The Big Baller Brand CEO and entrepreneur LaVar Ball (you may also recognise him as NBA/NBL stars Lonzo, LaMelo & LiAngelo's father) is in Samoa at the moment to run basketball clinics, check out the talent there and experience the 685.

We caught up with him for a Tiny Mic interview while he was here in Auckland, plus talked to Vince Harder who was facilitating the NZ leg of the tour as well as a couple of the 92Wrld boys who are helping out.

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You can catch Lavar in Samoa Wednesday 5th April at Tuanaimato Gym from 1-5pm for Basketball clinics and tomorrow Thursday 6th April for the 3x3 comps & showcase.

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

Inside the fight w Paulo "Sweet P" Aoksuo Olympian and reigning Australasian light heavyweight champion is ready to take on the world 🌍

Check out his journey to becoming a professional fighter in the video above as he prepares to take on Robert Berridge and defend his Australasian title.

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On Saturday the 11th of March, Paulo captured the IBO Inter-continental Light Heavyweight title in style after beating Cuban boxer Yunieski Gonzalez.

Aokuso grew up in Mt Druitt, Sydney was accompanied by hip hop artists OneFour in his walkout.

He remains undefeated as a pro boxer at 4-0 and is aiming to beat Aussie boxing legend Jeff Fenech's record as the quickest Australian to win a world title.  Watch this space ... 

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Go behind the scenes with him here in the lead-up to his fight against Yunieski in the videos below - 

Before winter sports get back into full swing, we go out to visit the inaugural schools Pasifika cricket teams at the Rangatahi T20 cricket festival held ealier in the year.

"I think it's important for this event to grow just to give other little communities the chance to see that there is a career pathway for our Polynesian community in cricket" - Pasifika Girls Head Coach, Carol Fili 

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

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Cam Op & Interviewer - Penina Momoiseā

Editor - Sefa Taouma 

San Francisco Giants latest recruits - Sean Manaea (left in picture above) and Blake Sabol have made history as the first Samoan battery (The pitcher and catcher together) in Major Baseball League history when they were paired together on the 8th April 2023 against the Kansas City Royals.

By Thomas Airey 

The 2023 Super Rugby Pacific competition kicks off tonight in Christchurch, while the two Pacific Islands teams Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua go head to head tomorrow night at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.

Thomas Airey previews Moana Pasifika’s very own Fijian flyer Timoci Tavatavanawai who will take on his country men in the Pasifika clash.

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Moana Pasifika’s very own Fijian flyer Timoci Tavatavanawai can’t wait to take on his countrymen the Fijian Drua at Mt Smart Stadium for the first time.

The 25-year-old from the villages of Naikawaga, Namara and Tailevu is more than excited for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific round one matchup.

“It’s really special,” said Tavatavanawai, who was named to start on the right wing for Moana.

“I’ve got mates over there that I know, it’s going to be really fun.”

Among Tavatavanawai’s former Fiji Under-20 teammates in the Fijian Drua lineup is Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, who has drawn the unenviable task of marking him on the left wing.…more

"Is it a fair game? Good question."

Pacific Islands rugby players are celebrated around the globe for their passion, flair and the physical commitment they bring to the game. The Rugby World Cup in 2019 saw eleven out of the twenty teams fielding players of Pacific heritage - who made up more than 20% of the numbers taking the field at the competition.

Rugby brings joy, money and a sense of identity to many in the Pacific Islands. But how badly are they treated by the powerful forces that run the game?

It's a story about rugby and some of the best players the game has ever seen.

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The full season is out now on Apple podcasts, iHeart, Pacific Media Network and here at RNZ 

OR click into the link below & listen to the whole show on Spotify.

Produced, written and hosted by James Nokise, John Daniell & Talei Anderson 

By Thomas Airey 

They’re both first-choice openside flankers for their countries.  They both turn 29 this year, before a Rugby World Cup they’re dying to get to.

They have the same playstyle and attributes, adding hard-nosed physicality to the ball jackaling and fitness required of any good number seven.

But only one of them can wear that jersey for Moana Pasifika each week ...

Injury means that Solomone Funaki, from the villages of Fanga-‘o-Pilolevu (Tongatapu) & Pangai (Ha’apai) in Tonga should get the first crack in 2023.

He played in 10 of Moana’s 14 games last year, scoring an equal-team high four tries and receiving the club’s Tangaloa Award for the best defensive player in his debut Super Rugby Pacific season.

“For me personally, I’d say it was a very successful year,” said Funaki, who also played in every 2022 match for ‘Ikale Tahi, starting all but one.

The key to that success? His Samoan uso Alamanda Motuga from Sataoa & Sa’anapu and their co-operative battle to get better every day.…more

This years NFL Super Bowl is between The Philadelphia Eagles and The Kansas City Chiefs. Amongst these two teams are a group of islanders holding it down for their teams in the biggest American Football event of the year.

Here are Pasifika players you'll be able to spot in Super Bowl LVII on Monday 13th 12.30pm NZDT: 

* NB These are just the Pacific island players on the actual playing roster who are likely to be in the run on teams on Super Bowl Sunday.  We haven't included players in the reserves or training squads

Jordan Mailata

Team: The Philadelphia Eagles

Position: Offensive Tackle

Lafoga Jordan Mailata is a Samoan offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was born and raised in Australia where he previously played rugby league. He joined the NFL via the league's International Player Pathway Program. He was selected in the 7th round, 233rd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2018 NFL Draft, despite having no prior football experience.

You may also recognise his face from FOX's The Masked Singer.…more

We catch up with a few of the Moana Pasifika boys at Moana Pasifika HQ for Media Day ahead of the start of their Super Rugby season.

They share what music they listen to before a game, who their childhood rugby hero was, which player they're most looking forward to tackling, their favourite island food and more ...

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ICYMI Sky have also announced a partnership with Moana Pasifika to enable reach and build connections into Pasifika communities including creating content and products to engage Moana Pasifika fans both in NZ and worldwide.  They're also keen to support community initiatives.

The shared content creation initiatives will enable the partners to tell authentic Pasifika stories, and for Moana Pasifika content to be available across Sky’s ecosystem (including some free-to-air on Prime).