Coco Talanoa — Events / Page 6

The women behind the "Growing with Mother Nature" calendar explain why they are so passionate about traditional farming and getting back to the roots of sustainable Earth nurturing. 

The Samoan women’s farming calendar is an opportunity to assist 12 farmers to improve the livelihoods of female farmers by raising the level of activity and creative entrepreneurship on their farms. This initiative has been co-funded by Ms Sunshine Farms, SPS Biosecurity, the NZ Aid Programme through the project; “improved livelihoods through improved protection of the premium cocoa value chain 2020-2023.” Samoa Stationery and Books are also a major sponsor and distributor for the Calendar in Samoa.

The calendar is titled: “Growing with Mother Nature 2022.” and aims to empower more women to find their way back to farming sustainably as their ancestors once did.

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Video provided by: Denisa Manaskova & Floris Niu

By RNZ Pacific Correspondent in Tokelau, Elena Pasilio

In the remote Tokelau atolls, where the culture is family oriented, everyone plays a role in looking after the community through traditions like Faiva Fakamua.

Faiva Fakamua is a Tokelauan fishing quest. Village fishermen set out together in search of a catch for their whole community to share. Any fish caught are distributed, via the unique inati system, amongst all the villagers. The Faiva Fakamua tradition sees the men and boys of the island, the lima malohi o te fenua (strength of the land), combine their efforts to feed the village from their catch. This longstanding tradition has been preserved through generations by the elders, and is considered an important part of Tokelauan culture.

Lui Tumua, 31, who was raised in Nukunonu, will bring up his son with these traditions the same way he was. "Each family has their own fishing methods and traditional knowledge, passed down from their forefathers.…more

The faculty and students from UC Berkeley and San Francisco State University, invites you and your family to an evening of Pacific Islander poetry, storytelling and song to honour the important work of the renowned Samoan poet, novelist, and playwright, Albert Wendt. 

The program, "Our Moana Nui; We are Pacific Islander Studies" is sponsored by the San Francisco Public Library and organized by Bay Area Pacific Islander leaders and activists who were supported by Kim Shuck, the San Francisco Poet laureate (the first Native American poet to receive this honour).

This program, Our Moana Nui: We are Pacific Islander Studies is part of a series of programs advocating for Pacific Islander communities through petitioning the California Department of Education to reinstate Pacific Islander Studies and Arab American Studies in the Ethnic Studies curriculum so that Pacific Islander histories and important contributions are represented in the curriculum that is taught in the US public schools.  These systemic changes can create hope and empower the minds and spirits of Pasifika youth.…more

Pasifika Film Festival is hosting a FREE pop up short film screening at Event Cinemas Queen Street this Sunday 6th of December

7 short films have been selected for your viewing!  So get down to see and hear some great Pasifika storytelling.

Films that are screening in the pop up screening include:
• Meet Munch Jnr
• Chicken
• The Messiah
• Liliu
• Misadventures of a Pacific Professional
• Tep Tok
• Felehuhuni

Join the movement and be inspired by our talented artists, creatives, story tellers & filmmakers who are taking on the world through a Pasifika lens!

While most countries around the world have had to cancel major sporting events, concerts and gatherings due to the spread of Coronavirus, the Cook Islands have pulled off an event that no other country in the world has been able to do, at this scale and at this time.

Earlier today the tiny nation kicked off the first events of the 2020 Cook Islands Games - handball, tennis and lawnbowls with the official opening scheduled for tomorrow night, 6pm local time at the national stadium in Nikao.

The Games have been three months in the making and organised by the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC).

"The idea (for the games) was a collective idea through the CISNOC Executive which came by default from the Manea Games which are held every 4 years amongst the Southern Group Islands of Mangaia, Mitiaro, Mauke, Atiu and Aitutaki" said CISNOC Senior Vice President Romani Katoa.…more

We keeping it Fresh at the Poly X Night Markets in Mangere!!

Meet the store holders, performers & Fresh faces out at one of the best night markets around!

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Credits:

Director - Shimpal Lelisi 

Camera Operators - Fa'anati Mamea & Adrian Mcbirney 

Sound Operator - Sefa Taouma 

Thank you - Mandy Momoisea & Zeprina Fale 

Tira in maori means 'Choir' and at this free public event, everyone came together to gather around some prominent artists (mostly of maori heritage) and sing songs together as a community.

An amazing way to unite people with the reo Hatea Kapa Haka was one of the groups who were invited to come down and share their voices and waiata.

They also back up Hollie Smith on one of her most well known songs - 'Bathe in the River'

On Saturday the 15th the United Nations in the Pacific held "Pacific Unite: Saving Lives Together" a first-of-its-kind televised and digitally streamed concert called on leaders and citizens across the region to work together and with the rest of the world in the fight against COVID-19.

The concert paid tribute to essential workers across the Pacific for the work they’ve done so far to prevent transmission and save lives and a call, through music and art, for continued solidarity in the fight against COVID-19.

It was also a reminder that as we rise up as a family of nations, we must seize the opportunity to build a more inclusive and resilient Pacific and a more sustainable and equitable world.…more

RELEASE FROM COVID LOCKDOWN LEADS TO UNIQUE DANCE EXPERIENCE

Two months apart proved too much for the Projekt Team, who have used the time since the lifting of New Zealand’s Covid-19 response to perfect their first full-length multidisciplinary dance installation.

The Auckland based street dance collective is taking their compelling dance performance public, with the interactive experience “KO AU”, marking a new direction for the group.  To create this unique show, Projekt Team and Creative Communities are taking over the Nathan Homestead - Manurewa Arts Centre. The dancers create an immersive experience guiding spectators through the various rooms, only allowing for small audience groups.

Ko Au, which means “I Am”, is inspired by the personal stories and diverse traditions of the dancers. The show is an opportunity for dancers to express their most vulnerable selves, drawing on the varied and differing cultural narratives of the dancers.

The unique experience is a performance installation more than a dance-show. The hour-long KO AU takes six separate guided tours per show, each 5 minutes apart.…more

"Brutal Lives - Mo'ui Faingata'a" the first ever Tongan language drama series coming to the CoconetTV.  Full series out Wednesday, 5th August.

Check out what people had to say after the private screening of Brutal Lives in Auckland last week.