Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 55
HALF OF ALL NEW ZEALAND PACIFIC TEENAGERS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY
At least half of New Zealands Pacific teenagers are living in poverty, a study has revealed.
Auckland University's research showed almost one in five secondary school students and nearly half of all Pacific students were struggling.
The study used data from the Youth 2012 study of 8500 students and was published in the International Journal for Equity in Health.
It pooled students by household poverty based on nine markers of deprivation:
* No car
* No phone
* No computer
* Parental worry about not having enough food
* More than two people sharing a bedroom
* No holidays with family
* Moving home more than twice a year
* Garages or living rooms used as bedrooms
* No parent at home with employment.
Students needed to report at least two markers before being classed as experiencing poverty.
Senior lecturer and co-author of the report Dr Terry Fleming said some results mirrored those found by the Ministry of Social Development and the Child Poverty Action Group.…more
From Oakland To Auckland: Emory Douglas and The Polynesian Panthers
When the Oakland Black Panther Party recruited Emory Douglas as their Minister of Culture, one thing that no one knew, is how his image of the Black Panther would start movements across the world in the city of Auckland with a group of Polynesians.
Lana Lopesi is a Samoan artist, based out of Auckland, New Zealand. She's currently preparing for her show called 'Seize the Time' based on the Pacific New Zealand history of the 50s to the 80s. Working very closely with the Polynesian Panthers she is attempting to educate Pacific youth about the history as a way of empowerment and breaking the cycles of oppression Pacific people face.
Lana Lopesi's Posters From her upcoming show that will be wheatpasted in Oakland(photo by Louisa Afoa)
In her project guide she quotes a man from the place I call home, "We want education that teaches us the true history and our role in the present day society". Huey P.…more
What dark skinned people will never tell you
The issues for those of us with darker skin are similar in many societies - how many Pacific people experience the same cast racism in our communities?
Guavas and Bananas. Living Gay in Papua New Guinea
In Papua New Guinea where homosexuality is illegal, Hanuabada village is one of few places where gay and transgender men can live in safety. Elsewhere gays are targeted and physical and sexual assaults are common.
Photography: Vlad Sokhin
Video: Vlad Sokhin, Roman Kalyakin
© 2014
Taylor to be first Fijian to take part in the Hollywood Immersive Dance Program
A 20-year-old Rotuman dancer will be the first Fijian to take part in the Hollywood Immersive Dance Program in California.
Jed Taylor who has been chosen to be part of the program says that he was registered in the program whereby he sent a video of his performance and was picked amongst talented dancers around the world.
Taylor says he did not imagine getting through as there were only 20 spots and millions of applicants with more experience and have had more training.
He adds that it will be a lot of pressure carrying Fiji to the world and he hopes to do Fiji proud.
Hollywood Immersive is an organisation that builds, educates and exposes aspiring artist to the performing arts industry in Los Angeles.
The program is on the 22nd of this month and Taylor will leave the country on the 20th for the week long program.
Revamped Aggie Greys Open for business
The legacy of Aggie Grey is a story that is famous in the South Pacific, from the humble beginnings as a burger joint for US soldiers in WWII to its partnership with five star Sheraton chain, the hotel is the most iconic in Samoa.
Aggie Grey
A raft of Hollywood stars have stayed there since the filming of 'Return to Paradise' in Samoa, as well as Presidents and Royalty. So many kiwi Samoans have had formative experiences at the huge family orientated hotel, that when Cyclone Evan wiped out its infrastructure in 2012, it was a huge blow for Samoa and also for the many Samoans abroad.
After three years of rebuilding, today heralds a new era in Samoa Tourism and thousands of visitors around the globe will be flooding back to take a look at the resurrection of this grand old dame.
Lupesina Fred Grey with VIP dignitaries from Tahiti
The Grey family have extensive relations with the Tahitian government due to their hotel purchases in French Polynesia.…more
Communities worldwide weave message to end violence
What first began as a response to the rape and murder of a young Australian woman, has now become a force for change uniting people all around the world.
Samoan Artist Maryann Pau had no idea when she launched her One Million Stars to End Violence' project in 2012 that it would bring healing to so many, world wide.
And now her star-weaving workshops are being taken directly to women in the Pacific region, invoking hard-hitting conversations about an issue that is so close to home for Pacific people.
In 2012, the tragic death of ABC Journalist Jill Meagher brought an outpouring of grief from Maryann's local community and she began her own weaving campaign to advocate against violence.
"It was such a personal response. I'm a weaver," she said
"I love the craft. I appreciate the process of weaving."
After posting an 8 point star-weaving instruction video on Youtube, supported by a message about her inspiration to end violence - she invited others to join the campaign.
She did not expect the fruit it has been bearing ever since.…more
From Poly-hood to Hollywood - P.I's on the big screen!
2016 has seen a resurgence in Poly actors making it big, including fresh new talent making its way up the ranks, as well as our own Pacific stories making it big on the silver screen! Check out our Top 7 Pacific Island movers and shakers!
Joe Naufahu
Kiwi star Joe Naufahu has landed a sought-after role on Game of Thrones, becoming one of the latest kiwi's involved in the popular TV series joining fellow kiwi Keisha Castle-Hughes. It was revealed at the LA Premiere that he was to play the latest leader of the Dothraki clan Khal Moro. He is best known for his role as Liscus on Spartacus, as well as his stint on local series Go Girls. He was also a lead character in the critically acclaimed feature film The Last Saint, his brother Rene Naufahu's directorial debut.
KJ Apa
18-year-old KJ Apa has been cast as Archie Andrews in new TV series Riverdale - based on the popular Archie comics.…more
Island Life in Niue: An Expat's Perspective
Shanny Matterson, the freelance travel writer and creative copywriting guru from Rebel and Roam – a primary school teacher – has had adventure tattooed on her heart since as long as she can remember.
Meet Shannon and hear her perspective on life as an expat in Niue.
Tell me about island life. How does living in Niue fair to home in Queensland?
Life in Niue is – pardon my language – pretty f***ing rad.
Niue is a tiny island in the Polynesian Pacific region, with only about 1,200 people living on the island fulltime.…more
From Tonga to New York!
Two Te Wānanga o Aotearoa arts graduates are about to pack their bags for a taste of the Big Apple.
Source: Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Visesio and Serene, who leave in March, are among the first graduates from He Waka Hiringa, the Master of Applied Indigenous Knowledge programme run by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa at Mangakōtukutuku in Hamilton.
Their collaborative piece – a 4.4m by 18m tapa cloth work titled Onotu’ofe’uli – Onotu’ofekula - was a labour of love more than two years in the making that included a stint at Visesio’s village in Tonga.
The enormous work, which had to be cut in half in Tonga so it could be brought on board a plane back to New Zealand, consists of 23 different stencil designs.
