Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 8

Watch a wrap-up of your week in news from across the Islands, in under a minute.

Happy Fijian Language Week - Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti! This year's theme is "Nurture, Preserve and Sustain the Fijian language."

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Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

From left to right: Fa'amoana John Luafutu, Daren Kamali, Kulimoe'anga Stone Maka, Joshua Pearson, Dahlia Malaeulu, Troy Tu'ua, ONZM Fatu Feu'u & Ululau Ama

From visual arts, to theatre, to the art of ngatu tā‘uli (blackened tapa cloth) - eight Pasifika artists are being recognised for their contribution to Pacific arts through the Creative NZ Arts Pasifika Awards.  

"Contemporary Pasifika art, all our art, was contemporary - Western world claimed that abstract art belonged to them but all our arts - our dance, our language, our cultures, are all abstract.  We did not paint portraits or landscapes we paint colours to represent something especially the black tapa it's an art of power" - Kulimoe’anga “Stone” Maka

"Through my arts I can connect back to the islands and that's what's kept me alive and kept my Pasifika heritage, and belief alive"  Daren Kamali

"A bit of advice to our community - is to support the God Given talents of our children as opposed to saying 'get a real job''  Fa'amoana John Luafutu

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While there are usually seven award winners, this year…more

Here is your bite sized Pacific News wrap in under 1 minute.

Presented and edited by Destiny Momoiseā

A course building money confidence with Auckland’s Pasifika workforce was the winner at last night’s Diversity Awards Impact Category.

The Diversity Awards recognise initiatives that promote equity, diversity and inclusion in workplaces around Aotearoa – and Project Ikuna’s Money Confidence does just that.  Delivered by the team at Upskills in partnership with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Money Confidence is a small course that delivers a life changing hit to participants. It’s financial literacy with Pacific values woven through the learning, so it’s relevant and meaningful for participants.

For Delegat employee and participant Ngāupoko Tapoki the learning takeaway was around saving. “Thank you to your team – I used to take a loan out every time I go back home.…more

Cover image:  MĀUI by Freshmans Dance Crew as part of the Measina Festival in December last year.  Photo Credit:  Pacific Arts - Creative New Zealand

Creative New Zealand have announced their support for Aotearoa’s Fringe festivals for three years to develop emerging Pasifika artists. 

The new collaboration, developed with the festival directors of the Auckland Fringe, Wellington Fringe and the Dunedin Fringe Festival sees an increase in support for Pasifika awards at each festival. For three years (2022-2024) award winners will now receive $2,000, up from $500. 

Cover photo credit:  Via Radio Australia supplied by Ellia Green 

Ellia Green came out as a transgender man in his opening address to the Bingham Cup (the 'World Cup' of gay and inclusive rugby, held biennially) International Summit on ending transphobia and homophobia in sport on August 16, 2022 in Ottawa.

The only other transgender or gender-diverse Olympic gold medallists are Caitlyn Jenner and Quinn, who goes by one name and was part of Canada's winning women's soccer team in Tokyo last year.

Seeing so few trans athletes at the elite level and so much negative commentary on social media, particularly since World Rugby's decision to bar transgender women from playing women's rugby, hastened Green's push to highlight the harm those things can cause some children.…more

by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

The South Auckland Maths Challenge or SAMC, celebrates budding mathematicians who don’t have all the flashiest resources, but all the smarts. 

On a wintry Wednesday morning, you’ll find the De La Salle College gymnasium hissing with hyena laughs and fa’aumu.

Inside are Year 9 and 10 students from 12 schools across South Auckland - it’s the fifth time they’ve met this year, to face off against each other in mathematics.

Each school is represented by three or four students, stationed at desks where they’ll receive an equation.

Once they’ve made a calculation, a runner from the team will run a lap around all the others and get their answer marked.

The first school to answer ten equations correctly is crowned the winner.

There’s a strong sense of comradery in these competitions. Winning is the least important part.

“Here everyone cheers for you even if you don’t go to the same school,” one student says.…more

“Beautiful is back” – that is the latest slogan taking social media by storm as Samoa officially opened its borders in the beginning of August. 

The excitement of a nation that has been closed to travelers for almost 3 years due to the pandemic was felt through the wonderful display of welcome at the Faelolo airport earlier this week. Cultural dances and songs filled the airport as each traveler was welcomed with fresh flower garlands, beautiful smiles and a heartfelt “Talofa!”. It was truly a welcoming ceremony that befits this island nation known as ‘Beautiful Samoa’. 

Theres so much new and old things to do on island. You can climb Mt Silisili in Savaii, see turtles on your way to Namua and treat yourself to all the goodies at Sula Bakery in Mota'a. The options on how to spend your time in the 685 are endless.

Whether you are a returning visitor, citizen or a first time-traveler—Samoa is a destination that should be on your “must travel'' list.…more

Watch a wrap-up of your week in news from across the Islands, in under a minute.

Samoa wins gold at the Commonwealth Games - the winner hailing from a family of athletes.

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Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

Prime Minister Ardern met with members of Samoa’s Cabinet in Apia, today, announcing the launch of a new climate change partnership and confirming support for the rebuild of the capital’s main market, on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa. 

“I am pleased to reaffirm our commitment to Samoa — and the priorities of the Government of Samoa — as we mark this milestone in our countries’ shared history,” said Jacinda Ardern. 

“Through the Samoa–Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Partnership, we are committing NZ$15 million in flexible finance to support the delivery of Samoa’s climate change priorities. This funding will help build Samoa’s resilience to the impacts of climate change and its transition to a low emissions economy. We will work with the Government of Samoa to determine governance arrangements, and opportunities for future investments.

At the request of Samoa, Aotearoa New Zealand will also provide NZ$12 million toward the rebuilding of the historic Savalalo Market, which was destroyed by fire in 2016.…more