Inspired by Disney's 'MOANA' a student from the University of Central Florida has re-imagined Pacific style Princesses!

NZ Fashion Week comes to an end today ...

Although there were no Pacific designers featured & we're not sure how diverse the catwalk models were, we thought we'd take a look at some of our own Pacific beauties who can rock anything from sportswear to streetwear to island wear to high fashion looks and back again.

And we can't forget our MEN! 

Suggested Links:

London Fashion Collective 

Tim Cahill makes History 

Business class passengers flying Air New Zealand are about to get a taste of Pacific fine dining, thanks to award-winning chef Michael Meredith, as they sail through the skies.

As the airline's newest culinary consultant, the Samoa-born chef known for his degustation menus and adventurous approach will design dishes for 'Business Premier' passengers - Air New Zealand's executive class.

This year alone Meredith won the Metro Restaurateur of the Year and best fine-dining restaurant. He now joins the airline's other consultant chef, Peter Gordon, an airline menu contributor for 20 years.

"It's a huge privilege to be given the chance to showcase my take on New Zealand cuisine to people from all over the world.

"There's a bit of pressure but I'm also really excited to see what we can do together," Meredith said.

Air New Zealand general manager customer experience Carrie Hurihanganui said Kiwi cuisine was renowned for its fresh, high quality and diverse produce - and its wine.

"Michael will bring a fresh perspective to the table.…more

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

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?

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

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.

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

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