FLETCH & HINDY "HAS BEEN" INTERVIEW WITH JOHN HOPOATE & STEVE MENZIES
Fletch & Hindy interview John Hopoate & Steve Menzies and talk to them about some interesting incidents/moments in their rugby league careers.
Tavita Nielsen-Mamea named as 2020 Emerging Pasifika Writer in Residence
Victoria University of Wellington’s International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML) has announced the appointment of Tavita Nielsen-Mamea as the Emerging Pasifika Writer in Residence for 2020.
Tavita, a Dunedin-raised writer of Samoan and Tuvaluan descent, hailing from the villages of Safotu, Safune, Apia, and Nukufetau, will use the residency to work on a new theatre project.
Tavita’s first play Au Ko Tuvalu played at the 2019 Wellington Fringe Festival, where it was awarded Outstanding Ensemble and Tavita the Most Promising Emerging Artist. It has subsequently had successful runs at the Court Theatre and Kia Mau Festival, and also had an Auckland season at TAPAC from 23–26 October.
Au Ko Tuvalu takes the audience to Tuvalu, the homeland of the world's first climate change refugees, on its final day of evacuations. It follows a family watching their history, culture, and beloved homeland swept away in front of their eyes. The play has been critically acclaimed for its political relevance, fresh and compelling voice, and ‘heartwarming, heartwrenching’ emotional eloquence.…more
FIRST EVER PASIFIKA NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONS in NZ
History was made on the 18th of October when 3 Pasifika children (who are also siblings) won the NZ Chess Power Team Nationals in Christchurch with their school team.
They are the first Pasifika kids in a first placed team and in a first placed team with more than one Pasifika student that placed individually. Hunter Po'e-Tofaeono (10yrs) is the first Pasifika child to place at the 'Teams and Champions trophy' and his older sister Tyleah (11 yrs) is the first Pasifika girl to receive the Top Female Trophy.
While both Hynter and Tyleah are now obsessed with chess, it was actually their younger sibling, Grayson (6yrs) who got them into it after announcing to his parents Zelda (Niuean/Cook Islands) and Masina (Samoan) that he'd like to join the chess club at their primary school - Hillsborough Primary School. The Chess Club there is run by a volunteer - Mr Wayne McDougall and there can often be up to 50 - 60 kids attend on a Tuesday afternoon.…more
TONGA INVITATIONAL XIII 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
All the big hits from the Tongan Invitational XIII boys wins against both the Great Britain Lions and the Australian Kangaroos.
MANU TUILAGI "UNLEASHED"
Manu Tuilagi unleashed - international highlights 2019
My Story: Joe Cokanasiga
“The best piece of advice I have been given is to play for your family, that’s all the motivation I need.”
England wing Joe Cokanasiga shares his rugby journey...
Joe Cokanasiga may not have made the finals squad in the England Rugby World Cup squad but he's been nominated for the 'World Rugby Break through Player of the Year Award'. Joe is up against Herschel Jantjies from South Africa and Romain Ntamack from France. To be eligible for this award, players must have played less than one year of senior international rugby.
The winner will be revealed at the World Rugby Awards, which take place at The Prince Park Tower in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday.
Our Story: Billy and Mako Vunipola
Hear Billy and Mako Vunipola tell their story in their own words, from watching their father play for Tonga at Rugby World Cup 1999, to family, friends and what it means to pull on the England shirt.
Powerful photographs of Sāmoan tattooing on show at Te Papa this November
An exhibition opening in Te Papa’s Toi Art in November gives an intimate insight into the unique cultural practice of Sāmoan tattooing.
Tatau: Sāmoan Tattooing and Photography presents the work of four photographers who have documented Sāmoan tattooing over the past 40 years, in New Zealand, Sāmoa, the United States and Europe.
Works by Mark Adams, Greg Semu, John Agcaoili and Angela Tiatia portray the globalisation of tatau and the varied contexts and interpretations of Sāmoan tattooing.
From intimate domestic scenes in suburban garages to street photography, and in relation to themes of religious iconography and female sexuality, the exhibition presents diverse perspectives on tatau.
The exhibition follows the multi-award-winning 2018 book Tatau: A History of Sāmoan Tattooing published by Te Papa Press, and co-authored by Te Papa’s Sean Mallon and French anthropologist Sebastien Galliot.
In addition to over 50 photographs, Tatau: Sāmoan Tattooing and Photography will include a small selection of indigenous Sāmoan tattooing tools.…more
RUBEN 'THE KAVA KING' WIKI - Asking for a Mate Podcast
Rugby League Legend and NRL Hall of of Famer Ruben Wiki sits down with the 'Asking for a Mate' team and talks growing up in Otara, his work with White Ribbon as a national ambassador speaking out against family violence and his experience with it first hand, making the NRL, his rugby league journey, New Zealand league talent here and more.
He also takes questions sent through from Facebook Live, gives his iPod top 5, when he started drinking Kava and more.
Asking for a Mate (AFAM) are informative and inspiring conversations with a variety of special guests over drinks and food. Season One is brought to you in partnership with 37 Hz and @Keys Down, Real Talk a community-led drink driving reduction campaign.
Rugby League Highlights | Tonga Invitational XIII vs Great Britain Lions
Great Britain received a rude awakening on their return to international rugby league when they were beaten 14-6 in their opening tour match by a Tonga Invitational XIII in Hamilton.
After being mothballed for 12 years, the Lions returned with high hopes for their tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea but instead they became the latest victims of the rise of Tonga. Although a legal dispute between the old governing body and the International Rugby League meant the hosts were forced to play under an Invitational banner, the game was given full Test-match status and the near full-strength Tongans showed their brilliant 2017 World Cup exploits were no fluke.
Kristian Woolf's men beat the Kiwis on their way to the last four two years ago before pushing England all the way in a dramatic semi-final. And their display in their first meeting with Great Britain proved beyond doubt they are worthy of tier one status.…more