Christmas greetings to the Pacific Islands from friends & family in New Zealand
With Covid affecting travel around the globe, many of us who had plans to visit loved ones and family in the islands for Christmas have had to put these plans on hold.
We visited Mangere, Otahuhu, Otara and Onehunga to give people the opportunity to send messages to their loved ones in the Pacific Islands and these lovely people responded.
An evening of Pacific Islander Poetry in honour of Samoan poet Albert Wendt
The faculty and students from UC Berkeley and San Francisco State University, invites you and your family to an evening of Pacific Islander poetry, storytelling and song to honour the important work of the renowned Samoan poet, novelist, and playwright, Albert Wendt.
The program, "Our Moana Nui; We are Pacific Islander Studies" is sponsored by the San Francisco Public Library and organized by Bay Area Pacific Islander leaders and activists who were supported by Kim Shuck, the San Francisco Poet laureate (the first Native American poet to receive this honour).
This program, Our Moana Nui: We are Pacific Islander Studies is part of a series of programs advocating for Pacific Islander communities through petitioning the California Department of Education to reinstate Pacific Islander Studies and Arab American Studies in the Ethnic Studies curriculum so that Pacific Islander histories and important contributions are represented in the curriculum that is taught in the US public schools. These systemic changes can create hope and empower the minds and spirits of Pasifika youth.…more
Winners of Pacific Youth Leadership awards speak to John Campbell
Three remarkable young Pasifika stamping their mark on Aotearoa were announced as winners of the inaugural PCF, or Pacific Cooperation Foundation, Youth Leadership Awards for their outstanding services in their communities.
Youth activist Aigagalefili Fepulea'i-Tapua'i has been named as winner of the Supreme Award for Pacific youth advocacy, award-winning playwright Leki Jackson-Bourke is the winner of the Young Male of Influence award, and Dr Brittany Stanley-Wishart is the winner of the Pasifika Health Ambassador award.
HUNTO vs GALLEN Press conference & Weigh-in (turned scrap)
The Sydney Superfight goes down tomorrow night and there were fireworks from MMA legend Mark Hunt when he gave a bit of a preview of whats to come earlier today at the official weigh-in.
The Super Samoan weighed in at 127kgs, 24 kgs heavier than his opponent Paul Gallen.
Things got a bit heated at the final presser as well - peep the video above.
Maori fighter from NZ Bowyn Morgan also takes on Tim Tszyu in the co-main event tomorrow night.
Siva Samoa in diaspora – Our connection home
By Lefaoali'i Dion Enari
As Samoans residing outside of the (Mother) land, one of the ways we connect to her is through Siva. Our beautiful Siva Samoa can be found anywhere our people are. It can be seen as far as Germany and as close as the Mangere town centre. Siva can be competitively performed on the Samoan stage at Polyfest or danced during impromptu family gatherings. As a people, we have used this art form in times of celebration, meditation and mourning. The international status of Siva Samoa means not only has it been kept alive among our people, but is also showcased to many non-Samoans globally. The box office hit Hobbs and Shaw, staring Seiuli Dwayne the Rock Johnson is one of many examples of Siva Samoa on display for mainstream society.
What is Siva Samoa?
For me, it is an extension of Samoan lyrics, using body movement to further enhance and tell the story of the song being sung.…more
MAMA's MUSIC BOX NEW COMERS - SIENI LEO'O OLO & UNALOTO FUNAKI
The makers of hit films, Three Wise Cousins, Hibiscus & Ruthless and Take Home Pay have brought you a Pacific Christmas Film "Mama's Music Box" which was released in select theatres today around New Zealand.
For the stars of the movie Sieni Leo'o Olo and Unaloto Funaki, it was the first time they'd ever been in a feature film let alone starred in one.
They shared with us a bit about their experience here.
On being in a feature film for the first time ...
Sieni - Being in a feature film for the first time and especially with the challenge, because it was made in 30 days, it was a lot of pressure but also because I got thrown in the deep end it was a really good space to learn in.…more
Mark Hunt vs Paul Gallen "It's Turned Personal"
Animosity between the ex-UFC knockout artist Mark Hunt and the NRL veteran Paul Gallen has continued to rise over the past few weeks, with the pair trading insults in the media and online. After Gallen questioned whether Hunt still has it, the Super Samoan hit back, calling him a "grub" and predicting an early finish.
Hunt vs Gallen goes down on Wednesday 16th December 20 9.30pm New Zealand time.
Pacific Christmas Movie gifts an Early Present
The makers of self-funded and self-distributed Pacific Christmas movie - Mama’s Music Box, have worked with exhibitors Event and Hoyts to bring their film to the people at a new ticket price point - $10.00 for all tickets for the duration of its screening at Event and Hoyts cinemas
Writer and Director – Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa who is also self-distributing the film is excited at this new development – “it’s rare that we request a price reduction of tickets – but we know going to the movies can be expensive especially when taking the whole family, so having Event Cinemas and Hoyts come on board to bring Mama’s Music Box – at this special Xmas price point is awesome – and it’s even more timely given how hard 2020 has been. We know we have a special film and it’s one that you’ll definitely want people to see enjoy with their whole family.”
Mama’s Music Box is showing in selected cinemas around New Zealand from 10th December.
(Note: this $10.00 ticket price is only for Hoyts and Event Cinemas in New Zealand. Booking Fees still apply).…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - ABBA-ROSE DINAH VAIAOGA-IOASA
ABBA-ROSE DINAH VAIAOGA-IOASA
FILM PRODUCER
SAMOAN
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Talofa lava. My name is Abba-Rose Dinah Vaiaoga-Ioasa and I am from the villages of Alafua, Toamua and Puipa’a in Samoa. I was born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. I’m originally from Northcote but have lived most of my life in central Auckland. I’m a former Auckland Girls Grammar School student and I am currently in the Screen industry working as a Film Producer. My Production company is called Cadness Street which pays homage to the street I grew up on in Northcote.
What were the pathways that brought you to where you are and what you're doing today?
I originally went to University and completed a Bachelor of Engineering specialising in Chemical and Materials Engineering. After working as a Process Engineer for a few years I was starting to think about my next step in my Engineering career and it just so happened to be around the same time as when my brother (Writer and Director) Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa was thinking about his second feature film Hibiscus and Ruthless (2018).…more
Māori All Blacks Te Tīmatanga Haka v Moana Pasifika Challenge
A celebration of cultural pride, passion & power!
Moana Pasifika Rugby's epic challenge is met by the Māori All Blacks' Te Tīmatanga Haka ahead of their historic clash in Hamilton.