HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - LEOTA MAUNU SINAUMEA TAUFAO
LEOTA MAUNU SINAUMEA TAUFAO
LAW FIRM DIRECTOR & LAWYER - WT Compensation Lawyers
SAMOAN
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My name is Leota Maunu Sinaumea Taufao and I am a Samoan-born Personal Injury Law Firm Director and Lawyer. I come from the villages of Tiavea, Magiagi, Faleasiu and Salamumu and currently live in Brisbane, Australia.
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You are the Director and Lawyer of your own law firm WT Compensation Lawyers - What were the pathways that led you to what you are doing now?
My journey to where I am now was not your conventional one. In fact, after High School, I studied Business, majoring in Sports Management at Griffith University. My goal was to work in the Sporting Industry – the idea was if I was not able to make a professional rugby team, then I work in an industry that would allow me to be around a professional rugby team. However, after completing my business degree and working in the Sporting industry, I quickly came to the realisation that I was not fulfilled and my heart yearned for something else.…more
New Book 'Pacific Arts Aotearoa' Chronicles Six Decades of Pasifika Artistry
Set to the backdrop of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and toasted to as a prelude to an evening dedicated to celebrating Pasifika excellence, a groundbreaking book titled Pacific Arts Aotearoa has emerged, unveiling a profound tapestry of artistry and storytelling spanning over six decades.
This monumental endeavour, a collaborative work by a dedicated team of Pasifika creators, highlights the multi-dimensional contributions of Pacific artists to Aotearoa history.
Edited by esteemed Pacific writer and scholar Dr Lana Lopesi, designed by Shaun Naufahu, and project-managed by Faith Wilson, Pacific Arts Aotearoa is a testament to the rich and vibrant artistic legacy of the Pacific community in Aotearoa, and evolved from the want and need to highlight Pasifika excellence in Aotearoa.
As recalled by Project Editor Faith Wilson, Lopesi worked with 50 prominent Pacific artists to write their own profiles for an online Pacific Arts Legacy project in the midst of the Covid-19 lockdowns.…more
Toa Samoa at Eden Park: Post game reaction with fans
Toa Samoa played the NZ Kiwis for the first time at Eden Park in the inaugural Pacific Championships competition on Saturday the 21st October 2023.
You'd be forgiven for thinking it was a Samoan home game with the number of Samoan supporters who showed up and out for Toa Samoa ... atmosphere was off the chain.
Despite the score, the crowd stayed hyped to the very end with the stadium breaking out into a rousing rendition of the classic Tiama'a hit 'Taute' as the game finished.
The boys showed their appreciation staying for well over an hour taking photos and signing autographs for fans.
We caught up with a couple of the boys including Toa Samoa captain Junior Paulo & former Toa Samoa captain Nigel Vagana.
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Check out the emotional anthems and siva tau/haka in the video below -
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Shot and edited by Penina Momoiseā
Additional clips of the Samoan national anthem by Samuel Tanielu and Taute by Chris Sila
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air
Sports Talk: Toa Samoa Team Tour ft Spencer Leniu, Keenan Palasia & Daejarn Asi
The Coconet TV's Destiny Momoiseā takes a tour around the Toa Samoa team camp ahead of their Pacific Championship game against the Kiwis at Eden Park 🏉
The boys talk about the love they've received from fans, game day preparation, pre-game playlists and who got jokes 😂
Featuring Spencer Leniu, Keenan Palasia, Daejarn Asi & Toa Samoa Head Coach Ben Gardiner.
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Credits:
Camera - Penina Momoiseā
Presenter - Destiny Momoiseā
Editor - Sefa Taouma
Additional Photography - Geoffery Mata'utia
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air
Coco Talanoa with The Voice USA contestant DeAngelo Talakai aka Talakai
Tongan/Samoan singer DeAngelo Talakai (artist name Talakai) had gone viral online after John Legend turned for his blind audition on The Voice and discovered he bears a striking resemblance to him.
We catch up with the talented singer to chat about his experience on The Voice so far, where he got his start in singing, musical inspirations, re-discovering his Pacific heritage after growing up in foster care and much more.
Unfortunately Talakai didn't make it through after the Battle Rounds (you can watch his battle with Caleb Sasser in the video below) but we're looking forward to new music from Talakai and seeing what the future holds for him.
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Interviewer - Penina Momoiseā
Editor - Sefa Taouma
Thank you Talakai
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air
Government to assist with New Zealanders & Pacific Island nationals departures from Tel Aviv
The New Zealand Government is partnering with Etihad Airways to facilitate the departure of New Zealanders and other eligible passengers from Pacific countries out of Tel Aviv, following the outbreak of armed conflict in Israel and Gaza, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has announced.
At least four groups of Pacific Islanders have been in Israel since late September, many of them there for a christian pilgrimage participating in Jerusalem's Feast of Tabernacles celebration.
Fiji Airways had flown to Tel Aviv for the first time nearly 3 weeks ago carrying a large group, as the Pacific Islands nation seeks to build closer ties with Israel after Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka pledged to open an embassy there next year.
Last Thursday Fiji Airways managed to repatriate 243 passengers back to Fiji with almost 200 Fijians, 8 Samoans and citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US onboard.
However, for a group of Tongans from New Zealand and a group from the Cook Islands, it has been much more difficult to get out with many commercial airlines cancelling flights.…more
Fiji Put On Flying Performance Against England, Not Enough For Final 4
By James Nokise
“I think it will be a very good game because both teams, they know, if something happens today then you’re going home tomorrow.”
These were the prophetic words of the living legend that is Waisale Serevi, on the streets of Marseilles before the epic quarterfinal between Fiji and England. Because of his status within the Fijian and wider Pacific community, it can be easy to forget how popular he is in the Northern hemisphere.
The man known as “The Wizard”, though, is busy before the match outside the stadium taking constant photo’s with European fans.
“I believe the boys are ready. They didn’t play well the last two games. It’s over, they’ve learned from that.”
In some ways he was right. Fiji fell behind in the first half with some sloppy play, and went to the break trailing 21-10.
However, they fought back hard to have things tied at 24-24 with 10mins left in the match.…more
Quarter Final Preview: Fiji vs England
By Loveni Enari
The Flying Fijians have been rocked by familial tragedies during the Rugby World Cup but feel the sadness has brought them closer together and will give them ammunition to beat England in their quarter final match at 4am Monday morning (16th October 23)
The first of the tragedies came when Josua Tuisova missed the funeral of his seven year old son after a long battle with illness. Just days before their rendezvous at Marseille with les Ros Bifs, hooker Sam Matavesi has returned to England after the death of his father.
Matavesi’s father Sireli Matavesi was a former test player and had been wheelchair-bound after surgery some years ago. His son has been enjoying a rich vein of form and after he returned to Fiji for a brief visit home for the funeral, he returned to Marseille on Friday.…more
Election 2023: What can Pasifika expect from the new National government?
By Mariner Fagaiava
Labour’s red wave crashed over Aotearoa in 2020 and in 2023, the tide washed out. National and ACT are certain to form a coalition government, but they may need New Zealand First on current numbers. What’s in it for Pacific peoples? Broadcaster and commentator Mariner Fagaiava analyses the election result.
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Air New Zealand boss turned National leader Christopher Luxon will be flying high this morning. He’s in the pilot seat and will become New Zealand’s 42nd prime minister.
Conceding victory to Luxon was Chris Hipkins who shed tears as he spoke to Labour Party faithful in Wellington last night.
13 more years of political experience wasn’t enough to fight the country’s mood for change, which Hipkins perhaps knew all along. He credited his loss to a “perfect storm” of Covid, scandal amongst his own MPs and of course, the cost of living.
After farewelling party veterans Aupito William Sio and Poto Williams in August, Labour is set to lose more Pacific names: Anahila Kanongata’a, Anae Neru Leavasa, Terisa Ngobi and Dan Rosewarne.…more
Our Voice - David's Story
Father, artist and leader of a South Auckland based non-profit community fitness program, David Toailoa shares what helped him through tough times following the tragic loss of his son and during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
Mana Pasifika extends a huge thank you to David and his wife Ema for sharing their story with us. Fa’afetai tele lava.
Please be aware that this video addresses infant loss, we are aware that this may be a difficult topic for some viewers.