WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - JORDYN MORGAN
JORDYN MORGAN
Teacher / Maori Student Learning Advisor / Singer
Samoan / Maori
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I’m Jordyn, my Dad is from Whāingaroa (Raglan) and my Mum is from Mulifanua Lalovi (Samoa). I’m married to Thomas Rapana who is from Ngā Puhi and we have a beautiful 4 year old, Toa-Awanuiārangi, who is the absolute best of both of us.
My family homestead is in Otara, South Auckland, where my Mum and her siblings spent a lot of their childhood after moving from Samoa and my Nana still lives there today. I mostly grew up in South Auckland suburbs, spent a few years of my childhood in Wellington, but Otara will always be home.
At the moment I teach Te Reo Māori night classes and I am a Māori Student Learning Advisor at a theological tertiary institution. I’m passionate about identity, language reclamation and our people thriving in Aotearoa.
What were the pathways that led you to doing music/singing?
My Dad is a Pastor and we grew up singing in Church, in Worship teams and just with the family.…more
'You've got 18 Maika Sivo's': The story behind the Kaiviti Silktails | Rugby League | NRL
The Kaiviti Silktails have relocated from Fiji to play in the New South Wales Rugby League Ron Massey Cup for a shot at an opportunity in the NRL.
Sporting Australia went behind the scenes to find out just how much effort has gone into this moment, and why you don't want to miss a second.
How to do Pasifika 101
Our guide to Pasifika Festival 2021
The iconic festival is back after a two year absence and there's a few changes, so we've put together a guide so you can enjoy the world's largest celebration of Pacific Islands culture to the fullest - catch all the live acts you were hoping to see, eat all your favourite island food and enjoy the different Pacific Islands markets.
Richard Clarke, Head of Major and Business Events at Auckland Unlimited, says there is great anticipation for Pasifika Festival this year.
“Pasifika is a must-attend event if you want to experience the sights, sounds and flavours of the Pacific. There will be fantastic performances, vibrant costumes and delicious food.”
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LOCATION
This is not a drill - Pasifika is NOT at Western Springs this year.
New location: Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday, 10 April (10am-8pm) and Sunday, 11 April, (10am-4pm)
GETTING THERE X PARKING
Pasifika generally attracts up to 60,000 people so you know the area around Mt Smart Stadium will be busy this weekend.…more
Colours of Change: The Panthers Mural Unveiled
The completion of the vibrant Pathers mural project is completed, and adds colour to the streets of Auckland. The artwork was revealed to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Polynesian Panthers.
The Whakaako Kia Whakaora / Educate to Liberate mural that was completed last week honours the historical presence of the Polynesian Panthers in Tāmaki Makaurau. It acknowledges the connection to the Black Panther Party and is a visual representation of the social justice issues both organisations fought for at that time, and still fight for today.
The Mural Project was inspired by Tigilau Ness and Chris McBride’s journey to the Black Panther Party 50th Anniversary celebrations in Oakland California 2016. The politically charged cultural and artistic landscape across Oakland and San Francisco created the seed to bring their stories alive with inspirational messaging. The Panther Mural Project includes artists Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho, Numa McKenzie, Toa Sieke Taihia in collaboration with Emory Douglas, Tigilau Ness and Chris McBride. All of whom collaborated to pull this beautiful piece of inspirational art together.…more
Savaii to the World | The Story of Faiesea Ah Chee
Faiesea Ah Chee is a 18-year-old Savaii girl at heart now living in the heart of Auckland city. She is a long way from her island home, so how has her journey led her here?
In 2003 Faiesea was born in Tuasivi and grew up all her life in the village of Fa’a’ala Palauli, Savaii. She was raised by a family of fishermen. Her grandfather and uncles would go out into the Moana every day. While she and her grandma would sit by their village selling the fish they had caught. There were six in her family and they would all rely on the ocean as a way of life. Faiesea went to school at Vaiola College to which she describes as “the best school”. She lived the picturesque island life; took from the ocean, gave back to the land, served her family, went to school in a neighboring village and her best friend was a turtle.
In 2016 Faiesea’s world changed. Her family sadly lost her grandma.…more
T20 All Stars give back in Cricket Fundraiser
When you hear the name 'St Pauls College', cricket is not necessarily the first thing that comes to mind - you'd be forgiven for thinking rugby league or even Samoan stage Polyfest champs, but that could soon change with the school receiving expert coaching from former Black Caps bowler Dion Nash and their 1st X1 & colts team going unbeaten this season.
To kick off the weekend a number of old boys and cricket stars teamed up against the St Pauls 1st XI with the help of cricket legends Murphy Su'a, Dipak Patel and Mark Greatbatch in an All Stars vs St Pauls game, to fundraise towards buying cricket equipment, uniforms and extra coaching through winter.…more
Tony Fa - Inspiring the Polynesian community in West Jordan, Utah to DANCE!
Tony Fa was an overweight diabetic when his father-in-law’s stroke put the stakes in perspective.
After that stroke hospitalized his father in law, who is also diabetic, Fa had his blood sugar levels checked — and they were higher than his father in law’s. Fa’s doctor said he needed to improve his lifestyle to improve his life.
That’s when Fa found Xtreme Hip Hop, a YouTube fitness movement that combines a step, an instructor, and hip hop music. Soon, Fa was dancing — and now, he’s an instructor.
Fa’s story inspired those in the Polynesian community to dance, too — he lost more than 100 lbs., is off his diabetes medication, and he teaches multiple classes per day as a certified instructor.
Try out the basic steps in the video below and check out the full story on ABC4.Com here
PM Jacinda Ardern announces the Cook Islands travel bubble is in the works
New Zealand and the Cook Islands are working towards a travel bubble by May, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement after a meeting with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. Brown said he was confident quarantine-free travel could be achieved in that timeframe. Currently, people from the Cooks Islands can travel to and from New Zealand without quarantining. “We are ready for business, and we are looking forward to the commencement in May,” he said.
With the Cook Islands Covid-free, Ardern said the risk is of those departing New Zealand carrying the virus to the Cook Islands, and Kiwis “carry a lot of responsibility” to get it right.
Ardern said the Government is currently working on the onward distribution process for vaccines to other countries. She said the Government is working with vaccine providers, with some liability issues yet to be ironed out. Ardern said a bubble is not contingent on widespread vaccination.…more
Sports Talk - UFC Fighter Carlos Ulberg
We chat with Samoan/Maori UFC fighter Carlos Ulberg after his UFC debut at UFC259 in Las Vegas.
He talks about his UFC debut, the connection he has to his walkout song (OMC's "How Bizarre"), winning 'Fight of the Night', whether he lets his son watch his fights and much more.
Tāmaki Herenga Waka: Stories of Auckland Gallery
Tamaki Herenga Waka: Stories of Auckland a new gallery at the Auckland Museum is now open to the public - chronicling Auckland's past and capturing its present including Pacific taonga.
The gallery is divided into several sections across four gallery spaces:
* Tamaki / Auckland - Auckland looked very different for the first families who settled here, and this section of the gallery looks at why people have made this place their home for centuries. Explore the development of Tāmaki through the eyes of the Māori, colonial and Pasifika families who settled here.…more