Pacific Students Reach The World's Highest Court
The world's top court will for the first time advise on countries' legal obligations to fight climate change, thanks to an idea that started in a classroom at the University of the South Pacific.
The idea to use Internation Law to catalyze more action began as a class exercise by environmental law students at the University of the South Pacific. Students who turned an assignment into a global campaign with the goal to refer the world’s biggest problem to the world’s highest court (International Court of Justice, The Hague) by seeking an Advisory Opinion from the court on the issue of climate change and human rights.
This Pasifika youth-built campaign was then taken up by Vanuatu who led the appeal from a governmental level. What began in a classroom in the Pacific islands reached the offices of more than 105 nations that have formed a coalition of support behind Vanuatu.
On Wednesday 29th of March after four years of campaigning the United Nations approved the resolution put forward by Vanuatu from a seed planted by students.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - NYRENE CROWLEY
NYRENE CROWLEY
PROFESSIONAL MIXED MARTIAL ARTIST
SAMOAN / KIWI
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Well Talofa Lava Coconet! Thank you for including me in this beautiful collection of Pacific women! So, I grew up in East Auckland in Pakuranga - where I was raised alongside my little brother and older sister by both of my parents.
My Dad is a Kiwi, and my Mum was born and raised in the village of Lepea, Apia, Samoa and immigrated to New Zealand in her early 20s. We had a very active and sporting upbringing and were all regional and national reps across different sports growing up. I am now a Professional Mixed Martial Artist and have been training and competing for almost 10 years now, representing my heritage around the world.
You're a pro fighter - when did you know you wanted to go pro and how did you get into MMA/fighting?
I had been training and fighting originally with Muay Thai Kickboxing here in Auckland. Once I started training, I just LOVED it.…more
For Pasifika, by Pasifika: New books to look out for
A number of new Pasifika books have hit the shelves. From poetry, to non-fiction cultural books - here are the new titles to look out for and where to find it.
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Pasifika Navigators – Pasifika Students Poetry Collection
This book is the first of its kind - capturing the voices of 52 Pasifika students across Aotearoa through poetry.
The student authors ranging from years 7 to 13 have written around themes of language, culture and identity.
One of its authors Bekah Sa’u hopes Pasifika readers feel empowered, heard and encouraged to stand firm in their ancestral and cultural roots.
“To those who are not of Pasifika descent, I hope they learn from these stories, from a place of understanding and education,” she said.
The book is produced by Mila’s Books author and publisher Dahlia Malaeulu.
She said Pasifika Navigators is a result of an overwhelming demand for more Pasifika stories, written by Pasifika, for Pasifika.…more
Coco Talanoa: Luciane Buchanan - The Night Agent
Tongan actress Luciane Buchanan stars in Netflix thriller 'The Night Agent' which is currently #1 in both the USA and here in New Zealand.
Coco correspondent Kristian Fanene-Schmidt catches up with Luciane at a press junket in Los Angeles and they chat about what she loves about her character, being in Jason Momoa's 'Chief of War', Pacific films that inspire her and more
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Credits:
Interviewer - Kristian Fanene-Schmidt
Editor - Sefa Taouma
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Thank you Netflix and Luciane
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - 'ILAISAANE LATU VAIPULU GREEN
'ILAISAANE LATU VAIPULU GREEN
ACTRESS
TONGAN
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Malo e lelei my name is 'Ilaisaane Latu Vaipulu Green. Yes, I had to put my full name and maiden name because I can already hear my mum saying "before you were a Green you were a Vaipulu" Hoi sai ke tau ilo/good to know. I was born and raised in Otara South Auckland. My Pacific heritage is from The Kingdom of Tonga.
My parents are both from Ha'apai, Dad is from Lofanga and Mum is from Tungua. I still reside in the same house in Otara. I do acting as a full time job, but since covid happened I'm looking at other avenues for some side hustle.
What inspired you to get into acting?
Growing up I loved performing! Before acting I was a dancer and I was sooo passionate about it. My favourite styles were Hip Hop and Pasifika Dancing. I did it from primary all the way to high school. Throughout high school in each year I did both Polyfest and Bring It On.…more
Red, White & Brass - Auckland Premiere
“Red, White & Brass” movie premiere ‘i Okalani Nu’u Sila on Wednesday 22nd March.
We caught up with a few stars of the film at the premiere which was released to the public today in New Zealand (Thursday 23rd March) and then caught some instant reactions after the premiere.
Support local, Support our Pasifika film makers & let us know what you loved about the movie.
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Maoriland Film Festival 2023 X Pasifika Film Makers
Last week and over the weekend, Maoriland Film Festival in the small seaside town of Ōtaki celebrated its 10 year anniversary - an annual event which is now the largest of its kind in the world.
Over 140 films were screened over five days made by film-makers from 150 indigenous nations. Amongst these nations were a number of Pasifika film makers from as far away as Hawai'i as well as NZ based Pacific islanders who were showing their films and connecting with other indigenous creatives.
'A Boy Called Piano, the powerful story of state abuse and the Luafutu family won the hearts of the festival, winning the 'Rimu' People's Choice for Best Feature Documentary' Award.
Tane Luafutu who is of Samoan/Maori heritage was there screening the critically acclaimed documentary in which he plays his grandfather - Fa'amoana John Luafutu - in his younger years.…more
Redefining and expanding Pasifika entertainment in Hollywood
By Mabel Muller
Photo above L-R Dinah Jane Hansen, Joshua Leomiti, Peter Filimaua, Kristian Fanene Schmidt & Dana LeDoux Miller at the Netflix API Excellence Celebration
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A group of Pacific film and entertainment professionals have banded together to redefine and expand Pasifika entertainment on the Hollywood front.
Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti (P.E.A.K), set up in September 2022, is offering cultural consulting and referrals as well as development opportunities within film, television and gaming.
P.E.A.K executive director and co-founder Kristian Fanene Schmidt said the use of Pasifika stories, talent or culture in entertainment, needed to be more authentic.…more
“I Owe It to Myself to Get Well” - Al Sagapolutele
Al Sagapolutele was always the “big guy.” As a result of poor eating and drinking habits, he weighed as much as 485 lb. after college.
A few years ago, Sagapolutele suffered a heart attack, and treatment left him with three stents. He also had sciatic nerve pain, a herniated disk and spinal stenosis in two parts of his lower lumbar region. After multiple doctors told him he needed to lose weight, a desperate Sagapolutele saw a gastric-bypass surgeon. When a good friend questioned whether Sagapolutele had done everything possible to lose the weight naturally, Sagapolutele admitted he hadn’t.
A year and a half ago, Sagapolutele started one-on-one sessions with Dorian Shockey, owner of CrossFit Resurgens in Atlanta, Georgia. Though Sagapolutele had tried other gyms in the past, this was like talking to a friend, he said. He eventually progressed to the affiliate’s beginners course, then regular classes.
More than anything, Sagapolutele was struck by the sense of community and supportive atmosphere at CrossFit Resurgens.…more
Polyfest 2023 - Full Results
Cover image Thomas Wandstraat
Polyfest 2023 was back live and in full effect at the Manukau Sports Bowl again after 4 years of disruption and absence.
We're bringing you as many of the full Polyfest performances from the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa & Tonga stages as we can right here - check in over the next week or two to see if we caught your school in action.…more