Tongan film hits the right notes - Red, White & Brass Film Review
Red White and Brass follows the mostly true events that happened around the 2011 rugby world cup.
Let’s set the stage ... Tonga plays France in Wellington, a small group of friends fund raise to buy tickets but their dreams of watching their team are dashed when the game is sold out before they can purchase said tickets. Their last hope to see the game is to perform as a marching band during the opening ceremony ... something they have zero talent or knowledge for.
Queue the sun, or in this case, queue the “tingggggg” of a triangle as the idea forms to learn everything from scratch. An almost impossible task for the rag tag ensemble of friends and family led by newcomer to the big screen John Paul Foliaki.
But as we all know, Tongan fans can be the most nationalistic. If there is a chance to raise a flag, they will buy the whole shop and flag making company.…more
Coco Talanoa with American Idol contestant Jezzerrelli Afe-Togia
Meet Samoan American Idol contestant Jezzerrelli Afe-Togia who made it through to Hollywood Week.
Unfortunately her audition wasn't screened in the auditions that aired on TV or on the American Idol Youtube channel but she was part of the first night of Hollywood Week auditions shown on Sunday night.
** Spoiler Alert ** She didn't make it past Hollywood Week but we had the opportunity to chat with Jezzie about her experience and she also shares her original audition tape which she had to send to Beyonce's team for clearance which ultimately earned her a spot at the auditions.
We hope to see her back next year and you can follow Jezzie on instagram here
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air
LaVar Ball in Auckland, New Zealand
The Big Baller Brand CEO and entrepreneur LaVar Ball (you may also recognise him as NBA/NBL stars Lonzo, LaMelo & LiAngelo's father) is in Samoa at the moment to run basketball clinics, check out the talent there and experience the 685.
We caught up with him for a Tiny Mic interview while he was here in Auckland, plus talked to Vince Harder who was facilitating the NZ leg of the tour as well as a couple of the 92Wrld boys who are helping out.
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You can catch Lavar in Samoa Wednesday 5th April at Tuanaimato Gym from 1-5pm for Basketball clinics and tomorrow Thursday 6th April for the 3x3 comps & showcase.
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air
Iam Tongi Interview after his emotional American Idol audition
He's the singer that brought the world to tears with his emotional American Idol audition.
Iam Tongi is an incredibly talented young 18yr old, Tongan singer who wowed the American Idol judges but had them reaching for tissues when he dedicated his audition to his late father.
Brianna Fruean chats with Iam about his American Idol experience, his late father, his love of singing and much more here -
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Watch Iam's full audition in the video below -
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air
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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