pn635. AUT meet, and farewell to Professor David Robie and Del Abcede

Del, David and John Pulu, Tagata Pasifika

Presentations at the AUT Pacific Media Centre-organised symposium last Tuesday (pn627) included cross-cultural documentaries, an industry panel on “transition”, Pasifika “brown table” initiatives, a forthcoming Asia-Pacific conference, and an Internews project on climate and coronavirus reportage.

The highlight —or I should say the highlights—of the evening were the numerous accolades paid to PMC Director Professor David Robie  and Del Abcede who will be retiring at the end of the year.   They will be sorely missed amid concerns about  David's successor and the continued existence of the Centre.

David has lived in the Pacific, been involved in Pacific human rights and media freedom issues, or taught journalism to Pacific Islanders and others for 40 years. He will be a hard man to replace.