Untold Pacific History is a dynamic and often provocative account of New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific and the broad impact it's had on New Zealand’s own history and relationship with Pacific peoples in Aotearoa today.

The series shines a light on five key stories in the Pacific that have been little-told in Aotearoa. From the epic drama of NZ’s colonisation of Samoa, schoolboys that were hidden under floorboards as part of the NZ Dawn Raids, to the extraordinary story of an allegedly ‘cursed’ hotel in the Cook Islands.

Untold Pacific History explores little-known snippets of the history of the Pacific and the part New Zealand has played in it.

This first-time series aims to be an accessible introduction to the history of a region which continues to emerge as pivotal to Aotearoa’s future.

Untold Pacific History aims to present a refreshed view of New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific, which will help to contextualise today’s Pacific experience in Aotearoa and how it came to be.

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SERAFINA MAULUPE 

HOST OF FLOW'N WITH FINA & INSIDE THE GRIND 

SAMOAN / FILIPINO 

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My name is Serafina Maulupe – I was born in a small town in the Midwest called Wayne, Nebraska. I grew up in Sioux City, Iowa. I am a midwestern girl at heart. I currently reside in Murrieta, California. I am half Samoan & Filipino. My dad is Samoan, my family comes from the village of Aua and Fagaalu. My mom is Filipino, and my family comes from Ilocos Norte and Pangasinan. I am currently looking to get back into the basketball scene. I’d love to work for a team at the college level – either coaching or the operations side. While looking for my next opportunity – I created a platform called, “Inside the Grind” and my show highlights our Pasifika athletes.…more

Based on the beloved DC Comic, and Executive Produced by Susan Downey & Robert Downey Jr., Sweet Tooth is a post-apocalyptic fairytale about a hybrid deer-boy and a wandering loner who embark on an extraordinary adventure.

Fijian/Samoan Playwright and Director Toa Fraser was a Co-Executive Producer for the project, directed two episodes and helped showrunner Jim Mickle guide the season.

We asked him what it was like working on the show and what our Pasifika audience could look forward to watching it - 

“After a few years working overseas, it was a real privilege to come back to Aotearoa, reconnect with the amazing NZ film crew community, and to help showrunner Jim Mickle tell this heart-felt, magical story. Inspired by Jeff Lemire’s beloved DC comic series, it’s a story about misfits, outcasts and the underdogs searching and fighting for their place in the world. There’s also a couple of fun Easter egg moments for Pasifika audiences.…more

An epic festival of All Blacks, Māori and Pasifika rugby matches has been confirmed for Aotearoa / New Zealand this July with the All Blacks, Māori All Blacks, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa all in action, and two blockbuster double-header match days unveiled.

New Zealand Rugby's Pasifika Engagement Manager, Eroni Clarke speaks to the media following the announcement of the All Blacks' Steinlager Series fixtures against Tonga and Fiji.

2021 Steinlager Series

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All Blacks vs Tonga, Saturday 3 July, 7.05PM, plus Māori All Blacks vs Manu Samoa (kick-off TBC), Mt Smart Stadium, AUCKLAND

All Blacks vs Fiji, Saturday 10 July, 7.05PM, Forsyth Barr Stadium, DUNEDIN

All Blacks vs Fiji, Saturday 17 July, 7.05PM, plus Tonga vs Samoa (kick-off TBC), FMG Stadium Waikato, HAMILTON

* Tickets go on pre-sale on 1 June and Public sale on 4 June.

We go behind the scenes of our Teine Sa series with actor Frankie Adams.

She talks about what made her want to do the series, learning about the different goddesses and stories from ancient Pasifika legends, the scene she was most nervous about, the choreography in fight scenes and what she does to train for them plus much more.

Watch the full Teine Sa series here - the rest of the episodes will play out this week: https://www.thecoconet.tv/the-coconettv-series/im:23351/

Born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand 16–year–old schoolgirl Sapphire Tamalemai and her family relocated to Australia after the deadly earthquakes in 2011. For Sapphire, it was an opportunity to pursue her musical dreams.

Her father, who was her number one fan, passed away in her arms from a heart attack just before she applied for The Voice. 

He worked three jobs to support her music dreams and had always wanted her to apply for the show. Sapphire's mum and her sister were side of stage at her Blind Audition.

Andrew Johns has lifted the lid on the conversation that led to a bid to coach the Samoan national team with brother Matthew and cross-code legend Sonny Bill Williams.

"For me I'm a proud Samoan, everyone knows that I'm a proud Pacific Islander, not just Samoan I'm proud of all the boys.  I'm a really vocal man when it comes to us as a Pacific Nation, we represent so much on the field but we seem to lack that representation off it ... I'll be keen to help out where I can" - Sonny Bill Williams 

Apulu Uta'ile'uō Tu'u'u Mary Kalala Autagavaia breaks down some of the ideas behind Aitu/ atua in Samoan culture, and gives her perspective on the spiritual realm of the Teine Sā and the concept of the Va in Pacific epistemologies.

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Teine Sā trailer 

Teine Sā - the ancient spirits of the Pacific are stirring. Revered and feared in equal measure, these sacred gods have crept back into the modern world to engage with five different women facing their own demons..

Teine Sā is a series of stories of modern day issues impacting Pacific women who look to the atua of the past for guidance. 

Teine Sā are the ancient spirit women, with the ability to bless and curse in equal measure.

From the notorious goddess Telesa to the Hiama of the Solomon Islands, these tales of the unexpected take age-old stories on many twists and turns.

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Last night the Samoan head of State Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, revoked the results of the general election held on the 9th of April and has instructed the nation to vote again on the 21st of May due to the continued deadlock in Samoa (both parties are on 26 MPs each) 

The leader of FAST, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa does not agree with this decision and has spoken out about actions that she calls wrong and unlawful - “We denounce this behaviour, and the misuse of resources and public officials to hold on to power. We must follow this process without diversion or trickery,” she said in a press briefing.

However, the caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has commended the Head of State for his decision to call a fresh election and said that his party leaves the results of the next election "Up to the Lord" 

Journalist Va'ai Nah Folasa asks the question "What if Gods plan doesn't suit your own personal plan?" 

Last week I wrote an article on Samoa's spiritual and constitutional foundation on God.…more