of a dispute over land and lake ownership and user rights," UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said in a statement released on Wednesday.

The death toll could rise to more than 50 as PNG authorities search for missing people, Turk said.

Citing Provincial Police Commander in East Sepik James Baugen said, "It was a very terrible thing, when I approached the area, I saw that there were children, men, women. They were killed by a group of 30 men."

He told the ABC that all the houses in the village were burned, and the remaining villagers were sheltering at a police station, too scared to name the perpetrators.

"Some of the bodies left in the night were taken by crocodiles into the swamp. We only saw the place where they were killed, there were heads chopped off," he said.

"The men are in hiding, police have been deployed but there have been no arrests yet."

Turk called on PNG authorities "to conduct prompt, impartial and transparent investigations and to ensure those responsible are held to account".

(RNZ Pacific)

HEPATITIS B

Niue is on the verge of becoming the first Pacific Island country to eliminate hepatitis B.

This is thanks to a joint initiative between Niue's Health Department and non-government organisation, Global Health New Zealand.

It started during the COVID-19 lockdown with over 90 percent of the island's population of around 1500 screened for Hepatitis B and C.

No cases of hepatitis C were found, but individuals with hepatitis B were connected to care and medication.

Now ahead of World Hepatitis day on Sunday, Niue is awaiting validation from the World Health Organization (WHO) to be able to mark the historic milestone.

Global Health New Zealand co-founder Hazel Heal said with success in Niue the team is now committed to helping other Pacific countries use the scalable model to eliminate the liver disease.

Heal said the virus is an endemic in the Pacific and her organisation is looking to expand its program to help all the countries in the region to eliminate the disease by 2030.

"If you live in the Pacific, you are ten times more likely to die from hepatitis and liver cancer than anyone else in the world," Heal said.

"When people have Hep B and C die young, and when you have a population with 10 to 20 percent and a small island nation, the impact is so massive that even though it is expensive, it is cost-effective to rid your country of hepatitis.

"We just want to save lives," she added.

World Hepatitis Day, on 28 July, focuses on strengthening global efforts and encouraging action for a robust response as outlined in the WHO's Global 2017 Hepatitis Report.

This date was chosen as the birthday of Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus.

Global Health New Zealand will be launching a 45- minute documentary to mark World Hepatitis Day.

The film from their work in Niue, will premiere on Niue TV on Friday and will have its world premiere at Tapac Theatre, Western Springs, before it is released for free on YouTube.

(RNZ Pacific)

BEST BACON AND HAM IN NZ

If you're a pork eater, it's hard to fathom that bacon — and its cold-cut cousin ham — can be judged on a scale. Isn't it all a salty, fatty dream?

No, it is not and the annual 100% New Zealand Bacon and Ham Awards has crowned its 2024 winners.

Upper Hutt's Cameron Harrison Butchery scooped up this year's Supreme Winner in the bacon category for its Honey Cured Streaky Bacon. Sam's Butchery in Silverdale won the Supreme Award for ham with their Mini Champagne Ham.

Rob Cameron, owner of Cameron Harrison Butchery, said he stuck to traditional methods for curing bacon "Brining it and putting it through a stringent drying process before smoking and slicing. I've been doing it the same way for as long as I've been making bacon, which is 16 years now," he told First Up.

Harrison said mass-produced bacon could be too lean and watery. "Don't over-pump it. Some companies are too focused on making money and put too much water in there," he said. "You definitely need to have a bit of fat in there."

New Zealand-grown pork was some of the best in the world, he said.

Judges, including culinary experts and butchers, spent three days sampling entries from 50 retailers from across the country that use only New Zealand-born and ethically raised pork.

"I was looking for that harmony of flavor where I could taste the pork itself with a balance of sweet, salty and slight acidity — and this is what stood out for the winning products on the Supreme judging day," said judge Jess Granada, chef and owner of Auckland restaurant Nanam.

"The winning products had the best flavor with excellent moisture content which left you wanting more," said Todd Treadwell, a judge from Well Hung Butchery in Milford.

The public also cast more than 7500 online votes to determine the People's Choice Award. That went to the Aussie Butcher New Lynn in Auckland.

After several years of judging the competition, Treadwell has noticed improving standards year on year. "Retailers are taking pride in what they are making which is great news for the public," he said, adding that he prefers nothing more than freshly cut ham off the bone.

A pre-heated cast iron pan is key to cooking this year's winning bacon to perfection, advised Granada. "Overall, it was a very high standard of entries, and you could tell a lot of love had gone into making all the products," she said.

(RNZ Pacific)

LIFE AT THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE

21-year-old gymnast Aleah Finnegan took TikTok viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Village dining hall. She even attended an on-site baguette making workshop.

The dining hall features six food courts with offerings from around the world, including European, Asian and Halal options.

Four Michelin-starred chefs work on-site to prepare protein-heavy French cuisine for the athletes - there's poached eggs, artichoke cream and shavings of sheep's cheese topped with truffle - but you can't have a French menu without plenty of croissants and baguettes too; the dining hall features an extensive bread and pastries section.

The Village is aiming to be healthier this year. In a devastating blow for athletes hoping to celebrate a gold medal the Usain Bolt way - with 1000 chicken nuggets - the iconic McDonald's menu item will not be available. Instead athletes can celebrate with plenty of fruit and dessert like Parisian flan, lemon-meringue tartlets, tiramisu and cheesecake.

For those craving a taste of home, there's an option to import favourites — America has shipped peanut butter, Australia has brought a barista, and Japan has requested miso.

(RNZ Pacific)