Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 42

With Coronavirus / Covid-19 now being upgraded to a Pandemic we will be updating this page with Pacific Islands updates for our community here in New Zealand and around the Pacific.

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SATURDAY 21st MARCH 

NEW ZEALAND 

- 52 confirmed cases in New Zealand.  13 new cases and 4 probable cases from last night.  Ministry of Health cannot rule out community transmission.  Full story here 

- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a four level alert system for COVID-19 and has asked all people to stop non-essential travel.

These guidelines are set out below:

She said New Zealand was currently on level two, but this could change at any time - and it could change quickly. Level two "means the risk of community transmission is growing."

People over 70 years old or with a compromised immunity are asked to stay at home.  She says while we are at alert level two - schools will stay open unless there is a confirmed case. This will change as the alert system moves up the chain.…more

Tematai Tevaearai's image is the one that has appeared on the Hinano beer label since 1955.  She passed away on Sunday the 2nd of March at the age of 88 years.

She is photographed here on her 80th birthday at a family party in her Maharepa fare by local news La Depeche de Tahiti.  Born in Vairao, Tahiti in 1932, she spent most of her life in Mo'orea where she also raised her children.

The famous picture which was then later drawn as the figure for the label, was taken by well known photographer at the time Pierre Pottier on the beach at Puna'auia in Tahiti.

"He had often taken pictures of me. One day, it was on Punaauia beach that he took this picture at the request of the Brasserie de Tahiti. I didn't know until later that my photo had been chosen to draw the figurine that has since been found on beer bottles.…more

The first time Samoa Airways pilot, Fanaafi Sooaemalelagi flew an airplane almost seven years ago, she describes the sensation as a little more than your average case of ‘butterflies in the stomach.’

“I remember thinking; these aren’t butterflies – these are more like dragons!” said Faanafi “the turbulence was a little scary and it felt like my stomach was in my chest – but it was fun.”

With just over 5% of airline pilots worldwide being female, Fanaafi is “flying” the path less travelled as the only female pilot at Samoa Airways, working in a traditionally male dominant industry.

“I love the thrill of it.” She says. “Every day is different; meeting new people, facing different scenarios and challenges - it’s never boring. Aviation is more than just flying the plane.…more

The Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio continues to champion for greater Pacific participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers with the announcement of the Toloa Awards, with 8 recipients of the Toloa Community Fund and 13 Toloa Tertiary Scholarships.

These were awarded to the recipients over 2 evenings - one in Wellington last week and one in Manukau, South Auckland on Monday night which Aupito William Sio also hosted.

“The Toloa Programme encourages more Pacific peoples to embrace with confidence the learning and career pathways in STEM that can lead to more fulfilling and more prosperous lives,” says Aupito William Sio.

“Our approach for Pacific peoples is a whole-of-community approach, with greater participation by Pacific in the Toloa Programme, helping to address the long-term challenges of only 2% of the Pacific workforce involved in STEM careers.  The Toloa Awards recognises both individual talent and community achievement, and celebrates the advancements made by Pacific peoples of Aotearoa in this vital sector." the minister said.…more

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.