Pacific Excellence in Tech: Fuimaono Jack Siō and the AI Platform Changing the Game for Jobseekers
In a fast-changing digital world, a Samoan entrepreneur based in Manukau is leading innovation in Aotearoa’s tech space, creating tools that empower communities and prepare people for the workforce of tomorrow.
“My name is Fuimaono Jack Siō, based in Manukau and married to Yoko Shimasaki with two kids, son Ronaze and daughter Isabella,” he shares.
Together with his business partner Guneet Singh, originally from India and now based in Pukekohe with his wife and daughter, the pair have co-founded DigitalDNA — a tech company that blends over 15 years of experience in software development, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital transformation. At the heart of their work is a shared vision grounded in faith, family, and service.
“Two good friends originally from India and Samoa, both God-fearing family men,” Fuimaono says of their partnership.
Building AI That Reflects Real Life
Their latest creation, Get Work Ready AI, is a first-of-its-kind tool in the New Zealand market. It’s an AI-powered platform that simulates real-life job interviews based on actual job descriptions.…more
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - JAYE TUIAKI
JAYE TUIAKI
SAMOAN/COOK ISLAND
MUSICIAN
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Can you introduce yourself - where you’re from, your cultural background, and a bit about how you were raised?
My name is Jaye Tuiaki. I’m a 22-year-old up-and-coming artist, born and raised in South Auckland, currently based in Papakura. I’m of Tongan and Cook Islands descent and the youngest of six. I was raised in the LDS church, and growing up in a musical family meant I was constantly surrounded by singing and faith. Church was a big part of our lives, and some of my earliest memories are singing together with my family.
What was life like growing up in South Auckland, and how did that environment shape you as a person and as an artist?
Growing up in South Auckland meant I was constantly surrounded by talent - not just in music, but across all forms of creativity. Being raised around other Polynesians who were expressing themselves through their art inspired me to find my own voice, which naturally became music, given my background.…more
Why Is Tiny Tuvalu on the U.S. Travel Ban List?
Why has a small Island like Tuvalu on the US Travel Ban list?
Three Pacific Island nations, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, are among 36 countries named in a leaked U.S. State Department memo that could soon face new visa restrictions. The document, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, gives the governments of each country 60 days to respond to concerns or face full or partial bans on visa access to the United States.
According to the Post, the memo identified varied benchmarks that, in the administration’s estimation, these countries were failing to meet. Some countries had “no competent or cooperative central government authority to produce reliable identity documents or other civil documents,” or they suffered from “widespread government fraud.” Others had large numbers of citizens who overstayed their visas in the United States, the memo said.
The concerns raised include the security of passport systems, high visa overstay rates, and a lack of cooperation with U.S. authorities in deporting nationals ordered to leave the country.…more
Charges Laid After Fatal Shooting of Samoan Designer Afa Ah Loo at 'No Kings' Protest
Beloved Samoan Designer and Cultural Visionary
“These past five months have been long, painful and deeply frustrating as we waited for answers after Afa’s life was so carelessly taken.” Mrs Laura Ah Loo
Six months after the tragic shooting at the 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County District Attorney has filed a second degree felony manslaughter charge against Matthew Alder, the event peacekeeper whose bullet killed Samoan designer Arthur Folasa Ah Loo.
Alder, who was hired by protest organisers SLC 50501, fired at a man assembling an AR-15 during the June 14 march. The third shot is believed to be the round that struck Afa, who had been standing nearby as a peaceful participant. Afa’s widow, Laura Ah Loo, said the family had endured an agonising wait for answers.
She acknowledged the investigation and the charging decision.…more
Message for Men's Health Week, Lilo Dr Oka Sanerivi.
Lilo Dr Oka Sanerivi, physiotherapist, academic, and PMA member, is the first Pacific PhD in Physiotherapy! 💥
For Men’s Health Week, he shares some light-hearted but practical insights, plus a bit of his own journey as a Pacific male in health. He is also a proud member of the Centre for Men’s Health at the University of Otago.
By Lilo Dr Oka Sanerivi Via Pacific Medical Association
In February, my Dad passed away after serving as a faifeau of a small Samoan church community in Petone, Wellington, for almost 30 years and living for almost two decades with disabilities related to Stroke.
As a son and now a father of four, Dad’s passing and the sobering reality of the declining number of male elders in my family and community, have made this year’s Men’s Health Week a particularly important one. As a physiotherapist and emerging academic, I share some quick encouragements for Pacific men and those who support them in our Pacific communities. These tips have been adapted from winter tips from my colleagues at the Mātai Medical Research Institute.…more
Sir Collin Tukuitonga makes history as first Niuean knight and professor
“Scholarship should be activism,” he said. “It should work for the people it speaks about.” Sir Colin Tukuitonga via RNZ
With those words, Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga KNZM stood before a full house at the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika, not just as an academic, but as a servant of the people.
On 5 June, Sir Collin delivered his inaugural professorial lecture, An Advocate for Equity, surrounded by community, colleagues and loved ones. The evening marked a significant milestone. He is now the first Niuean to hold both a knighthood and a professorial title. He is also one of only two Niuean professors in the world — a rare combination that reflects decades of service, humility and commitment to improving the lives of Pacific peoples.
From the villages of Alofi to global platforms of health leadership, Sir Collin has stayed true to the values passed down by his grandparents.
“In my case, my mother had 15 siblings — all of them were mums and dads. I was raised by my grandparents — a Niuean tradition. Grandad was tough love.…more
Samoa General Election 2025 - What You Need To Know To Vote
Samoa is once again gearing up to hold elections on 29 August 2025, but many diasporic Samoans are keen to have their voices heard this time round.
Typically, general elections in Samoa are held every five years to elect Members of Parliament (MPs), who then form the government.
So why the early election this time?
Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa had warned that she would dissolve Parliament if her 2025/26 national budget was not approved. On 27 May 2025, Parliament voted down the budget by a margin of 34–16
Following the defeat, she formally advised the Head of State to dissolve Parliament—this was then motioned on 3 June 2025.
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What does this mean for voters?
The same requirements for eligibility to vote apply regardless of the time. Voters from other countries must come back to Samoa to finish their biometric registration by July 4, 2025, and Samoan citizens who are 21 years of age or older must register by then. The only way to vote is in person.…more
'It goes beyond just a home’: Why OWN IT is helping Māori and Pasifika families make homeownership a reality
For many Māori and Pasifika families, the dream of homeownership can feel just out of reach. But through Tāmaki Regeneration's OWN IT programme, that narrative is changing — with over 80% of its homeowners being Māori and Pasifika whānau, the programme is seeing real transformation, one family at a time.
Afoa Tevita Malolo, who works closely with whānau as part of the OWN IT team, says it’s their grounded approach that sets the programme apart.
“Our team are hands-on when supporting whānau to navigate the process and journey, and hold a deep understanding of this complex space,” says Malolo. “Our team are out on the ground in communities meeting people, and thus understand the barriers many Māori and Pasifika whānau experience in the housing market.”
Practical support to navigate the journey
With housing unaffordable for many despite years of savings, OWN IT offers real, practical support.
“OWN IT provides a range of support for whānau to navigate the journey towards homeownership,” says Malolo.…more
Moe Laga’s “Fetū x Fetu’u” Is a One-Night-Only Celestial Reckoning
Moe Laga, the revered performance artist, mother, healer and fearless fa’afafine voice from South Auckland, returns to the stage with Fetū x Fetu’u — a powerful solo work premiering for one night only as part of F.O.L.A. [AKL].
The piece was developed during Moe’s three-month ANIVA residency at Pātaka Museum in Porirua, supported by Creative New Zealand. It became a space for deep reflection and transformation.
“Fetū x Fetu’u is a solo performance work born out of my time as the ANIVA...Over three months, I was given space to reflect, grieve, and shed skin,” Moe says.
“This work is deeply personal, a constellation of stories, ancestors, curses, and blessings. It draws from my experiences as a Samoan fa’afafine born in Aotearoa, navigating the sacred and the profane, the celestial and the shadow. The title itself speaks to duality — Fetū (stars/light) and Fetu’u (curses/darkness). It came about because I needed a space where all of me could exist.”
Fetū x Fetu’u is presented in collaboration with Cypris Afakasi — a Māori and Samoan, Irakē interdisciplinary performance artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau.…more
Life Kitchens feed the community | Otara
Powered by LIFE Community, these kitchens have been serving thousands across Auckland with dignity, compassion, and hope for the past decade. With 10 kitchens running across the city, they provide more than just food – they create community and connection for families who might otherwise miss out.
Angelical Lall reflects on why she and Andrew continue this mahi:
“There is so much need out there, people are struggling like never before, financially, mentally and emotionally.…more