Coco Talanoa — Humans of the Islands / Page 13

LEKI JACKSON BOURKE 

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

Niuean, Samoan, Tongan 

. 

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 National Cultural Leadership Manager & Player Development Manager for the Wallabies

Samoan 

- 

We originally interviewed Moana a few years ago when she was the Counties Manukau Steeles manager.  Since then she has been appointed RUPA National Cultural Leadership Manager & Player Development Manager for the Wallabies.

RUPA CEO Justin Harrison says:

"Moana Leilua’s appointment as the National Cultural Leadership Manager & Wallabies Player Development Manager is a landmark moment for RUPA in our delivery of support services to players. Moana has an exceptional ability to connect with players and their families to foster their personal growth. Her deep understanding of players' diverse backgrounds and commitment to an inclusive environment make her ideally suited to this inaugural role. Moana embodies the values that drive RUPA forward, and we’re confident her leadership will empower players to thrive both on and off the field."

Moana says:

"O le ala ile pule ole tautua', the pathway to leadership is through service.…more

LEAH PAO 

Retail Manager / Model 

Niuean / Tongan 

.

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 

.

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 

.

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

ISAAC TUALAULELEI 

Professional Dancer, Instructor & Aspiring Choreographer 

Samoan 

.

Fepulea'i Margie Apa

CEO for Interim Health New Zealand 

Samoan 

- 

Counties Manukau District Health Board's Fepulea'i Margie Apa has just been named the chief executive of the interim Health New Zealand.

Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority will become permanent entities on 1 July - replacing the 20 district health boards.

Fepulea'i Margie Apa said her work with the Counties Manukau community has prepared her well for the role.

"Working with you [Counties Manukau] over the last 14 years and more proudly the last three as CEO, through measles, through Whakaari, through Covid on top of our usual pressures serving a high needs community, who are deserving and entitled to so much more," she said.

She has about 25 years experience in the health sector and is expected to start her new role in the first quarter of 2022.

-

We caught up with Fepulea'i Margie Apa when she was appointed CEO for Counties Manukau DHB - the first Samoan to become a CEO of a district health board in NZ.  Her interview with us below ...…more

KALOLAINE LEPA TALIA ANNE TALEI LOUISE LOKOTUI FUNGANITAO 

Miss Heilala 2018 / Studying Arts (Maori & Pacific Studies) and Law

Tongan 

.

Fakatapu mo e Hou‘eiki ‘oku me‘a ni,

‘Alā si‘i kāinga ‘o Tonga Masani

Kae fai atu ha fakafotufotulā

Ki he kaunanga ni mei he Kolongatatá

Uisa ‘alā mo si‘i Funga Matahivá

Kali-‘o-Paú ‘oku te manatuá

Mate ‘ofa kita he Funga Ofolangá

Ko e huli ‘apē ‘o e Kilikilitefuá

Fakama‘unga he Funga Fāuá

Ka ‘e ngalo ‘afē si‘oto mafu tefuá

Vai ko Latai mo e Hoositeá

Ko au Kalolaine Lepa Talia Anne Talei Louise Lokotui Funganitao

Hoto ‘ofa atu hoto ‘ofa fau

Ngata e tala ni kuo mahino atu.

I greet you by first acknowledging the homes of my ancestors.  This is one that I used in my Pre-Pageant Interview for the Miss Heilala Pageant. I am from the villages of Ha’afeva, Mo’unga’one, Ma’ufanga and Fua’amotu - Tonga.  I also have bloodlines from nations elsewhere, one of those being from Fiji, so Bula Vinaka to anyone hailing from there.…more