Coco Talanoa — Humans of the Islands / Page 12

EMILY MULI 

SONGWRITER / MUSICIAN, PUBLIC SERVANT & SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE

TONGAN 

Mālō e lelei! I'm a proud ta'ahine of Moana Oceania hailing from the beautiful Kingdom of Tonga. My dad is from the village of Fua'amotu and my mum from the village of Kanokupolu. I was born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa, and am a songwriter/musician, public servant and social justice advocate. 

You've been opening for Aaradhna on her NZ tour this year - can you tell us how that came about and how you've found it? 
Connections! One of my closest muso brothers has been Aaradhna's keys player since last year, and he called me in February asking if I was keen to be one of her backing vocalists! I definitely did a double take and asked if he was sure (lol), but it was a huge honour.…more

SHAKAIAH PEREZ 

MULTI DIMENSIONAL ARTIST

AFRO POLYNESIAN 

My name is Shakaiah Perez and I am a multi disciplinary artist of Afro Polynesian descent originally from Whanganui but raised in West Auckland. My work as an artist includes visual arts such as videography and photography which is layered with movement, performance and poetry. 

On my mother’s side I am Māori, Tahitian and Marquesan and on my father’s side I am Samoan, Tokelauan, Cape Verdean and Afro Portuguese. My heritage has a major influence on my work as an artist with hopes to encourage and inspire other people of colour by sharing our stories and re-writing the narrative that western society has written about us.…more

BEAU TAKAPU 

FASHION DESIGNER / PROJECT RUNWAY CONTESTANT 

TONGAN 

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I’m a Tongan who actually grew up in the sparkling city streets of San Francisco. I originally studied there, and then journeyed over to New Zealand to continue my studies and to embrace my design work to a new part of the world.  I am 37 and have a very loving fiance Anton, who I am marrying early next year.  Currently I’m working for the New Zealand fashion brand WORLD and am about to venture into a new and confidential opportunity with them.

LEKI JACKSON BOURKE 

Playwright, Writer, Actor, Inaugral emerging Pasifka writer in Residence 

Niuean, Samoan, Tongan 

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TUI EMMA GILLIES 

ARTIST 

TONGAN / KIWI 

I am a full time artist who's favourite canvas to paint on is Tongan tapa cloth. I am a mother of three little humans aged 4, 9 and 10, and a mother to my two dogs and six cats. I grew up in the family home in Manurewa, South Auckland with my only brother. We were raised there by my loving tongan mother and complexed but loving palangi father who built the white picket fence and gate. The home still stands and I always call it home. Nine months ago my husband and I bought a beautiful big home in Kawakawa, Northland moving away from Manurewa and I became a Northlander.…more

FAAMOANA LEILUA 

RUPA Player Development Manager for the Melbourne Rebels

Samoan 

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We originally interviewed Moana a few years ago when she was the Counties Manukau Steeles manager.  Since then she has moved to Melbourne and is currently the RUPA Player Development Manager for the Melbourne Rebels.

At the end of April 2023, World Rugby announced Moana as one of twelve recipients to be awarded the Capgemini Women in Rugby Leadership scholarship for her impactful work with the Rebels, RUPA and Rugby Australia. 

Melbourne Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson said he was extremely proud of Leilua and her work with the Club.

“The announcement of this award is very timely as Moana heads off with the team to Auckland today to lead our Cultural Round efforts for our game against Moana Pasifika. Moana is a leader in this space globally in our sport and I couldn’t be prouder of her,” said Stephenson.…more

LEAH PAO 

Retail Manager / Model 

Niuean / Tongan 

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My name is Leah Pao aka the Queen of Tonga aka the Golden Girl. I am a proud descendant of the Pacific and I reign from the islands of Tonga and Niue. I am a retail manager and have recently embarked on my journey as a model. I’m a massive advocate for self love and believe that it is the medicine to heal the world. 

You recently walked NZ Fashion Week for the first time - how was that experience for you?

Walking in NZ fashion week was literally a dream come true. That was the ultimate goal for 2018 and when I walked my first show, I was overwhelmed with emotion because I REALLY DID THAT!!!!  I’m still emotional about it to be honest. Things like this don’t happen for girls like me that often, hence why I’m so emotional.  Not here for the lack of People of Colour but that’s the industry I guess out of all the 100s of models, I literally saw about 4 Pacific Islanders.…more

RUANNA TAGALOASA-LETALU

NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER - SOLOMON GROUP 

SAMOAN / NIUEAN 

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My name is Ruanna Tagaloasa-Letalu. I am 44 years old. My mother is half Samoan half Niuean. My mother comes from the village of Letogo, my father from the village of Sataoa Safata. I am married with two children both boys (16 and 5 years old). I work for Solomon Group and am the National Partnerships Manager and have been employed for four months. Previously I was employed by the Ministry of Social Development for 18 years. In the last 2.5 years of my work with MSD I was the Operations Manager for Ara (Auckland Airport Jobs and Skills Hub) which was the partnership between government and Auckland Airport to support the 30 year development of the Auckland Airport expansion.…more

EIPUATIARE TUA 

FOOD HARVESTER/GROWER, PHOTOGRAPHER & RED CROSS VOLUNTEER 

COOK ISLANDS 

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My aunt named me Eipuatiare.   As a child growing up in New Zealand, no one could pronounce my name.  To this day, it annoys me when people pronounce my name (or any pacific names) incorrectly. The remedy, my teachers at school shortened my name to Pua, with my parents’ permission.  Eipuatiare means Ei like lei, a garland of Puatiare flowers (Fagraea berteriana) that flourish on Rarotonga. I'm of Cook Islands descent, my Father, the late Iaveta Arthur is from the island of Mangaia, one of the oldest islands in Polynesia, from the district of Oneroa, Tavaenga and my mother the late Kimiora Mami Arthur of Rarotonga from Vaka Takitumu, Ngatangiia Muri.

I was born in Auckland and raised in central Auckland.  Lived my whole life in Herne Bay; previously a working class predominantly Polynesian stronghold and now one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in Auckland City.  I had the privilege of holidaying in Rarotonga almost every year since birth.  I’m the second born of five children.…more

Coco Solid

Writer/Musician/Artist 

Samoan/German/Māori 

I'm Coco Solid, I'm a writer, musician, visual artist and general media-maker. My real name's Jessica Hansell and I'm Māori (Ngāpuhi) on my mothers side, and Samoan German on my fathers side. My German Samoan grandfather came to Auckland from Apia in the 1940's, the same time as my grandmother migrated from Rarotonga - although she was Samoan she was raised there. So I'm blessed to be a mixed Polynesian bag.

You're a prolific multi-disciplinary artist - what has the journey been like navigating these various creative fields? 

All the mediums I work in, engage with a genuine part of my personality - I also feel all forms of artistry are coming from the same place too. I definitely enjoy change and rotating hats. And I dig amateurism over expertise, identifying as a learner and a beginner especially as I grow and master certain things. It's really just about exploring new dimensions to yourself, I never tire of that.…more