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
Coco Sports Talk - Pasifika Women in Sports: Motherhood & Professional sports careers
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 celebrates Mothers Day where we speak to three Super Mamas who have returned to professional sports after having children.
Lanulangi Veainu plays both professional rugby and rugby league, Baby 'Pitbull' Nansen is a professional fighter in boxing, kickboxing and MMA + former Silver Fern and professional netballer for the Severn Stars in the Vitality Netball Super League - Cathrine Tuivaiti.
They share with us the struggles and joys of being Mamas while staying on the top of their sporting careers.…more
Why are Pasifika dying from Covid more than everyone else?
by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller
Pasifika account for nearly half (43.4%) of Covid deaths per 100,000 people since the Omicron outbreak began, TheCoconet can reveal.
87 Pacific peoples with Covid-19 have died since 19 January, according to Ministry of Health data obtained by TheCoconet.
No other ethnic group in New Zealand is dying relative to their overall population more than Pasifika. The entire Pacific population is shortly above 350,000.
Māori stand at 23% of deaths per 100,000 people. The rate for Asians is 6.8%, while European and other ethnicities account for 26.7%.
Elderly Pacific peoples are at much higher risk of death. 73 people aged over 60 have died since the beginning of Omicron, compared to 14 aged 0 to 59.
University of Auckland associate professor of public health, Dr Collin Tukuitonga, says the deaths were expected and preventable - given socioeconomic factors were well looked after.
“Clearly in terms of poor access to health services, poor quality housing, difficult access to healthcare - there is a responsibility on the health system and people within it to have done better,” he says.…more
Lemauga Lydia Sosene delivers Parliamentary maiden statement
History was made again with a new Pasifika Member of Parliament joining the largest ever Pacific caucus in Aotearoa's parliamentary history. It will now have a total of 11 Members of Samoan, Tongan, Cook Island and Tokelauan descent.
Lemauga Lydia Sosene was sworn in at Parliament on Tuesday afternoon. She joined the Labour Party in 2000 and was the highest-ranked Labour list candidate who was not elected at the 2020 election. She replaces Louisa Wall who resigned recently.
Born and raised in South Auckland, Sosene hails from Māngere and has been a strong advocate for Pacific communities during her 12 year background in local body affairs. She was elected to the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu local board in the 2010 local elections and spent the last 9 years as the Chair.
“My parents dream was that I served my community, to know where I come from and to know where I am going. They both had service backgrounds and they didn’t have much, so to become a Member of Parliament to serve Aotearoa is very humbling,” Lemauga Lydia Sosene said.…more
Women Inspiring Women
By The Pacific Business Hub
Ladies, Make Time! was the call to action for an event that was held in Manukau City over the weekend. An event that was inspired by women and organised by women for women business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
The event was organized by Laura Keil-Hall, owner & founder of The Pacific Business Hub, Nora Swann of Nora Swann Ltd, Dressed in Confidence & Pacific Fusion Fashion Show and Peninatautele Schmidt of Karas Fashion.
Laura says, “The event was simply about creating a space where women can come and just take a load off.”
“Over the years, I’ve heard our Pacific women mentioning and wishing for something or somewhere they could go to and just be themselves, to be around other like-minded women, where they can share their frustrations & tribulations. Some wanted to have a day of pampering and just focus on themselves. So, this event was trying to accomplish all those things, and we wanted to have an event where we get to celebrate women and our contribution to society as well.…more