Coco Talanoa — Events / Page 1

🌺✨ Join us on the blue carpet for the highly anticipated premiere of Moana 2!  Te Reo🎥🌊

In this video, we chat with the cast, crew, and special guests about the magic behind bringing this Polynesian adventure to life. From behind-the-scenes stories to heartfelt moments of cultural pride, you won’t want to miss what the stars have to say.

Get ready to dive into the world of Moana once again as we celebrate its legacy, stunning visuals, and unforgettable music. 🌀🎶

🎤 Featuring interviews with:
🌟 The voices of Moana, Maui, and new characters
🌟 Directors and producers sharing what’s new this time around
🌟 Polynesian cultural consultants on how the film honors Pacific traditions

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Moana 2 content and your chance to relive the magic of the blue carpet! 💙✨ #Moana2 #BlueCarpet #PolynesianPride

by Lefaoali’i Dr Dion Enari

As Pasifika people, I know we have all had that talk. Should we support Maori or not? After attending the Toitu te tiriti hikoi on Wednesday, I believe we need to stand with our Maori family now, more than ever before.

As an Indigenous Samoan I believe, unless you came to New Zealand and added your own piece of land, we are on Maori land. The land of our cousins. As family, it is our duty as Tangata Moana to stand in  solidarity with our Maori family in their sovereignty fight.

When one is attacked, we are all attacked. As I saw several Pasifika at the hikoi, I was excited to hear their insights as well, interestingly my sentiments were shared. This is what some of them said.

“Attending the hikoi was important to me as a Tangata Moana and Tangata Tiriti, having migrated here from Tonga, because I understand how deeply sovereignty and connection to our land are woven into our identity.…more

The Bunnings Pacific Cup Touch Tournament is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of culture, community, and connection for our Pacific and Māori youth. Held annually in South Auckland, this event has become the largest Pacific-led touch tournament in the world, and it continues to grow in size and impact.

Founded in 2019 by Patariki Spellman (known as Pat), alongside his good friends Ngariki Enosa and Harley Wall, the Pacific Cup was established to create a representative platform for indigenous people to call their own.

“Māori and Pacific people make up huge numbers in our sport at a community level—it made sense for tangata moana to have a representative platform in the same way Māori have. We wanted to come together, celebrate what it means to be us—and play some touch,”

 The concept was to acknowledge, share, and celebrate everything that makes Pacific communities unique.…more

The power of the pen, the camera lens, dance, visual arts and our beautiful vocal talents all celebrated in one giant night of the Pasifika Arts Awards 2024!

Recipient of the Emerging Pacific Artists Award, Sione Tuilailala Monū is an example of an artist working at the junctions of identity and artforms. They explore Pasifika queer experience across multiple disciplines.

The young artist has become known for their signature ‘Cloud’ forms and their popular kahoa workshops with community groups, as well as his installation and visual arts works.…more

The Maine Kuki Airani Aotearoa Pageant recently held a Pink Ribbon Breakfast Fundraiser to bring awareness to breast cancer within the Cook Islands community.

The event, which gathered local medical professionals and Cook Islanders working in the field, aimed to educate Pacific women on the importance of early detection and support.

The seven contestants of the pageant played a key role as ambassadors in spreading awareness. 

The participants, including Inano Aniterea, Keikilani Rea, Jenna Te Ariki, Ambushia Mateariki, Siniva Talamaivao-Nickel, Ngatepaeru Maoate, and Tatyana Nomotu, are dedicated to sharing vital health messages with the community.

Guest speaker Tarani Napa shared a personal and powerful message with the attendees: “Don’t be afraid to go get tested, I chose to live.”

Her words emphasised the life-saving importance of early breast cancer detection and encouraged women to take proactive steps for their health.…more

The 15th Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference and Expo, as well as the 8th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Forum opened today (Tuesday 3rd September NZT) at the Cook Islands National Auditorium in Rarotonga. 

Hosted by Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) the weeks events will see over 300 individuals from 30 Pacific utility providers flock to Rarotonga where they will prioritise, coordinate and highlight the importance of water resilience and the need to rapidly accelerate access to safe, and clean sources of drinking water in the wake of climate change. 

The theme for this years conference is ‘Water resilience in the Pasifika – Navigating the currents of change for a climate resilient region’.…more

The 20th Pacific Music Awards took place at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau last night  (Thursday 29th Aug).  

The event marked a milestone in Aotearoa’s music history, signifying two decades of celebrating  Pasifika contributions to the New Zealand music scene.  

The atmosphere ran electric as musicians, friends, families and entire communities gathered to  celebrate the achievements of the years nominated finalists.  

The first award for the evening, the Most Promising Artist Award, went to brother and sister country duo Miti. The Porirua raised siblings dedicated the award to their parents and remarked  “This is so surreal.…more

Last week the Cook Islands celebrated 59 years of Self-Governing. In Avaiki Nui, Te Kuki Airani, this momentous occasion is affectionately marked by Te Maeva Nui (The Grand Celebration.)

Te Maeva Nui is arguably the most vibrant week in the Cook Islands calendar. The nation’s capital runs electric as Cook Islanders from the Pa Enua (outer islands) and overseas flock to Rarotonga eager to represent their respective islands and villages on the stage of the National Auditorium.

The week that unfolds is one filled with float parades, trade and the most cutting edge and unique Cook Islands dancing, singing, drumming and costumes making.

Preparations for Te Maeva Nui begin months in advance with group leaders attempting to secure the best composers, choreographers, costume makers, musicians and dancers to represent their island or village.

With a population of only 17,000 people, every Cook Islander knows who the heavy hitters of Te Maeva Nui are. You know, the people who are going to elevate the performances and take their teams to the A-grade category.…more

Pacific Kids Learning: The organization dedicated to creating Educational Pacific Content for the young Pacific Generations to come. 

Pacific Kids Learning (PKL) continues to make significant strides in the education space, specifically in Pacific education. Earlier this month, PKL hosted their 4th Digital Showcase at Hoyts Cinemas in Sylvia Park, presenting “Digital Navigators: Legacy of the Islands.” This compelling feature-length film highlights the adventures of two spirited children from South Auckland, 'Alisi and Semisi,' as they explore the islands of Te Moana Nui a Kiwa through digital storytelling.

PKL’s rapid growth, from their first digital showcase at the Māngere Arts Centre four years ago to this grand presentation at HOYTS, is a testament to the dedication of its founders—parents who are passionate about creating Pacific-led children’s content. 

Co-Founder & Education Director Theresa Tupuola-Sorenson expressed her passion for educating the next generation of Pacific kids “it's about nurturing all children as if they were your own.…more

The Whau Pasifika Festival is back for another year, set to take over West Auckland from July 6-13, 2024! This year’s theme, “E Lē Tū Fa’amauga se Tagata,” meaning “no one stands alone, no one succeeds alone, and no one suffers alone,” underscores the festival's focus on community, togetherness, and intergenerational collaboration. This profound Samoan proverb, notably referenced by the late Fa’anana Efeso Collins during his maiden speech last year, who was a strong supporter of the festival.

Ina Patisolo, Director of the Whau Pasifika Festival, emphasizes the importance of multi-generational involvement. “We’re thrilled to bring together people from all walks of life to celebrate our rich heritage and collective resilience. The Whau Pasifika Festival embodies community spirit and Pacific pride,” she says. “It’s more than an event; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of our people” across all ages.

This year's program was designed to attract all generations! Young and old, with events that highlight Pacific Island traditions, arts, and performances.…more