PRIDE - PASIFIKA STORIES - SHANEEL LAL
Shaneel Lal
(They/Them)
Activist/ Student/ Co-Founder of “End Conversion Therapy NZ”
Fiji
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Shaneel Lal is a multifaceted and intersectional activist. They have been vocal and influential in bringing to light various issues around racism, transphobia, indigenous land issues, systemic injustice and much more. Shaneel is a co-founder of the organisation “End Conversion Therapy NZ” and has been an avid voice around the need for a ban on Conversion Therapy. They’re currently a student at The University of Auckland, and on top of all that is actively educating people on social media on how to be more conscious citizens of humanity.
If you could have the world's attention, how would you introduce yourself?
I am many things, but deep down, I am a young person who wants to change the world. I do not wish to be protected. I want to be free. And I want the same for my people. A young person who has seen, felt, and experienced too many things that I shouldn’t have.…more
Life in Savaii for a kiwi Samoan
By guest writer Datia Wilson
It has been just under two years since I have returned to Savaii, to take care of my grandmother who has advanced dementia. Although raised in Savaii as a child with my brother and understanding aspects of Faasamoa, I had come over from NZ with an overseas mentality.
I had lived such an independent life in NZ, I remember thinking on our return I could still wear what I want, go out at whatever time and not really caring about others opinions. Oh boy, was I wrong! It only took a couple of firm conversations with my uncle (chief of our family) explaining how crucial it is I understand that I am now living in the village still upholding their traditional ways. With that comes the responsibility of being the face of the family and carrying the family’s reputation.…more
RNZ Pacific launches new sports show Champions of the Pacific
RNZ Pacific is launching a new sports show "Champions of the Pacific" next Wednesday.
RNZ Pacific Sports Journalist Talei Anderson and News Editor Koro Vaka'uta front up for a new weekly sports show to be broadcast across the Pacific via short wave radio, on RNZ National at 9:40pm on Wednesdays, on rnz.co.nz and as a podcast. Champions of the Pacific launches today, with a new episode every Wednesday.…more
PRIDE - PASIFIKA STORIES - Teneva Ropati
Teneva Ropati
(She/Her)
Student/Basketball Player
Samoa
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Teneva Ropati is a young Samoan woman from the villages of Taufusi and Vaivase. She was born in New Zealand and raised in West Auckland. Teneva is a passionate basketball player and on top of all this is proud to call herself “gay af”.
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If you could have the world's full attention, how would you introduce yourself?
My name is Teneva Ropati, I’m 20 years old, Samoan and gay af lol.
Is Pride month something that you personally celebrate?
Absolutely! I love the feeling I get seeing everyone be 100% themselves and not caring. Especially at Big Gay Out. I always feel so at home being around complete strangers. It’s odd but I understand it. I feel the most proud of our community during Pride month — and I’m pretty damn proud every other time of the year.
What has been your relationship with the phrase "coming out"? Was “coming out” a process you had to go through with your family?
Bittersweet is probably the best word to describe my experiences.…more
COVID-19 vaccines – Keeping our families safe
As New Zealand prepares to roll out the first lot of Covid-19 vaccines tomorrow, Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield, says he hopes there are good vaccination rates amongst the Pacific community to strengthen their resistance of Covid-19.
Dr Bloomfield and a panel of Pacific health clinicians who are also members of the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA), spoke at a national zoom talanoa last night attended by over 600 Pacific church, community, and youth leaders. Hosted by the Hon. Aupito William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples, the focus was on providing information and answering questions regarding the Covid-19 vaccinations.
Dr Bloomfield said, “We are adamant that we do not want New Zealand being the route where Covid-19 gets into the Pacific.
In preparation for our Covid-19 vaccination campaign, we are thinking not just about New Zealand but about our Pacific neighbours, and in particular the countries across the Pacific region.…more
Love in the age of Covid - Isabella Moore and Benson Wilson
We are Benson Wilson and Isabella Moore. Two Kiwi Sāmoan opera singers living and working in London. Our love story is rather unique, in that it began only months before the coronavirus world pandemic hit. It created hurdles couples in the early stages of a relationship would never normally have to endure, but our shared culture, history, passion for music, and values carried us through and made us stronger than ever. And this is our story of how we found love in the age of COVID.
Aotearoa has a strong choir culture and it was in the NZ Secondary Students Choir that we first met as high schoolers where we became fast friends. From that day on we were both on similar operatic paths, but were on them separately or ‘just mates’ (haha!).…more
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson On The 'Extraordinary' Women He Cast In 'Young Rock'
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson introduces the women who play the powerful females who shaped his life: Ana Tuisila plays The Rock's grandmother, Lia Maivia, and Stacey Leilua plays his mother, Ata Johnson.
Stacey and Ana have just been nominated for a HCA TV award (Hollywoods Critics Association) for Best Actress and Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series Comedy and Dwayne himself is also up for a Best Supporting actor role in Young Rock! The "Young Rock" Series is nominated for Best broadcast network series, Comedy.
Check out who they'll be going up against below -
Stacey shared the news on her social media this morning saying:
My first nomination ever! How exciting.. #YoungRock is also nominated for Best Broadcast Network Series (comedy) - Thank you to the Hollywood Critics Association for the love . Leeeeets Goooo Team #YoungRock! and big BIG love to my fellow show nominees Lee Joe Ana Tuisila Dwayne The Rock Johnson and all the amazing people who made this series a hit .
Family Support Packages available for Pacific families in need
Tevita Funaki, CEO of The Fono - an organisation providing medical and social services to Pacific communities in Auckland and Northland, has a clear message to those needing food and welfare support during the unexpected lockdowns.
“We are ready to respond,” he says.
The Fono and other community organisations across Auckland including Pasifika Futures partners; The Village Community Services Trust, Mt Wellington Integrated Health Care and South Seas Healthcare, mobilised their staff and resources immediately in preparation to support vulnerable families who need urgent assistance.
Since the announcement, Mr Funaki’s team have been working around the clock to restock their shelves, made possible through donations from local businesses and support from the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) through Pasifika Futures - the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families.
“We’ve been through this before, this is our third lockdown. Our team are experienced now and are familiar with what support our communities need “, says Mr Funaki.…more
"YOUNG ROCK" cast interviews ft Uli Latukefu, Stacey Leilua & Ana Tuisila
“Young Rock” focuses on different chapters of Dwayne Johnson’s life. From growing up in a strong and resilient family, to being surrounded by the wild characters of his professional wrestling family, to playing football at the University of Miami, the show will explore the crazy rollercoaster that has shaped Dwayne into the man he is today and the larger-than-life characters he’s met along the way.
Starring Dwayne Johnson, Joseph Lee Anderson, Stacey Leilua, Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant, Uli Latukefu, Ana Tuisila, Fasitua Amosa and John Tui.
Peep the cast interviews above.
"Young Rock" premieres tonight (17th Feb) 8/7c on NBC which is 2pm today in NZ
For kiwis wanting to watch the show, actress Stacey Leilua who plays The Rocks Mum says you can watch it on PeacockTV but you'll need a VPN.
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - SILIKA ISAIA
SILIKA ISAIA
2018 WINNER OF STAND UP STAND OUT & CURRENTLY STUDYING A BACHELOR OF MUSIC
SAMOAN
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Talofa Lava, I am a Pacific woman originating from the island of Samoa whose blood runs deeps within the soils of Fasito’otai, Toamua, Salelesi, Satui Malufilufi, Vaitele and Patamea Savai’i. My name is Silika Isaia and my greatest blessing in life are my Parents, my mother Leasi Levi Isaia and father Timoteo Isaia.
Born in Samoa, raised in Christchurch for the first half of my life, and now residing in Otara, never have I ever doubted my passion for music.
A two year old who landed in the land of milk and honey in 2004, with big brown eyes and curly short hair wearing a matching blue and white set that her nana bought her in Samoa, in awe of what I saw I had no idea that this place would foster my love for singing.
Similar to where all great stories began, my chapter one started in the House of the Lord and the first word of my book was God.…more