Jonah Lomu Legacy Trust launched for his children
Following the sudden and tragic death of global rugby icon Jonah Lomu last month, the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) has established the Jonah Lomu Legacy Trust to care for his two children.
NZRPA chief executive Rob Nichol said:
“With the cooperation of those assisting Jonah’s immediate family and using our own professional advisers we have a reasonable picture of the family’s ongoing financial situation following Jonah’s passing.
“While the probate of the estate will take some time, we know enough to realise that the family will not be able to rely on any financial proceeds or ongoing financial benefit.
“It appears that because of Jonah’s well-known generosity, he had taken on obligations, financial and otherwise, to support others at the expense of himself, Nadene and the children.…more
Miss World Fiji rocking Bulalicious fashions!
In case you've been wondering where the gorgeous Miss World Fiji Brittany Hazelmann gets her activewear from, check out Bulalicious!
Rocking the beautifully colourful line inspired by the natural landscapes of Fiji, the clothing line is donating a portion of every item purchased towards 'Beauty with a Purpose' - the fundraising initiative run by the Miss World Pageant.
Check out their website for more of their gorgeous range!
Images courtesy of Bulalicious.
Three Wise Cousins - World Premiere
One of the most eagerly awaited films of this year this side of the Pacific has finally arrived!
The World Premiere of the independent Samoan film Three Wise Cousins is set for December 21st at the Civic Theatre in Auckland! Click here to purchase your tickets and hang out with Vito and Fesui on the night!
Once the premiere is done, keep posted on their Facebook page to get more updates on when you can expect it at a cinema near you!
Loni 'The Tongan Bear' Uhila wins Buttabean rematch
The Hurricanes prop lost their controversial first fight but wasn't to be denied when the pair met again in Hamilton.
In the nailbiting fight in Hamilton last night, the rematch between Uhila and Dave 'Brown Buttabean' Letele was won by unanimous decision.
Source: TV One News
Fiji win Dubai Sevens!
Check out Fiji's awesome win over England in the final at the World Sevens series in Dubai!
Fiji's victory is the first time they have beaten England in a men's World Sevens Series final and they are set to be one of the favourites for the title at the Rio Olympics next year!
Oka Festival 2015
Check out some of the highlights from the first annual Oka Festival, run by the Samoa Culinary Association in Apia!
The competition was run with participating restaurants competing in 3 separate categories, coconut husking and milking, tuna filleting and Oka making, using local ingredients to create one unique Oka dish.
The competition was fierce with some of the best local chefs from the top restaurants and resorts vying for the top prize of best oka.
Unfortunately there could only be one winner, and taking out the first annual Oka Fest was Roko's Restaurant with their delicious creation!
Photos courtesy of the Samoan Culinary Association.
Victory for Mauna Kea protectors
The Hawaii Supreme Court has voted unanimously to vacate the permit allowing the Thirty Meter Telescope to be built atop Mauna Kea.
In order to proceed, project officials must return to the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to seek re-approval.
The justices concluded that the state Board of Land and Natural Resources violated due process when it approved a permit for the $1.4 billion project in 2011 prior to holding a contested case hearing.
The state and University of Hawaii, which applied for the permit in 2010 on behalf of the TMT Observatory Corporation, argued that the 2011 permit was preliminary and the final permit was issued in 2013. But the justices weren’t swayed.
“Once the permit was granted, Appellants were denied the most basic element of procedural due process — an opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner,” wrote Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald and associate justices Paula Nakayama and Sabrina McKenna in the majority opinion.…more
New hit show starring Beulah Koale and KJ Apa
Sci-fi drama The Cul De Sac centres on 16 year old Rose who must keep her siblings safe after all the adults mysteriously disappear and dark forces begin to tear the world apart. Produced by Greenstone TV, the six episode series will screen in a prime time slot on TV2. Starring Samoan/Kiwi actors KJ Apa and Beulah Koale.
KJ Apa hosts Fresh with Pua Magasiva, check it out here
Rose wakes to a world where there are no adults … technology has mysteriously ceased to function … and the rules by which she used to live no longer apply.
Without authority figures like parents and teachers, teenagers are left to run things. While most, like Rose, just want to survive, there are some young people who see this as an opportunity to create a new order in which they make the rules.…more
Beulah Koale lands lead role in U.S Drama
Kiwi-born Samoan Beulah Koale will join Miles Teller and Haley Bennett in Jason Hall’s directorial debut
Beulah Koale has landed the third lead in DreamWorks’ PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) drama “Thank You for Your Service” alongside Miles Teller and Haley Bennett.
Jason Hall, the Oscar-nominated writer of “American Sniper,” will make his directorial debut with the project, adapted from the non-fiction book by David Finkel.
“Thank You for Your Service” follows a group of U.S. soldiers who return from Iraq and struggle to integrate back into their civilian lives with their families, as they’re still haunted by the horrific memories of a war that threatens to destroy them long after they’ve left the battlefield.
Koale will play Solo, an American Samoan soldier raised on the streets who feels indebted to the military for making his life better. The character is based on real-life soldier Tausolo Aieti, who saved two comrades but remained haunted by a third whom he was unable to rescue.…more
Indigenous groups hold healing ceremony in Paris
On November 29th the Indigenous Environmental Network organized a healing ceremony in front of the Bataclan Theater before thousands gathered to participate in a human chain action in the streets of Paris.
It was a beautiful ceremony featuring Indigenous youth speakers from North America, the Arctic, and the Pacific Islands. Our delegations always see it as a necessity to have prayer before any large action. We offered kind words, song, and calls for climate justice and peace.#DefendProtectRenew #IndigenousRising
Video produced and originally postedby @The New Internationalist