Community groups or individuals passionate about youth mental wellbeing in South Auckland are invited to apply for the inaugural ManaVā fund, which was co-designed by young people themselves. 

In partnership with philanthropic funder Foundation North, a panel of five rangatahi will distribute grants to grassroots projects that support Pasifika youth health and wellbeing. This youth advisory panel includes Whenua Manukau, Nafeesah Mustafa, Madison Leilua, Riria Makara and Caleb Singh – all leaders of The Cause Collective’s Do Good Feel Good initiative, which fosters youth-led social change across South Auckland. 

“ManaVā allows young people to be the change they want to see in the world,” Singh says.

“Our panel know the next generation is ready to take the baton, carrying on the work of those before us. No idea is too big or too small, so as long as the passion is there to do good by our families and villages, please do apply.” 

Over several months, the ManaVā panel met to decide the fund’s purpose, objectives and assessment criteria.…more

In just two months, powerhouse rookie prop Ivana Lauitiiti has achieved what many dream of across an entire career: an NRLW debut, Rookie of the year, Tackle of the year at 2025 Dally M’s and now a place in the Kiwi Ferns squad.

For the 19-year-old, pulling on the black and white jersey is more than a career milestone. It’s a dream that began on the fields of South Auckland, where she first fell in love with rugby league.

“Coming from grassroots footy here in New Zealand, I always dreamed of playing in the black and white jersey,” Ivana said. “To be selected in the squad is a blessing, and I’m grateful not just for myself but for everyone who’s supported me along the way.”

In just 24 minutes on debut, she ran for over 100 metres, made nine tackles, and delivered a brutal hit that had rugby league fans buzzing.…more

Palolo Rising! Islanders around the Moana are beginning the chase for the elusive palolo worm - here are the predicted best spots in Samoa according to the Ministry of agriculture:

Samoa’s treasured coastal delicacy, the Palolo worm (Eunice viridis), is about to make its annual appearance, a natural phenomenon that has fascinated generations of Samoans and visitors alike. The Palolo, harvested only twice a year, emerges mysteriously from the reef during the months of October and November, providing not just food, but also cultural celebration for families and communities.

What makes the Palolo even more remarkable is its timing. The worm’s rising is closely linked to the lunar cycle and ocean tides. Scientific studies have confirmed what Samoans have long known – Palolo emerges seven days after the full moon, during the third quarter of the moon, when midnight high tides shift to low tide at daybreak. These conditions create the perfect window for Palolo to rise to the surface.…more

“This is a moment of enormous pride for our Pacific Legal Community. I want to acknowledge the many incredible Pasifika lawyers who serve our communities every day with empathy, kindness and humility. The path was paved by the courage and determination of pioneer Pacific lawyers, and I am deeply grateful to them.” – Tiana Epati

Former President of the New Zealand Law Society, Samoan Tiana Epati has been appointed one of just 12 new King’s Counsel — one of the highest honours in the legal profession.

Her appointment is a powerful moment of recognition not just for Tiana, but for the Pacific legal community in Aotearoa, honouring the pioneers who came before and lighting the path for the next generation of Pacific lawyers, leaders, and community advocates.

Tiana is the daughter of Judge Semi Epati, New Zealand’s first Pacific Island judge.…more

Samoa Makes History!

"Lets go! Oh my God!" — the cry of discus thrower Alex Rose as he carved his name into Samoa’s history books with a bronze medal at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday, 21 September.

For the first time ever, Samoa stood on the podium at the World Athletics Championships.

Rose, 33, born in Michigan but proudly carrying the Samoan flag of his father’s homeland for more than 13 years, has battled for this moment across seven World Championships. From Moscow 2013 to now, he has worn Samoa’s colours with pride. His best finish before today was eighth in 2022 — until he finally smashed through with this breakthrough medal.

Even heavy rain couldn’t wash away destiny. The competition was suspended for hours, the throwing circle slick and dangerous. But when it mattered, Rose delivered — launching his discus 66.96m in round five, soaring into third place.

The final drama? Australian Matthew Denny was the only man left who could push him off the podium. But Denny fouled, and instead walked over to congratulate Rose.…more

LILA CRICHTON

SAMOAN

OPERA SINGER

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We spoke to Lila LJ Crichton is a NZ-born Samoan writer, director, composer and lyricist, ahead of his spring tour of A Master of None: Brown Fala, an evocative spoken-word theatre work, rich with original music and rooted in the rhythms of Pasifika storytelling. Crichton opens up about the creative path that led him from community halls to national stages, and how his journey of identity, language, and legacy continues to shape every note, line, and lyric he brings to life.

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What drew you to storytelling, whether through music, theatre, or words? Was that something present in your upbringing?

For me, it was both fate and purpose. Being a Pacific Islander means a natural affinity towards stories and storytelling, and arcs as a means of expression. With the added layer of being in the diaspora — growing up in South Auckland and then moving to Flaxmere — I was never short of opportunities to be surrounded by storytelling.…more

JOEL AMOSA

OPERA SINGER

SAMOAN

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Talofa Joel, tell us a little bit about yourself, where did you grow up?

I am a proud NZ born Samoan, raised in South Auckland gems of Otara and Manurewa. My Dad hails from Vaiala, Samoa and Mum was born here in Tokoroa.

How did you first get into Opera, and what inspired you to pursue it seriously?

I got my first operatic experience back in 2007, I saw Turandot at the Aotea Centre. If you don’t know this Opera, its where the famous 'Nessun Dorma' aria comes from. From here, the seed was planted. I was curious on how the voice can amplify itself that way without using a microphone.

My time at school with choir and barbershop added an element to singing that I always enjoyed - to tell stories. The inspiration to pursue it further was organic, I opened my mouth to sing, and it was not a smooth RnB sound, it wasn’t high, and it wasn’t low, but it had an element of classical potential.…more

A new documentary is coming to our screens this September, shining a light on one of New Zealand’s most influential figures in combat sports. Lolo: The Champion Maker tells the story of Lolo Heimuli, a fighter turned trainer who built a gym out of a church storage room and went on to produce world champions like Ray Sefo, Mark Hunt, Shane Cameron, and even mentor future coaching great Eugene Bareman.

He might not be a household name, but in fight circles Lolo is legendary. Known as the “champion maker”, he is a man of faith and discipline whose humble beginnings shaped a legacy that still echoes through New Zealand’s fight scene today.

For director Jeremiah Tauamiti, this was a story that had to be told.

“It was really important for me to make this documentary because Lolo is of a generation that we're doing things for the first time. They were truly breaking barriers and those kind of stories have always inspired me,” Tauamiti says.…more