TheCoconetTV is extremely proud to acknowledge the knighting of Associate Pacific Dean, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours. Dr Tukuitonga is awarded with the Knights Companion Order of Merit (KNZM), a top accolade for his services to Pacific and Public Health.

The honour acknowledges Dr Tukuitonga’s extensive history of service to his Pacific community, both in Aotearoa, further into the Pacific region and on the global stage.

Sir Tukuitonga is one of our most prominent Pacific figures in the health sector in Aotearoa, the region and globally, having held leadership roles in public health and in Pacific development. His voice was crucial in advocating for Pasifika during the Covid crisis in Aotearoa, and he has been consistently vocal in pointing to inequities for Pasifika in the Health system and pushing for policy to impact Pasifika in better ways.

Sir Tukuitonga has held several highly influential offices, including Director General of the Pacific Community (SPC), Commissioner and Co-ordinator for WHO Geneva, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health.…more

Pacific scholar Toeolesulusulu Professor Damon Salesa earlier this year began his role as the vice-chancellor of AUT University.

He is the first Pasifika person in Aotearoa to be at the helm of a university.

In the spirit of Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa, we chat to le afioga Toeolesulusulu about his humble beginnings, his drive and his vision.

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Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

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Director: Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

Camera Operator: Riki Reinfeld

Editor: Damon Fepulea'i

How to Loiter in a Turf War - A novel by Jessica Hansell aka Coco Solid has not only been flying off the shelves but has also made #1 on the Time Out Book Charts.

Māori (Ngāpuhi) and Samoan creative Jessica Hansell, also known as Coco Solid is well known for her work as a writer, musician, visual artist and general media-maker. She has an impressive portfolio of work including creating animated TV series Aroha Bridge, receiving the 2019 Arts Foundation Laureate Award, and completing her Fulbright Creative Residency at The University of Hawai’i where she began writing her first novel - How To Loiter in A Turf War, which was released just this month.

The novel follows the lives of three friends living in Tamaki Makaurau as they navigate gentrification, racial tensions, coming of age, and identity. It has been described as “Fast, ferociously brilliant, crack-up funny and unforgettably true.”

The book comes at a time where young Pasifika readers are hungry for Pacific stories told on pages by writers with shared experiences.…more

by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

There’s a lot of sad juju around South Auckland at the mo, so let’s pick up the energy by shining light on some already bright Southside superstars.

I’m a bit biassed as a resident of the hood for all 21 years of my life.

There truly ain’t no better side than the Southside.

Blazes trailed, praises sung, paths paved. Not despite, but because it’s just how South Auckland rolls.

Here’s just four South Aucklanders carving up excellence in their respective fields:

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, current Blues and former NRL player

Entering only his ninth union game for the Auckland Blues, after some nine years spent at the Sydney Roosters and New Zealand Warriors - you could say RTS is just getting started. He moved to South Auckland from Samoa, attending Ōtāhuhu College. Something about that water in Õtāhuhu breeding champions…

Roger is a Dally M Medalist (2018), Captain of the Year (2020), Winger of the Year (2013) and  Premiership Winner (Roosters, 2013).…more

by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

Sole parent beneficiaries can claim child support without it being intercepted by the state, the Government yesterday announced.

"To look at a 2-bedroom situation in South Auckland, the rent of that would be about 85% of my benefit."

"I am hoping that the increase to a solo parent's income will mean that there is an increase in a better standard of living for the children."

Currently, the Government can retain child support payments from primary caregivers to recoup the cost of welfare. This will no longer be the case by July.

“This initiative means that child support payments for sole-parent beneficiaries will be passed on directly and charged as income for benefit purposes, as they are for most other beneficiaries raising tamariki,” Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni says.

Sepuloni has opened up before about once having claimed a benefit as a single mum.

“It is estimated that 41,550 sole-parent families will be better off, with a median gain of $24 per week,” she says.…more

by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

Amidst the backdrop of Covid, war and a cost of living crisis - the Government today unveiled its $128.4 billion budget.

The Pacific Peoples’ package gets a $196 million piece of the pie, an increase of $88m from last year.…more