Fiame Naomi Mata’afa speaks to the Samoan community of Aotearoa
“People were finding it was a samoa they didn’t want to live in, so what do u do? migrate to NZ or fix it..”
Fiame Naomi Mata’afa spoke to the Samoan community in Auckland this morning on politics, life, her family legacy and why young Pacific women need to be more vocal and engage in all sorts of platforms.
“If there’s anything the constitutes being a matai, an effective matai and a successful one, is that you have to have a lot of patience- onosa’i- this is the word that underpins everything, the word ‘ono’ to swallow it, to have patience. It’s having the capacity to listen and to have a very clear understanding of all the surrounding issues. It requires a bit of detachment so your emotions aren’t too tied up.
The rebuild of Samoa involves every single person, everyone standing up and doing their bit. There’s a difference in approach, a lot of policy revolves around inferstructure but it doesn’t invite a broader engagement with the general population to lift our economy.…more
A Guide to Samoan Oratory hits Bookshelves
A Modern Guide to an Ancient Art has just been launched and released today!
The book 'Lāuga: Understanding Samoan oratory' is being Launched at the Museum of New Zealand: Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington. The launch includes saunoaga by author Dr Sadat Muaiava, Hon. Aupito William Sio (Minister of Pacific Peoples), Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban (Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika, Victoria University), and Caren Rangi (Chair of Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa). Students of Samoan Studies at Victoria perform songs and Siva Samoa from the Tautua Dance Academy.
Lāuga or Samoan oratory is a premier cultural practice in fa'asamoa (Samoan culture). Its intricacies are what sets apart a simple speech from an ancient art of speech. Dr Le'ausalilo Sadat Muaiava has put together a book to guide the reader through a lāuga and its key stages. It’s an ideal companion for those who may be called upon to speak at significant occasions, those wanting to improve their knowledge and skills, and all those interested in fa'asamoa.…more
Black Adam - Official Trailer
The world needed a hero, it got Black Adam. Coming to theatres around the world in October 2022.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson stars in the action adventure “Black Adam.”
It's the first-ever feature film to explore the story of the DC Super Hero comes to the big screen. Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - TAITU’UGA KITCH WESCHE
TAITU’UGA KITCH WESCHE
CREATIVE ARTIST
SAMOAN
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We lived in Wellington, New Zealand before moving to Australia when I was around 10 years old in 1996 - where we lived in Logan on the south side of Brisbane. We were brought up in the church as are lots of Pacific Islander families! We were part of the Samoan speaking ward of Beenleigh LDS church.
Both my parents spoke Samoan at home and instilled in us siblings different cultural protocols as in our fa’a Samoa and also fofō. As most Polynesian families, our parents were strict, trying to keep us grounded in our culture amongst the modern Western world. We were so lucky to be immersed in our culture at home, church and our Samoan community that resided on the south side of Brisbane.
How did you get your start in the creative space?
My passion was ignited from a young age. Family get-togethers, my uncles playing the guitar and singing.…more
LISI on Sports Talk: Favourite sport, State of Origin & Rugby League Samoa
Coco Sports Talk catches up with Samoan rapper Lisi who was in NZ doing some promo for his upcoming NZ tour next week.
DID YOU KNOW?! He's a bit of a sports head - he loves his footy & explains why he lives in Queensland but goes for NSW when it comes to State of Origin and where his loyalties lie when it comes down to international matches.
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Watch the full episode of Coco Sports Talk below -
Public Interest Journalism made with the help of NZ on Air
Sir Colin Tukuitonga: respected Pacific health expert receives knighthood
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
Toeolesulusulu Damon Salesa: New Zealand's first Pasifika vice-chancellor
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
Coco Sports Talk with rapper Lisi the footy fan, Silver Fern Mila Reuelu-Buchanan & guest co-host Leilani Momoiseā
Coco Sports Talk with Penina and Ashley - covering all things sports from a Pasifika female lens!
#CocoSportsTalk looks at the many stories of Pasifika people involved in sports of all kinds, and the trials and tribulations of the talented athletes from all sectors of our community.
This episode we catch up with Samoan rapper Lisi who was in NZ doing some promo for his upcoming tour in a couple of weeks because ... DID YOU KNOW?! He's a bit of a sports head, loves his footy & explains why he lives in Queensland but goes for NSW when it comes to State of Origin.
Robinhood Stars Centre/Wing Attack Mila Reuelu-Buchanan talks what it was like for her making the Silver Ferns, learning about her culture through sports plus shares some of what she does outside of netball including her hobbies.…more
Samoan Writer's Hit Book Makes It To #1
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
Polynesian Football Current Players Roundtable - NFL Network
Polynesians make up less than 1 half of 1% of the US population but there are more than 70 players of Polynesian heritage in the NFL and over 400 Polynesians playing college football.
The NFL celebrates AAPI Heritage month with this spotlight on Polynesians in the NFL.
"[Being in the NFL] allows me to give back everything that I didn't have growing up." - Penei Sewell