PROTECTING OUR BABIES
It has come to my attention that young kids have been playing a game called “BLUE WHALE” which is an online game where children are told to complete one self harm challenge per day for 50 days ..... where to win the game you must commit suicide.
It’s easy to just read this and dismiss it thinking 'my kid knows better’ but please, please take precaution anyway.
Fijian Singer-Actress Paulini Curuenavuli in The Bodyguard Musical
Go Behind The Scenes with The Star of 'The Bodyguard Musical' on now in Australia
With her incredible voice, stunning looks and engaging personality, Paulini is one of Australia’s most uniquely talented performers. The Fijian-born singer songwriter first enthralled the nation on the inaugural series of Australian Idol. Audiences instantly fell in love with Paulini’s impressive five octave range – a voice still unrivalled and like no other in this country. Since then Paulini has forged a hugely successful career. Her debut album ‘One Determined Heart’ and smash single ‘Angel Eyes’ achieved double platinum status, both hitting the #1 spot. She is still one of only 10 Australian female solo artists to have a #1 album on the Australian ARIA Charts.
Return to Shortland Street
Shimpal Lelisi on performing in the Shortland Street musical, being a Poly in the industry, and how theatre has shaped his life.
Recently I took part in workshopping Shortland St – the musical, for the Auckland Arts festival RAW season. The fact I would be playing four separate characters, have to learn five full musical numbers with choreography, with only eight days rehearsal for two showings to an already sold out audience, didn’t faze me in the slightest! I love this sh*t!
This year marks Shortland Streets 25 birthday and most people under the age of 30 will not know a New Zealand without Shortland St on its TV screens. The musical I would be workshopping was hoping to cash in on this familiarity and its birthday commemorations to realise a fully staged production. The fact the director of the workshop would be Simon Bennet, one of the tv series original directors and producers; encouraged not only me but the many involved, that this would be a work of merit.…more
Nesian Names Explained
Islanders definitely have a flare for innovative names, and it’s quite common in our culture to be named after an event or object. Here are a few people who’ve shared the stories behind their unconventional names.
Apollo Eleven Perelini - (Apollosefulutasi Perelini)
Samoan
As you can probably guess, Apollo was named after the space mission ‘Apollo 11’, in which Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first men to step foot on the moon.
“Until the age of 8 I was convinced that I had been named after the Greek Sun God Apollo. However, I found out otherwise when I had to take my birth certificate into school, as a proof of my age in a upcoming rugby tournament. I was shocked to see the full name on my birth certificate.
It was July 16, 1969 in Matautu Lefaga (Paradise Beach) Samoa.…more
World Press Freedom Day : Bloggers vs Journalists
Fifteen years ago, I entered journalism - a profession that I truly and utterly believed in, as a fundamental aspect of democracy. In my innocence, I developed a nose for news, I finessed my writing skills and developed and sustained the art of feigning interest in subject matters that can put a baby to sleep.
My passion for this trade is so great that even after the usual death threats, the burning of the Newsline Newspaper office while I was Editor, a black eye by a generous member of the public and various other unfortunate incidences resulting from my writings – as faced by many of my colleagues, I still write, and I still advocate for press freedom and I still think journalism is an awesome job, even though it is no longer my primary income source, because, frankly, my kids need to eat.
On this World Press Freedom Day however, I think we need to talk about facts, about fake news and the ignorant public that consumes it.…more
Humans of the Islands - Sam Ratumaitavuki
Sam Ratumaitavuki
Co-founder of two Mobile Game Publishing Companies & Creator of Fortafy Facebook
Fijian
I'm known by different people for different things but at the moment I run one of the most active Facebook pages in the world Fortafy which has nearly 13m likes. Along with being a co founder of a two mobile games publishing companies Fortafy Games which published the biggest indie game of 2015 Color switch which has over 150m downloads and also Perfect Tap Games in which we just released a mobile game called "Chicken Scream" which also went number 1 all around the world.…more
Where are our Pasifika/Indigenous models at?
TAMED NATIVES AND WHITEWASHED BEAUTY – WHERE ARE OUR BROWN SKINNED BROTHERS AND SISTERS AT IN THE MODELLING WORLD?
The lack of Pasifika and Indigenous faces in fashion and media is nothing new, and though we are slowly seeing a shift in representation and diversity, we're still a long way from where we need to be.
Looking back, some of the first Pasifika faces to surface in the New Zealand modelling scene include Rosanna Raymond, Sarah Leo, Monique Rana, Stan Wolfgramm and Marama Nicholas (to mention a few). During the 80's and 90's these models brought a fresh energy to a scene that was European dominant in representation. A handful of New Zealand brands and platforms like Workshop and Planet Magazine took the lead in presenting and celebrating Pasifika faces to their audiences.
Now a leader and innovator within the contemporary Pacific art scene, Rosanna Raymond spoke to us about her time as a model in the 80’s.…more
WORLD HEALTH DAY - Focus on Depression
The World Health organisation has been leading a one year global campaign focusing on depression & are again highlighting this issue today on World Health Day (07 April 2017)
A couple of years ago, Samoan musician and artist Johnny Angel appeared in the Like Mine campaign (video above) which was aimed at reducing the stigma and discrimination faced by people with experience of mental illness.
He also shares his journey with Mike King – the heartbreaks and triumphs of living with mental health issues – and overcoming them ....
Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide and a lack of support for peope with mental disorders, coupled with a fear of stigma, prevent many from accessing the treatment they need to live healthy, productive lives.
Our friends at Le Va Pasika have some great resources for our Pacific Island communities around recognising the signs of depression, causes of depression, how to get help, and tips on getting well and keeping well.
Click here to access the Pacific Island resources for Depression.
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Humans of The Islands - Sisa Grey
Sisavai'i Grey Uiagalelei
Actress
Samoan
I am an actor who dabbles in fashion designing, singing, writing, and a few other things. Recently I wanted to go into MMA and then my husband gives me 'the look' so I go back to acting like I am a MMA fighter...in my head.
When/How did you get into acting?
My father is a musician so I grew up listening to Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Elvis and other genres of music that a typical kid in Samoa wouldn't really listen to. We would go to the video store and rent nothing but musicals that some of these musicians were in. Watching those actors create magic on the screen started a fire in my heart that never went away. I guess you could say that my dad's love for music brought me to my love for acting.
Although my love for acting started at a young age, I didn't have the courage to pursue it till after being a mom.…more
Humans of The Islands - Jennifer Amosa
Jennifer Amosa
Curve Model
Samoan
I'm Jennifer Amosa, I work as a receptionist and pull double time as a single parent. In between all that I represent a lot of plus size women as a curve model here in Melbourne.
When/How did you realise you wanted to pursue modelling?
I was lucky to attend an audition for a fashion show where they were looking for plus size women to model in their runway show. That was four years ago and I've been lucky to keep going and be involved with photo shoots and fashion shows. Also expanding my knowledge in fashion and meeting other curve models has been a great journey.
What has it been like being the first Polynesian curve model in Melbourne?
I feel like I'm holding a trophy and saying a speech when asked this question haha but on a serious note, I love it!!! Representing diversity is what I like, especially when I step out onto the runway or when I see the final pics from a photo-shoot.…more