JOSEPH PARKER VS ALEXANDER DIMITRENKO 

Heavyweight boxing champion Joseph Parker heads into what could be his hardest fight yet.  Parker who is used to being the talller fighter against his opponents gives away reach, height and weight to Dimitrenko in his fight tonight.

He puts his WBO Oriental Belt on the line and also risks losing his mandatory position for the coveted IBF belt held by Anthony Joshua and damaging his No 1 ranking in the WBO IF he loses.

Joseph said he wasn't focused on this pressure at all and feels relaxed going into the ring.  

"I feel quite relaxed and the reason I say I'm always relaxed is because I train hard. If you train hard and feel good, you are going to perform good.  This is the time to enjoy.…more

Jason Taumalolo who earlier this year won the Rugby League Players Association's Players' Champion can also add 'Player of the Year' at the Dally M Awards to his list of achievements.

Jason shares the Player of the Year award with Melbourne Storms Cooper Cronk and also took out Lock of the Year.  This is the first time a player of Tongan descent has won the Player of the Year award and only the second time a player of Pacific Island heritage has won.  Previously Jarryd Hayne had picked up the award in 2009 and 2014.

Other Pacific Islanders to win at the Dally M Awards this year are:

Anthony Milford (Samoan)  - Peter Frilingos Memorial Award 

Suliasi Vunivalu (Fijian)       - Top Tryscorer 

Joseph Leilua (Samoan)     - Best Centre 

Jesse Bromwich (Maori)     - Best Prop 

Suggested Links:

Jarryd Hayne - My World

The world of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck  

OLIVE ASI 

Actress currently studying at the New York Film Academy Australia campus 

Samoan 

Tell us a bit about your background

I was born in New Zealand and grew up in Mangere East.  Our family moved to Brisbane and we lived in Sandgate and Bracken Ridge suburbs.  I went to Sandgate State Primary School and Sandgate District High School.  In 2003 we moved back to NZ and lived in different areas of South Auckland until we settled in Otara/East Tamaki.

Young Olive wearing the white t.shirt seated in front

Have you always been passionate about Performing Arts?

I was always told stories by family members that from a young age I was always entertaining everyone and any time someone put on the radio or played music clips I was always the first one up ready to dance and sing the song and act like I knew the lyrics to all their favourite artists.…more

The Hipstamatix, Estere, Tyra and the Tornadoes and the Pacific Queen of Soul herself - Aaradhna - got up with the get down last night for a night of Soul music in NZs first 'Super Soul Revue'

Aaradhna both headlined and curated the night which featured the superstar local line-up of talented soul artists at Aucklands 'Powerstation'

Highlights of the night below ...

THE HIPSTAMATIX 

More than a Soul covers band, The Hipstamatix sound and style is based on 60's and 70's Motown acts such as Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross and turn iconic songs like TLC's "Waterfalls" and Beyonce's "Naughty Girl" into soulful, funk anthems.  The 10 piece band are about to release originals of their own and will be touring this summer.…more

JAHRA 'RAGER' WASASALA 

Contemporary Dancer, Poet and Choreographer 

FIJI 

Four words that describe you:

Vessel – “I think my name is a great word to encompass who I am, in terms of being a messenger for things that are beyond my physical capacity. ‘Vessel’ is very true to how I perceive my purpose, to be an open armed space for other things to work through me.”

Woman – “Before anything in this world, I would consider myself to be woman first. That’s something that I feel so privileged and blessed to be. I wouldn’t want to be any other way. I think there is so much power that is instinctive to being a woman.”

Invested (heavily) –  “I’m almost to the point of obsession with the things I care about. That includes art, my outside interests, my family, anything like that, I am so invested. I will try to unpack everything, that includes myself and my journey.…more

NRL PLAYERS SAY MY NAME 

Krit is at the Rugby League Players Association Awards and catches up with some of our island boys.

They give us a quick lesson on how their names should be pronounced! 

We also found this oldie but goodie with some of the OG Poly boys in the Rabbitohs giving lessons on how to pronounce their names - 

Suggested Links:

The Nitty Kritty:  Iron Squad

The Nitty Kritty:  Lance Savali 

Rieko Ioane has fancy footwork on the field and fancy footwear off it. The young Blues barnstormer takes us into his home, to check out his shoe collection.

Gimme Yo Shoes Bro!

Credits:

Director/Editor - Shimpal Lelisi 

Sound - Pesani Vi 

Cameraman - Jacob Farani-Whaanga 

#ICYMI The Black Friars head into the 2nd week of their "Macbeth" production tomorrow night.

We went to see the play for ourselves on Saturday night and were rapt with the stunning Pasifika costuming, outstanding singing and musical direction as well as the phenomenal acting from the whole cast throughout.  I would dare to say that even if you aren't well versed in Shakespearean literature and don't necessarily like Shakespeares tragedies - you'll still enjoy this production.  

Here's a few reviews from people who have seen the show ...

"Have never seen classic English literature retold like this - in a way that's relevant to us, Pasifika people. Loved the music and dance!! Amazing to see Shakespeare presented in Poly flavour and to see a theatre company actively breaking down negative stereotypes around South Auckland and our Pasifika people. HIGHLY RECOMMEND SEEING THIS PLAY! My favourite Shakespeare production."

- Indira Stewart, Radio NZ Journalist

"I recently had the pleasure of checking out the latest Black Friars theatre production, Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.…more

International league is headed for one of the biggest shake-ups in the history of the sport.

A radical eligibility proposal - which will change the equation for the nations outside the big three of Australia, New Zealand and England - has been approved by the Rugby League International Federation.

The Herald on Sunday reported yesterday that:

• Eligible players can nominate one tier one nation to represent and one tier two nation.

• Players can switch between their two countries multiple times within a World Cup cycle.

• There is no stand-down between a change of allegiance.

• Players of Polynesian heritage can play State of Origin but still be available to turn out for their native island country.

It's a big move. League has always had a chequered history with eligibility - mainly due to the professional base of the sport being limited to two countries - but it feels like this is the best solution so far.

Samoa exploded with the colours and patterns of Polynesia last night as a crew of 85 talented designers models and dancers brought their talents to the runway.

Models practising earlier in the week for the Saturday night show 

Models in Dane Fabricius designs

Showcased like jewels glittering across the Tanoa Tusitala pool, the designs saw a mix of emerging and established fashion houses showcase their creations.

While Fiji and PNG have lead the way with their fashion week events, this first ever week long festival of fashion now puts Samoa on the map as a design force to be reckoned with in the region.

Organised by the Samoa Arts Council, the runway show was a chance to put the spotlight on some of the new young design talent in Samoa. As the country now has many different outlets to sell local designs and a huge demand from locals as well as tourists for Pacific fashion, the time is ripe for these clothes to be displayed at this level.…more