Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 16

via RNZ Pacific 

A death penalty was seriously considered by Tonga's Lord Chief Justice, before he gave a life sentence on Monday, to the man who admitted the murder of prominent human rights activist Polikalepo "Poli" Kefu in April this year.

Lord Chief Justice Whitten QC, convicted 'Inoke Silongo F. Tonga, a meth addict, of the murder at a beach in Tatakamotonga.

The 27 year-old, who was living at Halaleva and was originally from Vava'u, had pleaded guilty to the murder charge on September 2.

He appeared for sentencing in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on October 11.

The injuries inflicted on the victim were among the worst encountered by the court according to Matangi Tonga online.

The murderer had taken alcohol and a heavy dose of meth on the night of the murder.

"Regrettably, the scourge of methamphetamines has been and continues to be felt in Tonga... directly or indirectly, methamphetamines have robbed one innocent of his life and now threaten to end another," the Chief Justice concluded.…more

Introducing ... Coco Talanoa!

A podcast-inspired space for Pacific Islanders to unpack current events and have open discussions about their worlds.

In this Talanoa Brianna Frueans sits down (virtually) with Aigagalefili Fepulea'i Tapua'i to discuss the current New Zealand lockdown. They have a casual conversation about the experiences of young people, the working class, and our overall Pasifika aiga struggling in the midst of the Delta variant of Covid 19 Pandemic.

Cover image photo credit: Stuff 

As todays 4pm press conference came to a close, there were many reactions from Pasifika people ranging from confusion, to worry, and some tentative optimism as our community unravels the various new Auckland level conditions.

Social media lit up with a raft of comments, people venting their confusion and worries for the Pasifika communities and struggling to comprehend how these eased restrictions even apply to anyone in their communities.…more

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's mother Ata Maivia-Johnson has taken to social media to share her own personal story in regards to choosing to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to protect herself and her family. 

She also confirms in the video below that both Dwayne and his wife Lauren are vaccinated and are all doing fine.  She shares her story in the hopes that it will help people overcome any vaccine hesitation.

"Pacific Islanders in many States are being hit harder than any other group.  So many of our people and our families are affected to the core."

In a comment on her post, Ata's son Dwayne posts in support "Love this ma.  Not an easy line to walk but really beautifully said.  And very important for our culture and the world."

Dwayne, his wife and both their daughters Jasmine and Tia all contracted Covid last year before a vaccine was available and said it was one of the most challenging times he has ever faced.…more

Faamalosi.com CEOs To'e Lokeni and Mannfred Sofara from Bishop Viard College in Porirua, along with 8 other Year 12 students have created a website designed to help people correctly pronounce Maori and Pasifika names.

* Cover image via Radio New Zealand 

Members of the Samoan community today are mourning the passing of Taito Phillip Field, our first Pacific member of parliament and a stalwart Samoan political through the 90's until 2008. 

Taito represented as an MP for Ōtara and then for Māngere in 1996.  He left the Labour Party in 2007 amidst inter party conflict and returned to Parliament as an independent. 

Taito's long political career was marred by controversy, following charges of bribery and perverting the course of justice over the infamous 'Thai Tiler' affair.…more

via Pasifika Medical Association Group 

"I don’t know where else we could’ve got this help, with the way we were provided with food and accommodation.  I don’t know where else we could have gone." - Citizen Halafihi and his family have been so appreciative of the help and support they've received from both Pasifika Futures and the Fono after he was unable to return home after quarantining in MIQ facilities.

When he came out, members of his family were having to self-isolate due to being at a location of interest.

The use of self-isolation for Delta containment has added additional stress for some Pacific families as their circumstances have sometimes made it difficult to comply with health authority directives.

Pasifika Futures (PFL) - the Whanau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families – are conscious of this and similar challenges so throughout this entire period have provided where appropriate and necessary - emergency accommodation for Pacific individuals and families affected by the Delta outbreak.…more

Samoan/Maori dancer Justyce Petelo takes you through an "easy, cute" dance routine you can learn at home!

'The Royal Family' dancer breaks down all the steps for you right here and then you can dance it through with him at the end.

Upload your videos doing the routine and tag in both @theCoconetTV and @JustycePetelo on Instagram so we can see how you're doing and share with our Coco fam!

All's well that ends well ...

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Friday 17th September 

10.30am NZT -

Samoa Observer reports that ahead of the 18 HRPP elected Members of Parliament swearing-in ceremony this morning, Samoa’s two dominant parties have finally set aside their differences, in what would hopefully bring to an end the four-months running political crisis.

Former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi shook hands with his successor Fiame Naomi Mataafa as her Cabinet Ministers and Members arrived for Friday’s session of the House. 

Read the full article here 

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Parliament Sitting Friday 17 Sept 2021. HRPP's 18 elected members being sworn in (video below - click thru to watch on facebook) 

Thursday 16th September 

4pm NZT - 

#BREAKING The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the Human Rights Protection Party and ordered the Speaker of the House to swear in the party’s members who were elected in April’s national poll.…more

Ikuna taste is more than just a business but a family with a passion to provide treats that are nourishing to our bodies and environment.

Run by Tongan Entrepreneur Pauline Fotu-Moala, Ikuna Taste offers carefully made products that is raw, organic, and natural. Their costumers rave on about their products such as cheesecakes, cookies and brownies. The icing on the cake of these delicious treats is that they’re plant based and keto friendly.

The name of the business comes from the friendly islands of Tonga. In translation “Ikuna” simply means to “Conquer”. The word is often used by Tongan’s to describe a victorious moment of overcoming a significant hurdle life.

“IKUNA is never used lightly however is often expressed with humility and gratitude towards goals and aspirations endured”, says the team at the Auckland based business.

Its proud owner Pauline started her business after finding a gap in the market for raw, organic, healthy and tasty treats in her home of South Auckland.…more