* Cover image via Radio New Zealand 

Members of the Samoan community today are mourning the passing of Taito Phillip Field, our first Pacific member of parliament and a stalwart Samoan political through the 90's until 2008. 

Taito represented as an MP for Ōtara and then for Māngere in 1996.  He left the Labour Party in 2007 amidst inter party conflict and returned to Parliament as an independent. 

Taito's long political career was marred by controversy, following charges of bribery and perverting the course of justice over the infamous 'Thai Tiler' affair.…more

via Pasifika Medical Association Group 

"I don’t know where else we could’ve got this help, with the way we were provided with food and accommodation.  I don’t know where else we could have gone." - Citizen Halafihi and his family have been so appreciative of the help and support they've received from both Pasifika Futures and the Fono after he was unable to return home after quarantining in MIQ facilities.

When he came out, members of his family were having to self-isolate due to being at a location of interest.

The use of self-isolation for Delta containment has added additional stress for some Pacific families as their circumstances have sometimes made it difficult to comply with health authority directives.

Pasifika Futures (PFL) - the Whanau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families – are conscious of this and similar challenges so throughout this entire period have provided where appropriate and necessary - emergency accommodation for Pacific individuals and families affected by the Delta outbreak.…more

Samoan/Maori dancer Justyce Petelo takes you through an "easy, cute" dance routine you can learn at home!

'The Royal Family' dancer breaks down all the steps for you right here and then you can dance it through with him at the end.

Upload your videos doing the routine and tag in both @theCoconetTV and @JustycePetelo on Instagram so we can see how you're doing and share with our Coco fam!

All's well that ends well ...

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Friday 17th September 

10.30am NZT -

Samoa Observer reports that ahead of the 18 HRPP elected Members of Parliament swearing-in ceremony this morning, Samoa’s two dominant parties have finally set aside their differences, in what would hopefully bring to an end the four-months running political crisis.

Former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi shook hands with his successor Fiame Naomi Mataafa as her Cabinet Ministers and Members arrived for Friday’s session of the House. 

Read the full article here 

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Parliament Sitting Friday 17 Sept 2021. HRPP's 18 elected members being sworn in (video below - click thru to watch on facebook) 

Thursday 16th September 

4pm NZT - 

#BREAKING The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the Human Rights Protection Party and ordered the Speaker of the House to swear in the party’s members who were elected in April’s national poll.…more

Ikuna taste is more than just a business but a family with a passion to provide treats that are nourishing to our bodies and environment.

Run by Tongan Entrepreneur Pauline Fotu-Moala, Ikuna Taste offers carefully made products that is raw, organic, and natural. Their costumers rave on about their products such as cheesecakes, cookies and brownies. The icing on the cake of these delicious treats is that they’re plant based and keto friendly.

The name of the business comes from the friendly islands of Tonga. In translation “Ikuna” simply means to “Conquer”. The word is often used by Tongan’s to describe a victorious moment of overcoming a significant hurdle life.

“IKUNA is never used lightly however is often expressed with humility and gratitude towards goals and aspirations endured”, says the team at the Auckland based business.

Its proud owner Pauline started her business after finding a gap in the market for raw, organic, healthy and tasty treats in her home of South Auckland.…more