NFL Pro Bowl and Super Bowl-winning wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster discusses culture, family, faith, and what it means to be a Polynesian athlete.

Watch “Inside the Grind” with JuJu Smith-Schuster, hosted by Serafina Maulupe.

Last month, The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced its inductees for the Class of 2024 - Reno Mahe, Domata Peko and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.

The inductees were selected from over 100 nominees by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame selection committee including Jack Thompson (chairman), Kevin Mawae, NFL network reporter Steve Wyche and more.  All living Polynesian Football Hall of Fame inductees also cast a vote.

"These men represent the very best of our Polynesian people and we look forward to celebrating this recognition with their families in January" said co-founder Seiuli Jesse Sapolu.…more

The Samoa 60 Tala commemorative banknote has proudly clinched the title of “Best Commemorative Banknote of the Year” at the High Security Printing Asia event held in Sri Lanka. Crafted to mark the 60th anniversary of Samoa’s independence, this banknote has been noted for its artistry, historical significance, and security features.

At the forefront of the design lies the portrait of the Honourable Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Samoa’s first female Prime Minister. Symbolising six decades of independence, this carefully crafted note pays homage to Samoa’s rich history. On the reverse side, a vignette featuring the Honourable Fiame Mataafa Faumuina Mulinuu II, Samoa’s inaugural Prime Minister during its independence in 1962, adds depth to this celebratory note.

What makes this banknote a standout on the global stage is its portrayal of a father and daughter, both having held the position of Prime Minister, making it also a commemoration to Samoa’s leadership history.

Designed and printed by De La Rue, renowned experts in security printing, the banknote boasts cutting-edge security features.…more

Pasifika Medical Association Chief Executive, Debbie Sorensen, wife to Peter Cann, a daughter, loving mother and grandmother, opens up about her personal breast cancer journey for the first time.

With unwavering strength and resilience, Mrs Sorensen aims to raise awareness about the importance of early breast cancer screenings and to shed light on the significance of self-care for women in Pacific communities.

Debbie Sorensen is the chief executive of the Pasifika Medical Association, the largest Pacific non-governmental organisation in New Zealand, and for 16 years she has helmed the entity with a strong and confident style of leadership.

You can read more about her story here

On Saturday the 24th November, Former All Black and rugby legend Savae Sir Michael Jones announced the establishment of the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame at a small gathering in the Pacific Media Network's Wav Room.

The establishment of the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame will provide a global platform to honour, recognise and celebrate the contribution of the Pacific’s rugby heroes, past and present; empower and lift our Pacific communities through the power of rugby as well as inspire the next generation of Pasifika rugby heroes and influencers to excel, lead and serve.

The movement will celebrate, connect and champion Pacific rugby players and their collective hopes and aspirations.…more

On Friday the 24th of November, New Zealand rugby together with the Tausoa Fa'atasi Pasifika Advisory Group* launched the 2024 - 2029 Pasifika Strategy - a historic moment for the Pasifika rugby communities.

Their vision:  To enable, embrace and empower positive outcomes and experiences for Pasifika at all levels of rugby.

It is the first time New Zealand rugby has put in place a dedicated plan to create more equitable opportunities for Pasifika within rugby.  

The organisation acknowledged that Pasifika have made an immense contribution to rugby in New Zealand, particularly on the field but that the under representation of Pasifika in off-field roles was a significant focus for the Pasifika strategy.…more

The 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands are currently in full swing with 24 Pacific Island & Oceania nations competing.

For many of the athletes, the Pacific Games gives them not only valuable experience and competition but a chance to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris next year.

We talk to four boxers based in New Zealand who are in the Solomon Islands to represent their heritage and home islands of Niue, Samoa and Tonga.  They share with us the preparation and training that has gone into qualifying for the games, why it's special for them to be able to represent their island nations, what they've done to prepare for the Solomon Islands heat and more.…more

Jason Momoa recently appeared on the 'Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon', where he talks about hosting Saturday Night Live for a second time, working to stop single-use plastic with his water company Mananalu Pure Water and starring in 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.'

Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all.

This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force.

To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.…more

What does Miss Samoa do after she wins the crown?

Moemoana Safa'ato'a Schwenke was crowned Miss Samoa on the 10th of September 2023 and for the last two months has had a number of duties to perform and engagements to attend alongside promoting Samoa as a destination.

She has also recently started 'Tāfesilafa'i' - Moemoana's own initiative - teaching young people the art of Siva Samoa and Siva Afi along with other cultural performances.

Along with her chaperone Regency Nafo'i from Samoa Tourism, they welcomed The CoconetTV along to experience a typical 'Day in the Life of Miss Samoa' and shared with us a few of the experiences she's had so far.

We joined her from the Tāfesilafa'i senior class at 12pm on Saturday in Upolu through to lunchtime on Sunday in Savai'i.

Thank you Moemoana, Regency, and Samoa Tourism Authority

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Filmed by Penina Momoiseā
Edited by Sefa Taouma

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air