Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 25

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.”

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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

Tamaki Herenga Waka:  Stories of Auckland  a new gallery at the Auckland Museum is now open to the public - chronicling Auckland's past and capturing its present including Pacific taonga.

The gallery is divided into several sections across four gallery spaces:  

* Tamaki / Auckland - Auckland looked very different for the first families who settled here, and this section of the gallery looks at why people have made this place their home for centuries. Explore the development of Tāmaki through the eyes of the Māori, colonial and Pasifika families who settled here.…more

At dawn, a gathering of Pacific people assembled at the Auckland Viaduct to take part in a sacred Kava ceremony aboard the Waka Haunui. This event served to raise awareness on climate justice through connected Pacific ancestral ways – kava, waka, and storytelling.

The event was led by Pacific Vision Aotearoa using Kava o Aotearoa, which wove in various Pacific cultures into the morning. Kava o Aotearoa is a traditional kava ceremony uniquely designed and adapted for Aotearoa. The Maori representative Pita Turei of Ngati Paoa was uplifted as the highest chief of the ceremony, in honor of his stewardship and the waters in which the ceremony took place. Being on the traditional Waka this particular kava circle was extremely special. For many of those who were privileged to receive kava, it was their first time having kava on the Moana. About 20 people participated aboard while another 50 participated on the balcony overlooking Haunui. 

The overall event aimed to unite Pacific conversations around climate justice in Aotearoa.…more

Climate Activist from Uganda Vanessa Nakate called out organisers at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue. She delivered a speech highlighting how she felt about the censorship that she and Samoan Climate Activist Brianna Fruean experienced in the organising of the dialogue. Vanessa said that they were made to submit their presentations for approval in advance, were banned from criticising any of the politicians involved, and that their time was continuously cut.

The Dialogue was attended by high-level officials such as German economic and energy minister Peter Altmaier, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. In her speech Vanessa highlighted the prevalent youth voice censorship and said “It’s the leaders who have failed us, not the young people....this is not naming & shaming...it is just telling the truth. Why are you so afraid of hearing the truth?”. 

The following day after the Ugandan activist's keynote delivery a number of people started questioning the legitimacy of Vanessa's claims and questioned whether she was telling the truth.…more

By Fine Mat Creative 

As part of International Women’s Month we are showcasing some of the talented and dedicated women in farming and from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Samoa.

Pursuing a purpose nearly always leads to having the courage to make a deliberate choice in following the road less travelled, as Principal Fisheries officer MAF, Su’a Sapeti Tiitii would tell you.

When Su’a first entered the Fisheries division in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Samoa (MAF) fresh from graduating with a Diploma in Environment Resources Management from New Zealand in 2000, the first thing she noticed about her work environment was she was the only female in the office, yet she knew without a doubt – she belonged there.

“I’ve always been interested in environmental science starting from college where I studied biology and geography which got me interested in the eco system especially mangroves eco systems.…more

A senior Pacific doctor says that the enthusiasm the New Zealand government has shown to combat the Covid-19 pandemic is also needed to fight the current diabetes crisis.

Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) member and public health physician, Dr Corina Grey, says there has been an “avalanche of diabetes” amongst the Pacific and Māori communities. PMA is teaming up with Te Ohu Rata ō Aotearoa (Māori Medical Practitioners Association) and the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes, to advocate to the government and Ministry of Health to focus on the care of people living with type 2 diabetes.

Pacific peoples have a significantly higher rate of diabetes than all other ethnic groups. On average, 53 percent of Pacific peoples aged 65-74 years were estimated to have diabetes compared with 10.9 percent of people of European ethnicity aged 65-74 years.

Dr Grey hopes the New Zealand government can address the diabetes problem just as seriously as Covid-19, especially when people living with diabetes have a higher risk of poor outcomes if they contract the Covid-19 virus.…more