Pacific Films At the Hawaiian Film Festival 2024
The Hawaiian Film Festival proudly celebrates its 44th year of promoting, educating, and showcasing filmmakers from the Asia-Pacific region. This year, the Festival will take place from October 2nd to November 10th across eight locations and islands.
The 2024 lineup features a star-studded selection of Pacific and local talent, including the highly anticipated world premiere of TINĀ, directed by Samoan-born, Aotearoa-based filmmaker Miki Magasiva.
TINĀ
is an inspiring, light-hearted yet rhythmic tear-jerker that tells the story of Samoan teacher Mareta Percival. Struggling after the death of her daughter in the Christchurch earthquakes, Mareta reluctantly takes on the role of substitute teacher at an elite, all-white private school. She finds that the seemingly privileged children are crying out for guidance, inspiration, and love. Drawing from her cultural roots, Mareta empowers her students by forming a choir, all while facing bias from a privileged community intent on keeping her in her place.…more
First A'oga Fa'asamoa in NZ Celebrates 40 years
Aoga Faasamoa, the centre that has shaped the lives of hundreds of Samoan children
From its humble beginnings in one room 40 years ago, the Aoga Faasamoa was the first Samoan language centre in Aoteroa and has gone on to win international awards as a centre of excellence and innovation. 40 years on, we look at some of the many children who’s lives it’s impacted and the reason it’s been so important to the Samoan community in Auckland
"Tautua nei mo sou manuia taeao – Serve now for a better tomorrow"
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By Tikilounge Productions & Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa
Jaden Laing Podcast with Uce Gang
Strongman & Survivor contestant Jaden Laing interviews Uce Gang on his podcast.
Uce Gang is one of the top content creators based in New Zealand, with millions of views and followers across his social media platforms. He's currently on an inspiring health journey, so make sure to show your support and leave an encouraging message for my brother, Uce Gang!
How Fa’asamoa Helped Olympic Champion Theresa Fitzpatrick Succeed
Theresa Fitzpatrick's journey to becoming an Olympic gold medalist and a key player for the Black Ferns is one of perseverance, dedication, and cultural pride.
Winning gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a pinnacle moment in her career. Despite facing challenges such as injuries, selection pressures, and illness, Theresa navigated each hurdle with determination, showcasing her unwavering commitment to her sport.
“Representing my country and my family is something I never take for granted,” she shares, reflecting on the honor of competing at the highest level. The presence of her husband, parents, and closest friends made the victory even more meaningful.
“Looking into the crowd and seeing my circle there supporting me was truly special. A sense of pride came with the win. Proud of my team. Proud of the journey. Proud of myself.”
Theresa’s achievements as a Black Fern and Olympian are deeply tied to the core values she holds dear—values rooted in her Samoan culture. Her upbringing instilled in her the importance of connection, teamwork, and service to others.…more
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - SEPI TO'A
SEPI TO'A
TONGAN/FIJIAN
ACTRESS
Could you please introduce yourself and your Pacific Heritage
Malo le lei, my name is Sepiutaruth To’a known as Sepi To’a and I am proudly Tongan
and Fijian. On my mothers side, we come from Mua Tatakamotonga in Tonga and on
my fathers side we come from Lau Lakemba in Fiji.
Where did you grow up?
This question is always so interesting for me to reminisce on as we have lived in so
many places. Born in South Auckland, younger years in Laotoka Fiji before we flew to
the middle of the dessert - Cloncurry QLD Australia. Made our way up the coast to
Darwin in the NT living on a houseboat to Toowoomba up in the mountains before
choosing to reside near the beach in Brisbane QLD and now a full circle back in
Auckland Aoteoroa.…more
Fijian Primary St Annes Tavel to Auckland to compete in AIMS
The Zespri AIMS Games, which began on lastweek in Tauranga, has already proven to be a memorable experience for the St Anne’s Primary School netball team from Suva, Fiji.
Competing for the first time in this prestigious tournament, the team, dubbed the “Suva Ferns,” was warmly welcomed with an emotional pōwhiri that moved many of the players to tears.
The powerful kapa haka performance from Tauranga Intermediate School set the tone for what has been described as a life-changing event for the girls.
The team, which consists of 12 young athletes, worked tirelessly to fundraise for the trip, selling traditional Fijian meals and kava barrels to cover the costs.
For many of the girls, this is their first time leaving Fiji, adding even more significance to their journey.
Milli Caginavanua, head of St Anne’s, expressed in an interview with AIMS, “Some of the girls have travelled to New Zealand before, but a lot have not.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - JUNE POTIFARA
JUNE POTIFARA
MUSICAL THERAPIST
SAMOAN
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This year, Music Therapy New Zealand celebrates a significant milestone: 50 years of music therapy practice in Aotearoa. Samoan Musical Therapist June Potifara shares more about her journey into the industry.
Could you please introduce yourself and your Pacific Heritage
Malo le soifua maua, ma le lagi e mamā. My name is June Potifara. I am of Samoan heritage, hailing from the villages of Falease’ela, Lefaga, and Sapunaoa, Falealili, but was born and nurtured here in Aotearoa. Therefore, I acknowledge the whenua and extend my gratitude to the tangata whenua whose mātauranga and tikanaga have enriched my upbringing.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the home of the brave, Otara in Tāmaki Makaurau. What I consider the heart of the Pacific, here in Aotearoa.
For those who don't know, could you please tell us about your work in Music Therapy?
My current work is within the disability and adult mental health sectors.…more
Head Coach of CKB Eugene Bareman starts 'Walk Without Fear" Trust
Following the devastating loss of the late Liufau Vake due to a "coward punch" Eugene Bareman has established a new trust "Walk Without Fear" that aims to usher in an end to street violence.
The charity aims “To promote awareness of the devastating consequences of the one punch and coward punch attacks and other forms of social violence against victims and their families” says City Kickboxing owner and head coach, and Chairman of The Walk Without Fear Trust.
The trust was born following the tragic passing of 25-year-old Tongan mixed martial artist Liufau Vake who passed from injuries sustained from a coward punch attack in 2021.
Bareman remarked “Fau’s death was a devastating loss … This violent act should not be reduced to a faceless statistic, it’s a brutal reality, tearing the fabric of communities.”
“A coward's punch leaves no opportunity for victims to defend themselves and this has devastating consequences, in some cases life long disability or even death.…more
Pacific Pageants Moving Into A New Era Of Youth Activism?
As 15 tama’ita’i Samoa took to the stage at Matagialalua Friendship Park last night for Night One of the 2024 Miss Samoa pageant, even the usual slightly voyeuristic ‘sarong’ category was a vehicle for messaging.
The stage of the pageant is now staging a different sort of ‘Queen’ as nearly half the contestants used their original designs and meanings to promote topics like climate change, the manumea survival, coral reef regeneration or put a spotlight on cultural sovereignty.
For Miss Pacific Climate Warriors, Brianna Fruean, the most visible in her activism, choosing to use the pageant as an important speaking platform was always a strategy to target Pacific youth.
Her puletasi was designed by award winning Samoan designer and star of project runway Afa Ah Loo
"My Sarong and Puletasi were no different. The looks not only pointed to lessons but also legacy. I wanted to honour the movements of the past with the Mau and the movement of the present with the climate warriors renewable energy campaign.…more
15th Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference Tackles Climate Resilience in Pasifika
The 15th Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference and Expo, as well as the 8th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Forum opened today (Tuesday 3rd September NZT) at the Cook Islands National Auditorium in Rarotonga.
Hosted by Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) the weeks events will see over 300 individuals from 30 Pacific utility providers flock to Rarotonga where they will prioritise, coordinate and highlight the importance of water resilience and the need to rapidly accelerate access to safe, and clean sources of drinking water in the wake of climate change.
The theme for this years conference is ‘Water resilience in the Pasifika – Navigating the currents of change for a climate resilient region’.…more