Coco News

INDIGENOUS STORY TELLERS

At the 2020 Academy Awards, Taika Waititi made history as the first indigenous film maker to have won the Best Adapted Screenplay award.

Young Pasifika film makers respond to Taika's groundbreaking Oscar speech about the value of our stories on screen!

STALLONE IOASA 

Samoan Writer, Director and Film maker 

Three Wise Cousins, Hibiscus & Ruthless and Take Home Pay 

"The cinema screen is a prestigious canvas and it carries more weight than most people would realize. Seeing our own stories on a canvas that rarely carries our stories reaffirms their importance but also the value of the audience they are made for. Film is a world stage, and you finally get to stand on it and perform.
 
Telling our stories means you have an opportunity to tell stories and infuse it with the cultural nuances only those who have lived such a life would understand."

DIANNA FUEMANA 

Niuean Writer and Director 

Sunday Fun Day & Vai 

"What’s special about our stories from the Moana is our unique lens as Pasifika storytellers.…more


Sports

SIMONE JOHNSON (DAUGHTER OF THE ROCK) BEGINS FULL TIME TRAINING AT THE WWE PERFORMANCE CENTRE

Simone Johnson, daughter of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Dany Garcia has reported to the WWE Performance Centre to begin training, and is on her way to becoming WWE’s first fourth-generation Superstar.

Simone wrote on her social media accounts: 

"For the little girl who fell in love with wrestling & was determined to make this dream a reality - this is for you. I’m beyond thankful for this opportunity & ready to get after it. Let’s do this."

Simone's father Dwayne shared this message on his instagram 

Her mother Dany Garcia shared this touching tribute to her daughter earlier today on Twitter.

Simone will look to carry on the legacy of the Johnson-Maivia family, a lineage that includes her great grand-father WWE Hall of Famer, High Chief Peter Maivia, her grand father WWE Hall of Famer, Soul man Rocky Johnson, her father Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson as well as the legendary Anoa'i family.

With her signing, Simone is in the position to become WWE's first ever, 4th Generation wrestling super star!  


Humans of the Islands

WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - PRISCILLA TUALA-FATA

PRISCILLA TUALA-FATA 

CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR & BODY BUILDER 

SAMOAN 

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Talofa Lava, my name is Priscilla Tuala-Fata.

I am 42 years old and I am the eldest twin out of my sister and I, and the second oldest in our aiga. I was born in Auckland, New Zealand and lived there until the age of 6, then we moved to a much smaller town called Hastings. I am now living in Flaxmere, Hastings where I spent most of my life as a young child to adolescent and now as an adult. I have four children, the oldest being 19 currently attending Victoria University of Wellington and the youngest being only 6 years old. I attended Flaxmere Primary School, Flaxmere Intermediate and Hastings Girls’ High School. My experience at Hastings Girls High School was a great one. I participated in volleyball, basketball and the pasifika group which helped me to make lasting friendships and also helped me to build a stronger connection with my Samoan culture. I work at Choices Kahungunu Health Services as a Claims Administrator for the Midwives.…more


Sports

TROY POLAMALU ELECTED TO PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

Samoan NFL great Troy Polamalu, who played Safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2003 - 2014 has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Polamalu’s “combination of speed, anticipation and toughness” made the eight-time Pro Bowler one of the best at his position in NFL history. Polamalu was named a first-team All-Pro four times and the NFL’s MVP in 2010 and won two Super Bowl rings. Many football pundits argue that he revolutionized the safety position. For a dozen years, Polamalu was the public face of the Steelers’ franchise because of his stellar performance and his television commercials for Head & Shoulders shampoo.

Check out the announcement of the Hall of Fame Class of 2020 at the 9th annual NFL Honors in Miami in the video above and check out his unreal NFL career highlights in the video below.


Entertainment

JIMMY VEA - THE VOICE FRANCE 2020

For his blind audition, Jimmy Vea from New Caledonia sings 'It's a Man's World' by James Brown and blows all 4 of the judges away with his performance.


Entertainment

JASON MOMOA SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL 2020

Super Bowl commercial spots are reported to cost advertisers up to $5.6 million for the most expensive 30 second ads and in some cases the ads have people talking about them for years to come.

One ad that has had people both talking and laughing is the Jason Momoa Rocket Mortgage ad which has already had over 7 million views on Youtube since it was uploaded after it aired on Monday.

Check it out above and then watch the behind the scenes making of the ad with his wife Lisa Bonet below.


Humans of the Islands

WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - TEUILA BENIONI and TERESA ATUA FAU

TEUILA BENIONI and TERESA ATUA FAU 

Co-Founders of Weddings She Wrote Ltd 

Samoan & Cook Islands (Teuila)  Samoan (Teresa) 

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Teuila:  My name is Teuila Benioni, I am the Founder & Creative Director for Wedding She Wrote Limited. I consider myself the "architect" of the business. I design, plan and deliver all of our unique, once-in-a-lifetime events across Aotearoa & the Pacific Islands; together with our lovely clients and my dedicated team. I am of Samoan (Satapuala, A'ana and Matatufu, Lotofaga) and Cook Islands (Reureu, Aitutaki) descent.

I grew up in Otara, South Auckland, attended Auckland Girls Grammar School, and I am the eldest and only daughter of my parents, with two younger brothers and one handsome son (14 years) who have all attended St. Pauls College, Ponsonby, Auckland. I think getting an education in a high school outside of South Auckland - broadening my horizons, and also growing up in 'the hood' — seeing the struggle, have been fundamental to my entrepreneurial spirit — when the going gets tough, the tough keep going.…more


Entertainment

Jennifer Lopez & Shakira Full Super Bowl 2020 Half Time Show

Catch Latina Mama's Jennifer Lopez & Shakira's full Super Bowl half time show.

Our very own Parris Goebel choreographed JLO's Super Bowl routine and watch out for these Request Dance Crew dancers who were also part of JLO's set! 


Entertainment

OPRAH'S 2020 VISION TOUR VISIONARIES: THE ROCK INTERVIEW

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson joined Oprah in Atlanta, Georgia on her 2020 Vision Tour Visionaries.

Check out their conversation about loss, gratitude, and finding your personal truth.

He's the only male invited on to her panel for the Vision Tour.


Entertainment

KJ Apa teaches NZ slang

On this episode of Vanity Fair's "Slang School," KJ Apa teaches New Zealand slang.

KJ stars in "Riverdale" and upcoming movie "I still believe" out in NZ in select theatres in March.