Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 28

The government’s secured two new Covid-19 vaccines, meaning there will be enough for every New Zealander to get the jab.

Border workers are expected to be immunised in the second quarter of next year, with the general population in the second half.

Getting one of the vaccines will be free for everybody, health minister Andrew Little confirmed. “Currently, given we have no community transmission, the first group who would be immunised are those most at risk of being exposed to Covid-19. This includes the border and MIQ workforce, the Covid-19 frontline healthcare workers, and their household contacts. This will further strengthen our border.”

The Ministry of Health has also purchased nine large minus-80 degree Celsius freezers that can store more than 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. They are on track to arrive by the end of the year.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced that the government is preparing to support its Pacific partners to access Covid-19 vaccines.

Mahuta confirmed $75 million of Official Development Assistance had been earmarked to support Pacific and global vaccine access and roll-out.…more

With Covid affecting travel around the globe, many of us who had plans to visit loved ones and family in the islands for Christmas have had to put these plans on hold.

We visited Mangere, Otahuhu, Otara and Onehunga to give people the opportunity to send messages to their loved ones in the Pacific Islands and these lovely people responded.

Three remarkable young Pasifika stamping their mark on Aotearoa were announced as winners of the inaugural PCF, or Pacific Cooperation Foundation, Youth Leadership Awards for their outstanding services in their communities.

Youth activist Aigagalefili Fepulea'i-Tapua'i has been named as winner of the Supreme Award for Pacific youth advocacy, award-winning playwright Leki Jackson-Bourke is the winner of the Young Male of Influence award, and Dr Brittany Stanley-Wishart is the winner of the Pasifika Health Ambassador award.

The makers of hit films, Three Wise Cousins, Hibiscus & Ruthless and Take Home Pay have brought you a Pacific Christmas Film "Mama's Music Box" which was released in select theatres today around New Zealand.

For the stars of the movie Sieni Leo'o Olo and Unaloto Funaki, it was the first time they'd ever been in a feature film let alone starred in one.

They shared with us a bit about their experience here.

On being in a feature film for the first time ...

Sieni - Being in a feature film for the first time and especially with the challenge, because it was made in 30 days, it was a lot of pressure but also because I got thrown in the deep end it was a really good space to learn in.…more

The makers of self-funded and self-distributed Pacific Christmas movie - Mama’s Music Box, have worked with exhibitors Event and Hoyts to bring their film to the people at a new ticket price point - $10.00 for all tickets for the duration of its screening at Event and Hoyts cinemas

Writer and Director – Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa who is also self-distributing the film is excited at this new development – “it’s rare that we request a price reduction of tickets – but we know going to the movies can be expensive especially when taking the whole family, so having Event Cinemas and Hoyts come on board to bring Mama’s Music Box – at this special Xmas price point is awesome – and it’s even more timely given how hard 2020 has been. We know we have a special film and it’s one that you’ll definitely want people to see enjoy with their whole family.”

Mama’s Music Box is showing in selected cinemas around New Zealand from 10th December.

(Note: this $10.00 ticket price is only for Hoyts and Event Cinemas in New Zealand. Booking Fees still apply).…more

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