By Thomas Airey 

The 2023 Super Rugby Pacific competition kicks off tonight in Christchurch, while the two Pacific Islands teams Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua go head to head tomorrow night at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.

Thomas Airey previews Moana Pasifika’s very own Fijian flyer Timoci Tavatavanawai who will take on his country men in the Pasifika clash.

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Moana Pasifika’s very own Fijian flyer Timoci Tavatavanawai can’t wait to take on his countrymen the Fijian Drua at Mt Smart Stadium for the first time.

The 25-year-old from the villages of Naikawaga, Namara and Tailevu is more than excited for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific round one matchup.

“It’s really special,” said Tavatavanawai, who was named to start on the right wing for Moana.

“I’ve got mates over there that I know, it’s going to be really fun.”

Among Tavatavanawai’s former Fiji Under-20 teammates in the Fijian Drua lineup is Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, who has drawn the unenviable task of marking him on the left wing.…more

Now that the NFL season is over, football fans are already counting down to next year, but many in the entertainment industry are still buzzing over Rihanna’s halftime show spectacular.

Of the near 300 dancers involved in the Super Bowl performance, three were born and raised in Hawaii - Summer Waikiki, Dezmond Soliven & Sienna Lalau (Samoan heritage) 

They share with Hawai'i News Now their experience in the video above.

Click here for the full article 

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Sienna Lalau shared that this segment of choreography for the show was her favourite - 

"Is it a fair game? Good question."

Pacific Islands rugby players are celebrated around the globe for their passion, flair and the physical commitment they bring to the game. The Rugby World Cup in 2019 saw eleven out of the twenty teams fielding players of Pacific heritage - who made up more than 20% of the numbers taking the field at the competition.

Rugby brings joy, money and a sense of identity to many in the Pacific Islands. But how badly are they treated by the powerful forces that run the game?

It's a story about rugby and some of the best players the game has ever seen.

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The full season is out now on Apple podcasts, iHeart, Pacific Media Network and here at RNZ 

OR click into the link below & listen to the whole show on Spotify.

Produced, written and hosted by James Nokise, John Daniell & Talei Anderson 

NICK WILLIAMS 

CO-OWNER & GENERAL MANAGER MATAI WATCHES 

COOK ISLANDS / NIUEAN 

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My name is Nick Williams and I own half of the Pacific Watch company - Matai Watches. 

My business partner Andrew is from Samoa, while I'm born and bred in West Auckland. My mother is of Niuean descent and my father is from the Cook Islands.

My responsibility is the day to day operations of Matai Watches, our company that we launched in July 2022 after five years of development. 

What were the pathways that led you to getting into designing/making watches?

It came from many years of failed ideas as entrepreneurs. I have personally tried my hand at loads of different side hustles and legitimate businesses, but looking back they were all learning phases. Nothing has come close to the responsibility and brand awareness quite like this one. This is the first business where I feel we are at peace - spiritually, mentally and financially. 

The idea was to have a product we could call our own, and as the story goes ...…more

Samoan choreographer Parris Goebel discusses choreographing Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show on Good Morning America.

Plus in case you missed it, an ad she choreographed also appeared during the Super Bowl coverage.  She discusses that here and if you haven't seen it you can check it out in the video below - 

On the 14th of February 2023, the NZ government declared a national State of Emergency in New Zealand to assist in the response to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Tairawhiti, Napier and parts of Hawkes Bay have been among the worst affected towns with Transpower saying it has declared a grid emergency given the loss of power in both regions.

"People should be prepared to be without power for days to weeks, rather than hours" 

Visuals of the widespread devastation have been heartbreaking with 4 deaths confirmed and up to at least 9,000 people displaced in Hawkes Bay alone (10,500 country wide) with those numbers expected to rise as rescues are ongoing.  

RNZ has reported a dozen helicopters from the Defence Force, rescue services and private operators plucked up to 400 people to safety.…more

It's the final piece of the Fast & Furious franchise and along the way one of our Poly super stars came & went getting his own spinoff (The Rock with Hobbs & Shaw) and now another Poly super star joins the family for one last ride.

Find out who in the video above 

'ANAU MESUI-HENRY 

CO-OWNER OF THE FOUR SHELLS KAVA LOUNGE & MERCHANT OF THE MOANA 

TONGAN 

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Si’oto’ofa kainga oe moana. Ko hoku hinoga ko ‘Anau Mesui-Henry mei Tonga, my name is ‘Anau Mesui-Henry from Tonga.

I am a proud Tongan born and Mangere raised fefine. I am the co-owner of the Four Shells Kava Lounge located at Victoria Park Markets in Tamaki Makaurau and work as a full time Merchant of the Moana aka Pacific entrepreneur.

What was the inspiration behind starting Four Shells and the pathways that led to you starting your own business?

My inspiration has always been my parents. I grew up experiencing the hustle of the migration to Aotearoa and the navigating of foreign social systems. I watched my parents work hard, make money from nothing and set themselves up as best as they can with the little they had in their hands. They were super resourceful.