Sai Lealea Work

10 best home based business Secrets Revealed!

2010-06-25T03:34:00.000-07:00

PITIC Strategic Development Feb 2010

2010-02-25T11:38:00.000-08:00

NZ Diplomat Dies Suddenly

2009-11-15T18:29:00.000-08:00

www.nzherald.co.nz - November 16, 2009

Sai's tribute to Tia Barrett:

I am recording my deepest condolences for the passing away of someone I knew very well. Tia Barrett will be sorely missed by all who knew him as well as those who have come to respect him as a person of mana, integrity and a true advocate for maoridom.
I came to know Tia when I took him and his wife for Fijian language lessons prior to his appointment as High Commissioner to Fiji in 1999. They both took to the language with great interest and quickly gained confidence with the key everyday phrases. I am proud to say, every time I get to see Tia afterwards, he will always greet me in the Fijian language. I also grew to respect Tia very much as a person who cared deeply about his role and of wanting to serve his country to the best of his ability.
I will always remember when the Fiji High Commissioner in Wellington at the time, Isimeli Bainimara, and I accompanied Tia and his Foreign Affairs team, during Easter weekend in 1999 to say farewell to his tribe and the Maori Queen at Te Kuiti in the King Country, before he left for Fiji. It was also during this trip that Tia and the Fiji High Commissioner introduced me to my first game of golf at the beautiful Waitomo Golf Club. I returned from that weekend and bought my first golf set and have been playing ever since.
Tia's term in Fiji coincided with the Speight coup of 2000 and Tia did his best navigating the difficult and tortuous diplomatic path at the height of the impasse. I know for a fact the deep respect Fijians had for Tia during his time in Fiji. I must admit, I disagreed abit with the NZ government approach to Fiji at the time, and wrote a letter to the major daily in Fiji criticising Tia as the representative in Fiji at the time. But true to his integrity and dedication as a public servant, Tia at no time on his return to NZ, ever raised the matter with me.
Again in 2004, I was with Tia when he accompanied the Maori Queen to the funeral of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara in Suva. After the State funeral, I had the opportunity but missed out on attending Tia's wedding to Theresa at the Denarau resort in Nadi as I had to return to Suva the evening of the wedding. This was after a round of golf with my CE at the time and the head of the Ministry of Maori Development, both of whom were fortunate to be able to attend Tia's wedding. The round of golf was organised by an old friend and former Fiji High Commissioner to NZ, Isimeli Bainimara, who was back in Fiji at the time.
Lately in NZ, I met a number of times with Tia, during his various appointment first to Government House as Secretary to the GG, then back at Foreign Affairs, before he was appointed to the Cook Islands as High Commissioner. As well, I played golf with Tia from time to time as members of the NZ Diplomatic Golf Society.
My lasting memory and conversation with Tia was meeting before he left for the Cooks when he extended an open invitation for me and my wife to come to the Cooks while he was there and to bring my golf gears for a round of golf. Sadly, I will not be able to enjoy that round of golf with Tia now. I shall always cherish his memory.
May the Lord almighty bless you to eternity. Sa moce mada Tia.

Māori Party farewells distinguished Pacific high commissioner

November 16, 2009

Tia Barrett ... NZ's High Commissioner in the Cook Islands. Photo: PMC

Pacific.Scoop
Pacific Media Centre news desk

Māori Party co-leader Tariana Turia today expressed the party’s sadness over the death of Ngati Maniapoto and Waikato man Tia Barrett, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.

“Tia was a distinguished ambassador for our nation,” Turia said. “Less than a month ago, I was hosted by Tia during the Pacific disability ministers meeting in Rarotonga.

“It was immediately obvious that Tia was greatly loved by the people of the Cook Islands.

“He was greeted warmly everywhere we went, and it was evident that the strong whakapapa connections between Māori and the local people made him a very special friend to many.

“He was also greatly respected by the Prime Minister, Jim Marurai, and Queen’s representative in Rarotonga, Sir Frederick Goodwin.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said Tia Barrett had died in Middlemore Hospital this morning after a short illness.

Barrett, 62, had been flown to Auckland on a medical evacuation flight last week.

“On behalf of the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, I would like to extend deepest sympathy to Tia’s wife Theresa, and his children, Nick and Caroline,” McCully said.

Respected diplomat
“Tia was a respected diplomat, particularly in the Pacific where he served a number of postings. He was also a close and caring friend of colleagues at the ministry.”

Barrett joined the Foreign Ministry in 1973. He was High Commissioner to Solomon Islands (1992-1995), Fiji (1998-2001) and to the Cook Islands from January this year, and was also posted to Tonga, New Caledonia, and France.

He was previously chief of protocol at the ministry, and director of its Māori Policy Unit. He was a strong advocate for a Māori perspective in New Zealand’s foreign policy.

He served as Official Secretary to Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright, and was Director of the Treaty of Waitangi Information Programme in 2003-2004.

McCully said this was a particularly difficult time for staff at the High Commission in Rarotonga, after the death last year of former High Commissioner Brian Donnelly.

“His death is a great shock to us all,” Tariana Turia said.

“He was a charming host, his generosity was limitless, his local knowledge impressive and his kindness was humbling.

“The Māori Party extends our heartfelt sympathies to Theresa, his children and mokopuna who will be devastated by the enormity of this loss.”

“Tia was quite simply a beautiful man – loving, respectful, and thoroughly good fun. It was a pleasure to be around him. Together with our whanaunga in Rarotonga, and his whanau throughout Ngati Maniapoto and Waikato, we grieve the passing of a very special person.”

Labour’s Māori Affairs spokesperson Parekura Horomia said: “Tia was a true gentlemen.

“He also had a detailed understanding of the Pacific and an ability to use his own whakapapa and knowledge of tikanga to build bridges with our Pacific neighbours.”

Further details about Barrett’s tangi will be released in the coming days

Tia Barrett, New Zealand's High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, died yesterday, soon after being flown to Auckland on a medical evacuation flight.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said Te Rongotoa (Tia) Barrett died in Middlemore Hospital after a "short illness".

The 62-year-old diplomat was flown to New Zealand last week. His death comes less than a year after his predecessor died in office.

Brian Donnelly, former New Zealand First MP and Government minister, also died within a year of taking up what he described as his "dream job".

Details of Mr Barrett's tangi have not yet been announced.

Mr McCully offered his condolences to Mr Barrett's wife, Theresa, and two children, Nick and Caroline.

"Tia was a respected diplomat, particularly in the Pacific where he served a number of postings," Mr McCully said.

Mr Barrett joined the Foreign Ministry in 1973. He was High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Fiji and had been posted in Tonga, New Caledonia and France. He held other positions within the ministry and was a strong advocate for a Maori perspective, Mr McCully said.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said Mr Barrett was a "distinguished ambassador for our nation" and his death was a shock.

Having met Mr Barrett in Rarotonga it was "immediately obvious that he was greatly loved by the people (there).

Tia was quite simply a beautiful man - loving, respectful and thoroughly good fun."

Labour Maori Affairs spokesman Parekura Horomia said Mr Barrett would be missed.

- NZPA

Labour Pays Its Respects To Tia Barrett

Sunday, 15 November, 2009

The sudden death of respected diplomat Tia Barrett has saddened politicians across Parliament and he will be sorely missed, says Labour's Maori Affairs spokesperson Parekura Horomia.

"Tia was New Zealand's High Commissioner in the Cook Islands, until his sudden illness brought him home just a week ago.

"He has previously held a range of senior overseas diplomatic posts, as well as a number of senior posts within the New Zealand public service," Parekura Horomia said.

''Tia was a true gentlemen. He also had a detailed understanding of the Pacific and an ability to use his own whakapapa and knowledge of tikanga to build bridges with our Pacific neighbours. "Our hearts go out to his family at this very sad time. Tia will be missed by many, as will the many attributes and skills this senior Maori diplomat brought to our work in the Pacific.'

NZ diplomats saddened at Barrett’s death

16 November, 2009

New Zealand’s deputy secretary of foreign affairs and trade says the ministry is deeply saddened at the passing of New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.

Tia Barrett died suddenly after a short illness, on Sunday.

Peter Hamilton says he and Mr Barrett joined the Ministry around the same time in the early 1970s.

He says Mr Barrett became ill while on the golf course in Rarotonga last week and was rushed to hospital.

“’We were able to medical evacuate him to New Zealand, thank you to the French Military, who helped us at very short notice by providing an aircraft. And then he was taken to Middlemore hospital and he received superb treatment from the staff, but sadly he didn’t recover from the illness.”

Peter Hamilton, the deputy secretary of New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Radio New Zealand International

Diplomat Tia Barrett for Cook Islands

Mr Barrett has had extensive experience in the Pacific.

Pacnews

Wed, 10 Dec 2008

WELLINGTON, New Zealand---- Foreign minister Murray McCully has appointed career diplomat Tia Barrett to be the country’s next high commissioner to the Cook Islands.

“New Zealand and the Cook Islands have a special relationship, based on constitutional links – the Cooks have been self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1965 – a shared cultural heritage, and strong personal ties.

“The maintenance and enhancement of the extremely close bond that has developed between our two countries is vitally important to New Zealand, as is the cooperation we enjoy with the Cook Islands on regional and international issues,” Mr McCully said.

Mr Barrett, currently director of the Maori Policy Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), has extensive Pacific experience. He has previously served as High Commissioner in both the Solomon Islands and Fiji, and has also served in Tonga and New Caledonia.

Mr Barrett is of Ngati Maniapoto and Waikato descent from the Tainui iwi, and will be New Zealand’s first Maori high commissioner to Rarotonga. He takes up his appointment this month, in place of the late Brian Donnelly

Creative New Zealand Draft Strategic Plan for 2007-2010.

2008-10-29T20:01:00.000-07:00

Creative New Zealand has released its Draft Strategic Plan for 2007-2010.

CNZ has appointed an external reference group to provide independent feedback on the draft plan, consisting of Jenny Harper, Liz Civil, Sai Lealea, Roger King, Anna Kominik.

The Draft Strategic Plan identifies four strategic priorities

1. New Zealand Communities are Engaged with their Arts
"This priority is focussed specifically on communities and their participation in the arts. It acknowledges that through the strong foundation of communities and the arts, both the overall arts sector and communities will be healthier."

2. Development of Quality New Zealand Arts and Artists
"This strategic priority aims to ensure that New Zealand artists develop the quality of their work, reach their potential and move the arts forward."

3. Development of Quality New Zealand Arts and Artists
"This priority aims to give New Zealanders in metropolitan and provincial centres regular opportunities to access high quality diverse arts experiences."

4. International Success for New Zealand Arts
"International success for New Zealand arts, artists, producers and arts organisations does not tend to happen spontaneously, but is generally the result of a long-term commitment to achieving success for New Zealand arts internationally."

Feedback on the plan is due by Wednesday 7 March. CNZ has appointed an external reference group to provide independent feedback on the draft plan, consisting of Jenny Harper, Liz Civil, Sai Lealea, Roger King, Anna Kominik.

CNZ Draft Strategic Plan and background info - CNZ website

NZ Delegation to Geneva for CERD

2007-08-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

On 30 July 2007 to 3 August 2007 I was in Geneva, Switzerland, as a member of the NZ government delegation to submit NZ's report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination (CERD). The delegation was comprised 9 members in all from 6 government departments. I was there representing the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs. The CERD met every 4/5 years to consider reports from member nations in relation to their compliance with the UN convention on rights under the CERD convention.

The delegation was hosted during the week by the NZ Mission in Geneva in preparing its presentations and responses to the CERD committee. We had two presentations during the week, Tuesday and Thursday and in between had to gather at the Mission to deliberate over the questions posed by the committee and our proposed responses. The responses also had to be sent overnight back to NZ for sign off by Minsters. Our delegation, given its make up was well received by the committee and we were able to provide comprehensive responses to the questions raised. I dealt with questions relating to the situation of Pacific peoples in NZ and government policies and strategies that are directed at addressing their outcomes.

Geneva as a city is beautiful with its lake and architecture, let alone the wonderful shops selling the famous Swiss watches. Because of its UN population, Geneva is a diverse city with a visible presence of African population who make the cafeteria and restaurant areas very colourful. I took a ferry ride around the huge Geneva lake that only covered less than half its size, some of which is part of France. Though I had some time off to enjoy the various attractions of Geneva, I love to go back for a proper holiday and to take in the rest of Switzerland. It was my first extended trip overseas to take longer than 4hours. It involved two eleven and half hours flights involving Auckland to Hong Kong then to Frankfurt and then a 2 hours to Geneva. A 6 hours stop over in Hong Kong saw me stuck at the airport for ages before I was able to find a way to get out and take a train trip to the first stop on the way to Hong Kong City as I did not have time to cover the full trip and back to Hong Kong City. Better luck next time!!

See above some photos from the Trip to Geneva.

Read the UN report on the NZ Delegation's Presentation to CERD, log on to:

http://www.ishr.ch/hrm/tmb/treaty/cerd/reports/cerd_71/cerd_71_newzealand.pdf

Rotorua Trip - October 2006

2006-12-20T19:00:00.000-08:00

The Trip to Rotorua was to visit the Fijian community there following the tragic death of a young achiever attending Rotorua Boys High School

Week Dec 18 - Dec 22 2006 Highlights

2006-12-20T17:38:00.000-08:00

Monday Dec 18
-Prep for staff performance review

Tuesday Dec 19
-Final Team & Staff meetings
-Senior management meeting (SMT)
-Workshop on Pacific Outcomes Indicators
-Staff Performance review

Wednesday Dec 20
-Staff performance review
-Final catch up relationship manager, Leadership Development Centre
-Team outing, Karori Golf Club

Thursday Dec 21
-Staff performance review
-CE catch up

Friday Dec 22
-Staff performance review
-Last day at work for 2006

Week Dec 11 - Dec 16 2006 Highlights

2006-12-20T17:27:00.000-08:00

Monday Dec 11
-Budget Bids work
-Catch up with SPA
-Book Launch for Pacific Cooperation Foundation

Tuesday Dec 12
-Leadership Course-Financial Management (Evaluation & Public Sector Performance)
-Staff meeting
-Chief Executives' Steering Group meeting (x)

Wednesday Dec 13
-Leadership Course-Financial Management (Evaluation & Public Sector Performance)
-Budget Bid meeting with Minister's adviser (x)
-Resigning of MoU with Ministry of Health (x)
-Farewell function for CE of Health Research Council

Thursday Dec 14
-Budget Bids meeting with Minister
-Leadership Action Learning Group (x)
-Weekly Ministers' briefing
-Arts Exhibition Opening, National Library
-Ministry Xmas function

Friday Dec 16
-Chief Executives meeting (final for year)

Week Dec 4 - Dec 8 2006 Highlights

2006-12-20T17:18:00.000-08:00

Monday Dec 4
-Budget Bid work

Tuesday Dec 5
-Team & Staff meetings
-Meet PBT officials re: Select Committee

Wednesday Dec 6
-Select Committee appearance in Parliament on financial review
-Attend Launch of North Shore Pasifika Forum-Auckland

Thursday Dec 7
-Housing Strategy Steering Group
-Budget Bids work
-Ministers' weekly briefing

Friday Dec 8
-Work Wise consultation
-Meet Hugh Wicks
-Christchurch staff interview

Hawke's Bay CRG Election - August 2006

2006-12-20T14:14:00.000-08:00

In August 2006, I attended the election of new members of the Community Reference Group (CRG) for the Hawke's Bay region held in Napier. Tare Taeutama, Community Adviser, and Ruta Lealamanua organised the event together with members of the community in Hawke's Bay. I was able to be present at the election after returning from a trip to Fiji.

Week Nov 27 - 01 Dec 2006 Highlights

2006-12-07T23:21:00.000-08:00

Monday Nov 27
-Debrief with staff work priorities

Tuesday Nov 28
-CE returns from overseas trip ending my Acting CE stint
-PBT Review Team meeting
-SMT Budget review

Wednesday Nov 29
-Budget Bids meeting

Thursday Nov 30
-Senior public service managers annual conference

Friday 01 Dec
-Run training on Pacific Analysis Framework for Pacific Advisory Group
Alcohol Advisory Council
-Meeting with Donasio -PhD student from Fiji @ Victoria University
-CEO of Creative NZ function

Week Nov 20 - Nov 24 2006 Highlights

2006-12-07T23:16:00.000-08:00

Monday Nov 20
-Session with Work Wise Consultant for organisational efficiency & increase productivity

Tuesday Nov 21
-CEs National Identity Theme meeting
-NZAID function for Pacific sponsored students

Wednesday Nov 22
-Reception for Tumu Te HeuHeu, Head UN Heritage Committee

Thursday Nov 23
-Budget Bid Team meeting
-Ministers weekly briefing

Friday Nov 24
-Meeting with Senior Analysts

Week Nov 6 - 13, 2006 Highlights

2006-11-19T20:59:00.000-08:00

Monday 6 Nov - SMT special meeting

Tuesday 7 Nov - Meeting with Acting Minister
- Chair meeting on PBT Long Term Funding Review
- Acting CE uptil 28 November

Wednesday 8 Nov - Pacific Economic Action Plan to Cabinet Committee

Thursday 9 Nov - Weekly Ministers' briefing

Friday 10 Nov - Chief Executives meeting
- PBT Meeting in Auckland

Week Nov 13 - Nov 17 2006 Highlights

2006-11-19T20:36:00.000-08:00

Monday 13 Nov - Attend Niu FM AGM in Auckland

Tuesday 14 Nov - Ran training on Pacific Analysis Framework for staff of Alcohol Advisory Council of NZ
-Training is aimed at analysing public policies through Pacific lenses

Wednesday 15 Nov - Chair Meeting on PBT Review of Long Term Funding
- Provided feedback on departmental CE performance review

Thursday 16 Nov - Weekly Ministers' Briefing; Acting Minister Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban

Friday 17 Nov- Chaired Symposium on Pacific Peoples & the Treaty of Waitangi

A symposium held on Friday 17th November 2006 From 12.15pm - 4pm, At Lecture Theatre 1, Rutherford House, Lambton Quay, Wellington. Chaired by Sai Lealea. Some questions for Pacific people include: What is the relationship between the Treaty and human rights? How does the Treaty influence the relationship between Pacific Peoples and the Crown? How does the Treaty influence the relationship between Pacific Peoples and Rangatira? What are the issues for Pacific People? For example, how does the Treaty protect Pacific rights and responsibilities and, Pacific concerns in areas of health, education, justice, the delivery of social services, language, culture, international relations, local government, and employment? Key Note Speakers: Garry Nicholas, Galumalemana Alfred Hunkin, Apii Rongo-Raea, Dr Tamasailau Suaalii-Sauni, Rosslyn Noonan. * Lunch provided * For contact and info contact Narlene Ioane at Human Rights Commission at Treaty@hrc.co.nz or Phone 04-473 9981

Canberra Conference - September 2006

2006-10-02T17:37:00.000-07:00

On September 27-29 206, I attended a three day conference at the Australian capital, Canberra, as part of my executive leadership development programme in the NZ public service. The conference was on "Performance Improvement Frameworks for Government Service Delivery" with speakers from federal, state and local Australian government agencies. Including me there were three NZ government agencies with officials attending the conference. The venue for the conference was the Rydges Lakeside Hotel. Workshops were also held during the conference which looked at practical applications of performance management and performance measurements both in government and in the private sector. My overall assessment was that it was very useful and relevant to my area of development and in particular to my own ministry's capability area of improving service (policy) performance and in the monitoring and reporting of departmental effectiveness in improving outcomes for Pacific peoples by service delivery agencies in NZ.

Included in this post are some photos of the conference venue and the federal parliament houses in Canberra and those taken in Sydney with friends and relatives following completion of the conference in Canberra.

Royal Funeral-Tonga, 19 September 2006

2006-09-22T02:59:00.000-07:00

In September 2006, I was immensely fortunate to be part of the New Zealand delegation to the State Funeral of His Late Majesty King Taufa'afahau Tupou IV. This followed on from 2003 when I was also part of the official New Zealand delegation to the State funeral of Fiji's former President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara in Suva, Fiji.

It was a one day trip to the Kingdom of Tonga, flying over on an NZ Air Force 757 plane around 5.30am NZ time on 19 September 2006 and returning around 9.30pm same day Tongan time.

It was a day that will remain with me until I leave this world as I was privileged to bear witness to pomp, ceremony and tradition by a people who take great pride in paying tribute and homage to their beloved monarch. As a Fijian with Tongan heritage, I derive immense pride and satisfaction in being there on the day to witness the event and meet up with friends and colleagues with whom we share one common factor; a reverance and pride in things Tongan.

The NZ delegation numbered around 100 and headed by the Governor General, Prime Minister and a number of other Ministers, MPs, senior government officials, me included, members of the diplomatic community accredited to Tonga and Tongan Community Leaders in NZ.

I was also able to meet with delegates attending from my home country of Fiji. The Fiji delegation was led by the Deputy President and accompanied by the PM and Chiefs from the three confederacies. I was privileged to also meet up with my High Chief of the Tovata confederacy, Gone Turaga Bale, Tui Cakau. He and I exchange greetings and word about our upcoming provincial council meeting scheduled to be held on my island of Yacata in Fiji in late October 2006.

The Fijian presence was also distinctly evident in the royal funeral procession, when the Fijian relatives of the royal Tongan household followed closely members of the Royal family. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and members of the Mara family played a significant part in the proceedings thereby portraying the very close links between the Tongan Royal family and the chiefly families in Fiji.

In this post are some photos from the solemn event in Tonga commencing from disembarking from the airforce plane and returning to it late the same day. I was fortunate to meet up with a noble friend of mine on the day; Tui Vakano, who was Lord in Waiting for the day and a Tongan cabinet minister. He is the one with the staff and dressed in black as were all Tongans on the day with tawala (mats) around their waist. While it was a long day, sitting down to a ceremony that took around 6 hours for some of us, it was nevertheless an event discharged with military precision, timing and community patience and respect. For those of us on the NZ delegation, it was a welcome relief when it was all over when we then retired to the NZ High Commissioner's residence for refreshments and something to eat and drink. The residence reminded me of the NZ residence in Suva where it also overlooked the entrance to Suva harbour with the two islands of Nukulau and Makuluva visible in the distance. In Nukualofa at the residence of the NZ High Commissioner, it is on a hill, one of two in Nukualofa I am told, it also overlooks the port and a number of islands the same size as those in Suva.

Overall it was a very solemn, moving funeral befitting a King who has done his utmost for his people and country. May he rest in eternal and everlasting peace.