NZ: Breakfast, gender issues and climate change on Pacific political forum blog

WELLINGTON (Pacific Media Watch): Two Asia-Pacific Journalism students are covering the Pacific Parliamentarian and Political Leaders Forum in Wellington this week and a live blog was launched yesterday.

Michael Sergel's live blog can be followed via the Pacific Media Centre and Pacific Scoop and Fin Scott is also covering the conference.

Highlights from this morning:

Friday 08:00: Delegates are having breakfast before a busy day ahead. This morning they will hear from Samaon Justice Minister Fiame Naomi Mastaafa on gender issues in Parliament and New Zealand Climate Change Ambassador Jo Tyndall on environmental issues and climate change. Later, there will be debates on gender issues and environmental issues.

Thursday 18:30: Delegates have left the house, to join dignitaries at a barbeque dinner hosted by Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Hekia Parata.

Thursday 18:05: Kennedy Graham has made a significant apology about climate inaction, Jan Logie raised reproductive health access and Jo Goodhew discussed gender.

Indo-Fijian New Zealander Rajan Prasad spoke on the need for a more democratic system in Fiji and Te Ururoa Flavell stressed the importance of tikanga and tradition across the region.

Former broadcaster and Labour MP Kris Faafoi has spoken of his proud Tokelau heritage and the importance of media freedom. He says he is proud of the passing Louisa Wall's marriage equality bill, but believes he understands why people disagreed with the bill. He also says Pacific values are important.

Direct link to Michael's blog.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand Licence.