Coco Sports Talk - Hemi "The Heat" Ahio, the first WBC Middle East Heavyweight Champion
Congratulations to Heavyweight Boxer Hemi "The Heat" Ahio who won his fight against Mohammed Ali Bayat for the WBC Middle East Championship Heavyweight title.
Hemi who fights out of City Kickboxing in Auckland, New Zealand remains undefeated with 18 wins (13 by KO)
We caught up with the Tongan boxer from South Auckland in Dubai prior to fight night where he talks to us about how he got into boxing, what his training camp was like leading up to this fight, what motivates him and more.
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Peep the highlights from the 1st round of his fight here
Check out the 2nd round of Hemi's fight below
and receiving his belt here
Mark Hunt: The Fight of His Life - Official Trailer
He survived a brutal childhood and fighting in the streets to become a K1 World Champion, andUFC title contender. Now he’s risking it all to fight for justice in the sport he loves. Not just a sports story... this is a tale of human triumph.
“Hopefully my story can help people in some way, as I’ve been through a lot... and it’s never over till you give up. I’m excited to share my story with the world, it’s been one hell of a crazy journey” - Mark Hunt
“Mark Hunt’s story, his background ... is really, really impressive and it adds a whole other perspective when he steps into the Octagon... it’s pretty hard core.” - Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
“Mark Hunt is a special human being let alone fighter.…more
Samoan dancer Corbyn Taulealea-Huch shares her experience at Savage X Fenty 2021 | Coco Talanoa
Althea Strydom catches up with dancer and friend Corbyn Taulealea-Huch off the back of her recent job dancing in the Rihanna, Savage X Fenty show in LA.
Get to know Corbyn a little better and her journey as a dancer with the inside scoop on the behind the scenes of this year's Savage X Fenty show, volume 3.
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Coco Talanoa - A podcast-inspired space for Pacific Islanders to unpack current events and have open discussions about their worlds.
Life in prison given to man for killing human rights activist in Tonga
via RNZ Pacific
A death penalty was seriously considered by Tonga's Lord Chief Justice, before he gave a life sentence on Monday, to the man who admitted the murder of prominent human rights activist Polikalepo "Poli" Kefu in April this year.
Lord Chief Justice Whitten QC, convicted 'Inoke Silongo F. Tonga, a meth addict, of the murder at a beach in Tatakamotonga.
The 27 year-old, who was living at Halaleva and was originally from Vava'u, had pleaded guilty to the murder charge on September 2.
He appeared for sentencing in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on October 11.
The injuries inflicted on the victim were among the worst encountered by the court according to Matangi Tonga online.
The murderer had taken alcohol and a heavy dose of meth on the night of the murder.
"Regrettably, the scourge of methamphetamines has been and continues to be felt in Tonga... directly or indirectly, methamphetamines have robbed one innocent of his life and now threaten to end another," the Chief Justice concluded.…more
Aigagalefili on the Inequality of Lockdown | Coco Talanoa
Introducing ... Coco Talanoa!
A podcast-inspired space for Pacific Islanders to unpack current events and have open discussions about their worlds.
In this Talanoa Brianna Frueans sits down (virtually) with Aigagalefili Fepulea'i Tapua'i to discuss the current New Zealand lockdown. They have a casual conversation about the experiences of young people, the working class, and our overall Pasifika aiga struggling in the midst of the Delta variant of Covid 19 Pandemic.
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - ERIC SOAKAI
ERIC SOAKAI
POET
SAMOAN/TONGAN
Eric Soakai is a Samoan Tongan activist, artist and academic based out of South Auckland. In his artform Eric explores indigenous storytelling through his lense as a Polynesian man.
The young and talented creative was featured in The Panthers Documentary where he shared a powerful spoken word piece.
We got to catch up with Eric and chat about his art, purpose and passion for telling indigenous stories through poetry.
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You did a powerful spoken word piece as part of the Panthers Rapp doco series - what was the essence of this piece and what drove you to write it?
For me the essence of the piece is ‘ka mua, ka muri’. It is an expression of walking backwards into the future, of recognising we bring all that was of our gafa/whakapapa into a space of potentiality/ what will be. The way I was able to understand better the weight of what this carried was to learn the history behind the different names I carry.…more
Fiji TikTok Highlights
Happy Fijian Language Week! Here are some of our famour TikToks for our Fijian community:
Fijian Comedy
Fijian Kava
Fijian Family Vibes
Fijian Appreciation
Fijian Dancing
Fijians Abroad
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - PATRICIA LOGA
PATRICIA LOGA
STUDENT - DOCTORATE IN MANAGEMENT STUDIES
FIJIAN
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My name is Patricia Loga and I am from the village of Tubou in Lakeba, Lau with maternal links to Yaroi in Matuku, Lau. I am a proud 'mum' to my 9 year old daughter Noelani and am currently in New Zealand to pursue a Doctorate in Management studies at Massey University. I was born and raised in Suva and come from a loving Fijian family and I am what they call in Fijian the 'buina' - I am the youngest of my siblings.
You're currently studying towards a PhD in Management history and public history, why is this particular topic important to you and something you wanted to pursue/research?
My PhD research is in the area of management history and public policy. It is titled: "Public Service Motivation in a Post-Conflict State: the case of FIji."
To be honest, I am a complete nerd at heart. I enjoy research and picked up the interest whilst completing my post-graduate studies at the University of the South Pacific.…more
Manurewa community respond to call to get Samoans in Auckland vaccinated
via the Cause Collective
Cover image of Manu Sina assistant coach Cynthia Ta'ala at the Rally Your Village event at the Vodafone Events Centre, via South Seas Healthcare
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A community group of passionate Manurewa residents has responded to the rallying call to increase the vaccination rate for Samoans in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
The Samoa I Manurewa Tutū Fa’atasi (Samoans in Manurewa Stand Together) was formed less than ten days ago but is taking a lead to encourage and mobilise Samoans living in the Manurewa area to make the decision to get vaccinated.
Made up of local church leaders, community representatives and young people, Samoa I Manurewa Tutū Fa’atasi will be hosting a two-day vaccination drive through event in Manurewa from tomorrow, Friday 8 October - Saturday 9 October, 9am - 4pm.
Bookings won’t be required for the event held in the Northcrest carpark, 1-13 Maich Road, which has been made available through the Manurewa Business Association.…more
Pasifika Futures complete wrap around support eases stress for new mother in MIQ
Via Pasifika Medical Association Group
Regardless of recent government announcements around changes with Alert Level restrictions for various regions, the demand from Pacific families for support continues to grow and so Pasifika Futures (PFL) - the Whanau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families – will continue to respond to these needs.
One individual in need was a heavily pregnant 24-year-old Samoan woman, who was transferred into MIQ facilities with her partner and their two children, after being directly affected by a cluster in Auckland. This young mother has requested to stay anonymous but wanted to share her story of gratitude and encouragement for other mothers and young families.
“At first I wasn’t worried because there was still four weeks until my due date so I thought I’d be okay. We were in MIQ for two days before I needed to go to the hospital. That’s when I started to get a little bit scared. I was admitted into hospital on a Monday and gave birth on Tuesday morning.”
The young mum had given birth three weeks before her due date.…more