by Lefaoali’i Dr Dion Enari

As I got promoted from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, it made me not only celebrate, but stop, reflect, and think. Although I was happy for my own individual success, it made me look at the history of our people within academia, and why I’m here.

Historically, not too long ago, palagi researcher Margret Mead hit international fame from hijacking and raping the narratives of my homeland, Samoa. Her exploitation ran rampant, from speaking in media and conferences about Samoan people, without Samoan people present, to writing about us, as if she was some authority figure whose book would validate our existence to the rest of the world.

Worse yet, the mainstream education system would force us to see her as an expert and iconic genius on Samoan culture, even though it is only our people who have ancestral, blood and spiritual ties to the islands. Being a proud Samoan, who knows my genealogical links through to Tagaloa, you can see how this started to annoy me.…more

A Pacific language champion has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer for the Centre for Pacific Languages (CPL).

Board Chair and Trustee for the Centre for Pacific Languages Sina M Wendt, ONZM announced recently the appointment of Fesaitu Solomone to the position of Chief Executive Officer.…more

In this episode of the New Heights Podcast, the Kelce brothers are joined by Jason’s teammate, Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata to talk about the new Eagles Christmas album and the guys also revisit a not-dumb question about rugby players in the NFL.

Jordan shares more about his path from Rugby League to the NFL, including his first exposure to the NFL, how he chose his position, how NFL scouts found him, and where he first started training to play football.

Travis and Jason then ask Jordan about the lead-up to his NFL Draft experience, how he felt when he was selected by the Eagles in the seventh round, and who he spoke to first within the organization. Jordan also talks about the culture shock that happened upon his move from Australia to Philadelphia, his first days with the Eagles, and his “Welcome to the NFL” moment. Jason and Jordan get into the 2023 Eagles team, highlighting their roles in the “Brotherly Shove” play and Jordan’s dynamic with quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Lastly, Jordan gives his Mt.…more

Ways that you can donate from Aotearoa to help the heartbreaking humanitarian crisis in the Gaza: 

The (new) New Zealand based ‘Emergency Alliance’ - is taking donations for Gaza - https://emergencyalliance.org.nz 

Both of these New Zealand organisations work directly with partners in Gaza and surrounding areas, and they are also CID Code of Conduct compliant in New Zealand which means they have passed high standards of accountability and impact for impacted communities.  

Melbourne's cultural scene is on the cusp of a cultural awakening with the forthcoming exhibition, "Kal Angam-Kal: Stories from West Papua." This exhibition brings to the forefront the hidden history of exiled West Papuan Elders residing in Narrm (Melbourne).

Kal angam-kal is a proverb in the indigenous language of the Amungme tribe of Timika, West Papua meaning “the word has been spoken out."

This exhibition represents a collaboration between the leading artists Cyndi Makabory (Biak and Waropen) and Yasbelle Kerkow (iTaukei Fijian vasu Batiki, Lomaiviti), offering a new look on the challenges and sagacity of West Papuan Elders, as seen through the perspective of the younger generation.

Bridging Generations Through Art and Storytelling

Cyndi Makabory, a West Papuan Youth Leader and recent law graduate, plays a pivotal role in this remarkable project. Her role in connecting generations within her community has proved crucial.

"Kal Angam-Kal" showcases novel cinematic works where six young community members engage in heartfelt interviews with their chosen Elders, and in some instances, their own parents.…more

LEOTA MAUNU SINAUMEA TAUFAO

LAW FIRM DIRECTOR & LAWYER - WT Compensation Lawyers

SAMOAN 

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My name is Leota Maunu Sinaumea Taufao and I am a Samoan-born Personal Injury Law Firm Director and Lawyer. I come from the villages of Tiavea, Magiagi, Faleasiu and Salamumu and currently live in Brisbane, Australia.

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You are the Director and Lawyer of your own law firm WT Compensation Lawyers - What were the pathways that led you to what you are doing now?

My journey to where I am now was not your conventional one. In fact, after High School, I studied Business, majoring in Sports Management at Griffith University. My goal was to work in the Sporting Industry – the idea was if I was not able to make a professional rugby team, then I work in an industry that would allow me to be around a professional rugby team. However, after completing my business degree and working in the Sporting industry, I quickly came to the realisation that I was not fulfilled and my heart yearned for something else.…more

Set to the backdrop of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and toasted to as a prelude to an evening dedicated to celebrating Pasifika excellence, a groundbreaking book titled Pacific Arts Aotearoa has emerged, unveiling a profound tapestry of artistry and storytelling spanning over six decades.

This monumental endeavour, a collaborative work by a dedicated team of Pasifika creators, highlights the multi-dimensional contributions of Pacific artists to Aotearoa history.

Edited by esteemed Pacific writer and scholar Dr Lana Lopesi, designed by Shaun Naufahu, and project-managed by Faith Wilson, Pacific Arts Aotearoa is a testament to the rich and vibrant artistic legacy of the Pacific community in Aotearoa, and evolved from the want and need to highlight Pasifika excellence in Aotearoa.

As recalled by Project Editor Faith Wilson, Lopesi worked with 50 prominent Pacific artists to write their own profiles for an online Pacific Arts Legacy project in the midst of the Covid-19 lockdowns.…more

Toa Samoa played the NZ Kiwis for the first time at Eden Park in the inaugural Pacific Championships competition on Saturday the 21st October 2023.

You'd be forgiven for thinking it was a Samoan home game with the number of Samoan supporters who showed up and out for Toa Samoa ... atmosphere was off the chain.

Despite the score, the crowd stayed hyped to the very end with the stadium breaking out into a rousing rendition of the classic Tiama'a hit 'Taute' as the game finished. 

The boys showed their appreciation staying for well over an hour taking photos and signing autographs for fans.

We caught up with a couple of the boys including Toa Samoa captain Junior Paulo & former Toa Samoa captain Nigel Vagana.

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Check out the emotional anthems and siva tau/haka in the video below - 

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Shot and edited by Penina Momoiseā

Additional clips of the Samoan national anthem by Samuel Tanielu and Taute by Chris Sila 

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air

The Coconet TV's Destiny Momoiseā takes a tour around the Toa Samoa team camp ahead of their Pacific Championship game against the Kiwis at Eden Park 🏉

The boys talk about the love they've received from fans, game day preparation, pre-game playlists and who got jokes 😂

Featuring Spencer Leniu, Keenan Palasia, Daejarn Asi & Toa Samoa Head Coach Ben Gardiner.

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Credits:

Camera - Penina Momoiseā 
Presenter - Destiny Momoiseā
Editor - Sefa Taouma

Additional Photography - Geoffery Mata'utia

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

Tongan/Samoan singer DeAngelo Talakai (artist name Talakai) had gone viral online after John Legend turned for his blind audition on The Voice and discovered he bears a striking resemblance to him.

We catch up with the talented singer to chat about his experience on The Voice so far, where he got his start in singing, musical inspirations, re-discovering his Pacific heritage after growing up in foster care and much more.

Unfortunately Talakai didn't make it through after the Battle Rounds (you can watch his battle with Caleb Sasser in the video below) but we're looking forward to new music from Talakai and seeing what the future holds for him.

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Interviewer - Penina Momoiseā

Editor - Sefa Taouma 

Thank you Talakai

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air