Solomon Islands Filmmaker Wins Major Sydney Film Festival Award For Powerful Sepik River Documentary
A powerful Melanesian story about protecting land, culture and community has taken out one of the top environmental awards at the Sydney Film Festival.
Multi award-winning Solomon Islands filmmaker Matasila Freshwater has won the festival's prestigious Sustainable Future Award for her latest documentary Sukundimi Walks Before Me — a visually striking and deeply personal film following communities fighting to protect Papua New Guinea's Sepik River from a proposed mining development.
For Freshwater, whose acclaimed short film HIAMA earned international recognition, the award is more than just industry acknowledgement. It's another milestone for Pacific stories being told by Pacific people, on their own terms.
The documentary follows communities living along the Sepik River, one of the largest and most culturally significant waterways in the Pacific. Rather than telling the story through the lens of outside observers, Freshwater places audiences inside the community itself, with the story unfolding through the perspective of Sukundimi, a river spirit woven into local knowledge and belief systems.
Producer Kerry Warkia says that Indigenous perspective is what makes the film stand apart.…more
Cook Islander Makes History as New Zealand’s First Pacific Female Orthopaedic Surgeon
For Dr Ailsa Wilson, becoming New Zealand’s first Pacific female orthopaedic surgeon is more than a personal achievement. It is a proud moment for her aiga, her community, and her Cook Islands roots.
Now working in the Orthopaedics Department at Tauranga Hospital, Wilson has reached a milestone few achieve, after years of study, training, sacrifice, and determination in one of medicine’s most demanding specialties.
Her journey into orthopaedics started early in her medical career when a surgeon at Middlemore Hospital saw something in her and encouraged her to consider the field.
"My first ever run as a junior registrar was alongside Dan Lemanu and Renus Stowers, who are now respected Pacific orthopaedic surgeons. They were two Pacific doctors with similar backgrounds and values to myself who became my friends. They inspired me and gave me confidence that this was a path I could also pursue," she said.
Wilson was awarded the Pasifika Medical Association's Dr Joe Williams Scholarship in 2022, right at the beginning of her orthopaedic training.…more
Beatrice Faumuinā: Championing future leaders
Sporting legend Beatrice Faumuinā CNZM is bringing her "magic sauce" to Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, as the new director of the Kupe Leadership Scholarship, an elite programme dedicated to developing exceptional leaders.
Beatrice knows first-hand the difference a scholarship can make.
The Olympian and former diplomat has benefited from several scholarships throughout her life. Now she’s helping shape the next generation of leaders through the Kupe Leadership Scholarship.
As a student and sportsperson, Beatrice was curious about what made successful people successful.
"Back then as a teenager I thought, 'What do I ask this business leader who knows so much?' As an athlete, you're often asked, 'What makes you tick?', so I asked, 'What's your magic sauce?'"
Over the years, she’s developed her own magic sauce: family, faith and acts of kindness. These elements sit alongside the discipline, resilience and leadership skills she’s built through sport, business and governance.…more
New 'mana enhancing' inclusive rugby team debuts in Auckland
A new inclusive rugby team based in Auckland is welcoming all players of different backgrounds, ages and sexual orientation, especially Pasifika Rainbow and Takatāpui individuals.
Te Papapa Wolves made their debut last month.
It is the second inclusive rugby team established in New Zealand, taking their place alongside the New Zealand Falcons which was established in 2013.
Photo: Susana Suisuiki
Speaking to Pacific Waves, Te Papapa Wolves co-founder Jay Fa'ata Vaeluaga said the idea of the team was inspired by past rugby players who wanted a Pacific kaupapa inclusive rugby team in New Zealand.
Approaching Auckland Rugby with the idea, Vaeluaga said he was then referred to the Te Papapa rugby club leadership and from there he was able to convince the board to create a team.
Vaeluaga said Te Papapa Wolves is a team rooted in Pacific values.
Having played for mainstream rugby teams in the past, Vaeluaga said his experiences were mostly positive, but because rugby is traditionally a "very masculine, very structured, very patriarchal" sport, he was not able to be his authentic self.…more
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - RIDGE PONINI
COOK ISLANDS
OPERA SINGER
Please introduce yourself, your Pacific heritage and what you do.
My name is Ridge Ponini. I am a tenor from the Cook Islands. I was born and bred in Rarotonga, from the village of Nikao. I am an up and coming opera singer and I'll soon be heading to London to further my studies at the National Opera Studio.
What village are you from in Rarotonga and how did that upbringing shape you?
I come from Nikao in Rarotonga. I feel incredibly grateful to have grown up in the Cook Islands because everybody is so supportive of each other. Community is everything. Through that upbringing I developed values of family, faith, service, culture and community. Those values have shaped me into the person I am today.
People always say you can't do things on your own, and I really believe that. You leave your village behind you wherever you go. I'm lucky to have a great village behind me that still supports me today.
Your journey into opera started in a pretty unexpected way.…more
Samoa’s New Boxing Stars Shine at Fight for Independence 64
The N.U.S. Gym in Apia was buzzing on Friday night as Fight for Independence 64 delivered a thrilling night of boxing, with Samoan debutants Jolando Ta’ala and Saliuafi Tuautu both kicking off their professional careers with impressive wins over Fiji.
Fresh off being named Best Male Boxer at the Pacific Nations Cup, Ta’ala put on a clinic in the Cruiserweight division, using his speed, footwork and sharp combinations to outclass experienced Fijian opponent Sainivalati Ratu.
In the Light Heavyweight main event, Samoa team captain Tuautu made a statement of his own. The Savai’i fighter dropped Fiji’s Eliseo Cakaunivalu with a huge right hand in the second round before cruising to a unanimous decision victory.
The event was another big step forward for Samoan boxing, with Independent Boxing Samoa and boxing legend David Tua continuing to build pathways for local fighters to transition from the amateur ranks to the professional stage.
"It’s been a privilege and honour to be training our future leaders of Samoan boxing, and I believe moving back here to Samoa is God’s timing.…more
What We Love About Being Sāmoan: Voices From Our Community
What Do You Love Most About Being Sāmoan?
- By Fa’aso’otauloa Matilda Poasa
The answers touched on faith, family, service, food, identity and community, revealing the many ways Sāmoans carry their culture wherever they are in the world.
For legendary musician Tofa Solomona Tu'uga Stevenson, being Sāmoan begins with identity.
"E fa'avae i le Atua Sāmoa"
he reflects on the importance of knowing who we are through our faith, our fa'asinomaga, and the stories passed down through generations.
Stevenson, together with his brothers, formed iconic Sāmoan group The Five Stars, whose music soundtracked countless family gatherings, church functions, road trips and fiafia nights across the Pacific.
The Five Stars became a cornerstone of Pacific music in Aotearoa, helping bring gagana Sāmoa into homes and communities far beyond the islands. Their contribution to New Zealand music was recognised in 1986, when they became one of the first Pacific groups to win a New Zealand Music Award for their hit song ‘My Sweetheart', cementing their legacy as pioneers of Pacific music.
But Stevenson says the music was never about trophies or recognition.…more
Budget 2026: Are Pacific Families Being Asked to Carry the Heaviest Load Again?
"I'm buying the cheapest white bread and bargain sausage packs just to get through the week. Milk is a luxury now. Rent's gone up, food's gone up, and we can't even afford the petrol to get to the food bank. People have no idea how hard it is." Malia Thompson, South Auckland mum
For many Pacific families, Budget 2026 doesn't feel like relief.
It feels like another bill, another cost and more sacrifices for our aigas - already holding the highest statistics in poor standards of housing, health and child poverty.
While politicians debate fiscal responsibility in Wellington, many Pasifika households are already making impossible choices at the supermarket checkout, the petrol station, and the kitchen table.…more
New Children's Book Brings the Heart of the 'Ava Ceremony to a New Generation This Samoa Language Week
“The wealth in language, culture, stories, protocol, songs, myths and legends must be exposed to our young people outside of Samoa. ” Author - Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata
From the fale to the bookshelf, a new bilingual children's book is helping ensure one of Samoa's most important cultural traditions continues to be passed on to the next generation.
Released in time for Samoa Language Week, Sauniga o le 'Ava Samoa / The 'Ava Ceremony of Samoa introduces young readers to the customs, protocols and stories behind the 'ava ceremony, a cornerstone of fa'asamoa.
Written by respected educator, orator and cultural advocate Tauanu'u Perenise Tapu Sitagata and illustrated by Ani Huia Ligaliga, the book is written in both Gagana Samoa and English, making it accessible to families across Aotearoa and the wider diaspora.
For Tauanu'u, the motivation behind the book was simple: ensuring Samoan language and culture continue to thrive for future generations.
"It is important for me to provide resources for the diaspora for the survival of our Samoan language and culture.…more
Pacific trailblazers recognised in 2026 King’s Birthday Honours
Twelve Pasifika leaders have been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List, celebrating decades of dedication to sport, language revitalisation, public service, education, and community development across Aotearoa and the Pacific.
Representing Sāmoan, Tongan, Tokelauan and Niuean communities, this year’s recipients have spent generations strengthening cultural identity, creating opportunities for young people, and serving their communities both locally and internationally.
Highest Pacific honour awarded to Beatrice Faumuinā
Leading the Pacific recipients is former world champion discus thrower and Olympian Beatrice Faumuinā, who has been appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to sport and governance.
Faumuinā represented New Zealand at four Olympic Games and five Commonwealth Games and has continued to influence sport through leadership, governance and athlete wellbeing initiatives. Her work has also helped elevate Pacific representation across a range of sectors.
Honouring leaders in sport, language and public service
Several recipients were appointed Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for their outstanding contributions.
Freddie Ah Kuoi – For services to rugby league and the community.…more