By Leki Jackson-Bourke

The buzz is still high and the town’s still talking after the annual ASB Polyfest which was held in Tāmaki Makaurau, March 2024.

The popular festival began in 1976 and is considered the largest Pacific Dance Festival in the world. This year saw an increase in the rise of contemporary inspired performances which left plenty to talk about on social media. “That’s not traditional… they should’ve placed… that school shouldn't have won.. it’s rigged."

Every year it’s the same old argument over traditional vs contemporary. Some are here for it, some are against it. We interviewed a few tutors who were subject to online criticism and we posed the question - Is there a place for cultural Innovation at Polyfest?

MANUREWA HIGH SCHOOL TONGAN GROUP

Traditionally, Tongan dance is taught by a Punake who is known as the cultural expert and lead knowledge holder of Tongan arts. To be bestowed the title of a Punake is a huge honour and one that few families can truly claim.…more

Auckland Theatre Company is set to ignite Rugby World Cup fever once again in Auckland, this time with a vibrant stage adaptation of the beloved Aotearoa film "Red, White and Brass."

From June 18 - July 6, the ASB Waterfront Theatre will come alive with the energetic tale, led by a group of Tongan superfans, promising audiences an unforgettable experience.

Set in 2011 in Wellington, the now familiar story revolves around Maka (JP Foliaki), a passionate Tongan rugby fan determined to secure tickets for the monumental Tonga versus France Rugby World Cup game.

When faced with the disappointment of missing out on tickets, Maka and his friends come up with a daring plan—to form a Tongan marching brass band for the pre-match entertainment.

But here's the twist: they know nothing about marching, nor do they possess any instruments.…more

The biggest tag team match on The Biggest WrestleMania of All Time goes down as Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth "Freakin" Rollins team up to take down The Rock and Roman Reigns.

The Rock wrestled his first match since 2016 and pinned "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes for the win, allowing the Wrestlemania XL Night 2 main event between Cody Rhodes and "Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns to be held under "Bloodline Rules".

Watch his full, electrifying entrance here!

Here's what "The Final Boss" had to say about the match at the Wrestlemania XL press conference

Roman Reigns defends his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Cody Rhodes today!

"Pacific rugby players have a global impact. If you think about the last Rugby World Cup, over half the teams had Pasifika playing for them, it wasn't just Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the All Blacks, just about every other team that had Pasifika influence threaded or weaved into that team" - Savae Sir Michael Jones

The Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame aims to provide a global platform to honour Pacific’s rugby heroes, past and present. Shining this light on the success of our best players aims to lift Pacific communities through the power of rugby - inspiring the next generation of Pasifika rugby heroes.

The movement will champion Pacific rugby players and their collective hopes and aspirations in a series of events in Auckland this weekend, after the inaugural ceremony saw a packed out Eden Park on Thursday night.…more

It's with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Tofilau Yolande Ah Chong, the woman who brought such life and love to our Pasifika communities, who advocated passionately for the voice of Tagata Moana and lit up our screens with her special brand of humour like no other 🌺💞

We love you so much Lande, look at the decades of joy you brought to the world in all our programmes and events.

Rest in Alofa and fly high in the Heavens like you did on Earth 🕊️ This is our special tribute compilation of all your amazing work

“I love playing for Ireland. I love the people in Ireland"

Ireland and Connacht centre Bundee Aki has admitted that he loves Ireland and the Irish people in an emotional excerpt with ITV.

The Auckland waterfront was transported to the Islands by the voices of Pasifika opera stars with ‘The O.Gs’ epic opera one off event! 

Spearheaded by Samoan tenor and visionary Siliga Sani Muliaumaseali'i, the first Pasifika to sing professionally with a New Zealand opera company as a teenager, this extraordinary event has been a long-held dream - "The O.G’s" concept is a tribute to the Original Pasifika Opera Stars. The name "O.G" holds various interpretations, including "Opera Giants," "Oceanic GAFA genealogy" in Samoan, and "Original Gangstas."

The O.G's that took center stage are SIliga Sani Muliaumasealii, his older brother celebrated Baritone Eddie Muliamasealii, famous Tongan tenor Ben Makisi, mezzo-soprano Lotte Latukefu, guest soprano Deborah Wai Kapohe and award winning soprano Aivale Cole who told the arts festival:

'The O.G’s represent a homecoming for these iconic artists, offering them a platform to sing their songs and share their stories.…more

Meet Lucidluca, an artist with a vibrant Tongan background! Luca's art reflects his rich cultural experiences. In our chat, Luca shares insights into his journey, the significance of cultural representation, and the inspiration behind his unique avatar maker.

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Malo lava Luca! Tell us about yourself. Who is Luca, and where did you grow up, etc. 

In my household, we call ourselves a fruit salad fam. I’m half Tongan and half Palangi, and I was born in Lautoka, Fiji, to an expat dad from Manurewa and a mum originally from Lotofoa, Ha’apai. I have three older sisters (technically halves, but we never think of it that way).

We all have different mums from different islands: Tonga, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Samoa. My dad spent decades as a tradie and a seaplane pilot in the Pacific, delivering midwives to outer islands to help women give birth safely.

However, he ended up collecting a few kiddos himself along the way, finally settling down with my mum in Tonga.…more

“In our Pasifika culture when you’re a young person and you voice to your family that you want to be an artist, there’s often this suspicion, fear or worry about making an impact or even a career from being an artist. It takes a lot of having to bury those dreams and expectations that others have for your life and push past that to look deep within and ask “what do I want for my life?”

She is the Samoan supernova of the Australian art world, splashing narratives of brown women up front and personal across giant sized screens in some of the most acclaimed art spaces across the ditch.

The proud Savaiian has been on an extraordinary journey with her video making art practice, and has also had extraordinary success in the palagi art world.

Angela’s latest work ‘Dark Current’ continues to pack a punch, putting forward subversive ideas behind the beauty of the Island experience.…more