Seven years after it began serving readers in New Zealand and around the world, Kaniva Pacific News was officially launched on Saturday night.
Kaniva News founder Kalino Latu launched Kaniva Pacific News and the Ta’angafonua Trust in front of an invited audience during a function held to celebrate his daughter’s graduation.
The star of the evening was Malia Lesina Kelela Latu Jr, who graduated from Unitec with a Bachelor of Communication degree in a ceremony at Auckland town hall on Wednesday afternoon.
In his welcoming speech Latu praised his daughter and her achievements and said that he had created Kaniva Pacific News for her and her brothers and sisters.
“We are here tonight just because of one thing,” Latu said.
“My daughter Malia Lesina Kelela Latu Jr has been successful in obtaining a BA in communication studies based on Public Relations from Unitec.“
He said Lela had been a gift to her parents from God.
“Kelela was given to us with a responsibility to take care of, protect her life and to pave her a way for a prosperous future,” he said.
“I would like to thank you, Kelela, for your obedience and for patience and hard work that has been shown in your success. Our whole family is very proud of you.
“Tonight we talk about Kaniva Pacific News and Ta’angafonua Charitable Trust.
“They are here to serve you with news, education and entertainment. Even though Kaniva has been serving the community since 2009 I have never ever officially announced it.
“I was waiting for this day. I wanted you Kelela to come straight home into a business in journalism your dad and mum have created for you, your sister and four brothers.“
Dozens of guests from Auckland’s Tongan community attended the evening and Latu family members travelled from Tonga and the United States for the occasion.
Music for the evening was performed by the Kaniva Band, with vocals by Maria Angelica ‘Elisiva Jr Latu. Malia joined her on several songs.
During the evening Malia performed a tau’olunga, with members of her family joining her while the fakapale was brought to her.
Guests on Saturday night included Former Deputy Leader of the Tongan Democratic Party, Dr Sitiveni Halapua, Member for Manukau East Jenny Salesa, journalist Tapu Misa and Dr Philip Cass.
Misa, who has had a long career with the New Zealand Herald and other media outlets, spoke about the importance of Pasifika and Maori journalists having a say and represent in their communities in the mainstream media.
She said even though there were now more Pasifika and Maori journalists than when she began working in the media, they were still in a minority.
She welcomed Latu, who studied communication and news writing at Unitec, into the community of journalists and media workers in New Zealand.
Cass said Kaniva News played an extremely important role in the New Zealand Tongan community, by providing news in Tongan and English. This made news about the community and what was happening in Tonga available to the widest possible market.
He said Kaniva stories were carried by local, national and international media, who regarded it is an important and reliable source.
The main points
- Seven years after it began serving readers in New Zealand and around the world, Kaniva Pacific News was officially launched on Saturday night.
- Kaniva News founder Kalino Latu launched Kaniva Pacific News and the Ta’angafonua Trust in front of an invited audience during a function held to celebrate his daughter’s graduation.
- The star of the evening was Malia Lesina Kelela Latu Jr, who graduated from Unitec with a Bachelor of Communication degree in a ceremony at Auckland town hall on Wednesday afternoon.
- In his welcoming speech Latu praised his daughter and her achievements and said that he had created Kaniva Pacific News for her and her brothers and sisters.
