Story collated and written by Haitelenisia Afemui ‘Uhila Angilau for her 'Ordinary Tongan Lives' facebook page

“I’m number 6 of 9 children; 5 girls and 4 boys. All the girls are older so when we came along, we all became girls.

I love working at home. Once I’m up in the morning, I make homemade ice-blocks to sell. That gets me about $30 daily. After that, I clean our house, then I’ll cook for the family. In the evening, I feed the pigs then I weave at night.

On Fridays, I make curry and canteen food to sell at Vava’u High. That’s about $400 weekly. I can also choose to go to the bush, fāngota at sea, or fulfill my duties to our Catholic youth as a spiritual leader. Not that I look spiritual or anything but I have that responsibility. I’m also like a town officer because I know everything in the community and I’m involved in all of them.

Working is something I’m used to in the family. I grew up working alongside my grandfather Pafilio.…more

Source: Health Quality and Safety Commission

A new report paints a stark picture of the health care challenges faced by Pasifika in New Zealand and calls for ambitious changes to the system to be made urgently.

Bula Sautu: A window on quality 2021: Pacific health in the year of COVID-19 was launched in Parliament by Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Aupito William Sio and is the latest in a series of ‘window’ publications from the Health Quality & Safety Commission (the Commission). It considers the health of Pacific peoples and provides a snapshot view of how the health system is working (or not working) for them.

Associate Professor of Public Health Collin Tukuitonga, Associate Dean Pacific at the University of Auckland and a Commission board member, says Pacific peoples who call Aotearoa New Zealand home have been denied their right to health and wellbeing for decades despite clear evidence that inequities exist in almost all health conditions reported.

‘Pacific peoples are expected to navigate through a health system that has not been designed with or for them.…more

By Brianna Fruean

A fire on the ocean surface west of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula was captured on video and went viral on social media. The roaring ocean blaze dubbed as “the eye of fire” was said to be started by a gas leak from an underwater pipeline.

As I watched the videos of the ocean fire in Mexico I couldnt help but draw the resemblance to Te Kā from Moana. The imagery and the story of mistreating Te Fiti (nature) to a state of roaring fire are eerily similar. We’re once again reminded of how destructive it is to touch things from the ocean that shouldn’t be touched.

In Moana, Maui took the heart of Te Fiti which led her to turn in Te Ka. Now humans are taking resources from nature that is causing destructive events like Friday’s ocean fire. The parallels between climate change and Disney’s Moana get visibly more clear each year, with the most recent event looking like a character straight from the movie.…more

"I was coming with jokes about doing onions for rent when white people in Ponsonby have never done onions ... then I started trying to figure out why the audience wasn't coming, and I realised it was money, and also not being welcome, and not being invited."

Sieni Leo'o Olo, AKA Bubbah, is a 24-year-old Samoan comedian and actress from Māngere. In this episode of Generation Next, she talks about falling in love with theatre, making comedy accessible to her community, and tackling life with humour.

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Radio New Zealand's Generation Next S2 | Southside is a series of videos profiling four talented young people who call South Auckland home. This episode is a special collaboration between Radio New Zealand and Niu FM.

By Va'ai Nah Folasa

This article presents an opinion and commentary on recent events affecting the community in Samoa. It is based on the facts and in some cases corrects the "facts" reported by others.

The front page of the Samoa Observer on Tuesday 28th June gave a very telling snapshot of the state of the nation.

The lead article "Court Orders End to Impasse" detailed the most recent ruling by the Supreme Court. On the one hand it found that the impromptu swearing in of the FAST parliament on 24 May was unlawful and void. On the other hand it set forth a very clear and unequivocal path to the establishment of the XVII parliament which must occur within 7 days of the decision (by Monday 5 July). Most importantly the court made it very clear that any obstruction to this would find the perpetrator(s) in contempt and face the full wrath of the Court.

The decision was a neat legal solution to the current political crisis.…more

One enchanted evening, twelve unlikely strangers meet at a ball …

Internationally renowned modern dance company Black Grace are putting together a show that is based around a party that everyone is invited to, especially the outsiders. Founding Artistic Director of Black Grace Neil Ieremia brings together a unique cast of past and current performers to dance and celebrate another day of living.  

With a diverse cast including Edward Cowley (aka Buckwheat), Jody Jackson-Becerra, and Neil Ieremia himself – The Outsiders’ Ball promises to be a fun night out, set to tunes from Al Green to Grace Jones, Troy Kingi to Grandmaster Flash.

Over the past 25 years Black Grace has changed the face of contemporary dance in Aotearoa New Zealand, drawing upon Neil Ieremia’s Samoan heritage and melding it with Māori and Western influences to create unique expressions of contemporary identity. Black Grace has traveled the world through art, performing Neil’s choreography in Australia, Canada, Germany, Holland, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Caledonia, South Korea, Switzerland and the United States of America.…more

Enjoy this highlight footage of Folarin & Ernestina's beautiful wedding ceremony & reception in Sydney, Australia

The groom is Nigerian and the bride is Ghanian/Tongan - a celebration of marriage and a celebration in this case of three cultures coming together as one.  We love to see it.

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QUESTion Weddings