Tana & Avina from Tomorrow People with Mariner Fagaiava-Muller | Coco Talanoa
Tomorrow People have ended the year on a high with a 16-track album – including 3 new songs! Journalist Mariner Fagaiava-Muller catches up with two of the groups founding members Avina Kelekolio & Tana Tupa'i.
The album 21 features the 11 #FirstFriday tracks, two Māori bonus tracks, and three new previously unreleased tracks.
“21 represents a celebration for us. After a year of challenges, it is a nice way to wrap everything up,” says band music director, Avina Kelekolio.
“21 not only showcases the hard work we put in during the year, but it also represents maturity within the band and in some ways, a new start, kinda like a 21st birthday,”
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Wellington’s Tomorrow People are one of Aotearoa’s most loved reggae bands. The seven-piece group, made up of Avina Kelekolio, Tana Tupai, Hennie Tui, Fredwyn Kisona, Te Aranga Savage, Snow Chase and Duane Te Whetu, have a string of Gold and Platinum hits to their name including ‘Souljah Feeling’, ‘Feel Alright’ and ‘Take It Away’.…more
Safe Sleep Day focuses on unexplained infant deaths
There is a call for Pacific peoples to rally around parents of newborns today, Safe Sleep Day.
My Baby's Village is an initiative led by the Pacific Infant Care Collective that aims to ensure Pacific parents of newborns have all the support they need to keep their baby safe.
The organisation said there has been a spike in unexplained deaths among infants across Auckland over the past two years.
SUDI, or Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy, describes when a baby dies from an unexplained cause or through accidental and preventable circumstances.
About half of the Auckland region's SUDI deaths each year are Pacific tamariki.
Police National Partnerships Manager for Pacific Peoples Superintendent Fata Willi Fanene said the call "for more support follows stubbornly high rates of Pacific infant SUDI across Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland over the last decade."
She said Pacific people make up almost 15 percent of Tamaki Makarau's population yet Pacific babies make up 40 to 50 percent of SUDI deaths in Auckland each year, with most in deprived areas.…more
MANU SAMOA national anthem & siva tau 2021
The highly-anticipated Barbarians versus Samoa match at Twickenham was cancelled shortly before kick-off after several members of the Barbarians tested positive for COVID-19.
It was a gut wrenching end for the Samoan players in particular who formed a playing squad without coaches and players from the Southern hemisphere due to Covid restrictions. The game was to be the only autumn match and for some their last international match.
Watch the boys perform the national anthem and siva tau & the BBC interviews an emotional Joe Tekori after what would have been his retirement match.
Fiji opens its borders to tourists
Nearly 600 Fijians have died in the Delta outbreak but the nation's fought back hard with vaccines.
Australia's High Commissioner to Fiji, John Feakes, said Australians are travelling to Fiji because of its high vaccination rate.
"I want to pay tribute to the Tourism Fiji but also to the medical frontline responders who have vaccinated Fijians to the point where Australians are very comfortable coming here."
Fiji Airways said 800 visitors from Australia arrived yesterday and about a thousand visitors will land in Fiji today from Sydney, Melbourne and Los Angeles.
Tourism Fiji said it's expecting 40-thousand international visitors to arrive in December.
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Video via 1News
BRIGHTEN UP YOUR FALE WITH ORIGINAL PACIFIC ART FOR XMAS!
By Taualofa Totu’a & Penina Momoiseā
A new generation of Moana artists across the diaspora are redefining innovation, using social media platforms to build communities, market their work and support other budding creatives online. There’s room for everyone and all are original - from 3D collages to energetic illustrations, to calendars and skillful art prints. Join the growing audiences of Pacific artists this Xmas and support their work!
If you’re still stuck on what to gift for your loved ones, order a personalised commissioned piece by talented local Samoan illustrator Kerilyn Clarke, or opt for Fijian artist James Sanday's pacific patterns.
Read on to see where to get the best art for your own fale or for your loved one’s this Xmas season.
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PACIFIC WEAVE, FLAGS, MAPS & CREATURES OF THE PACIFIC!
Who: Pac Art by James Sanday
Pac Art is the work of Fijian-Rotuman artist James Sanday. He moved to New Zealand as a child, bringing the patterns and lines of the Pacific Islands with him.…more
Let's Talanoa with Pacific Youth Advocate & Educational Psychologist Sonia Pope
This week on Let's Talanoa, Dr Lesina interviews well known Pacific Youth Advocate and Educational Psychologist, Sonia Pope.
Together they talk about the things that our young people are facing each day as they navigate through COVID-19, vaccine passes, different opinions and more. Listen up for Sonia's practical tips!
Dune: Working w/the Cast
Jason Momoa gives us a glimpse behind the scenes of Dune getting to work with some of the cast that he has looked up to and admired over the years in the acting world.
Covid-19 Protection Framework aka Traffic Lights
The whole of New Zealand will move to Red in the Covid-19 Protection Framework aka Traffic Lights from 11.59pm, Sunday 23rd January due to the Omicron variant now circulating in Auckland and possibly the Nelson-Marlborough region.
We've put together a quick reference guide below on the different traffic light settings in case you need a reminder of what life at each of the settings are.
* Reminder - The red light setting is not a lockdown. Get boosted before the virus becomes widespread.
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LIFE AT RED
Swipe through for more
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LIFE AT ORANGE
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LIFE AT GREEN
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My Vaccine Pass is a key component in the Traffic Light System.
You are legally required to provide your My Vaccine Pass to enter places that have vaccination requirements in place under the traffic light system.…more
Tongan church leadership turns around anti vaxx & vaccine hesitant members
A church that has been considered anti-vax hosted a vaccination event today to encourage their remaining unvaccinated members to get their first dose, as well as attempt to dismiss the anti-vax perception attached to the church.
Church leaders and members of the Tokaikolo ‘Ia Kalaisi church in Māngere Bridge line the entrance way to the church waving the Tongan flag as cars beep and people wave while driving past. A speaker is set up on the front lawn of a house nearby, blasting music out to the neighbourhood. The Niuean, Fiji and Cook Islands flags are being waved too, “I’m not even Cook Island” laughs the flag bearer as more cars beep, and others drive in to wait in line for their vaccination.
The large majority of church members have already been vaccinated, says Frank Koloi, the marketing and communications manager for The Fono.
“This church has been perceived in mainstream New Zealand as well as the Tongan community as not supportive, or anti-vaxxers.…more
Roman Reigns Would Definitely Fight The Rock | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
WWE superstar Roman Reigns talks about embarrassing his daughter by playing Christmas music too early, confirms he was the kid who was picked first in gym class and reveals if he would fight The Rock or not.
ps in case you were wondering - Roman went on to win his match over BigE at WWE Survivor Series 2021 last Sunday.