Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 3

North Otago Rugby Football Union (NORFU) has made history by appointing Sene Naoupu as their new CEO, marking her as the first Pasifika woman to lead a New Zealand Rugby Provincial Union.

Born of Samoan heritage, Naoupu brings her impressive international experience, both as a player and leader in the rugby community. Her career highlights include earning 48 caps for Ireland and advocating for equality and diversity in sport.

Returning to Aotearoa after 15 years abroad, Naoupu shared her excitement: “I’m honoured to be appointed CEO of my home Provincial Union. This role holds deep, personal significance as I return to where my rugby journey began.”

Outgoing CEO Colin Jackson praised her appointment, saying, “Sene has all the credentials to be a smart and innovative leader, and she brings so much international rugby knowledge.…more

Fiji – Viti is the newest addition to the Moana Oceania Series, arriving to fill a significant gap in quality literature about the vibrant island nation.

Written by Fijian-New Zealand educator Tarisi Vunidilo, this bilingual book, featuring text in both English and Fijian, invites readers to embark on a captivating journey through Fiji's rich culture, breathtaking geography, and unique identity.

In this beautifully illustrated volume, Vunidilo shares insights into the many facets of Fijian life. From the warm-hearted values that bind families together to the colorful celebrations that mark important occasions, readers will gain a deep understanding of what it means to be Fijian.

The book covers essential topics such as society, legends, arts, and history, providing a comprehensive overview that is both informative and engaging.

One of the standout features of Fiji – Viti is its dedicated section on the over 20,000 Fijians living in New Zealand.

This part of the book highlights their stories and struggles, showcasing how they maintain strong connections to their heritage while navigating life in a different culture.…more

Our local artists from De La Salle College, Aorere College, and Tangaroa College made waves at this year’s Stand Up Stand Out (SUSO) last month.

Competing alongside emerging talent from across Tāmaki Makaurau, they proved once again why South Auckland schools are a force to be reckoned with.

SUSO is Auckland’s premier platform for young talent, highlighting the best in secondary-school music and dance. This year's event featured five key categories: dance, solo instrumental, group vocal, solo vocal, and bands.

Manukau Ward Councillor Lotu Fuli expressed her pride in the achievements of the Manukau schools: “I am excited to see that once again the schools from the Manukau Ward have done well in many of the categories.…more

It's been a highly anticipated wait for more music from the young prodigy from South Auckland, but 4 years on, Jawsh 685 is back in the game—this time with another collaboration alongside global superstar Jason Derulo!

Jawsh 685 first went viral in 2020 when his beat ‘Laxed Siren Beat' took the internet by storm, sparking a worldwide trend on TikTok and catapulting him to international recognition. 

The catchy siren jam caught the attention of American artist Jason Derulo, who was quick to collaborate with the Samoan producer on the hit track Savage Love. 

Now, the duo is ready to make waves once again with their new single ‘Make Me Happy’, set to release on October 4th, 2024.

Reflecting on the creative process behind the new track, Jawsh shared, “The song ‘Make Me Happy’ started with a beat I made near the time I made ‘Laxed Siren Beat’. 

The beat is on my YouTube channel called Tropical Sax.…more

The WINNERS of Smokefreerockquest National Finals are a multicultural rock band from Manurewa High School!

By Tikilounge Productions & Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa

Aoga Faasamoa, the centre that has shaped the lives of hundreds of Samoan children

From its humble beginnings in one room 40 years ago, the Aoga Faasamoa was the first Samoan language centre in Aoteroa and has gone on to win international awards as a centre of excellence and innovation. 40 years on, we look at some of the many children who’s lives it’s impacted and the reason it’s been so important to the Samoan community in Auckland

"Tautua nei mo sou manuia taeao – Serve now for a better tomorrow"

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By Tikilounge Productions & Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa

Theresa Fitzpatrick's journey to becoming an Olympic gold medalist and a key player for the Black Ferns is one of perseverance, dedication, and cultural pride.

Winning gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a pinnacle moment in her career. Despite facing challenges such as injuries, selection pressures, and illness, Theresa navigated each hurdle with determination, showcasing her unwavering commitment to her sport.

“Representing my country and my family is something I never take for granted,” she shares, reflecting on the honor of competing at the highest level. The presence of her husband, parents, and closest friends made the victory even more meaningful.

“Looking into the crowd and seeing my circle there supporting me was truly special. A sense of pride came with the win. Proud of my team. Proud of the journey. Proud of myself.”

Theresa’s achievements as a Black Fern and Olympian are deeply tied to the core values she holds dear—values rooted in her Samoan culture. Her upbringing instilled in her the importance of connection, teamwork, and service to others.…more

Following the devastating loss of the late Liufau Vake due to a "coward punch" Eugene Bareman has established a new trust "Walk Without Fear" that aims to usher in an end to street violence.

The charity aims “To promote awareness of the devastating consequences of the one punch and coward punch attacks and other forms of social violence against victims and their families” says City Kickboxing owner and head coach, and Chairman of The Walk Without Fear Trust. 

The trust was born following the tragic passing of 25-year-old Tongan mixed martial artist Liufau Vake who passed from injuries sustained from a coward punch attack in 2021. 

Bareman remarked “Fau’s death was a devastating loss … This violent act should not be reduced to a faceless statistic, it’s a brutal reality, tearing the fabric of communities.”

“A coward's punch leaves no opportunity for victims to defend themselves and this has devastating consequences, in some cases life long disability or even death.…more

After nearly a decade of relentless legal battles, Auckland’s local alcohol policy has finally been adopted, marking a monumental victory for communities across Tāmaki Makaurau, especially South Auckland. At last week’s council meeting, Auckland's councillors unanimously voted to enforce the policy by December 9, 2024, setting in motion a transformative change that will protect our neighborhoods from the devastating impacts of alcohol-related harm.

For years, South Auckland has been disproportionately affected by the proliferation of liquor stores and the associated social issues that come with easy access to alcohol. Out of the 23 suburbs directly impacted by this policy, 13 are in South Auckland, making this not just a win for our city, but a decisive victory for our community.

A Decade-Long Battle for Our Rights

Councillor Josephine Bartley, chair of the Regulatory and Safety Committee, rightfully calls this a "momentous day" for all of Tāmaki Makaurau. "We’ve been fighting for this on behalf of our communities for almost ten years.…more