Monthly Archives: July 2022

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern once said, We will continue to be your single source of truth, and that, Unless you hear it from us, it is not the truth.

Context was missing from a video of these remarks that was reshared in July 2022. One day after tweeting the video, The Daily Wire issued a second tweet to correct that the remarks were more than two years old. Further, the video that was shared on social media did not include around 27 seconds that preceded the clip, in which Ardern spoke more about not being fooled by potentially misleading information on social media in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the afternoon of July 25, 2022, the conservative blog The Daily Wire reshared a video on Twitter that showed New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaking to members of the press about the COVID-19 pandemic. The two highlighted moments were that Ardern said, We will continue to be your single source of truth, and, Unless you hear it from us it is not the truth.

More than 16 hours later, The Daily Wire replied to its own tweet, adding a correction of sorts: Note: This clip is from 2020. However, by that point, several of the top replies to the original tweet showed that users appeared to jump to conclusions by believing that Arderns remarks were new.

The video on social media that was reshared by The Daily Wire did not include around 27 seconds that preceded the clip, in which Ardern spoke more about not being fooled by misleading information on social media in the early days of the pandemic.

The New Zealand Herald hosted more of Arderns remarks in a video that was shot from a different angle. According to the reporting, the video showed Ardern speaking in Rotorua on March 19, 2020, the same time when much of the world was experiencing the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We transcribed the longer version of Ardern attempting to reassure her citizens, which included 27 seconds (bolded below) that were not seen in the Twitter video that was reshared from another account by The Daily Wire:

Ardern: Ive been watching for some days, and this is not unique to New Zealand, that, in the midst of what is a global issue, as you would expect, there are a number of rumors that would circulate. I am present on social media. I see it myself. I cannot go around and individually dismiss every single rumor I see on social media, as tempted as I might be. So instead, I want to send a clear message to the New Zealand public. We will share with you the most up-to-date information daily. You can trust us as a source of that information. You can also trust the director-general of health and the Ministry of Health for their information. Do feel free to visit it anytime to clarify any rumor you may hear. COVID19.govt.nz. Otherwise, dismiss anything else. We will continue to be your single source of truth. We will provide information frequently. We will share everything we can. Take everything else you see with a grain of salt. And so, I really ask people to focus.

Reporter: The most egregious example of that appears to be this text which originated in Malaysia and has kind of become a viral hoax in Australia and New Zealand. How irresponsible is it the people that are sharing that news of a lockdown imminent in New Zealand?

Ardern: And look, thats the kind of thing that adds to the anxiety that people feel. So I can tell you this message: New Zealanders must prepare, but do not panic. Prepare. And when you see those messages, remember that unless you hear it from us, it is not the truth. And I really ask people. Just visit COVID19.govt.nz. It has all of the up-to-date information and we will continue to provide everything you need to know.

According to BBC.com, New Zealands four-stage alert system for COVID-19 rose to its highest-possible level just one week later on March 25, which triggered a total nationwide lockdown, with only essential services running and everyone told to stay at home, in their bubble.'

In Arderns remarks in the video, she promised, We will share with you the most up-to-date information daily, and said that those updates would happen frequently. She also added, We will share everything we can. Four days before Ardern said these words, The Daily Wires co-founder, Ben Shapiro, published an opinion column in which he wrote, We should favor governments that are transparent in their distribution of information. He also added that, We must stop humoring anti-scientific rumormongering about issues like vaccines, and that misinformation about vaccinations should generally be rejected.

Shapiros column ended with this bit of advice: Jumping to conclusions based on lack of information is a serious mistake.

Sources:

Cheng, Derek. Watch: PM Dismisses Nationwide Lockdown Speculation. NZ Herald, 18 Mar. 2020, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/coronavirus-jacinda-ardern-dismisses-nationwide-lockdown-speculation-on-social-media/I2FTKPSA36LJIDNLBFIYECXDHM/.

Jones, Anna. How Did New Zealand Become Covid-19 Free?BBC News, 10 July 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53274085.

Shapiro, Ben. Ben Shapiro: Lets Learn the Right Lessons from the Coronavirus Situation. Omaha World-Herald, 15 Mar. 2020, https://omaha.com/opinion/ben-shapiro-lets-learn-the-right-lessons-from-the-coronavirus-situation/article_d660f62b-89db-52c4-bc85-f496c6cb5eee.html.

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Did New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern Once Say, 'Unless You Hear It from Us, It Is Not the Truth'? - Snopes.com

PM Jacinda Ardern to talk about foot and mouth, Green Party troubles, and Three Waters at press conference. Video / Mark Mitchell

OPINION:

The new book on the leadership of the National Party, Blue Blood, is like a favourite horror movie: it is still gripping even though you know what the ending is.

It starts with John Key's shock decision to step down as prime minister at the end of 2016, and his succession plan kicking in.

It all went well - until it turned to custard in the midst of a global pandemic and the party is now onto its fourth leader in just over two years.

Succession planning is one of those things that is often talked about in whispered tones within a political party.

It can be forced into the public by events, as evidenced by the failure of James Shaw to get sufficient support at the Green Party AGM for another year.

It will be five years on Monday since Jacinda Ardern became the leader of the Labour Party and internal speculation has already begun about the next Labour leader.

As with Helen Clark and John Key's prime ministerships, there is no suggestion that Ardern will be challenged.

She is still well in front as preferred Prime Minister in all political polls. But with the National and Act bloc roughly level pegging with the Labour-Greens bloc, her chances of leading a third-term Government are no longer overwhelming.

If Ardern loses the next election, however, there will be a leadership contest. And that would most likely be between Chris Hipkins and Michael Wood.

Hipkins is popular with the public and the media and is the Mr-Fix-it in Cabinet. He has taken over the troubled police portfolio, after taking over health and Covid-19 at the height of concern over the pandemic. He is affable and has a good sense of humour.

He is aged 43 and came into Parliament in 2008 as MP for Remutaka after working as a political adviser in the Beehive.

Michael Wood is less experienced but has made an impact in the short time he has been a minister his nickname in the Beehive is "Napoleon." He is competent, efficient, and firm.

He has been trusted with the Fair Pay Agreements in Workplace Relation, with transport, which got the better of Phil Twyford, and has taken over immigration from Kris Faafoi.

Wood is popular with the party base. He is a former union organiser, has an ability to think on his feet in the House and draw appealing contrasts between Labour and the Opposition. He is aged 42 and replaced Phil Goff as MP for Roskill in the 2016 byelection.

Given the role the party and the unions have in Labour leadership votes, Wood would have the edge over Hipkins.

Who becomes the next Labour leader is, however, dependent on the circumstances.

If there were a sudden and unforeseen vacancy this year, through accident or illness, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, and Ardern's close partner in politics, would almost certainly become uncontested Labour leader and Prime Minister.

But in the event of an election loss with Ardern at the helm, it would be highly unlikely that Robertson would want to go from Finance Minister for two terms to leader of the Opposition.

It is not impossible, though not likely, that Ardern could do a John Key and step down but it would threaten Labour's chances of securing a third term.

At the time Key left, in 2016, he had reason to be confident that National could possibly secure a fourth term under Bill English. It had not always been so.

Five years into John Key's prime ministership, most close observers would have picked Steven Joyce as the natural successor in the event of an unforeseen vacancy.

But by the time of the actual vacancy, Bill English as deputy leader and Finance Minister, had become the natural successor and was Key's choice.

There was a certain amount of resentment in the National caucus that Key had organised his succession.

Key had told English of his plans a few weeks before but told Steven Joyce only at 9am on the day of the announcement, the Blue Blood book says.

Key talked to author Andrea Vance for the book and told her he felt boxed into a corner.

"'I think Steven would say I tainted the process. One or two people were a bit angry, or disappointed, that I did that. And I get that. The leader is first amongst equals. If you are no longer the leader, you don't have any right to impose that.

"But I didn't have that luxury," he had said.

"If I didn't say, 'I'm supporting Bill,' I was, by definition, not supporting Bill. That's the inference the media would take. After a decade together, with us being hand-in-glove, if I didn't say, 'He's right,' then I'm actually saying 'he's not right.'

"And I believed him to be right."

The succession plan actually worked extremely well. English led the National Party to the 2017 election where it secured 44.4 per cent of the vote.

But the plan did not figure on either Jacinda Ardern taking over the Labour leadership from Andrew Little two months from the election, or New Zealand First choosing Labour and the Greens over National.

The rest was history for Labour but was, for a long time, a horror show for National.

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Who will replace Jacinda Ardern? Audrey Young: Whispers begin about the next Labour leader contest - New Zealand Herald

PM Jacinda Ardern to talk about foot and mouth, Green Party troubles, and Three Waters at press conference. Video / Mark Mitchell

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has cautioned against reducing the current Covid-19 isolation period, particularly during winter, saying it could increase case numbers.

It comes as the National Party calls for the mandatory isolation period to reduce from seven to five days, with more emphasis on testing to allow people to return to work.

Ardern said the next check-in about Covid-19 settings would be in "early August" but played down any speculation current settings could be relaxed.

On Monday, Ardern said wastewater testing indicated case numbers were starting to indicate a downward trend. However, hospitalisations remained high.

While the United Kingdom had eliminated all protocols aimed to stop the spread of the virus, including isolation periods, Ardern said advice here was doing so would see case numbers increase.

Australia has also currently retained its seven-day isolation period.

Ardern said the advice of experts and officials looked at emerging evidence around infectiousness and periods of infectiousness, as they related to variants.

They also factored in current case numbers.

"But the most important thing that we can be doing right now is making sure that people who have Covid are isolating with their household," Ardern said.

"That is a significant factor in reducing case numbers.

"You'd want to be careful, particularly in a winter period of making sure that you're not contributing to extra growth."

National Party Covid-19 response spokesman Chris Bishop said his party still supported reducing mandatory isolation periods from seven to five days, as it had since February, unless people were sick and still symptomatic.

He said that was in line with official guidance in the United States and other countries.

Bishop said it was more important to have a more clear testing-to-work regime, which allows household contacts deemed critical workers to continue working provided they return a negative test.

"Our view is that in this economy, all workers are critical. It shouldn't be based on an arbitrary definition of what a critical worker is.

"If you are a household contact and you don't have Covid, and you can prove that with a daily rapid antigen test, you should be able to go to work. And we've had that policy for three or four months now. We think it's time we introduced it."

On Monday there were 6910 new community cases of Covid-19 reported. The seven-day average of 8517 cases is down on the most-recent peak of 10,414 nearly two weeks ago.

There were 16 Covid-related deaths reported.

There are 836 people in hospital with the virus, including 27 in intensive care. The average age of people with Covid-19 in hospital is 65.

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Covid-19 Omicron: PM Jacinda Ardern guarded on relaxing restrictions ahead of August check-in - New Zealand Herald

Focus Live: PM Jacinda Ardern gives LGNZ speech. Video / Mark Mitchell

The Prime Minister's assertion local government can shape its own destiny is being challenged by southern community leaders who are sceptical after the Government's handling of Three Waters reform.

A big shakeup in local government structures would not happen under her watch if the sector did not want it, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a local government conference last week.

"It will not be the policy of any government I lead to embark on another substantial reform of local government or governance unless it is sought and unless and there is broad consensus amongst local government about the need for and the direction of change," Ardern said.

This was under a heading in her speech: The Future for Local Government is up to you.

Among the more lively reactions was a comment from Otago regional councillor Michael Laws.

"Given the duplicity of this Government over Three Waters, the PM's statement has as much credibility as Russia assuring Ukrainians that they only bomb military targets," Laws said.

"I suspect co-governance is this administration's real aim for local government."

Dunedin city councillor Lee Vandervis said if the Prime Minister believed her own claim "the future for local government is up to you", she should force Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta to return to her original plan of allowing councils to opt-in or out of the "Three Waters takeover by central government and iwi".

She should also stop forcing compliance legislation and costs on to local government, Vandervis said.

Local government is facing its biggest upheaval since 1989 and a review comes on the heels of the reform of Three Waters and resource management.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said she stood by her statement and the review was happening at the request of the sector.

"It naturally follows that any change, as a result, will be based on consensus from the sector," the spokeswoman said.

Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins said he believed the Prime Minister was explicitly ruling out the reorganisation or restructuring of local government, unless communities themselves asked for it.

The review's focus was on how "we set ourselves up to deliver better wellbeing outcomes in a rapidly changing world", Hawkins said.

Invercargill deputy mayor Nobby Clark said he believed the Government was shell-shocked after the Three Waters reform had gone down badly with councils and communities.

He expected councils would be asked to focus on community development and responding to climate change.

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said the local government structure had stayed largely intact for more than 30 years and some change was inevitable.

Several Dunedin city councillors were not reassured by the Prime Minister.

"It is difficult to trust anything the Government says right now given it said it would not mandate Three Waters and then it did," Carmen Houlahan said.

Jules Radich said Ardern's commentary seemed rather disingenuous, "considering the Three Waters proposal will strip substantial assets from local government".

"The consequences of that are yet to be clearly seen, but it is likely that localism will be weakened and central bureaucracy strengthened to the detriment of efficient response management."

Rachel Elder said it looked very much like the future of local government was in the hands of central government.

"With so many big changes happening all at once, it is very difficult to even conceive what responsibilities or otherwise local councils will have in the future."

Sophie Barker noted the Government's enthusiasm for centralisation and said a pause on local government reform would be welcome.

"It seems that the message of councils justifiably complaining that they are under huge pressure from central government may have been heard."

Andrew Whiley said long-term funding remained uncertain.

Dunedin mayoral candidate Mandy Mayhem-Bullock said she was an advocate for localism.

"I am pleased to hear the Prime Minister mention consensus going forward because the water reform issue has been contentious."

Otago regional councillor Gretchen Robertson said local government was great when done well.

"Let's be honest across the nation, local government has not exhibited great leadership behaviours, at times."

She expected the role of local government would change, but not be diminished.

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Three Waters: Jacinda Ardern's governance message greeted with scepticism by southern leaders - New Zealand Herald

AM co-host Melissa Chan-Green then questioned whether the changes would be confusing for students, pointing out the rules had changed from mandatory mask use up until April, to mask use being encouraged in May and finally in July it being encouraged with punishments for those who don't.

But the Prime Minister pushed back on this, saying schools aren't required to punish students who don't wear masks.

"No, that's not actually correct. We, of course, have our settings and from the Government's perspective when we move those settings we change some of those rules, so of course, we don't have mandated mask use in schools. We have not said you must punish students if they don't use masks or anything of that nature."

But Chan-Green then pointed out the Ministry of Education's advice is to enforce the school's mask rules in the same way sunblock, sun hat and uniforms rules are enforced.

"For any child or young person who is failing to comply with the school policy (who is not exempted), you will be able to apply or agree your own school policies to manage this behaviour, in the same way you might enforce sun hat and sunblock rules and uniform rules," the Ministry of Education said in its update.

But the Prime Minister hit back, saying whether students are punished or not is up to the school.

"Ultimately here we have said we are not making it compulsory but we are strongly encouraging use," Ardern said.

When Chan-Green said the rules were "quite confusing", Ardern hit back saying "she doesn't believe it is".

"In many cases schools have continued to use them all the way through," Ardern said.

It's a view backed up by Remuera Intermediate Principal Kyle Brewerton who told AM for the most part there will be no issue.

"The kids are pretty comfortable wearing them and there's no real problem."

Brewerton said some students do have exemptions or make the personal decision not to wear a mask, and in those cases there are no consequences.

"I think that's the key difference between not having a mandate as such, I think the fact that we are taking the stance where we do enforce that mask-wearing," Brewerton said.

"Those with exemptions, they've chosen to make that decision and that's fine."

The principal told AM students have worn masks at school before - so term three of masking up is nothing new.

Brewerton said in situations like school assemblies, kids are provided masks to further encourage their use.

"Because we are in an enclosed space, we have all the windows open but when you're bringing 450 people together you do want to use some common sense."

He encouraged those who take issue with their children wearing a mask at school to "talk to your local school" because most are very accommodating and will make it work.

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PM Jacinda Ardern says schools don't have to punish students who won't wear masks but they can choose to - Newshub

Politics

23 Jul, 2022 07:04 AM2 minutes to read

PM Jacinda Ardern with staff at Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT) in Suva. Photo / Michael Neilson

Now that politicians have been able to leave the country to grow diplomatic connections for quite a while, what have they been doing?

That's the topic of this week's edition of New Zealand Herald podcast On The Tiles. Senior Political Reporter Thomas Coughlan spoke to his former boss, Newsroom's National Affairs Editor Sam Sachdeva about the jaunts our MPs have been on.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has recently been on trips to Singapore, Japan, the US, Spain, Belgium, the UK, Fiji, and twice to Australia. International jet-setting still has its issues, with many of the press gallery catching Covid-19 while covering the Pacific Islands Forum.

China's government remains a challenge for many western nations, with Ardern not fully answering where her Government would stand if China waged war on China.

Coughlan commented that a conflict initiated by China might play out different to Russia's war on Ukraine.

"China is obviously much wealthier and much better equipped than Russia is, but also Taiwan is much wealthier and better equipped than Ukraine was. And it is incredible the extent to which parts of the international community have been able to mobilise behind Ukraine and resource Ukraine.

"I suppose the big difference is the centrality of Russia to the global trading system versus China."

The relationship between Australia and much of the world is being renegotiated by their new Government.One way of signalling this was Australia's acknowledgement of climate change while in attendance at the Pacific Islands Forum, a stark contrast to the previous Scott Morrison administration. Ardern was even asked if Australia might outspend New Zealand on climate change policy. The prime minister responded that this type of competition could only be a positive thing.

On the Australian delegation, Sachdeva said: "There was a lot of talk about the refreshing change in approach from Australia, which sort of speaks volumes about the previous government and what it brought to the table. "

"People love having a pop at Scott. Do I feel bad for him? I dunno that I do. He kind of made his own bed in terms of climate policy"

On the Tiles is available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can find more New Zealand Herald podcasts at nzherald.co.nz/podcasts or on iHeartRadio.

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On the Tiles: What politicians have accomplished now that they can travel - New Zealand Herald

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Firmsy CEO Claudia King says it was inspiring to see Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in action during the trade mission to Australia in early July.

Two top Taranaki businesswomen say they got a glimpse of Prime Minister Jacinda Arderns star power while accompanying her on a trade mission trip to Australia.

Claudia King, chief executive of Firmsy, and Natalie Innes, chief executive of Van Dyck Fine Foods Ltd, represented two of the 31 New Zealand businesses chosen for the trip earlier this month.

Firmsy is a legal technology company which creates software for lawyers, while Van Dyck Fine Foods specialises in pancakes and crpes.

Both are based in New Plymouth and both have their main markets outside the region.

READ MORE:* Australian PM Scott Morrison arrives in New Zealand for first post-lockdown meeting* How Jacinda Ardern holds her own on the world stage* In the post John Key era, politics is now all about the team

The purpose of it was to take a bunch of businesses that export to Australia over there to strengthen ties and to look for opportunities over there to grow in that market, King said.

Seventy per cent of our customers are in Australia, so the Australian market is the fastest growing market for us.

Being around Ardern was inspiring, King said.

It was incredible to watch her in action, and she's definitely got a lot of star power and celebrity.

Everywhere you go, people want to talk to her and tell her about what she's done and how much it means to them and get a selfie with her.

Supplied

Ardern used her star power to promote New Zealand, Natalie Innes, CEO of Van Dyck Fine Foods said.

The group spent two nights in Sydney and two nights in Melbourne and learned a lot about the differences between the New Zealand and Australian markets.

For example, King found that the two countries have different preferences when it comes to colour choices, which was good to know when it came to marketing.

Kiwis prefer black and white, whereas Australians prefer bright colours, she said.

It was a really great trip, because I think it's been a long time that we've all been operating out of our homes that it was great to come together with such a group of inspiring people and go over and represent our country in that way and for Nat and me to represent Taranaki.

Innes said it was amazing to connect with companies of all different sizes from different industries.

She said she usually she only spent time with other food companies, but said she believed she was the only food company representative on the trip.

Despite being from different industries, Innes was surprised to learn all businesses had the same issues of sourcing talent, gaining capital, research and development, managing environmental impacts, and cost increases.

Weve all got similar problems, very different businesses but similar problems.

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The Taranaki businesswoman promoting their firms to Australia - Stuff

PNG monkeypox warning, Tokelau leaders meet again, and honour for Tahiti MP

Papua New Guinea's deputy controller for the Covid-19 response, Daoni Esorom, said the country is at a high risk of monkeypox and people need to be vigilant.

The National reports that Dr Esorom's caution comes after the World Health Organisation declared the spread of monkeypox a "public health emergency of international concern."

Dr Esorom said PNG has to be ready to respond to the virus while also contending with covid.

He said PNG needs to develop a country strategy on the virus, along with a case definition to enable health workers to indentify the condition and work with partners to ensure PNG has the laboratory equipment and skills to diagnose monkeypox.

Tokelau's General Fono opened with prayers in Nukunonu on Wednesday morning.

It's the first time in more than a year that elders from Tokelau's three atolls have met.

Finalising capital development projects and the passing of the 2022/2023 budget are on the agenda.

RNZ Pacific's Tokelau correspondent Elena Pasilio said it is significant to have everyone meet face-to-face after so long, with the last General fono held over Zoom.

"Today they opened the meeting with a flag raising and a prayer.

"There is a Zoom link where the New Zealand Government is joining from. They are discussing the budget today and I do know that on Friday they are launching a school website."

A pro-independence French Polynesian member of the French National Assembly has been elected as the head of the Assembly's 54-strong overseas delegation.

Photo: AFP

Moetai Brotherson, of the opposition Tavini Huiraatira party, sits with the leftist Nupes coalition.

He was elected in the first round of voting and will replace Olivier Serva.

Brotherson is the first politician from a French Pacific territory to lead the Assembly's overseas representatives.

He was first elected to the Assembly in Paris in 2017 and returned for a second term last month when the Tavini candidates won French Polynesia's three seats.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is to visit Samoa next week.

Her visit will mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, at the time that Samoa was establishing its independence from New Zealand.

The Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has confirmed the visit, saying it will be Ardern's first visit since the FAST government came to power a year ago.

Ardern will be accompanied by members of her Cabinet and will meet with Samoan Cabinet Ministers.

Fijian administrator Robin Mitchell is set to be elected President of the Association of National Olympic Committees - or ANOC - unopposed.

Dr Mitchell has been acting ANOC President since Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah was charged with forgery in Switzerland in 2018.

A new permanent ANOC President is due to be elected at the ANOC General Assembly in Seoul in October, and Mitchell is the sole contender.

He is also President of the Oceania National Olympic Committee.

The Journalists Association of Samoa has been appointed to the Council of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Earlier this year the Association known as by its acronym JAWS nominated veteran Samoan journalist Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson to the IFJ Gender Council and she was subsequently appointed to the Council as the only Pacific island journalist.

Association president Lagi Keresoma said the presence of JAWS through one of its members on the Federation's Gender Council is a milestone for Samoa and also a broader recognition for Pacific women journalists.

The Gender Council has 37 representatives from journalists' unions and associations around the world.

Lagipoiva says the work of the IFJ Gender Council is extremely important given the issues faced by women journalists globally.

AS Vnus have won Tahiti's Coupe de Polynsie for the third year in a row after beating AS Dragon 2-0.

Roonui Tehau's powerful long-range strike opened the scoring at Stade Pater before Teaonui Tehau chested home from a yard out just before half-time.

Both teams ended with 10 men after red cards were dished out for one player apiece.

The result is particularly hard for Dragon which a week earlier lost out on the Ligue 1 title on the final day.

The cup win qualifies Vnus to French football's domestic cup, the Coupe de France, where they will enter in the seventh round in November.

The Samoan Cabinet has extended the appointment of Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II as Head of State until the next sitting of Parliament.

Prime Minister Fiane Naomi Mata'afa says Parliament will decide at the next sitting on August 23 whether Tuimalealiifano gets another five-year term.

Tuimalealiifano took office on July 21, 2017 taking over from Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi after he served two terms.

Samoa's previous Human Rights Protection Party government introduced a constitutional amendment limiting the Head of State's time in office to two five-year terms.

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Pacific news and sport in brief for July 27 - RNZ

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Taranaki students Bethanie Luke, left, Ebony Kalin, Tom Tito-Green and Achim Hane all travelled to Wellington last week to take part in Youth Parliament.

Four Taranaki teenagers with a passion for politics have made their voices heard at Parliament.

The students from around the region travelled to Wellington last week to participate in Youth Parliament with their mentors the regions Labour Party MPs.

Youth parliament happens every three years and spans over a six-month period, encouraging rangatahi to speak up about youth issues in New Zealand.

Tom Tito-Green, 17, attended parliament representing MP Glen Bennett and said his aim was to get a Taranaki Mori voice into Parliament.

READ MORE:* Tom and Bethanie to represent New Plymouth at Youth Parliament* Youth Parliament representative 'completely at home' in corridors of Parliament* Youth Parliament gives Southlanders the chance to have a say

The reason I went was to get our thoughts and ideas across the board including our youth Mori.

Tito-Green said there were roughly 140 youth MPs from around New Zealand including Aucklands Luke Orbell, who was with Te Pati Mori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Brylee Gibbes, of Te Awamutu, who was mentored by National Party MP Barbara Kuriger.

Tito-Green, who is head boy of Opunake High School, said it was an emotional few days.

Just knowing that in the 1800s Parliament was the place where it suppressed a lot of Mori and now being a Mori offered an opportunity to sit in the house, it was quite overwhelming and emotional.

SUPPLIED

Tito-Green even got a selfie with the prime minister while he was there.

The conversations were all focused on issues youth in New Zealand were facing and how they wanted to fix them.

Tito-Green took his opportunity to speak on Mori issues and said he was successful with his motions.

I moved a motion in the house that spoke about commemorating the legacy of Parihaka.

Although it was not legally implemented into law, the Youth Parliament recognised the motion as being passed.

SUPPLIED

He passed a motion for the legacy of Parihaka to be acknowledged and commemorated.

Ebony Kalin, 16, of Hwera High School said she was in her element at The Beehive

It was an absolutely amazing experience that not many Kiwis get to experience, especially speaking in the house.

It was awesome to be surrounded by people that were just as passionate about youth issues as I was, and I couldnt stop smiling the whole time.

Bethanie Luke, 16, from Sacred Heart Girls College, represented Minister of Health Andrew Little and said her main focus was the importance of teenage leadership and the challenges of global warming.

But other conversations included fixing the minimum wage for youth, the make it 16 campaigns and mental health issues.

Listening to all the speeches was really inspirational. Just to know that our generation are all so passionate about so many different things.

Achim Hane, 17, from Francis Douglas Memorial College, was a part of the press gallery and had a chance to listen to what the youth MPs were debating on and then reported on it.

It was the opportunity of a lifetime. I got to watch over Tom and Bethanie speak about what matters to them.

Each youth MP spent three days in Wellington and was introduced to Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Governor General Cindy Kiro.

And after having a conversation with the prime minister and the chance to ask her questions, Hane said he had a great experience.

Just getting to be in the theatre, [Jacinda] standing on that podium and us getting to be the journalist in the room was awesome.

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Taranaki students being heard in the house during youth parliament week - Stuff