Kia Ora Whānau #10 – New APMN members and a fresh vision
.jpg)
KIA ORA WHĀNAU NEWSLETTER #10: 12 July 2026
At our last AGM – our fifth – several new members joined us and we are looking forward to refreshing our vision and strategy.
At our last AGM – our fifth – several new members joined us and we are looking forward to refreshing our vision and strategy.
Here are introductions for two of our new members, who also both took part in our Zoom and on-site AGM at the Whānau Community Centre.
Saige England, human rights journalist and author
Saige England of Ōtautahi Christchurch, human rights journalist, media educator, activist, poet and author of the acclaimed debut historical novel The Seasonwife, writes:
I grew up in the era of Watergate, the Vietnam War and apartheid South Africa. I became acutely aware that in-depth coverage of injustice could lead to the withdrawal of troops from a wrongful invasion, and influence the impeachment of a corrupt, war-mongering President.
It's no secret that journalism has changed vastly. Corporations and governments have become adept at controlling and manipulating the so-called news.
In my own career I covered conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. I won the Qantas Media feature writing awards, the NZ Media Peace award and various scholarships. I taught journalism at the University of Canterbury and the Wellington Journalism Course (now Massey). I also trained Tokelau'an journalists in the Pacific.
Although I have now come to believe that it is easier (and safer) to write the truth in narrative fiction, I still have a passion for writing and covering pressing social issues and gross injustices.
I still believe journalism can serve the public interest, it can widen and deepen understanding of critical social issues, and it can help develop empathy.
I've become a member of the Asia Pacific Media Network because I long held a great admiration for David, somebody who exemplifies excellence in journalism. I hold David in the highest regard and I can see that he is drawing the best people around him -- truly fine journalists.
I see the network as being a great centre for journalists who hold true to journalism ethics, who can write from the point of view of the oppressed rather than the oppressor.
Congratulations to Saige, she has just received word that the world rights for her debut novel, The Seasonwife, have been acquired by an award-winning US independent publisher of fine literary fiction -- Regal House Publishing.
Eugene Doyle, socialist writer and analyst
Independent writer and analyst on Middle East Asia-Pacific affairs Eugene Doyle of Pōneke Wellington, who publishes the Solidarity blog, which is widely reproduced in many countries, writes:
Independent writer and analyst on Middle East Asia-Pacific affairs Eugene Doyle of Pōneke Wellington, who publishes the Solidarity blog, which is widely reproduced in many countries, writes:
It was a pleasure to be invited to join Asia Pacific Media Network. I’ve known David for a few years now and am a devoted follower of the Asia Pacific Report and the important work it does for our entire region.
Progressive voices are being drowned out by politicians, media and other channels that promote the worst values and policies imaginable. We live in interesting times. Recognising the scale of what we are up against is important. Building our networks, helping each other to reach more people with our important stories and perspectives in crucial at this time. That is why I looked forward to joining APMN.
Progressive voices are being drowned out by politicians, media and other channels that promote the worst values and policies imaginable. We live in interesting times. Recognising the scale of what we are up against is important. Building our networks, helping each other to reach more people with our important stories and perspectives in crucial at this time. That is why I looked forward to joining APMN.
Fiji’s Shailendra Singh on his Fulbright Scholarship
One of our APMN members, associate professor Shailendra Singh, head of journalism at the School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education at The University of the South Pacific, was recently selected for a Fulbright Scholarship in the United States. He writes on his experience after his first month at Syracuse University:
One of our APMN members, associate professor Shailendra Singh, head of journalism at the School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education at The University of the South Pacific, was recently selected for a Fulbright Scholarship in the United States. He writes on his experience after his first month at Syracuse University:
Just like that, more than a month has flown by at the Tully Center and the renowned Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, upstate New York.
I feel privileged to be here as the first Fulbright Visiting Scholar in Residence at the Tully Center and, quite possibly, the first visiting scholar from The University of the South Pacific at Syracuse University.
Syracuse University’s vast, beautiful, neat and spotless campus has provided an excellent environment for research and reflection.
My research examines legislation such as the Online Safety Act, sedition laws, and other legal frameworks that may impede freedom of expression, media rights, human rights, accountability and good governance.
While this Fiji government’s repeal of the Media Industry Development Act is commendable, it was only half the job done. Broader legislative reforms remain essential to strengthen democratic freedoms and create an enabling environment for sustainable development, conflict prevention, social cohesion and national progress. Our research may seem like small efforts, but they matter in the long run because strong institutions and the protection of fundamental rights are the foundation of peaceful, resilient and prosperous societies.
Founded in 1870, Syracuse University is one of the United States’ leading private research universities, while Newhouse is consistently ranked among the world’s leading journalism and communications schools.
Like many private universities across the US, Syracuse is navigating an enrolment cliff and the resulting budget pressures, highlighting the changing challenges facing higher education.
The City of Syracuse has also been a welcoming place and pleasant environment to live and learn.
April AGM and plans to review our mission and strategy
We promised at our AGM that we would soon be taking stock of our mission and strategy for the future. This has been delayed for several reasons, but we hope to set a date soon and our Whānau Hub coordinator Nik Naidu will be steering this process and planning for future projects. We’ll also be inviting volunteers to take part in the process.
We promised at our AGM that we would soon be taking stock of our mission and strategy for the future. This has been delayed for several reasons, but we hope to set a date soon and our Whānau Hub coordinator Nik Naidu will be steering this process and planning for future projects. We’ll also be inviting volunteers to take part in the process.
Also, we hope to expand the involvement of our wider committee beyond the core group. More about that soon.
Elected at our AGM were:
Chair: Dr Heather Devere
Deputy chair: Dr David Robie
Secretary: Khairiah A. Rahman
Committee: Del Abcede, Nik Naidu (Whānau Hub), Dr Gavin Ellis, Professor Camille Nakhid, Nicole Gooch, Dr Ara Alam-Simmons
Chair: Dr Heather Devere
Deputy chair: Dr David Robie
Secretary: Khairiah A. Rahman
Committee: Del Abcede, Nik Naidu (Whānau Hub), Dr Gavin Ellis, Professor Camille Nakhid, Nicole Gooch, Dr Ara Alam-Simmons
Ngā mihi nui
APMN
Post a reply