The Fight to Funding the Olympic Dream
"Our challenge now is that we need funding."
It's not the exact words you would expect to hear from an Olympic athlete, but for Tongan-Australian Pita Taufatofua, it's been the bottom line phrase of his professional career.
For the most part he has self-funded his entire journey, a career that spans twenty years and includes various international tournaments, and two other Olympic Qualifying events.
The first disappointment in the journey to the Olympic dream was missing out on competing in the 2008 Oceania tournament (an Olympic Qualifying event) because the government of Tonga had no funds to send him.
And now, after becoming Tonga's first ever Taekwondo Olympic Qualifier, the struggle to get funding remains.
"The government is doing what they can, at the moment there isn't anything for them to give," said Pita
"But they're working on their part to try and get as much to us as possible."
But it's the early stages of preparation where funding is really needed, explains Pita.…more
Communities worldwide weave message to end violence
What first began as a response to the rape and murder of a young Australian woman, has now become a force for change uniting people all around the world.
Samoan Artist Maryann Pau had no idea when she launched her One Million Stars to End Violence' project in 2012 that it would bring healing to so many, world wide.
And now her star-weaving workshops are being taken directly to women in the Pacific region, invoking hard-hitting conversations about an issue that is so close to home for Pacific people.
In 2012, the tragic death of ABC Journalist Jill Meagher brought an outpouring of grief from Maryann's local community and she began her own weaving campaign to advocate against violence.
"It was such a personal response. I'm a weaver," she said
"I love the craft. I appreciate the process of weaving."
After posting an 8 point star-weaving instruction video on Youtube, supported by a message about her inspiration to end violence - she invited others to join the campaign.
She did not expect the fruit it has been bearing ever since.…more
Polynesian Influence in the NFL
Check out the incredible NFL Network Feature about the Polynesian influence on the NFL.
All of the interviews occurred at the 2016 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement weekend by NFL Network's Steve Wyche.
The Ioane Brothers Highlights!
Check out some of the hightlights from one of the fastest success stories in Rugby, the Ioane brothers Rieko and Akira Ioane!
After being stars at Auckland Grammar, Rieko and Akira Ioane pulled on the black jersey of the Maori All Blacks for the first time together in 2015. Later that year they were selected together in Sir Gorden Tietjens 7s squad. Since then, they have played many tournaments, and have scored many great tries, which are featured in this video.
Video cred: lewif007 Productions
From Poly-hood to Hollywood - P.I's on the big screen!
2016 has seen a resurgence in Poly actors making it big, including fresh new talent making its way up the ranks, as well as our own Pacific stories making it big on the silver screen! Check out our Top 7 Pacific Island movers and shakers!
Joe Naufahu
Kiwi star Joe Naufahu has landed a sought-after role on Game of Thrones, becoming one of the latest kiwi's involved in the popular TV series joining fellow kiwi Keisha Castle-Hughes. It was revealed at the LA Premiere that he was to play the latest leader of the Dothraki clan Khal Moro. He is best known for his role as Liscus on Spartacus, as well as his stint on local series Go Girls. He was also a lead character in the critically acclaimed feature film The Last Saint, his brother Rene Naufahu's directorial debut.
KJ Apa
18-year-old KJ Apa has been cast as Archie Andrews in new TV series Riverdale - based on the popular Archie comics.…more
The Power of Song
Coco Guest blogger Madeline chapman from Spinoff talks about the trials and smiles of learning Samoan church songs.
But after moving in with my Aunty Henga in my second year at Auckland University, I found myself in the centre of true blue Samoan lotu. There was a song to begin, a prayer from everyone present, another song, a final prayer from Uncle Asora (a minister), then a song to finish. All this, and I didn’t understand a single word.
Lotu is pretty boring even when you know what you’re praying for. Lotu when you can’t understand what is going on is next level. For me, lotu was essentially sitting in silence and trying to pick out the odd word that I recognised.
But the songs were awesome.…more
Humans Of The Islands - Pita Taufatofua
Pita Taufatofua
Taekwondo Olympian
Tongan / Australian
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Pita is currently raising funds for the Kingdom of Tonga after a large Tsunami caused by a volcanic eruption devastated Tonga on the 15th of January.
Click here to donate to this fundraiser which has a 1 miliion dollar goal with funds specificed to go towards those most in need, infrastructure and damage to schools, hospitals etc.
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My mother's Australian/British. My father's from Ha'apai and Vava'u in Tonga. There's seven of us, but one of my sisters passed away from Cancer when I was about 4 or 5. I'm the 3rd eldest.
I still have memories of it. I still remember the day we had her funeral. At that age I felt the sadness from everyone else around. Because I was so young I didn't have a full grasp of what death was. But what I do remember was the sadness of the people around me, my family and everyone else. She was a student at Queen Salote college at the time, she was only 12.…more
Joe Naufahu at the 'Game of Thrones' Season 6 Premier
Joe Naufahu at the Season 6 Premiere of "Game of Thrones" check out Joe Nafahu hosting Fresh Saturday 23rd of April 10am on TV2.
Fifth Harmony at Wrestlemania 2016
Check out the girls of Fifth Harmony and their amazing rendition of America the Beautiful at this year's Wrestlemania!
Humans Of The Islands - Nastajia Bourke
Nastajia Bourke
Tongan / Irish
Sommelier
35 yrs,