Inky Pinky Ponky Film - Get to know JP Foliaki
John-Paul Foliaki (JP) plays the male lead Mose in the upcoming CoconetTV original 'Inky Pinky Ponky' film.
JP is a proud NZ born Tongan from South Auckland. He is an Artist in every sense of the word - he loves all things creative but music and acting have been keeping him busy as of late. He's been fortunate enough to be a lead in the smash hit Tongan feature film, 'Red, White and Brass' and has got a few more projects in the works, so keep an eye out for that. He's living out his dream and hopefully inspires others to do the same.
We caught up with JP ahead of the upcoming release of 'Inky Pinky Ponky' here on the CoconetTV.
My name is John-Paul Foliaki (JP) and I am a proud NZ born Tongan from South Auckland. I am an Artist so I love all things creative but music and acting has been keeping me busy as of late.…more
Frankie Adams - The lost flowers of Alice Hart
Prime Video have released the official trailer for the Amazon Original series, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart starring our very own Frankie Adams alongside Sigourney Weaver, Leah Purcell and more ...
Based on Australian Holly Ringland’s best-selling debut novel, the seven-part series tells the emotionally compelling story of Alice Hart.
Samoan actress Frankie Adams plays Candy Blue - Alice’s aunt, who is also a flamboyant character with lots of swagger and her own troubles to deal with.
Three of the seven episodes will be released on the 4th of August, with one episode rolling out weekly until the series finale in September.
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Watch our Q&A with Frankie here as we go behind the scenes with her on her leading roles in the CoconetTV original series 'Teine Sa - The Ancient Ones'
Pacific media can be leading the digital content revolution.
Auckland came alive today with some active talanoa from all our Pacific media sectors, with the first cross sector Pacific media fono in 10 years.
Recognising the stalwarts of the past and looking to the digital opportunities of the future framed much of the talanoa, which brought together Pacific Media Network, RNZ Pacific, Tikilounge Productions, Sunpix, amidst a range of broadcasters from across the sectors.
How do we build on the PIJF journalism fund and how we build capacity and sustainability for all the young Pasifika media people coming through were key issues, alongside exploring the finding pathways for content that are now available via NZ on Air.
Much was made of the importance of story sovereignty and being able to serve our big diverse Pasifika audiences in a variety of ways.…more
Sacred symbols cement the New Zealand Deputy Prime Ministers Samoan identity
“It’s the only tatau I have ever wanted - I’ve never had any other tattoos because I’ve wanted the malu first. I’ve waited my whole life for this, and for the right time for this.” - New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni.
They are over 60% of the Pacific population in Aotearoa, it’s the second most commonly spoken language in Auckland and Samoan's have one of the fastest growing youth populations in the country.
Now our Samoan leader at the highest level of government, has committed to a personal and public dedication of her fa'asamoa, her cultural identity.
Carmel Sepuloni now wears Samoa on her skin, as well as in her heart.…more
The importance of Wellbeing in Rugby League x The inaugural NZRL Wellbeing hui
By Destiny and Penina Momoiseā
In the NRL, every club has at least one Welfare and Education Manager who looks after the wellbeing of the players in their charge and in New Zealand, the NRL funds not only the One NZ Warriors wellbeing officers at a club level but also the New Zealand Rugby League wellbeing team at a national level (Elite Pathways).
Suicides of young men in the rugby league community have underlined the urgency to normalise conversations around mental health and the NRL have recognised that it can be a challenging experience to leave home at a young age, or simply to face the responsibilities of playing the sport they love at a high level.…more
Ariel Meets: The Usos - Rare sit down with Jey & Jimmy
The Ones, Jey and Jimmy Uso joined the one and only Ariel Helwani for a rare and fascinating sit down ahead of The Bloodline Civil War last weekend with Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa at the O2 Arena in London for Money in the Bank.
Jey and Jimmy spoke about their historic run, The Bloodline, headlining Wrestlemania, their father (Rikishi) and a whole lot more ...
Then watch highlights from the match over the weekend below -
685 to the UK - The Uso's getting love from fans in London ...
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Never forget the time the Usos and Roman Reigns broke character at the beginning of their feud here
Tim Lafai - Out of your League Podcast
From growing up in Samoa to becoming his countries all-time leader in caps, Lafai opens up on his journey through rugby league in New Zealand & Australia, speaks powerfully on his mental health in the hope of helping others & discusses his incredible time at Salford Red Devils so far.
2023 Pacific Music Awards finalists announced - meet the first time finalists.
On the 28th of June, the 2023 Pacific Music Awards finalists were announced at Big Fan in Morningside, Auckland.
Among the 24 finalists, 11 are first time finalists alongside 13 previous award winners. This year, MELODOWNZ, Olivia Foa'i and Sam V lead the nomination count with 4 nominations each in various award categories.
Alongside the 13 award categories, there will be eight additional awards presented on the night including the Phillip Fuemana Most Promising Pacific Artist, NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award, NZ On Air Streaming Award, SunPix People’s Choice Award – Best Pacific Artist, Creative New Zealand Award, Arch Angel Independent Artist Award, Ministry for Pacific Peoples Special Recognition Award, and Manukau Institute of Technology Te Pukenga Lifetime Achievement Award.
The winner of the Best Pacific Music Album category is presented with an official Tui and will be recognised at the next Aotearoa Music Awards. The APRA Best Pacific Song Award recipient will also be recognised at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards.…more
Inky Pinky Ponky Film - Get to know Sesilia Pusiaki
Sesilia Pusiaki (pictured above on the right) plays the main character Lisa's (played by Amanaki Faletau pictured left) mother in the smash hit CoconetTV original 'Inky Pinky Ponky' film.
The actress hails from the villages of Lapaha by way of Tatakamotonga, Atata and Makahilitaha. She played Hepi Lomu in the TV Mini Series, 'Jonah'. She played Lote in 'Kingdom of Lote', the first Tongan Theatre Play written by Suli Moa and Produced by Kila Kokonut Krew. Sesilia directed and choreographed NZ's first full length Tongan Contemporary Dance -Theatre show 'Sei 'o fafine' as well as the first Traditional Tongan Heritage Dance theatre piece 'Pukepuke 'o Tonga'.
In 2017 she established 'Pukepuke 'o Tonga' as a family led company that produced 'Lomipeau Aotearoa' the 1st Traditional Tongan Music album, a collection of the Late Queen Salote Tupou III poetry that was set to Vili Pusiaki's musical compositions.…more
Big Body Cisco X Dinah Jane - Western Conference Podcast
Tongan pop princess Dinah Jane has been on a 3 year hiatus from music.
Western Conference Podcast host Big Body Cisco catches up with Dinah and takes it all the way back to her musical roots, auditioning for talent shows including X-Factor, joining 5th Harmony, her musical journey and much more in their chat above.
Then take a trip down memory lane and watch her original X-Factor audition in the video below -