“With Smartie, we are proving the Pacific can lead in creating practical, culturally relevant technology.”

That’s the vision driving the Cook Islands–born super app making waves across the Pacific. Smartie is the brainchild of a local tech entrepreneur Brett Baudinet who saw an opportunity to blend community values with cutting-edge solutions and in doing so, change how locals and visitors connect, pay, and experience island life.

The app’s current features include Pay and Food Delivery, but its roadmap is ambitious: Tours, Rideshare, and even a kids’ financial literacy app are already in development. It’s all part of a plan to create a single, easy-to-use platform for both residents and tourists.

“It is inspiring to see Pacific-led technology solving problems in ways that reflect our realities,” says founder Brett Baudinet “Our tourism-driven economy needs tools that work for visitors, while our communities need technology that makes everyday life easier.”

The spark for Smartie was lit years ago. After working in website development since 2000, Baudinet noticed the lack of simple, affordable payment solutions for smaller markets like the Pacific.…more

It’s Restaurant Month in Tāmaki Makaurau, and Trivet Restaurant on Albert Street is inviting diners to experience a menu that blends international influences with the warmth of Pacific hospitality.

At the centre of it all is executive chef Uelese Mua, or Chef Wallace, who says the inspiration behind Trivet is rooted in his own upbringing.

“My thoughts behind Trivet… Well, a trivet is a device that was used to protect tables so you could put a hot pan or pot on it. With my upbringing, to’onai was always one of the highlights of the week. You break bread with family, catch up and the rest of the world fades away. Those moments, the table becomes sacred to me, so with that in mind, I wanted Trivet to protect that sacred table.”

This August, Trivet is offering a specially curated two-course Restaurant Month menu for $55 per person. Guests can enjoy Trivet classics and the restaurant’s signature flatbread with coconut butter. Wine matches are available for $12 per glass.…more

In Ōtara, three organisations are breaking down barriers to help Pacific communities get their licences.

DriveStar, Community Driver Licensing Workshop, and MintedVR have teamed up to run four-day workshops in Gagana Samoa, Lea Faka-Tonga, and English in hopes of making the learner’s licence process accessible, culturally relevant, and empowering. From the Otara Library to communities as far as Hastings, this kaupapa is transforming lives — one licence at a time.

George “Fiji” Veikoso – Pacific Reggae Pioneer and Beloved Voice

Ratu George Veikoso, known to the world simply as Fiji  was more than an award-winning musician. He was a storyteller, a bridge between cultures, and one of the most recognisable voices of Pacific music. His passing at the age of 55 has left the Pacific in mourning.

Born in Tailevu, Fiji, George’s love for music began early. Surrounded by a family of talented singers and musicians, his earliest performances were in church. In 1987, after political unrest in Fiji, he moved to Hawai‘i, where his sound began to take shape – a smooth blend of reggae, R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and traditional island harmonies. It became known as the “Lost Coast Sound,” and it would carry his name far beyond the Pacific.

His 1994 album Evolution marked the beginning of a career that would span decades. Fiji went on to release Born and Raised, Gratitude, and many more, earning millions of streams and a place in the soundtrack of island life.…more

Ten years ago, partners Robbie Kainuku and Lenny Steven opened a small café in Sandringham with five tables and a big dream: to serve the food they love — honest, comforting Pacific soul food.

“We started Blue Rose because we wanted to start something up that had our food that we like to cook, with our Pacifica, Māori flavors through it,” says Robbie.

It began with a simple vision, but the impact has been global. “People come there, that’s their first stop. We just got in from LA or Australia, and we got told to come here. Even this family from Singapore — Nana, Mum, Dad, grandma, auntie, uncle, all the kids. They Googled Pacific food, and this place came up.”

Robbie grew up in Māngere and learned to cook from his mother. “She was a Pākehā and made really good Island food. When she married my dad, she wanted to learn and do it really well... My mum’s my biggest inspiration.”

Among the café’s best-loved items is the palusami pie, which Robbie proudly calls his creation.…more