Pads or gas? Pasfika families faced with hard choices
“I’ve had to use my kids’ nappies as pads last week because I was down to my last dollars… we do what we have to do.”
It’s a harsh reality, but for many Pasifika families already hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis, rising fuel prices have only made things worse.
Seeing petrol prices climb day after day has become a quiet source of pressure for Pasifika across Aotearoa. And yes, even the South Auckland mum with the cleaning job, even the South Auckland mum who’s a lawyer, is feeling the pinch.
Prices have climbed as high as $3.40 per litre following the Iran conflict, landing on top of a cost-of-living crisis that was already pushing families to the edge. All New Zealanders feel it, but not evenly.
The Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2026 report already shows Pacific communities carrying the heaviest load. Nearly three in ten Pacific children are living in material hardship. Almost half experience food insecurity. Unemployment is the highest of any ethnic group.…more
Jetstar axes some New Zealand flights amid fuel price surges
Via RNZ
Jetstar has axed a number of New Zealand flights as the war in the Middle East drives up the price of jet fuel.
A Jetstar NZ spokesperson said 12 percent of scheduled services had been impacted, including some services between Auckland and Christchurch as well as Auckland and Wellington, and some international flights between Auckland and Sydney and Auckland and Brisbane.
The changes were temporary, the spokesperson said, due to the rise in jet fuel prices and other rising costs.
All impacted customers had been contacted directly, the spokesperson said, and most had been offered same-day travel.
It comes after Air New Zealand announced it was cancelling four return flights to Samoa.
Air New Zealand said it had nine services to Samoa each week and described the change as "minimal".
It said like other airlines it was dealing with unprecedented volatility with jet fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East and was adjusting schedules to manage the impact.…more
Bubbah makes history as first Samoan South Aucklander to perform at SkyCity Theatre
Extra Extra, Read all about it!
South Auckland’s Actor, Writer, Comedian and full time Shnack - King Uluvale aka Bubbah is back! She’s leaving the kuā backs to entertain us once again, at SkyCity Theatre no less. The first Samoan, South Aucklander to do so, and who better than Bubbah to break it in for the rest of us brownies.
After leaving the industry last year to move back home to her village of Utuali’i, she’s making her comeback with a one-and-a-half-hour special at the 2026 New Zealand International Comedy Festival. Promised to be just as funny and lemaffs as her last show ‘Pure Mature’, so buckle up baby! No kids, NO elders, you’ve been warned!
When asked what this opportunity meant to her, the South Auckland icon said the recognition felt different this time.
“It means I’m getting somewhere. It means I’m being heard,” she says. “I’m really grateful for the backyard shows, they definitely helped me find my style as a comedian.”
Those early backyard gigs shaped a voice that remains central to her work today.…more
Oahu hit with worst flooding in 20 years
Severe flooding across Hawai‘i has forced thousands from their homes, as relentless rainfall batters communities and raises fears over the possible failure of a 120-year-old dam.
The crisis is centred on the island of Oʻahu, where muddy floodwaters have inundated roads, destroyed homes and swept away vehicles in what officials are calling the worst flooding the island has seen in more than 20 years. The Pacific are no strangers to the effects of Climate Change, and we are unfortunately the first to feel the devastating impacts.
More than 230 people have been rescued so far, with evacuation orders affecting around 5,500 residents, particularly across North Shore communities like Haleʻiwa and Waialua.
Emergency sirens sounded as authorities issued urgent warnings for those living downstream of the Wahiawā Dam, which has been flagged as being at risk of imminent failure. Water levels rose rapidly during the storm, coming dangerously close to capacity. While levels have since fluctuated, officials warn the situation could quickly worsen if heavy rain continues.
Despite the scale of the disaster, no deaths have been reported.…more
Polyfest 2026 Results
Polyfest 2026 was back for another year! And the Students across the motu brought their best performances to compete for the top spot!
Check out the results to see who took out each stage!
COOK ISLANDS
DIVISION 1
WINNER - Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
2nd - Tangaroa College
3rd - Manurewa High School
DIVISION 2
WINNER- Otahuhu College
2nd - Aorere College
3rd - Southern Cross Campus
DIVERSITY STAGE
Interpretation of Theme Award
WINNER - Kelston Girls’ College - Filipino Group
2nd - Auckland Girls’ Grammar School - Fijian Group
3rd Place -Marcellin College - Indian Group
Choreography Award
WINNER - Auckland Girls’ Grammar School - Fijian Group
2nd - Kelston Girls’ College - Filipino Group
3rd - Manurewa High School - Hawaiian Group
Overall Winner
WINNER - Kelston Girls College - Filipino Group
2nd - Auckland Girls Grammar School - Fijian Group
3rd - Papatoetoe High School - Indian Group
NIUE
Small Groups
Kamaataga
WINNER - Avondale College
2nd - Papatoetoe High School
Lologo Tapu Tuai
WINNER - Avondale College
2nd - Papatoetoe High School
TAME
WINNER - Avondale…more
'If it's not cultural, what is it?' Fiame questions use of matai titles amid Luxon controversy
Samoa's former Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa says chiefly titles are culturally significant and should not be given to foreign prime ministers.
Fiame made the comment following the commotion over New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon being honoured as a matai on Monday.
Luxon was bestowed the Tuisinavemauluomoto'otua title by the village of Apia.
Samoan Prime Minister La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt had reportedly made fun of Luxon requesting a chiefly title, ahead of his arrival in Apia on Sunday.
Luxon's office strongly denied this, so La'auli tried to walk back the political blunder with an apologetic statement.
New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon embraces his Samoan counterpart La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt during the matai title ceremony in Apia on Monday. 16 March 2026 Photo: Facebook / Government of Samoa
The Samoa Observer reported that La'auli had a late night phone call from the head of Samoa's Ministry of Foreign Affairs informing him that Luxon wanted to call off the matai ceremony after "too much interference on social media".…more
From teen dad to top grad: Tane Marsters
Things didn’t start out being easy for University of Auckland Bachelor of Education graduate Tane Marsters (Cook Islands Māori, Ngāpuhi).
The young father of two, now in his first year of teaching at Hurupaki Primary School in Whangārei, became a dad for the first time at the end of Year 11 at Whangārei Boys High, but was determined to stay on at school.
“I was pretty much thrown straight in the deep end, but I stuck at school through Year 12 and 13, and I ended up becoming head boy, alongside my mate, " says Tane.
"I think it was the first time two Māori boys were head students at the same time. That was a proud moment, finishing school while being a dad.”
He says he’s especially grateful to his te reo Māori teachers for their guidance and support.…more
Pacific Voices Are Owning the Opera Stage. Now the Next Generation Is Stepping Up
“There’s something built in us,” Pene Pati reflected.
“Our ancestors were voyagers. They set out in the canoe, the waka, and they jumped on it without any guarantee. They were like, ‘there’s got to be something out there.’”
For him, that same spirit drives many Pacific creatives chasing their dreams overseas, but also looking at how these innate Pasifika talents are being nurtured in Aotearoa.
If you’ve ever sat in an Islander church on a Sunday morning, you already know the truth the opera world is finally catching up to - Pacific people were born to sing.
The voices are big, the harmonies are second nature. Someone’s aunty is holding a note longer than humanly possible. And the choir director who is also your cousin, is definitely not letting you sit down until you get it right.
So maybe it shouldn’t be surprising that Pacific singers are now some of the most sought after voices in opera houses around the world.…more
Pasifika Women Shine in Screen storytelling at the WIFT Awards
Queen of the screens big and small Anapela Polata’ivao is a finalist in two categories at the Women in FIlm and TV awards, alongside Coconet founder Lisa Taouma who is also a finalist in two different categories.
The annual awards celebrate the achievements of women working across film, television and digital media, from storytelling and directing to journalism and entrepreneurship - areas where four Pasifika women have been put forward to celebrate across the sector.
This year’s winners will be announced at the awards night this Thurs 12th March.
Anapela Polata’ivao ONZM (Sāmoa)
Acclaimed actor, director and theatre maker Anapela Polata’ivao has been nominated in two categories this year. She is a finalist for the 'South Pacific Pictures Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film' for her powerful performance in Tinā, and is also recognised in the 'SKY Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen Industry.'
Polata’ivao is widely regarded as one of Aotearoa’s most influential Pacific creatives, known for her work across theatre, film and television, as well as her leadership within Pacific arts communities.…more
Pacific athletes shine at Polynesian Track and Field Championships in Auckland
“I really hope the games are inspiring to the youth, and maybe give them more examples of excellence in sport outside of the typical avenues they are used to seeing with maybe rugby, football and so on.” - Alex Rose
More than 100 athletes from across the Pacific gathered in Auckland this month for the return of the Polynesian Track and Field Championships, held alongside the New Zealand Track and Field Championships at Trusts Arena from 5 to 8 March.
The championships returned after a decade away, bringing together competitors from across the Moana in an event that celebrates both sport and culture. Delivered by Athletics New Zealand in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the meet also serves as an important stepping stone ahead of a busy international athletics season, including the Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin, the Commonwealth Games and the World Under 20 Championships.…more