Coco Talanoa — Events / Page 4

By Mabel Muller

A new art exhibition by a Samoan visual artist hopes to challenge people’s perception around skulls and what it normally represents in the western culture.

Aua e te fefe - Don’t be afraid by Raymond Sagapolutele is currently on display at Auckland’s Bergman Gallery, showcasing a range of artworks centred around the image of a skull.

The exhibition is a culmination of Sagapolutele’s art and photography work over the last few years and represents his journey of exploring his identity as a Samoan in Aotearoa and how he fits in.

Sagapolutele said the skull, which is usually perceived as a prop to frame horror, can be viewed in a different light when seen through a Samoan lense.

“When I first started doing this I was looking at it from a Samoan perspective in relation to what the bones of our ancestors represent…

“Liutofaga is an old practice where in Samoa, because you have family graves, they would sometimes reuse the plot and so there’ll be a process of re-interring your previous family members.…more

The Lower Hutt Events Centre was host to the freshest Poly reggae artists to come outta NZ hosted by Biordi and Holy Boy Dom and featured an amazing lineup of talent.

We caught up with Samoan musician and singer Wayno who shares where he got his start in music, musical inspiration, performing at One Love for the first time, connecting with other artists in the industry and more.

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Director- Johnson Raela 

Editor - Sefa Taouma 

Camera Operator - Marc Weakley

Sound Operator - Kevin Hill 

The first Pasifika Global Citizen award winner, Brianna Fruean is presenting at the Global Citizen Festival!  Tune in to see her present as well as live performances by Metallica, Charlie Puth, Jonas Brothers, MÅNESKIN, Mariah Carey, Mickey Guyton, and Rosalía perform live from NYC's Central Park and Usher, SZA, Stormzy, Gyakie, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Uncle Waffles, and TEMS, perform live from Accra's Black Star Square as part of this year's Global Citizen Festival.

With Priyanka Chopra Jonas hosting in NYC + Danai Gurira hosting in Accra, this show combines the power for activism with music to make a huge impact.  This year, with a new mission that’s more urgent than ever, Global Citizen is embarking on an ambitious campaign that spans the world. With a focus on empowering adolescent girls and women so that we can End Extreme Poverty NOW, Global Citizen is calling on world leaders, corporations, and philanthropists to do more than they’ve ever done before.…more

Jason Momoa arrived in to Auckland Airport on the 15th September and was greeted with a pōwhiri by kapa haka group 'Ahina i te Kaupapa' from Rāhui Pōkeka (Huntly).

Word on the street is that Jason is here in Aotearoa scouting locations for his upcoming Apple TV, Hawaiian historic show, Chief of War.

More on the show here - https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/jason-momoa-write-star-hawaiian-history-drama-series-rcna23259

Ka’a - Samoan for little sh**, or a young person who enjoys going out.

Samoan, South Auckland based artist Pati showcases her new album in her new show KA’A. When asked what we should expect from this show, Pati promised to deliver “Good music, laughter, sadness, and a safe space to be a little sh**.”

And deliver she did. 

KA’A is a love letter to all young, brown women who face constant judgment by their own communities. To the girls who carry their peoples expectations like a second skin. The girls who love their village, but don’t feel loved in return. 

In her tear jerking showcase Pati displayed her range in this body of music and theatre combined. An actor, writer, show director, and musician, seriously what can’t she do? 

I don’t know what I was expecting going into the basement theatre last night, all I knew was to expect the unexpected.…more

Join us as we head to Brisbane and meet the hard-working team behind Grubbies Burgers & Hawaiian BBQ as they celebrate their first anniversary.

Serving up Brisbane’s biggest, baddest burgers and Hawaiian bbq platters, the Pasifika community shows up and out to celebrate their fav spot with an appearance from Goodnas finest - Lisi and friends.

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Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Pacific Cabarets.

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Credits

Director & Camera Operator - Dave Parker 

Sound Operator - James Kennedy 

Editor - Tuki Laumea 

Thank you Ben Niumata 

Joe Fa'agase from Harlito & Jojo checks out what's on offer at Taste of Pasifika Festival from hand made arts and crafts to delicious island eats.

Peep the highlights here ...

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Credits: 

Talent - Joe Fa'agase 

Director - Shimpal Lelisi 

Editor - Sefa Taouma 

Camera Operator - Jake Farani-Faga 

Sound Operator - Marcus Lawson 

A highlight reel of the Kiribati Pride Month event held this year by BIMBA Kiribati.

Members from the LGBTQIA+ community were invited to celebrate their pursuit for education, employment and entrepreneurship.

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Video credit: BIMBA

By The Pacific Business Hub 

Ladies, Make Time!  was the call to action for an event that was held in Manukau City over the weekend. An event that was inspired by women and organised by women for women business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals.

The event was organized by Laura Keil-Hall, owner & founder of The Pacific Business Hub, Nora Swann of Nora Swann Ltd, Dressed in Confidence & Pacific Fusion Fashion Show and Peninatautele Schmidt of Karas Fashion.

Laura says, “The event was simply about creating a space where women can come and just take a load off.”

“Over the years, I’ve heard our Pacific women mentioning and wishing for something or somewhere they could go to and just be themselves, to be around other like-minded women, where they can share their frustrations & tribulations. Some wanted to have a day of pampering and just focus on themselves. So, this event was trying to accomplish all those things, and we wanted to have an event where we get to celebrate women and our contribution to society as well.…more

Like ya cut G! Over the weekend, Trilogy Barbers held the first ever barbering expo of its kind in New Zealand.

'The Blueprint' started with an education seminar with some of the biggest hittas in the business, including Matt Brown (My Father's Barbers), Sean The Barber and of course the Trilogy Barber Expo team - Vea Fonua, Jabez Makawe and Peleti Oli 

A showcase of award winning Aotearoa-based barbers then took place, cutting for the crowd to watch live.

Barbers from across the country turned up to learn from each other, about the craft itself and how to improve in ways beyond the chair.

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Credits:

Director: Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

Camera Operator: Mary-Louise Raela

Sound Operator & Editor: Sefa Taouma

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ On Air