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 

'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” 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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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

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

By Leki Jackson-Bourke, edited by Tupe Lualua 

On Friday the 10th of March 2023, the ASB Polyfest Samoan section was in full swing. Schools came well prepared with intricate choreography, dynamic formations and soulful harmonies bringing the Manukau velodrome to life.

It was beautiful to see students working collaboratively with tutors, teachers and parents and to see entire communities rallying behind their schools. If you grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau, you would know that school pride is high and in term one, the Auckland school calendar is all about Polyfest! 

THE RESULTS:  

For the co-ed section, Manurewa High School came away with a clean sweep taking out first place overall. Not too far behind them in second place was Avondale College and third place saw the return of past champions Ōtāhuhu College. Other schools also made their way up onto the podium this year: Papatoetoe High School, Māngere College, Hillary College and Tamaki College.

But one school in particular has become the talk of TikTok leaving everyone confused and asking questions.…more

Inside the fight w Paulo "Sweet P" Aoksuo Olympian and reigning Australasian light heavyweight champion is ready to take on the world 🌍

Check out his journey to becoming a professional fighter in the video above as he prepares to take on Robert Berridge and defend his Australasian title.

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On Saturday the 11th of March, Paulo captured the IBO Inter-continental Light Heavyweight title in style after beating Cuban boxer Yunieski Gonzalez.

Aokuso grew up in Mt Druitt, Sydney was accompanied by hip hop artists OneFour in his walkout.

He remains undefeated as a pro boxer at 4-0 and is aiming to beat Aussie boxing legend Jeff Fenech's record as the quickest Australian to win a world title.  Watch this space ... 

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Go behind the scenes with him here in the lead-up to his fight against Yunieski in the videos below - 

Before winter sports get back into full swing, we go out to visit the inaugural schools Pasifika cricket teams at the Rangatahi T20 cricket festival held ealier in the year.

"I think it's important for this event to grow just to give other little communities the chance to see that there is a career pathway for our Polynesian community in cricket" - Pasifika Girls Head Coach, Carol Fili 

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

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Cam Op & Interviewer - Penina Momoiseā

Editor - Sefa Taouma