Fashion show raises awareness about Fiji’s ongoing plight

November 11, 2016

Fashion show raises awareness about Fiji’s ongoing plight

To open the night Ella Tiafau Loheni-Stancil performed a traditional Samoan dance, Nifo Oti’ Siva. Photo: Millie McCaughan

Aucklanders rallied last night at a Pacific fashion show to help Fiji recover two months on from Cyclone Winston.

The night was a celebration of Pacific fashion, family and community, showcasing Pacific fashion brands, MENA and Hupfeld Hoerder Designs.

A woman in a colorful dress

Models walked in the fashion show wearing MENA resort wear 2016 collection. Photo: Millie McCaughan

National campaign manager at charity, Habitat for Humanity (HFH) New Zealand, Ben Ross, believes people have lost sight of the need for permanent shelter in Fiji because it has dropped out of the media.

“I don’t think that people do have a realisation that the need there is still just enormous,” said Mr Ross.

Director at MENA, Agnes Loheni, said the disaster affects them because they manufacture in Fiji and are from Samoa, where cyclones are common.

“What’s really lovely is the brotherhood of helping another Pacific island in need,” said Ms Loheni.

Samoan Dance close up

To open the night Ella Tiafau Loheni-Stancil performed a traditional Samoan dance, Nifo Oti’ Siva. Photo: Millie McCaughan

Ms Loheni chose to fundraise for HFH New Zealand because of the work they do in the Pacific building cyclone-proof shelters.

She believes it is important for New Zealanders to continue fundraising for Fiji.

CEO at HFH New Zealand, Claire Szabo, spoke to the crowd about the devastation Cyclone Winston had caused.

“What we saw in Fiji resembled a tsunami, on the coast, as the sea surged in and people were putting their tiny little babies in backpacks and they were swimming away from their homes,” said Ms Szabo.

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand CEO, Claire Szabo spoke at the event and thanked everyone for donating to the rehabilitation of Fiji. video: Millie McCaughan

Ms Loheni hoped to raise between $5000 and $10,000, from ticket sales and auctioning art and jewellery.

Ms Szabo said $5000 would be enough to build a cyclone-resilient house in Fiji.

Habitat for Humanity Fiji communications manager, Doreen Narayan, said they are aiming to build 500 shelters and restructure 2000 homes.

“We still have an enormous amount of work to do to help affected families and communities get closer to achieving permanent housing conditions as soon as possible,” said Ms Narayan.

So far HFH Fiji has distributed emergency shelter kits to about 4000 vulnerable families severely affected by the cyclone.

Related Stories

Kiwis urged to get behind Amnesty’s petition on Ukraine

Kiwis urged to get behind Amnesty’s petition on Ukraine

Nandita Prasad March 25, 2022

She's NZ's first transgender beauty pageant contestant

She's NZ's first transgender beauty pageant contestant

Cameo Turner May 19, 2020

Clothing gets second life for job seekers via Fashion week

Clothing gets second life for job seekers via Fashion week

Rachel Sadler August 27, 2019

Call for Gaza ceasefire boosted by Auckland's International Women's Day

Call for Gaza ceasefire boosted by Auckland's International Women's Day

Grace Symmans March 28, 2024

Rugby numbers continue to kick on

Rugby numbers continue to kick on

Matt Bullock March 26, 2024

Circus skills unite communities in East Auckland

Circus skills unite communities in East Auckland

Fravash Irani March 26, 2024