Sports

Waisake Naholo shows great strength to score try against Wales

Check out All Blacks winger Naholo scoring an important try to give his side the lead against the visitors at Eden Park last night!

Source: TVNZ and SKY


Sports

ICYMI - Samoa vs Georgia

In case you missed it, check out the awesome match between Samoa and Georgia held at Apia Park!

Before facing Fiji in Suva for the World Cup qualifier, Samoa have to chance to take on the touring Georgian team.

The Samoan team includes three new caps with another six on the bench, with coach Alama Ieremia saying he's keen to give new players a chance, but he concedes that some of his selections have been forced upon him


Entertainment

Vince Harder dominates at Vodafone Pacific Music Awards

Vince Harder has dominated at the 2016 Vodafone Pacific Music awards, taking out the honours for best male artist, urban artist and best producer, for his album Rare Vision.

Music and dance group Te Vaka nabbed the awards for best album - Amataga - and best song, Papua I Sisifo, which was written by band member Opetaia Foa'I, who is currently writing the soundtrack for the upcoming Disney film Moana.

Kiwi-Samoan singer Annie Grace won best female artist for her album The Journey, while Sol3 Mio took out the title of best group.

Annie Grace and family

Hip hop heavyweight Savage took home the radio airplay award for his hit Freaks, as well as nabbing a special recognition award for outstanding achievement, alongside Tongan sisters Vika and Linda Bull.

Savage

The Bulls weren't the only international artists to get recognition, as Californian group Common Kings picked up the award for best international Pacific artist - with its members having ties to Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga.…more


Coco News

Taylor to be first Fijian to take part in the Hollywood Immersive Dance Program

A 20-year-old Rotuman dancer will be the first Fijian to take part in the Hollywood Immersive Dance Program in California.

Jed Taylor who has been chosen to be part of the program says that he was registered in the program whereby he sent a video of his performance and was picked amongst talented dancers around the world.

Taylor says he did not imagine getting through as there were only 20 spots and millions of applicants with more experience and have had more training.

He adds that it will be a lot of pressure carrying Fiji to the world and he hopes to do Fiji proud.

Hollywood Immersive is an organisation that builds, educates and exposes aspiring artist to the performing arts industry in Los Angeles.

The program is on the 22nd of this month and Taylor will leave the country on the 20th for the week long program.


Entertainment

Hunt for the Wilderpeople New Zealand Premiere #ICYMI


Events

Fashion at the Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam!

An explosion of feathers, flowers and finery takes center stage at FestPac, with all the flavours of the Pacific flaunted in the festival fashion.

The styles of Oceania have never looked so stunning as Island nations parade their original designs and prints on the FestPac catwalk.

Costuming and unique Island adornments are on show all around Guam, as Pacificans everywhere represent their Island vibes.

Fijian designer Epeli based all his creations around the Fijian goddess who introduced tatau to Samoa.


Humans of the Islands

Humans Of The Islands - Ena Schwalger

Ena Schwalger
Elei Artist
Samoa at FestPac in Guam

One thing about the Guam people is that they are really really friendly and they are so fascinated with Polynesian things- they went out of their way to make us welcome.


I'm representing Samoa making elei at the festival. I had a stall at the maketi in Samoa which burnt down, so it so good bringing my materials over here where the whole Pacific is!

I do all the elei myself - I make stencils of the ulu leaves and all the other samoan patterns then I print my fabric up so it's totally unique.

And our ie Lavalava we have is the best! It's pure cotton and really soft and we have so many different designs. We are so proud of the way we've improved our printing - the Samoan ie really stands out here and the Micronesians especially really love it.


Our stuff has been very popular I think because not many people are doing clothes and we're pretty cheap compared to other products.…more


Sports

Still our NBA Super Star Steven Adams

Kiwi-Tongan Steven Adams was a crucial player in the Oklahoma City Thunder making it to the NBA Playoffs in the Western Conference.

The Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Golden State Warriors in an intense conference final in Oakland 88-96. Check out the highlights from the electrifying game 7 decider!

Highlights of the nailbiting series saw Steven Adams take a hit to the groin from opposing Warriors forward Draymond Green in game 3.

Standing at an impressive 2.13m Adams averaging 29 minutes per game in the finals series!

Adams success has drawn out fans all over his home country of NZ starting the trend #StachesforSteven 

The trend appears to have been initiated by one of his biggest, smallest, cutest American fans:

Check out Adams' stats for the 2016 conference finals series against the Golden State Warriors:

The Golden State Warriors will meet The Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Playoffs.


Humans of the Islands

Humans Of The Islands - Dallanz Tuiseke & Iane Atalifo

Dallanz Tuiseke and Iane Atalifo
Drummers
Rotuma

My name is Dallanz and I'm representing Rotuma. This is our first time at a festival like this and we are so excited to represent our culture.

We are drummers and we play the lales and the dunduns and the pahua. We are part of the Fijian delegation and we are also performers in Rako Pasifika which is a contemporary dance group in Fiji

Iane: We have strong links with other Polynesia styles Wallace and Futuna, Samoa and Tonga so we've adapted our styles to other countries as well Rotuman music is most similar to Fiji.

Iane: The Kuki and Tahitian beats are the best their very technical and their instruments compliment each other very well. We've actually been to Washington DC and the Blues fest in Byron Bay. We do our cultural dances which is based around themes - climate change and global warming.

What makes the Rotuman flavour stand out at the festival?
Dallanz: Our energy.…more


Events

Mena - Fashion for Fiji Charity Show

MENA which is a family Pacific Fashion label based in Auckland, organised a catwalk event to help raise funds to help get the people of Fiji back on their feet.

It's not in the headlines now, but the devastation caused by tropical cyclone Winston is still being felt in Fiji.

Fiji is still suffering the effects, so every little bit counts!

Check out the latest range from MENA here