Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 41

The Pacific Business Hub has officially launched in Manukau, South Auckland and the event held last Friday also marked a milestone for the establishment as it celebrates its 1-year anniversary since opening its doors.

For founder, Laura Keil-Hall, the Hub is the fulfillment of “a passion and a dream”. It started with a bit of inspiration from her years as a Bank of New Zealand business manager.

The concept of The Pacific Business Hub is based on the existing model of co-working and shared office space. A base for small and new start-up businesses to collaborate resources and share space. 

Laura remembers “The first time I walked into [BNZ’s] Highbrook Partner Centre, I immediately said to myself, ‘I would like to one day offer a space like this for…the Pacific.’”

Laura envisioned a professional yet nurturing hub for Pacific entrepreneurs, an affordable place for startups and small businesses to set up office, meet with clients, get creative, collaborate and be inspired by other ambitious like-minded thinkers.

The difference is, the Hub is not your average traditional shared office co-working space.…more

At the 2020 Academy Awards, Taika Waititi made history as the first indigenous film maker to have won the Best Adapted Screenplay award.

Young Pasifika film makers respond to Taika's groundbreaking Oscar speech about the value of our stories on screen!

STALLONE IOASA 

Samoan Writer, Director and Film maker 

Three Wise Cousins, Hibiscus & Ruthless and Take Home Pay 

DIANNA FUEMANA 

Niuean Writer and Director 

Sunday Fun Day & Vai 

"What’s special about our stories from the Moana is our unique lens as Pasifika storytellers.…more

Yesterday afternoon Feagaigafou aka Nainz (one half of popular singing duo Adeaze) and his partner of 19 years Rebecca aka Becks pulled off the surprise of the year, inviting close family and friends to what they thought was going to be a Tone6 showcase.

Guests were told that a 60th diamond birthday was taking place at the front of the venue and to make their way through to the back garden area where Tone6 greeted them and then performed a couple of songs, before the couples youngest son Josiah came through to announce they'd all actually been invited to the wedding of his parents.  Cheers, laughter and even tears erupted as family and friends got over the initial shock of the announcement.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes Becks, Nainz & their immediate family were getting ready for the big reveal.

Nainz & Becks first met at the Excel School of Performing Arts - Becks and Nainz younger brother Logovi'i aka Viiz were both majoring in vocals and as Becks says, he met her, chased her and the rest is history.…more

Doris explains how cultural norms in Samoa make it more important to create safe spaces for those impacted by domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Doris Tulifau is a survivor, educator, activist and organizer ensuring that there are safe spaces for our future generations to talk about trauma before they deal with it as adults. She founded the Brown Girl Woke feminist group that promotes young women and men to empower them on taboo issues happening in the Samoan community especially on domestic violence and sexual abuse.

While in college, she was invited to speak about the Pacific Island culture at a women’s shelter in California. The organization had a high number of Pacific Island women needing help in developing culture appropriate responses to domestic violence. As a survivor, she took it upon herself to research the issue specifically among Pacific Island women to no avail.

This led her to sharing her experience for the first time ever and embarking on a journey to finding the answer.…more

All Black star Ardie Savea brings Ngani Laumape on to the podcast for a chat.

He talks about what he's been up to over the summer break, his footy career from rugby union to league and back to playing union plus Ngani's mindset when he found out he missed out on the World Cup squad and more.

A couple of weeks ago in Logan, Brisbane a number of Polynesian Barbers and a hair braider came together as a community to raise money for both the families of those who have been affected by the measles outbreak in Samoa as well as those affected by the bushfires in Australia.

Along with the barbers, a team of volunteers turned up to give free vaccinations, DJ Noize and DJ KWoodz provided music and enterntainment, there was BBQ and cupcakes as well as hair product and mirrors donated for use on the day.

A brand new smart TV was raffled and local MPs Jim Chalmers and Cameron Dick came down to give their support to the cause.

Parker Films captured the highlights in the video above.

Legendary Canadian wrestler, WWE Hall of Famer and Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson's father, 'Soulman' Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles), has sadly passed away at the age of 75. 

Johnson’s sports-entertainment career began in the mid-1960s when he made a memorable impression in the National Wrestling Alliance. However, Johnson found his highest levels of success when he began his WWE tenure in 1983.

Alongside Tony Atlas, Johnson made history as one half of the first ever black WWF tag team champions when they defeated the Wild Samoans in 1983.  The wrestler had several memorable rivalries with competitors like Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Adrian Adonis and Don Muraco.

He would eventually go on to retire from the ring in 1991 and had a hand in training his son Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.  The Rock would become one of the biggest stars in the history of sports-entertainment and carried on his fathers legacy with pride.…more

The Ministry of Health in Samoa have released a statement to clarify that they had not authorized the $40.00 tala vaccination record fee and were also not aware that staff had unilaterally imposed the fee to acquire the vaccination records for school enrolment.

As a result, Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri had instructed staff members to cease any fees immediately when informed of the situation last Friday.

He says that these fees in question are old charges implemented during the former National Health Service when parents’ requested replacement of their immunization books and records when they'd been lost or misplaced. 

This is the record they usually take with them when they emigrate overseas to NZ, Australia or the USA. 

The staff members involved did not take into account that the old law governing the NHS operations as a State-Owned Enterprise had already been voided.

Worse, they did not ask the authorities before continuing with the old practice.…more

The Ministry of Health confirms a cumulative total of 5,697 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started.

 Currently the outbreak is declining with 30 new cases reported between December 29, 2019 and January 5, 2020.

 As of 8.30am January 5th 2020, there were 16 measles currently admitted at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH) including 4 critically ill children in ICU/HDU.

The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 1,860. Of that, 1,761 (95%) patients have recovered and been discharged.

 To date, 83 measles related deaths have been recorded. There were 2 fatalities (one infant and one adult) between December 29, 2019 and January 5, 2020.

 There are currently no travel restrictions or vaccination requirement for those travelling to Samoa. Additionally, proof of MMR vaccination is not currently required for Samoans travelling to Australia, New Zealand, or the United States.

Only travelers to American Samoa are required to provide proof of vaccination for MMR.