Coco Talanoa — Humans of the Islands / Page 13

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

ISAAC TUALAULELEI 

Professional Dancer, Instructor & Aspiring Choreographer 

Samoan 

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Fepulea'i Margie Apa

CEO for Interim Health New Zealand 

Samoan 

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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.

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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 

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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

BERTRAND JANG 

CHEF / CAKE MAKER + SWEET and ME OWNER

FIJIAN / CHINESE 

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I am a Fijian Chinese born, raised in Fiji. I have 6 handsome brothers and 2 loving parents. I was raised in a small house with 14 people under one roof. Every day was dramatic. There was so much to do and so much fun and laughter. I was always surrounded by family and didn’t have my own room. It was truly the best days of my life, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I was brought up with 2 cultures; Fijian and Chinese, and was really blessed to come from a long line of family that cooks. We all love to cook. We bonded over the preparation of the food it always connected us. Everyone would pitch in and help some cousins would climb the trees and husk coconuts, other cousins would be peeling onions and preparing meats and aunties with their cups of teas.…more

Patrick Lee-Lo 

Publishing/Marketing & Advertising 

Samoan & Chinese 

I am involved in Media - Book publishing, marketing Digital Signs and Billboard advertising. I was born, raised and educated in Wellington. I am mainly of Samoan and Chinese heritage with a few other nationalities in the mix. 

You're the Marketing & Business Development Manager for 'Whats Cooking' do you cook yourself and what is your favourite Pacific Island dish?

Yes. I love to cook Italian food but because of what I do, involved in the foodie industry I get to try lots of different eateries and dishes. Obviously, I have my favourites.  My favourite PI dish is Oka - Samoan Raw fish done in Coconut Cream with fresh Taro.

What was your journey to get to this position and what were some of the struggles you had to go through?

I have enjoyed a varied business career in different industries - Electrical, Business Equipment, Retirement Villages, Facilities Services and now Media.…more

Talissa Koteka 

Rarotongan/Samoan 

FIFA Disciplinary Committee member / Entrepreneur / Lawyer

I was born in Auckland, but my parents moved to Rarotonga when I was 3 months old. My father is a Cook Islander and my mother is Samoan, so giving my older brother and I an island upbringing was something important to the both of them once I came along - hence the reason for moving back to Rarotonga, where my dad spent most of his childhood.

I was fortunate enough to have spent my childhood in Rarotonga as well, but was sent to school in Auckland once I reached high school (which is common for a lot of Cook Islanders).  I was such a little island kid and adjusting to the lifestyle in NZ was a huge transition. But it was great! I got to experience the best of both worlds.…more

Tell us a little about yourself. 

My Name is Matiah. I am an artist with Māori, Tongan, and Norweigan heritage. I specialize in tattooing, tamoko and tatau. I am the middle child of three...I was born and raised Manurewa.

When did you first realise tattooing was more than a hobbie?

I was raised constantly surrounded by all forms of creativity. I never saw art as a hobbie - I just unconsciously did it as a form of expression.....The transition into tattooing really just presented itself to me when I had just finished high school and had no clue as to what I was going to do with my life lol. I was definitely curious about tattooing though and had been for quite some time.…more