New Zealand athlete Jordan Evans-Tobata is set for an emotional reunion with her father when she competes for her country at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.

The Dunedin-based athlete has a busy schedule of four events on her schedule – 400m, 800m, 4x100m and 4x400m relay – during the five-day track programme which runs from 27 November- 1 December in Honiara.

Besides the pride the 19-year-old University of Otago student will feel when making her international debut, Jordan will also have the joy of seeing her Solomon Islands based father, Walebarasialia (Wale), for the first time in nine years.

“As soon as I found out the event was in the Solomon Islands I expressed an interest in competing and I was delighted when I was selected,’ said Jordan.…more

Kānaka Maoli actor and 'Aquaman' star, Jason Momoa, returns to the SNL stage to host the popular American skit comedy show for the second time. We've got all the segments here for you!

In his Opening Monologue, He talks about growing up Iowa, before moving back to Hawaii and getting a job on Baywatch! Today, he is an environmentalist and wants to save the whales and.. SpongeBob!?

Old-Timey Movies

A researcher delving into L. Frank Baum's work unveils recently discovered footage. Set in early 1900s New York City, the film captures Baum engrossed in writing on a park bench. Shot at a slower frame rate, the film accelerates the movement of people, and amidst this, a bystander and his friend repeatedly interrupt, captivated by the film camera.

Rome Song

Wives lament about their forlorn marriages, feeling disconnected from their enigmatic husbands. Their minds wander to Ancient Rome as they sing vulnerably of their longing.

Nightclub Line

Marcello Hernandez and Jason Momoa find themselves in the awkward position of politely turning away club hopefuls who don't meet the attractiveness criteria.…more

Dwayne Johnson talks about using his Acorns card to surprise customers at FAO Schwarz, working with Oprah to start the People's Fund of Maui to help support survivors of the Maui wildfires and celebrating his mother Ata's 75th birthday.

In the second part of the interview Dwayne discusses his return to WWE SmackDown and confirms that he will be playing Maui in the live-action remake of Moana.

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Video credits: 

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

In the series premiere of South African comedian Trevor Noah's new podcast, Trevor is joined by Seiuli Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson — "The People's Champion" in the wrestling world, one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, and a bonafide Girl Dad.

Trevor and Dwayne get real — discussing everything from Dwayne's troubled youth and his lifelong struggles with depression, to Dwayne listening, understanding and responding to public feedback surrounding the launch of his fund following the Maui fires and whether he'd ever consider running for President of the United States.

Local community initiative 'I Am Mangere' has partnered up with multiple local business owners and entrepreneurs to open their collaboration retail store at the heart of the Mangere Township!

The 'Nesian Collective' is a brand-new pop-up store at the Mangere Town Centre showcasing products and services by several Pasifika entrepreneurs including baby/infant products, handicrafts and merch, pineapple pies and cookies, and even a modelling agency! 👗💍🍪💃🏿

CEO of 'I Am Mangere' Toni Helleur talks to us about the inspiration behind the Nesian Collective and their plans for the Mangere community for the future🌸

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Filmed by Penina Momoiseā
Edited by Sefa Taouma

Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ On Air

by Lefaoali’i Dr Dion Enari

As I got promoted from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, it made me not only celebrate, but stop, reflect, and think. Although I was happy for my own individual success, it made me look at the history of our people within academia, and why I’m here.

Historically, not too long ago, palagi researcher Margret Mead hit international fame from hijacking and raping the narratives of my homeland, Samoa. Her exploitation ran rampant, from speaking in media and conferences about Samoan people, without Samoan people present, to writing about us, as if she was some authority figure whose book would validate our existence to the rest of the world.

Worse yet, the mainstream education system would force us to see her as an expert and iconic genius on Samoan culture, even though it is only our people who have ancestral, blood and spiritual ties to the islands. Being a proud Samoan, who knows my genealogical links through to Tagaloa, you can see how this started to annoy me.…more

A Pacific language champion has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer for the Centre for Pacific Languages (CPL).

Board Chair and Trustee for the Centre for Pacific Languages Sina M Wendt, ONZM announced recently the appointment of Fesaitu Solomone to the position of Chief Executive Officer.…more

In this episode of the New Heights Podcast, the Kelce brothers are joined by Jason’s teammate, Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata to talk about the new Eagles Christmas album and the guys also revisit a not-dumb question about rugby players in the NFL.

Jordan shares more about his path from Rugby League to the NFL, including his first exposure to the NFL, how he chose his position, how NFL scouts found him, and where he first started training to play football.

Travis and Jason then ask Jordan about the lead-up to his NFL Draft experience, how he felt when he was selected by the Eagles in the seventh round, and who he spoke to first within the organization. Jordan also talks about the culture shock that happened upon his move from Australia to Philadelphia, his first days with the Eagles, and his “Welcome to the NFL” moment. Jason and Jordan get into the 2023 Eagles team, highlighting their roles in the “Brotherly Shove” play and Jordan’s dynamic with quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Lastly, Jordan gives his Mt.…more

Ways that you can donate from Aotearoa to help the heartbreaking humanitarian crisis in the Gaza: 

The (new) New Zealand based ‘Emergency Alliance’ - is taking donations for Gaza - https://emergencyalliance.org.nz 

Both of these New Zealand organisations work directly with partners in Gaza and surrounding areas, and they are also CID Code of Conduct compliant in New Zealand which means they have passed high standards of accountability and impact for impacted communities.  

Melbourne's cultural scene is on the cusp of a cultural awakening with the forthcoming exhibition, "Kal Angam-Kal: Stories from West Papua." This exhibition brings to the forefront the hidden history of exiled West Papuan Elders residing in Narrm (Melbourne).

Kal angam-kal is a proverb in the indigenous language of the Amungme tribe of Timika, West Papua meaning “the word has been spoken out."

This exhibition represents a collaboration between the leading artists Cyndi Makabory (Biak and Waropen) and Yasbelle Kerkow (iTaukei Fijian vasu Batiki, Lomaiviti), offering a new look on the challenges and sagacity of West Papuan Elders, as seen through the perspective of the younger generation.

Bridging Generations Through Art and Storytelling

Cyndi Makabory, a West Papuan Youth Leader and recent law graduate, plays a pivotal role in this remarkable project. Her role in connecting generations within her community has proved crucial.

"Kal Angam-Kal" showcases novel cinematic works where six young community members engage in heartfelt interviews with their chosen Elders, and in some instances, their own parents.…more