Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 11

Cover photo - Ma’ara Maeva and Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava during the recording of 'Sounds of the Moana'

Coco congrats to the SOUNZ podcast series 'Sounds of the Moana' which has won Gold (the highest category award) at the prestigious New York Festivals Radio Awards (NYFRA).

Entries for this year's awards were received from over 30 countries and some of the global broadcasters shortlisted include BBC, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, CBS News Radio, NBC News, RTÉ Ireland, Deutsche Welle (DW), Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and Mediacorp. 

Hon Carmel Sepuloni, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, says, “Malo lava and a big congratulations to SOUNZ and the ‘Sounds of the Moana’ podcast team for receiving the Gold award at the 2022 New York Festivals Radio Awards. I’m proud that the stories of Moana-Nui-ā-Kiwa and its vibrant history of indigenous sounds have been recognised internationally for its unique beauty. This is an exceptional feat and a big win for our Pacific whānau.”

Gold has not been awarded in the ‘Music Podcast’ category in at least the previous two years, making this a rare win.…more

(TW: mention of mental health and suicide)

In 2020 “Teine Sāmoa” a book about cultural identity and discovery was published by Samoan Author Dahlia Malaeulu. The book received rave reviews and readers awaited a continuation of the story. This year the brother book to “Teine Samoa” called “Tama Samoa” was released by Dahlia and her husband Mani Malaeulu. Just like clock-work "Tama Samoa" repeated the cycle and recieved high praise.

We got to sit down with the writing duo and speak about their book:

What is the message behind Tama Sāmoa?

Mani: Tama Sāmoa holds so many messages for us. The male stereotypes, like having to ‘man up and get over it’ combined with other personal and cultural challenges we face places real pressure on the mental health and wellbeing of our tama Pasifika which I’ve seen and experienced first-hand. This is why we really wanted the messages of connection, talanoa and healing to shine through the book.…more

via 7NEWS Australia

The family of a 23-year-old man knocked unconscious in a brawl outside a popular Surry Hills pub is coming to terms with the heartbreaking reality he may not live.

Evander Tuala was viciously attacked as two groups clashed early Saturday morning, police already charging two men as they vow to hunt down others involved.

Yesterday medical supplies and equipment were packed by players from the Moana Pasifika rugby team into a shipping container destined for Tonga.

The container will be met by a team from Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) who were deployed on Wednesday 30 March to provide on the ground medical assistance, primarily mental health support through a team of specialists who can engage directly with those traumatised by the recent natural disasters as well as the current Covid-19 outbreak.

The PMA team in partnership with the respective governments of Tonga and New Zealand are working closely together to ensure that the medical supplies purchased through the donations from Moana Pasifika’s fundraising efforts are received by the local hospitals to be used on the affected communities.
 
Moana Pasifika’s fundraiser ‘Ofa Atu Tonga - With Love Tonga’ kicked off on 4 February at their pre-season game against the Chiefs and raised more than $75,000 for the people of the Kingdom of Tonga.…more

Niu FM have changed up their breakfast show for the first time in 7 years!  

Comic content creator Regan Foa'i aka Just the Norms has teamed up with long-time friend, podcaster and founder of the 'Bakery Run' Tim Te Ati Awa to give listeners an energy burst to their day.  They provided cover over the Christmas/New Year period, but they're back by popular demand and this morning was the social media duo's first official day in the breakfast show hot seat.

If you're in Auckland tune in to 103.8FM in the mornings from 6am - 10am Monday to Friday and if you're outside Auckland, you can listen in via the iheart radio app.

In the meantime get to know the guys and the shows producer Aaron Pulemafaga below ...

Regan: My name is Regan Foa'i, I'm half Niuean on my Mums side from the village of Alofi Tonga and half Tokelauan on my Dads side from the atoll of Fakaofo.  I was born and raised here in Mangere from South Auckland.…more

via RNZ Pacific 

Samoa has recorded its first Covid-19 related death.

The Ministry of Health confirmed a 67-year-old with multiple ailments died shortly after he was admitted to the Lalomanu District hospital on Upolu Island on Wednesday.  The death comes 13 days after the first community transmission case was detected.

The ministry said 172 new cases had been reported as of Thursday afternoon.  This brings the number of community cases recorded since March 17 to 1831 of which 1408 are active community cases.

Ministry data shows that 101 children under five have tested positive but the prevalence of infections is significantly higher among those aged from 15 to 35 and steadily increasing.  The ministry confirmed 20,643 rapid antigent tests had been administered since the first case was detected.

About 97% of community cases are in Upolu with the remaining 3% in Savai'i.

There are no community cases recorded for the islands of Manono and Apolima Tai.…more

via RNZ Pacific  & local news outlets

Cover photo of Fiji health workers by Leon Lord/AFP/Getty Images

-

Solomon Islands figures soar, Vanuatu confirms their first Covid related death, Medical staff test positive in American Samoa, Over 200 active cases in the Cook Islands, the Tongan Prime Minister tests positive for Covid and more ...

-

AMERICAN SAMOA

American Samoa now has 527 reported cases of Covid-19 in the community.  51 new cases were confirmed after tests were conducted at Department of Health clinics and LBJ Hospital over the weekend.

Acting Chief of Staff for LBJ Hospital Dr Akapusi Ledua reported a physician from LBJ Hospital had been admitted to the Covid ward - one of four doctors among 11 staff members of the hospital who have tested positive.

80.9% of the territory's population is fully vaccinated.  Federal medical personnel are on island helping the territorial health authorities's response.

As Covid-19 continues to spread across Tutuila health officials are encouraging people to stock up or prepare for when one family member becomes positive.

Governor Lemanu P. S.…more

Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo was on Breakfast to talk about the importance of addressing ALL pay gaps - ethnic, gender and disability pay gaps and urgently introducing pay transparency as we celebrate International Women's Day.

- 

Via the NZ Human Rights Commission

Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo was on Breakfast to talk about the importance of addressing ALL pay gaps - ethnic, gender and disability pay gaps and urgently introducing pay transparency as we celebrate International Women's Day.

- 

Via the NZ Human Rights Commission

“I’m in South Lismore and it’s completely gone. In my house, all my furniture has been destroyed, my beds gone, my clothing’s all wet, the carpets caked in mud, the walls are sweating”

When Analia Tamamoka Hedley moved to Australia two years ago to live and work, she was greeted by smoke in the sky from the Australian bush fires.  

Shortly after settling into her new life in Lismore, northeastern New South Wales, the world shut down with Covid.  Today she went home to find everything she owns has been destroyed in the flooding that has overwhelmed Lismore and other parts of Queensland & NSW.

“Things come in threes right? So this has to be it, that’s enough now, I’ve had enough” she laughs 

Analia who is of Niuean heritage and born & bred in New Zealand, said the first she heard about evacuating was from the SES (State Emergency Services) at about 4.30pm on Sunday.  

“Someone had sent me a screenshot of a message from SES and so before I left I tidied my kitchen.…more