There is a new woman MP for the Cook Islands, efforts to vaccinate Pacific people in Wellington continue, and a new representative for Spain in Tonga.
Manihiki atoll, Cook Islands. Photo: Supplied/ Cook Islands Tourism Corporation
New MP raises number of women MPs in Cook Islands
In the Cook Islands, Akaiti Puna has been sworn in as Manihiki's new member of Parliament.
Last month Puna won the seat by 49 votes.
She fills the seat left vacant by her husband Henry Puna - the former Cook Islands Prime Minister, who has become the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Akaiti Puna with husband Henry Puna. Photo: Ola Thorsen
The new MP says her husband gave her momentum to run in the first instance and continues to play a supportive role.
There are now seven women MPs in the country's 24-seat parliament.
Samoa's FAST party member charged
A minister-elect in Samoa has been charged with drink driving.
FAST party member Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster was arrested last night after attending an independence day celebration.
He was sworn in as minister of natural resources outside parliament last Monday.
The legitimacy of that swearing in is subject to a challenge in the Supreme Court by the caretaker government, which refuses to cede power.
Second Pacific vaccination day in Wellington
Capital and Coast District Health Board is aiming to bring equality to the Covid-19 vaccine rollout by hosting its second Pacific Vaccination Festival Day.
Today's event was part of the DHB plan for combatting vaccine reluctance, and to inoculate the more than 5000 Pacific people within their boundary.
The DHB also dropped the qualifying age by 10 years for Māori and Pacific people to 55.
Merivi Tia'i brought her family to get vaccinated at the first Capital and Coast vaccination festival day. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
DHB Pacific people's health director Tagaloa Junior Ulu said they were using a 'trusted faces, trusted places' model.
"We're just trying to create an atmosphere where it's familiar to them; so when they come in they're greeted, they get their explanations, then there's a little bit of entertainment when they're sitting there in the 20 minutes afterwards.
"And we're carving out these time slots to just try and up the numbers for the Pacific, but also to create a comfortable and familiar environment."
Ulu said similar events were planned for Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Kāpiti .
New Honourary Consul of Spain to Tonga
A former Tongan diplomat has been appointed as the Honourary Consul of Spain to Tonga.
'Amelia Fakahikuo'uiha Liliu'okalani Fonua Helu was granted an exequatur by Prime Minister Pohiva Tu'i'oneoa giving authority to operate within the consular district of Tonga, and to exercise consular services to nationals of Spain in Tonga.
The Embassy of Spain to Tonga is based in Wellington, and said Helu's appointment will contribute to increasing the presence of Spain in the Kingdom.