The Solomon Islands and American Samoa U-19 women’s football teams have arrived in Tonga this week to compete in the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship qualifiers. This tournament marks a crucial step for teams aiming to secure a place in the next OFC U-19 Women’s Championship, where they will battle for a chance to represent Oceania on the world stage.

The previous edition of the tournament, held in 2023, was a landmark event. Hosted by Fiji, it was the first OFC U-19 Women’s Championship to take place since the COVID-19 pandemic and also served as a qualification pathway for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. The competition saw the return of the under-20 age restriction for the first time since 2015, adding another layer of challenge for the participating teams.

One of the standout stories of the 2023 tournament was the Cook Islands, one of OFC’s smallest member associations, who made an impressive run to the semi-finals. Their journey ended at the hands of New Zealand, who secured a 5-0 victory to advance to the final.…more

In a time when digital devices dominate children’s lives, revamped parks across South Auckland are proving that outdoor play is far from a thing of the past. Several long-neglected community spaces have been transformed into vibrant gathering places, drawing families out of their homes and strengthening neighbourhood ties.

Parks That Have Been Upgraded:

• Papatoetoe Recreation Grounds – Improved sports fields with better drainage and lighting, making them usable year-round.
• Aorere Park – A brand-new playground and outdoor fitness zone for all ages.
• Puhinui Domain – Newly planted fruit trees and revitalised green spaces to encourage community gatherings.
• Pearl Baker Reserve – State-of-the-art play equipment, upgraded basketball courts, and new volleyball courts.
• Toetoe-roa / Cooper Park – A fully modernised space featuring a new playground, learn-to-ride cycleway, and fitness equipment.

One of the biggest success stories has been Pearl Baker Reserve in Ōtara, a once-barren park that locals had long abandoned. Before the upgrade, the space was little more than an empty field, where nothing good really happened. 

"Before, there was nothing here.…more

The wait is over—Rugby League is back in Las Vegas for its second consecutive year, and it’s double the excitement in 2025! After a thrilling debut in 2024 with four teams, this year’s festival sees the competition expand to eight teams, including the historic addition of the Australian Jillaroos, making it a truly global Rugby League spectacle.

On Saturday, 1 March 2025, the iconic Allegiant Stadium will host four high-intensity match-ups, bringing together the best of the NRL, Super League, and international rugby for an unforgettable day of action.

The 2025 Las Vegas Showdowns

🏉 Canberra Raiders vs. New Zealand Warriors
Two powerhouse clubs from the NRL lock horns in a trans-Tasman showdown, promising fast-paced, physical footy.

🏉 Penrith Panthers vs. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
The defending NRL champions take on the Sharks in what is set to be a battle of skill, strategy, and pure determination.

🏉 Wigan Warriors vs. Warrington Wolves
Super League giants take centre stage in a classic English rivalry as Wigan and Warrington bring their hard-hitting brand of rugby to Vegas.

🏉 Australian Jillaroos vs.…more

From the moment the excited chatter filled the theatre’s foyer, it was clear that anticipation was high. Mā, directed and performed by Jonjon Tolovae, with a beautifully complementary performance by Nikeidrian Lologa-Peters and accompanied by Flo Akauola on guitar, unfolds as a deeply personal tribute to the enduring love of a mother.

Before the lights even dim and the show begins, ‘Mum’ by Prince Tui Teka plays on the overhead speakers, gently foreshadowing the narrative to come. As the lights dimmed and the performance began, the energy in the room shifted from excited chatter to focused, heartfelt silence. This transition immediately set the stage for a performance that promised both intimacy and a strong cultural connection, Samoan dialogue and song is interwoven throughout the show, bringing a cultural intimacy known well by the Pasifika communities in Tamaki Makaurau.

Throughout Mā, intimate recordings of conversations between Jonjon and her mother Sevai lend a heartfelt authenticity, transforming the stage into a space of familial dialogue.…more

Adyhana Urika Filifilia

Samoan

Singer / Songwriter / Actor

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Emerging Samoan vocalist and theatre performer Adyhana Urika Filifilia has decided to take the plunge and release her debut single, 'Anchor'!

From her roots in the performing arts to her journey of finding her voice as a solo musician, she reflects on the personal and cultural influences that shape her sound.

Drawing strength and inspiration from her Samoan heritage. ‘Anchor’ is an insight into her thoughts and feelings as a young Pasefika woman growing up in New Zealand, juggling the complexities of traditions and expectations in parallel with the desire to carve a unique path in this modern world, whilst still remaining grounded in who you are.

A good friend of The Coconet TV, she sits down with us talk about her new single and the exciting new journey ahead.

Auckland is positioning itself as the home for a second NRL team with the launch of Mana Pasifika, a bid that could change the future of rugby league in New Zealand. More than just adding another franchise, this is a chance to stop the talent drain that has seen many of our best players head to Australia in search of professional opportunities.

For years, New Zealand has been a breeding ground for NRL stars, yet a significant number of them have been forced to cross the Tasman to chase their dreams. In 2021 over 100 New Zealand-born players were reported to be contracted to Australian-based NRL clubs. With the Pasifika and Māori influence growing stronger in the sport, Mana Pasifika presents an opportunity to keep that talent at home, develop local pathways, and build a team that truly represents Aotearoa’s unique rugby league culture.

The bid has already garnered strong backing from across the Pacific and New Zealand, with key Māori and Pasifika leaders recognising its potential to unite both cultures.…more

Alexander Ligairi
Radio / TV Host
Fijian

There is something about a film like Tinā that lingers long after the credits are done rolling. Perhaps it's the raw, emotional storytelling. Perhaps it captures the quiet but insurmountable strength of a mother's love. Or maybe, just maybe, it's Anapela Polataivao, the driving force behind the film whose performance feels less acting and more lived experience.

But according to her, she isn't looking for all this recognition. She is about hard work, storytelling, and mainly making sure that the next wave of Pasifika artists has the tools and opportunities to take up space in an industry that hasn't always made room for them.

Behind-the-Scenes to Center Stage

When Anapela first got involved with Tinā, she had no plans on being the lead. Actually, she just wanted to help behind the camera. "My want was really just to be on the ground with the team, working from behind the scenes," she says.…more

Why our forms of loving are always about the Va. 

"The mana (power) of love is...about the mana of being connected to family, culture, community, environment, and spirituality." 

The palagi model of love is on overdrive on Valentines Day, focussing on the romantic love between two people, and giving all those who arent coupled up to feel the ‘less than’ feels..

But love in the Pacific isn’t just about romantic relationships. It can more importantly be about connection — to family, community, ancestors, spirituality, and even the environment. This Valentine’s, if you're single, maybe take a moment to think about all the other kinds of love in your life.

PhD student Reni Maiava describes the Pacific way of loving as relational, meaning it’s about the bonds we share with others, not just how we feel about someone.…more