Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 23

via Radio New Zealand 

A well-known sportsman on methamphetamine charges can be named as former rugby league player Manu Vatuvei.

He has outed himself on Instagram, two days before his name suppression was due to lapse.

Vatuvei told followers he wanted them to hear directly from him that he was accused of possessing and importing the drug in 2019.

He denies the charges and is due to stand trial before a jury in October, alongside three other people.

"I'll be fighting my innocence for these charges," he said.

"I know there'll be a lot of questions that will be wanting answers but I've been advised by my legal team that's all I can talk about. So hopefully you can all respect that, and also can you please respect the privacy of my family while I go through this battle."

Vatuvei was declined name suppression by both the District and High Courts, despite his lawyer Greg Bradford suggesting he would be at risk of extreme hardship and his fair trial rights would suffer.…more

Earlier today Cruella Tu’inukuafe, the Vice-President of Tonga Leitis Association released an official statement from the Tonga Leiti's Association to announce the passing of their President, Mr Polikalepo Kefu.

Official Statement from Tonga Leitis Association

On behalf of Tonga Leitis Association Patron, Hon. Salote Lupepau’u Tuita Taione and its members, it is with deep sorrow that I wish to inform you of the passing of our President, Mr. Polikalepo Kefu, today 1st May 2021.

Poli, as he has known to many of us, was a selfless humanitarian and a tireless advocate for the rights of those with diverse sexual orientatations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Tonga Police are currently investigating Poli's death and the circumstances surrounding it. It appears that Poli was a victim of a very violent attack. We vehemently hope that those responsible will be swiftly brought to justice.…more

Pacific people have been resilient ocean and land guardians for centuries. Woven throughout all the different cultures of Oceania, there is one common strand and that is the strong relationship Pacific communities have with creation. The following 8 Guardians are all names you should know as they've dedicated their lives to conserving and preserving the planet. 

1. Yolanda Joab-Mori, Federated States of Micronesia

Yolanda is a climate activist, environmental leader, and most importantly a mother. In 2011 Yolanda co-created the first climate change focused education program in schools and communities across Micronesia. The program, CADRE worked with over 10,000 students and 3,000 community members across the Micronesian islands to raise awareness on the impacts of climate change. Yolanda also founded Island PRIDE (Promoting Resilience through Involvement, Development & Education) to continue this work to empower her islands in the face of climate change by engaging youth to be proactive stewards of their island environment.

2.…more

Toa Fraser - on a battle with disease and knowing what’s important. 

Fijian / Samoan Toa Fraser is one of Aotearoa’s most prolific film directors, with a huge raft of incredibly varied feature film works, documentaries and tv drama series. He’s also one of the most undercover, in his professional and personal life - until an extraordinarily brave message on social media this week told the world of this struggle of the early onset of Parkinson’s. 

“People used to say I look cool. These days, people ask me why I look so serious. Mine is one of the many of faces of Young Onset Parkinson’s, an (as yet) incurable brain disease. I was diagnosed five years ago. I've kept it quiet until today..

It hasn’t been easy. It’s hard on relationships, it’s hard on my kids. Those closest to me have been unfaltering, discrete and kind. I’ve also learned not everybody can come on this journey with me. For the last five years I’ve kept it quiet. Buried it as much as I could.

But now I’m sick of hiding.…more

On the morning of the last day of Polyfest 2020 was a performance that touched the crowd. It came from the Marcellin College Samoan group that had a star among them.

During Marcellin’s performance, there was an extremely special part that stood out. The students parted their dance formation down the middle and made way for their classmate Clarah Tuimavave-Gerrard. Her classmates made their version of a runway on stage, and down walked Clarah. She bowed to the crowd and began to Siva (dance). The audience went wild in cheer and her fellow classmates began singing even louder for their peer.

Clarah, also known to some of her friends as “Lala”, has cerebral palsy. A congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone, and posture. Although this condition can hold many challenges, there are tenacious people in the world who live loudly and proudly whilst navigating all the difficulties that come along with it. This special group of the community chooses to flaunt their abilities and what they are able to do instead of focusing on what they can't.…more

Who is Mr Panikeke? and what does he have to do with the new Pasifika statement hoop earrings trend going around social media?

You might take a scroll through Instagram nowadays to see girls pridefully wearing hoop earrings with the words “TokoUso” in the centre or a chain necklace with the word “Taro”. The trend of modern Pacific fusion jewelry has taken the market by storm as more and more people look for ways to express their heritage in the way they dress and accessorize. This form of fashion expression has often contained solely seis and elei but with this new generation of urban Pasifika youth, there has been a rise in the popularity of Pacific hoops and chains. If you ask many people where they've gotten these eye-catching statement accessories the answer is often the same… “Panikeke”.  

In the heart of South Auckland, you’ll find the colourful Panikeke store containing gems of the Pacific, from “Teti” hoops to woven handbags. You might have a browse of the store and think it belonged to a big brand chain.…more

Our guide to Pasifika Festival 2021 

The iconic festival is back after a two year absence and there's a few changes, so we've put together a guide so you can enjoy the world's largest celebration of Pacific Islands culture to the fullest - catch all the live acts you were hoping to see, eat all your favourite island food and enjoy the different Pacific Islands markets. 

Richard Clarke, Head of Major and Business Events at Auckland Unlimited, says there is great anticipation for Pasifika Festival this year. 

“Pasifika is a must-attend event if you want to experience the sights, sounds and flavours of the Pacific. There will be fantastic performances, vibrant costumes and delicious food.”

.

LOCATION 

This is not a drill - Pasifika is NOT at Western Springs this year.

New location:  Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday, 10 April (10am-8pm) and Sunday, 11 April, (10am-4pm)

GETTING THERE X PARKING 

Pasifika generally attracts up to 60,000 people so you know the area around Mt Smart Stadium will be busy this weekend.…more

The completion of the vibrant Pathers mural project is completed, and adds colour to the streets of Auckland. The artwork was revealed to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Polynesian Panthers. 

The Whakaako Kia Whakaora / Educate to Liberate mural that was completed last week honours the historical presence of the Polynesian Panthers in Tāmaki Makaurau. It acknowledges the connection to the Black Panther Party and is a visual representation of the social justice issues both organisations fought for at that time, and still fight for today.

The Mural Project was inspired by Tigilau Ness and Chris McBride’s journey to the Black Panther Party 50th Anniversary celebrations in Oakland California 2016. The politically charged cultural and artistic landscape across Oakland and San Francisco created the seed to bring their stories alive with inspirational messaging. The Panther Mural Project includes artists Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho, Numa McKenzie, Toa Sieke Taihia in collaboration with Emory Douglas, Tigilau Ness and Chris McBride. All of whom collaborated to pull this beautiful piece of inspirational art together.…more

Tony Fa was an overweight diabetic when his father-in-law’s stroke put the stakes in perspective.

After that stroke hospitalized his father in law, who is also diabetic, Fa had his blood sugar levels checked — and they were higher than his father in law’s. Fa’s doctor said he needed to improve his lifestyle to improve his life.

That’s when Fa found Xtreme Hip Hop, a YouTube fitness movement that combines a step, an instructor, and hip hop music. Soon, Fa was dancing — and now, he’s an instructor.

Fa’s story inspired those in the Polynesian community to dance, too — he lost more than 100 lbs., is off his diabetes medication, and he teaches multiple classes per day as a certified instructor.

Try out the basic steps in the video below and check out the full story on ABC4.Com here 

New Zealand and the Cook Islands are working towards a travel bubble by May, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement after a meeting with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. Brown said he was confident quarantine-free travel could be achieved in that timeframe. Currently, people from the Cooks Islands can travel to and from New Zealand without quarantining. “We are ready for business, and we are looking forward to the commencement in May,” he said.

With the Cook Islands Covid-free, Ardern said the risk is of those departing New Zealand carrying the virus to the Cook Islands, and Kiwis “carry a lot of responsibility” to get it right.

Ardern said the Government is currently working on the onward distribution process for vaccines to other countries. She said the Government is working with vaccine providers, with some liability issues yet to be ironed out. Ardern said a bubble is not contingent on widespread vaccination.…more