Manu Samoa 7s enter the NZ leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series as the top seed for the first time ever
By Thomas Airey
Never have the Manu Samoa 7s entered a New Zealand leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series as the top seed until this weekend, the 21st and possibly last ever tournament in Hamilton.
Not even the all-conquering 2010 world champions earned that honour – Stephen Betham’s side stumbled at the quarterfinal stage in South Africa before the Wellington event.
That is the unprecedented level at which current coach Muliagatele Brian Lima has his young team performing.
Not only did they win their first tournament title since May 2016 last month in Cape Town, Samoa haven’t missed the quarterfinals of a World Series leg since he took over.
During the four year reign of legendary coach Sir Gordon Tietjens, the Manu made the top eight 11 times in 34 attempts.
Muliagatele was appointed after Tietjens’ contract expired in August 2020.
He gave Samoa’s local veteran players the chance to prove themselves and make his squad, but right from the start looked to rebuild for future success.…more
The Unseen Part of a Malu Journey
I was 14 when I first dreamed of one day receiving a Malu but I never imagined the difficult journey that I would embark on.
As a teenager I told my parents and they said one day I’d be ready. 10 years later that day finally came, and I was joined by my older sister who would be my soa.
When the day came, I felt ready. Mentally I felt prepared and logistically I ticked everything off of my list. I had the ies, lega, fagu’u, falas, antiseptic cream, protex, ilis and everything I could ever imagine needing.
My sister went first and I waited for her to finish. Her Malu was beautiful and I got a preview of what was instore for me. When it was my turn I was surrounded by all my friends and family, so I felt all their love strengthen me. When I finished being ka’d (tattoed) I got up looked at my legs and it was like a dream come true. I felt relief, comfort and joy rush over me all at once.…more
New Year Honours 2023 - Pasifika recipients
An esteemed list of Pasifika people from all sectors of Aotearoa have been honoured in this years New Years Honour awards roll out.
Community services, health, arts and media in particular saw lots of Pasifika representation this year.
Dr Apisalome Sikaidoka Talemaitoga who was recognised to be an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to health and the Pacific community says "I am proudest of the way we as a community of Pacific peoples showed that we respond to the health messages when it is delivered in a clinically and culturally competent way that respects our unique differences, uses our established infrastructures like chuches and kava clubs and uses our clinicians who are language competent also" of his achievement.…more
Toa Samoa & Manu Samoa 7s Parade through Apia, Samoa
The Toa Samoa, Manu Samoa 7s boys & the Commonwealth Games medallist’s were officially welcomed home and celebrated in Apia, Samoa on the 29th December 22 with a parade down the main street of Apia ending at the government building. People of all ages from all corners of the island covered the front of the Government Building and roads in the town center to show their love. Chants starting in the largest crowds shouting “685 to the world”.
Pacific News Headlines: 23rd December 2022
Watch a wrap-up of your week in news from across the Islands, in under a minute.
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Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
FINA President visits Pacific Islands with Olympic swimming stars Ian Thorpe & Cate Campbell
Recently FINA President Captain Husain Al-Musallam from Kuwait along with FINA executives and Olympic multi-medalist swimmers Ian Thorpe and Cate Campbell from Australia visited Palau, Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands (Rarotonga & Aitutaki) for the first time.
The purpose of the visit was to raise the profile of swimming and look at ways they can help develop swimming as a sport throughout the Pacific region. Included in this are plans to launch the Swim For All Programme plus help with building facilities in the island nations for training in the sport. On their visit it was announced Tonga will be getting a new pool next year and the Cook Islands are currently in the development stages for theirs.…more
Beyond Honey: The Future of Beekeeping in Samoa
WATCH 📽️ the inspiring story of R&J Honey Producer and Beekeeping Trainer, I'umalo Clayton Simamao who is going the extra mile to help create a thriving honey bee industry in Samoa.
Having trained under the most experienced Beekeepers in Samoa, the humble 31 year old continues to grow his beekeeping operation while sharing his knowledge and time with aspiring and current beekeepers.
I'umalo Clayton will be accessing grant assistance through the World Bank Pacific funded SAFPROM Matching Grant Program for a beeswax extractor and large honey extractor to help boost the production and productivity of his agri-business.
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Credits:
Film maker: Denisa Maňásková Photography
Writer/Producer: Liz Ah-Hi, Fine Mat Creative for the World Bank Pacific funded Samoa Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity and Marketing (SAFPROM) Project
Toa Samoa Welcome Home Parade - Brisbane
Almost 3 weeks after Toa Samoa played their Grand Final game against Australia at the Rugby League World Cup in Manchester, UK, the last of the welcome home parades in Australia took place in Brisbane on the 10th of December.
The week before, Sydney based players had also attended a similar welcome home parade in Mt Druitt which featured NZ based singers Tree Vaifale and husband Swiss.…more
The results are in - Fiji to get a coalition government
Frank Bainimarama, left, and Sitiveni Rabuka Photo: AFP / RNZ / Koroi Hawkins
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The final results of the 2022 Fiji election are in.
The make-up of the new 55 seat parliament - according to the Fiji Elections Office results app - will be Fiji First with 26 seats, the People's Alliance Party with 21 seats, the National Federation Party with five seats and the Social Democratic Liberal Party with three seats.
In order to be able to form government 28 seats are needed.
This means that for the first time since the return of democracy to Fiji in 2014, Frank Bainimarama's dominant Fiji First Party has failed to secure the majority of seats to rule in parliament.
Bainimarama will now need to woo at least one of the three opposition party leaders to join him if he is to remain in power.…more
Hang Out with Juju on Gameday - Juju Smith Schuster
Samoan NFL player Juju Smith-Schuster takes us behind the scenes with him as he gets ready on a typical game day with his new team the Kansas City Chiefs.
He recently gave the gift of Christmas to more than 50 families at a special event on Monday. Smith-Schuster and his foundation paid off almost $10,000 in layaways at a Kansas City-area Burlington store.
Read more on the story here