Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 27

Ganxsta Ridd of Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E, legendary artist, Polynesian hip hop pioneer and the first ever Pasifika MC, has passed away earlier this evening in Los Angeles at the age of 52.

We extend our heart felt alofa and condolences to the extended Devoux aiga in LA and the Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E family. 

Paul "Gangxsta Ridd" Devoux was one of seven members of the Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E along with his brothers Gawtti, Monsta O, E.K.A., Murder One, Kobra and Godfather (passed away in 2018 #RIP).  The brothers who were of Samoan Heritage were Pastors Kids and got their musical start in church.  

The Devoux brothers were initially a dance crew called the Blue City Strutters before becoming a full-fledged rap group with Ganxsta Ridd the lead rapper in the group. 

The "Boo-Yaa" in their name represented the sound of a shotgun being discharged, while the "T.R.I.B.E" stands for "Too Rough International Boo-Yaa Empire."

In 1990 they released their debut album New Funky Nation with production assists from the Dust Brothers, Joe "The Butcher" Nicolo, Tony G and others.…more

Earlier this evening, the Attitude Awards took place - a black-tie gala event celebrating the achievements of those in the disabled community.  As with every year, the nominations are filled with incredible and inspiring stories from both people living with disabilities and able-bodied people who support them. 

Tonight the 'Spirit of Attitude' award which is awarded to someone who has had a unique journey and has risen to the challenges of their disability and applied a positive, 'can-do' spirit,  was won by Lusi Faiva who is of Samoan heritage.  Coco congrats Lusi!  

Born with Cerebal Palsy, Lusi was taken away from her birth parents by the state and placed in an institution.
She was adopted by the Jone's who gave her the support she needed and enabled her to have continued development, then at 13 she was reconnected with her birth monther and Samoan culture.  Her determination toward taking the spotlight and mic which led her to join the family choir and make steps into musical theatre.…more

Coco congrats to all of our Pasifika winners at the 2020 Women of Influence Awards which were held last night here in Auckland.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban

In 1999, Hon. Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban became the first Pacific Island woman to be elected to the New Zealand Parliament. She was Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, and Associate Minister of Social Development, Economic Development and Trade.

Dame Winnie resigned from Parliament in 2010 to take up her current role. She is chair of the Public Services Commission Public Service Pacific Fale Governance Group; patron of the Wellington Pasifika Business Network and the Cancer Society Relay for Life; a Creative New Zealand Arts Council board member; and a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and the Council of the National University of Samoa. She is a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and was bestowed the Samoan chiefly title Luamanuvao.…more

It's been all eyes on the United States of America the last couple of days as vote counting started on Tuesday 3rd (Wednesday 4th in the Southern Hemisphere) ... and is still going two days later in what has become a very close, messy and divisive race between President Donald Trump (Republican) and Joe Biden (Democrat).

As at today (Friday 6th in the Southern Hemisphere) Joe Biden appears to be slowly inching ahead in the race to 270 votes and from what we understand needs either 2 States out of Arizona, North Carolina, Nevada & Georgia OR Pennsylvania on its own to get there.

While the world watches on, there are many of us trying to comprehend the Americans electoral process, popular votes and electoral colleges while I'm sure there are also many of us who have been entertained by the memes, media coverage and by President Donald Trump himself.…more

Carmel Sepuloni made some big steps up the rankings of cabinet today to number 6, making her the highest ranking Pacific MP with her new roles as Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and also Employment, alongside her portfolios in Social Development, Disability Issues and ACC. 

Christchurch East MP Poto Williams adds a Kuki Airani flavor to cabinet, having been promoted from outside cabinet to number 10. Poto is in charge of the Building and Construction portfolio as well as Minister for Police. Formerly the Minister for Community and Voluntary sector. 

Tokelauan minister Kris Faafoi, has also moved up the ranks from number 17 to 13 holding on to Broadcasting and Media, and Immigration portfolios as well as the new role of Minister for Justice. 

Aupito Su’a William Sio maintains Minister for Pacific Peoples as well Courts. 

Also of note - there is now more tangata whenua in cabinet then ever before and we have our first female Maori Minister of Foreign Affairs - Nanaia Mahuta.

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Tai 'Bambam' Tuivasa talks to ESPN sports commentator Ariel Helwani on his MMA show.

He talks training with Daniel Cormier at AKA in San Jose, Covid interruptions, fighting for his job and what he's done to prepare, Justin Willis beef and much more ... 

Congratulations to all of our amazing Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika awards recipients this year.  These awards recognise innovation and excellence in Pacific Arts and their contribution to the rich diversity of Aotearoa as a multi-cultural Pacific nation.

Eight Pasifika artists have been acknowledged today across seven categories. 

“It’s a great honour for us to celebrate and recognise the amazing work our Pasifika artists continue to achieve in our communities, in Aotearoa and globally,” says Arts Council of New Zealand Deputy Chair Caren Rangi.

“The eight award recipients this year are artistic and cultural experts in their fields, and the high calibre of applicants demonstrates the diversity of Pasifika talent here in our country and their valuable contribution to our national identity.”

This year’s recipients range from award winning interdisciplinary artists who challenge and innovate, an internationally acclaimed visual artist, to an artist reviving the traditional art of Niuean hiapo.

This year there are two recipients of the Pacific Toa Artist Award, Pelenakeke Brown and Lusi Faiva.…more

Story collated and written by Haitelenisia Afemui ‘Uhila Angilau for her 'Ordinary Tongan Lives' facebook page

“Sometimes my husband would ask me, ‘What’s your childhood memory?’ And you know, the first thing I remember is violence.

I was about 3 or 4 when Mom was attacked by Dad’s brother. My Dad was away for further studies. Mom said to go hide in a bathroom. To this day, I can still hear him attacking my mother while we cried from the bathroom. On another day, my Mom just missed a flying machete by seconds. It was ugly. Then it was just a rough road for my family from there. Mom resigned and worked in the U.S to help repay a family loan. She came back and found Dad had affairs. Then one Sāpate Ako, we came back home and Dad’s clothes were all gone. When they finally divorced, I read the divorce papers.

For years I watched my Mom cry. I don’t know how she managed to get money for us during those years.…more

There are now more Moana MPs in parliament in Aotearoa then ever before! 

The landslide victory of the Labour Party sees the return of four existing Labour MPs, Carmel Sepuloni, Jenny Salesa, Aupito Sua Wlliam Sio and Poto Williams.

Now there are 5 more Labour MPs to add to that list and our first Pasifika Green MP in parliament. 

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Carmel Sepuloni - Labour MP for Kelston

Jenny Salesa - Labour MP for Panmure/Otahuhu 

Aupito Su'a William Sio - Labour MP for Mangere 

Poto Williams - Labour MP for Christchurch East 

Barbara Edmonds - new Labour MP for MANA

Barbara Edmonds is a mother of eight, a specialist tax lawyer, and community fanatic. Titahi Bay, Porirua has been home to Barbara, her husband Chris (Nga Puhi) and their eight children for the last 12 years

Terisa Ngobi- New Labour MP for Otaki

Born, raised and educated in Levin, Terisa Ngobi is a proud Horowhenua local of Samoan and Scottish descent. Terisa’s key focus is for our most needy children, families and elderly to have good access to social services.…more