‘I literally don’t have enough money’: Pasifika react to Budget 2022
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
Budget 2022: What’s in it for Pasifika?
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
Not Another Talanoa! podcast | Episode 2
We made it past the first episode! And we're talking about so-called 'eco warriors' slashing peoples' tyres in protest of climate change. Activism or just le mafs? Then we talk about skyrocketing teacher resignations, people leaving New Zealand with borders due to open soon, and Dancing With The Stars.
Hosted by: Mariner Fagaiava-Muller
Produced by: Brianna Fruean
Guest co-hosted by: Christopher Tenisio
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Shot by: Brianna Fruean
Sound: Carisse Uta'i
Edited by: Mariner Fagaiava-Muller
Special thanks to: Lizie Koroivulaono
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Bringing you a spin-off from the hit Fresh segment, the Not Another Talanoa! podcast is a deep dive into the hot human discourse from a young Pacific lens. Join Mariner, Producer Brianna and their special guest co-host as they riff off news and current affairs and controversial topics with perspectives you’ll be able to relate to. Line your stomachs y’all, this trio deliver their opinions straight - no chaser.
Tonga volcanic eruption was the biggest explosion ever, scientists find
by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller
It was 15 January when Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai erupted, but only now has it been found as the biggest explosion ever recorded by modern instrumentation.
According to academic journal Science, the Tonga eruption produced a larger amplitude than nuclear bombs conducted after World War II.
Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai generated what are known as lamb waves.
These lamb waves circled the earth at least four times, which has never been done before. At their tallest, they exceeded beyond Earth’s surface.
A disaster of similar scale is the 1883 Krakatoa eruption, in which 70% of the Indonesian island was destroyed - killing 30,000 people.
"Tonga was a truly global event, just as Krakatau was, but we've now got all these geophysical observation systems and they recorded something that was really unprecedented in the modern data," The University of California’s Dr Robin Matoza told BBC News.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Those as far north as Alaska reported hearing repeated booms.
- Tonga’s volcano blast was so colossal it was picked by nuclear activity monitors.…more
Heavyweight boxers Junior Fa & Hemi Ahio confirmed on the Kambosos vs Haney fight card
Boxing Heavyweights Junior Fa and Hemi Ahio are confirmed to fight on the Kambosos vs Haney card on the 5th June at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
Junior will take on Lucas Browne (former WBA champ from Australia) and will fight for the WBA Oceania Heavyweight title.
Hemi is the current WBC Middle East Heavyweight champ after winning the title in Dubai last October and will take on Joe Jones from the USA.
We catch up with the boys for a chat at City Kickboxing Gym in Auckland.
Catch up on more of our Pacific Islanders in sports here - https://www.thecoconet.tv/coco-talanoa/sports/
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air
Activist Brianna Fruean awarded prestigious ‘Global Citizen Prize'
by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller
The Samoan/Tokelauan 23-year-old is the first Pacific person to be presented with the award, which has previously honoured the likes of Elton John and Warren Buffett.
The Global Citizen Prize recognises unsung activists in communities across the world, whose efforts towards social change are proven and diligent.
Fruean is among eight changemakers from each continent.
She has contributed several years in the organisation and leadership of climate change activism within the Pacific. At 16, she became the youngest winner of the Commonwealth Youth Award for her contributions to environmentalism.
She currently sits on the Pacific Climate Warriors’ council of elders and its youth representative.
Fruean, also a digital producer for TheCoconetTV and FreshTV, was nominated by executive producer Lisa Taouma.
“I didn’t even know about it,” Fruean says.
“I just got told one day to keep my phone off silent, and there might be a call coming my way. I didn’t expect it at all.”
“The first time I heard about it was in a [work] meeting and [Lisa] announced it.…more
Appreciating Samoan culture
By Angelica S. Eke, California
There is a realization today that many of our Samoan people scattered across the globe are not fully aware of the ins and outs of Samoan culture. We can blame it on miseducation or even the lack of information; however, one thing holds true and that is that we come from a very rich cultural background.
Many of us do not come to appreciate our culture until we are adults, and this is even more true when one is raised away from our beautiful home, Samoa. This is the story of many who live in other parts of the world and as they reach adulthood, find the missing piece of themselves within our culture; a culture that unites the past, present, and future.
I never appreciated my culture until I became an adult. I remember feeling that being Samoan was a headache because of the many traditions and expectations that we were held accountable for seemed to be more than I could handle.…more
LIZ PATU SET TO MAKE WALLAROOS HISTORY
When Liz Patu runs out on the rugby field this afternoon against Japan on the Gold Coast, she will make history as Australia's most capped female rugby player.
This will be her 25th test cap and when she plays today she will move ahead of retired Wallaroos Selena Tranter, Tui Ormsby and Rebecca Clough.
The 32 year old Samoan was born in Auckland and then raised in Samoa before moving to Australia to live when she was 14yrs old. She plays club rugby for the Queensland Reds and made her debut for the Wallaroos in 2014 for the Womens Rugby World Cup.…more
Not Another Talanoa! podcast | Episode 1
In the very first episode of our brand new podcast, we ask how Pasifika high school students in Utah are not allowed to wear Island graduation attire because it makes others uNcOmFoRtAbLe. Later, Samoa's border is reopening and our broke behinds review Met Gala looks.
Hosted by: Mariner Fagaiava-Muller
Produced by: Brianna Fruean
Guest co-hosted by: Latayvia Tualasea-Tautai
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Shot and edited by: Adrian McBirney
Sound: Sefa Taouma
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Bringing you a spin-off from the hit Fresh segment, the Not Another Talanoa! podcast is a deep dive into the hot human discourse from a young Pacific lens. Join Mariner, Producer Brianna and their special guest co-host as they riff off news and current affairs and controversial topics with perspectives you’ll be able to relate to. Line your stomachs y’all, this trio deliver their opinions straight - no chaser.
Mother's Day: The Moresio Family
Rotuman mother, Marseu Moresio, shares with us the importance of upholding her language and culture in the home. Her husband and boys also share a special message for this Mother's day - check out the video.
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Video Credit: Pasifika Medical Association Group