Stories by Lydia Lewis
News
'I respect these people who are buried here' - Graveyards call out for volunteers
Public and community-run cemeteries around the country are struggling to recruit staff and volunteers.
Suicide rate in construction sector 'appalling', minister says
Minister of Building and Construction Poto Williams is supporting calls for mental health initiatives to be written into government construction contracts.
Call for mental health support in construction sector
An Auckland couple want mental health support written into government construction contracts to protect workers who hit the wall. Audio
Allied health workers start industrial action
A frontline mental health worker is warning the country's mental health crisis will get worse unless district health boards make a new pay offer. Audio
Niue ready to open travel bubble with New Zealand
Niue's quarantine free travel bubble with Aotearoa and the resumption of weekly passenger flights starts on June 27.
Calls for Pacific funeral practices to be allowed under future Covid-19 restrictions
New Zealand's first qualified Pacific Island funeral director is calling for better cultural understanding if pandemic restrictions are ever re-imposed. Audio
Cook Islands tourism industry desperate for workers
The Cook Islands needs more direct flights to restart the tourism industry and hundreds more workers but New Zealand's travel requirements are slowing the process to bring in more workers.
Pasifika providers say a one-size-fits-all Health NZ won't work
Pacific health leaders are standing firm on their challenge to Aotearoa's new health authority to ensure it is not a one-size-fits-all system. Audio
Expert backs call for investment in Pacific health services and housing
A call for serious investment into Pacific health services and housing has been echoed by an epidemiologist.
Covid restrictions mean a different look for Polyfest celebration
The annual Polyfest cultural competition is underway. Audio
Niue aims to contain and eliminate the virus says Premier
New Covid-19 cases detected at Niue's border
'I want them to learn about my Samoan culture' says Polyfest performer
For 15-year-old Auckland student Sally Toloa, Polyfest, the biggest Pacific cultural competition in the world, is much more than a dance competition.
Covid forces Polyfest audiences online
The world's biggest Pacific dance festival is getting ready to take the stage in Auckland next week - but for the first time the show will go on without any crowds.
Preparations in Auckland to farewell Joeli Vidiri
The global rugby community has farewelled rugby great Va'aiga Tuigamala at the weekend and is preparing to farewell legendary Blues winger Joeli Vidiri.
Boats from NZ's richest man reach Tonga
A total of 30 fishing boats, eight tractors and essential food has been gifted to Tonga by prominent New Zealand businessman Graeme Hart.
Pasifika warned to be vigilant against rheumatic fever
The parents of a young boy with rheumatic fever are urging adults, particularly in Pacific communities, to take sore throats and rashes in children seriously. Audio
After weeks of being cut-off, correspondent reveals magnitude of Tonga's disaster
RNZ Pacific reporter Lydia Lewis speaks with Tonga correspondent Kalafi Moala for the first time following the violent volcanic eruption and tsunami. He has told tales of survival and explains the…
Covid-19: Case zero in the Cook Islands grateful for local support
The Cooks Islands is providing wrap-around support to the women detected as the first Covid-19 cases in Rarotonga.
Official Covid-19 response information not clear says Pacific health provider
Representatives from Pacific-focused health providers are not surprised that Pasifika people make about half of the cases in the latest Covid-19 outbreak.
Collections for Tonga continue around Aotearoa
The Northland Pasifika community in New Zealand is planning on sending three shipping containers to Tonga packed full of essential supplies before Christmas.
Distribution of aid in Tonga starting to pick up
The unpacking of aid in Tonga has been made with easier with forklifts to help distribute much-needed supplies to families.
More Covid-19 cases in Tonga as NZ communities rally to aid
There are now 65 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Tonga as the Kingdom starts looking at rebuilding.
Lack of forklifts in Tonga slowing down aid delivery
A massive aid effort for Tonga across New Zealand is picking up momentum.
First shipment of aid arrives in Tonga
The first shipment of aid sent to Tonga by New Zealand community members and businesses is finally being unpacked after completing mandatory quarantine on Tongatapu.
'Resilience and strength of people' will get Kingdom through, Tonga's PM
Tonga's new Prime Minister believes the "resilience" and "strength" of people will get the Kingdom through the impacts of the volcanic eruption, tsunami and now Covid-19.