Life changing Moments ...

“With the 54th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chargers select Tuli Tuipulotu”

He was the first of our Pasifika players to be drafted this year and his cousin Anna Vea has shared a glimpse behind the scenes as Tuli and his family gather to hear his name called.

He was joined by 49ers Safety Talanoa Hufanga, his older brother Marlon (who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles), parents, grandma and other famili.

After his name was called the family gathered for a himi and lotu to give thanks. We love to see it.

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Photos & Video from Anna Vea 

The 2023 NFL draft went down this weekend from the 28th - 30th April NZT and it was a historic weekend for Pasifika players with ten players of Pasifika heritage drafted into the National Football League.  Check out all of their profiles below - 

Keilani Mayo and Queenie Taua'a are Digital Content creators for Island City Media Group in the USA and joined Penina at the beginning of the weekend to help break down the 2023 NFL draft.

This year looked to have had the largest group of Pasifika athletes who declared for the draft (peep the list in Polynesian Music X Island City's post below) so the ladies gave us their mock drafts on who they think may get picked up in the first 3 rounds, their tips for watching & what happens to players who don't get picked up in the draft ...…more

Samoan NFL player Marcus Mariota was drafted in the 2015 NFL draft - the second overall pick in the first round by the Tennessee Titans. 

He made history becoming the highest drafted NFL player of Pasifika heritage ever.

The second highest drafted Polynesian was Jack "The Throwin' Samoan" Thompson who was the first quarterback selected in the 1979 NFL Draft, taken third overall by the Cincinnati Bengals, and played there for four years, which included the Super Bowl season in 1981.

Fellow Quaterback Tua Tagovailoa and Hall of Fame Linebacker Junior Seau are the third highest drafted NFL players both beeing drafted with the fifth overall pick in the first round.

Here we take a look back at his draft day with the family ...

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Beats by Dre worked with Marcus who was predicted to be selected early in the draft and in the days leading up to the draft they showed a side of Mariota's personal life in his hometown that most people don't get to see.…more

TAHLEA AUALIITIA 

JOURNALIST / ABC NEWS 'THE PACIFIC' HOST 

SAMOAN / ITALIAN 

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In April 2023, ABC launched its ground-breaking new show 'The Pacific' - a 30 minute pan-Pacific news program broadcast to Pacific audiences every Thursday on ABC Australia, followed by ABC iview and ABC News Channel. 

The show will be hosted by ABC presenter Tahlea Aualiitia.  She shares a bit of her journey with us here ... 

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My name is Tahlea Aualiitia - my dad Tui is Samoan and my mum Marina is Italian. I come from the Samoan villages of Leauva’a, Pu’apu’a, Satupaitea and Satalo i Falealili.…more

Teon Lolesio aka Turquoise Prince grew up in a humble home in Canberra, Australia.

During high school, Teon experienced bullying for being poor. He engaged in music early through rap battles which went viral across Canberra. His rival rap beef opponent from another school even came to Teon's school with a car full of people to bash him, after he wasn't happy with the diss being recorded.

After nearly burning his own school down, Teon was sent to Tonga by his Dad to learn life the hard way.  It was only after he had returned back to Sydney years later, that he realised the hardest part was only just beginning.

Check out the trailer for Taika Waititi's 'Next Goal Wins' in theatres on November 17th.

Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok), NEXT GOAL WINS follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001.

With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Oscar Kightley, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Chris Alosio, Taika Waititi, Will Arnett, Rhys Darby

We keep it Mafana with the minds and faces that brought you "Red, White & Brass".

The movie is about when Wellington Tongan superfan Maka (John Paul Foliaki) fails to secure tickets to a hometown Rugby World Cup match between France and Tonga, he reaches for...the nearest trumpet. Maka rallies his mates into a last minute marching brass band to represent Tonga at the big game. All inspired by a real-life story!

On this red carpet we speak to the actors, creators and audience on just how special this movie is!

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Credits:

Director: Shimpal Lelisi 

Camera: Mary Raela

Sound: Sefa Taouma 

On Sunday 27th August right on midnight NZT, Samoan Heavyweight MMA fighter Junior Tafa will kick off the UFC Singapore main card taking on Parker Porter.

Junior is the youngest of three brothers - his older brother Justin is currently fighting in the Heavyweight division in the UFC where he debuted in 2019 & they are both trained by their oldest brother Gerard.  Their grandfather & uncles were also champion boxers. 

#Watch Justin Tafa's story - 

The 26yr old has had an impressive career in Kickboxing starting his fight career in the Glory Kickboxing promorion when he was only 17yrs old

Legendary fighter Mark Hunt then recruited Junior to be a sparring partner with him and had the opportunity to travel with him on many of his training camps around the wold including Vegas.

“Just through being part of Mark’s setup I’ve benefited so much, being able to train with top level guys like Uriah Hall and Travis Browne.…more

New Zealand Rugby League Wellbeing team - Cliff Thompson (Wellbeing manager) + Rugby league legend & current wellbeing officer Ali Lauitiiti, are launching a new podcast on Thursday the 20th of April.

The podcast is about how people in rugby league 'find their front' through challenging times.

'To fall in such a way you can get up with momentum and go again, for you and those around you.'

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air