Tagata Pasifika - Welcome
Talanoa: Pasifika human rights issues
The Human Rights Commission has been holding public consultations with Pacific communities in recent weeks to hear what the human rights priorities and issues are for their families. Some of those issues include violence against women and children, access to bank loans and elder abuse.
Indira Stewart sat down with the commissioner responsible for Pasifika and the rainbow community, Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo.
First kava bar opens in Auckland
It's the first time we're seeing Kava being sold commercially in New Zealand.
Pacific Games update: medal tally + women’s weightlifting controversy
Seinafolava Sanele Chadwick and Indira Stewart discuss the Pacific Games medal tally and the controvery around transgender athlete Laurel Hubbard competing in the Women's Weightlifting.
Liliu: the courtroom drama set in post-WWI Samoa
Set in colonial Samoa, short film Liliu tells the story of a court interpreter who risks everything to help a wrongfully convicted chief. Filmmaker Fa'alava'au Jeremiah Tauamiti hopes people will remember the leadership roles Pacific women held before colonial times.
Liliu is screening as part of the NZIFF Nga Whanaunga Maori Pasifika Shorts.
Cook Islands short film Our Atoll Speaks: Ko Talatala Mai Tō Mātou Wenua
The Ngā Whanaunga Māori and Pasifika Shorts is set to showcase a collection of short films at the NZ International Film Festival, highlighting some incredible storytelling talents from around Aotearoa and the Pacific.
Filmed in the remote Cook Islands atoll of Pukapuka, Our Atoll Speaks is a mediation on the vast environmental knowledge of the people of Pukapuka/Nassau. Filmmaker Amelia Borofsky believes they have a lot to teach the world about sustainability.
TP+ Tupumaiaga A Niue Trust providing school holiday cultural workshops
Established in 2007, the Tupumaiaga a Niue Trust provides Niuean cultural and heritage workshops for the community during the school holidays. The trusts' chair Logan Feilo believes these workshops can help Niuean youth practice and preserve the culture.
Proud Tongan John Tui overcome by emotion at the world premiere of Fast and Furious “Hobbs & Shaw”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s new movie, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, premiered over the weekend in Hollywood. Cast member John Tui, who plays a brother of Dwayne Johnson’s character Luke Hobbs, was at the premiere dressed in traditional cultural attire. During an interview on the red carpet, the proud Tongan got emotional as […]
Parris Goebel and Sisters United’s GIRL empowering young Pasifika women
Parris Goebel and Sisters United are in the midst of creating one of Tempo Dance Festival's hottest tickets this year - GIRL; an intimate show that delves into the journey of young females discovering their inner power. For the cast, Goebel auditioned many young women from high schools around Auckland - many who had never attended an audition before. Through the show, Director of Sisters United Kendal Collins hopes to empower young Māori and Pasifika women.
GIRL will be showing at Q Theatre from 11-12 October. For tickets head to qtheatre.co.nz.
Samoan short film Liliu trailer
Trailer for Liliu, a Samoan short film directed by Nanai Jeremiah Tauamiti. Liliu is screening as part of the NZIFF Ngā Whanaunga Maori Pasifika Short Film Programme.
Samoans steps up to host Pacific Games
The 16th Pacific Games is in full-swing in Samoa. Alistar Kata takes a look at what it takes to mount this mammoth event and how it impacts on locals and visitors alike...
Grassroots venture grows entrepreneurial spirit
A new community enterprise is giving Pacific families a chance to develop their entrepreneurial spirit with their own pig farming co-operative. Known as the "Co-operapig", it's been established with the help of Cook Islands community group CIDANZ and the landowner.
Talanoa: Community reacts to Miss Heilala fallout
Moana Makapelu Lee sits down with two members of our reporting team, proud Tongans Soana Aholelei and Alice Lolohea, to hear their reaction to the Miss Heilala fallout.
Miss Heilala Background: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUZw4A8ft0w
The controversy that put Miss Heilala in the international spotlight
Tonga's former Miss Heilala Kalo Funganitao has been expunged from Miss Heilala records for not fulfilling her role to crown the incoming Miss Heilala. The Kingdom of Tonga made headlines this week when Funganitao delivered a damning outgoing speech accusing organisers for bullying and mistreatment. Here's what happened.
Pacific news of the week
Seinafolava Sanele Chadwick and Moana Makapelu talk about Miss Heilala news, the Pacific Games tally, Blackcaps domination and... Marama's new baby!
TP+ ‘Deportees of Tonga: Gangsters in Paradise’ filmmaker showcases deportee photo series
Director of 'Deportees of Tonga: Gangsters in Paradise' Todd Henry has developed a reputation for creating imagery which focuses on accuracy of representation. The photographer and filmmaker was at the Sony Photo Talk to screen his short documentary, and to showcase his collection of photography shot in the Pacific.
TP+ Mose Auimatagi Jnr closes in on world champion dream after WBA title win
Super Middleweight boxer Mose Auimatagi Jr has burst onto the world scene after flooring Australian Kerry Foley last month to win the OPBF & the Interim WBA title. The win will likely catapult him into the WBA Top 20.
TP+ Tongan pageant queen: “I was left with no other choice but to speak out”
Outspoken Tongan pageant queen Kalo Funganitao says she had no choice but to speak out over the weekend after an unsuccessful year trying to address issues offline. Now she's calling for a complete revamp of Tonga's iconic Miss Heilala beauty pageant.
TP+ Grace Taylor’s My Own Darling a ‘love hate letter to Auckland’
Award-winning poet Grace Taylor is bringing back her powerful theatre production ‘My Own Darling’ this week from 10-12 July at Auckland’s Basement Theatre. The show reunites the creative trio of Grace Taylor, Fasitua Amosa and Gabby Solomona to reveal a side of Auckland that is often overlooked.
Veronica Pome’e Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model 2019
She is following her dream! Tongan beauty Veronica Pome’e is the first Polynesian model to grace the pages of world-renowned Sports Illustrated. The New York-based model is using her platform to empower women of all ages, sizes and cultures. Soana 'Aholelei caught up with Veronica during her fleeting visit to Tonga and New Zealand.
Are we doing enough to help Pacific people who need medical treatment?
Every year hundreds of people travel from the islands to New Zealand for medical reasons. In some cases, the situation is dire. But things are much more difficult when your immigration status is only temporary and you don’t have the funds to get the right treatment. Alistar Kata met a woman from Samoa who is struggling through this process.
What’s Kris Faafoi’s vision for public housing? – Cabinet Reshuffle
Labour's Mana MP Kris Faafoi is the new Associate Minister for Housing in charge of Public Housing, following the Prime Minister's Cabinet re-shuffle last week. He has 18 months to make an impact before the next general elections. So with many Pacific and Māori families making up a large number of state and social housing residents, or those still on a waiting list, what are Faafoi's plans and vision for NZ's state houses? Moana Makapelu Lee took a trip to his electorate in Porirua to find out.
The Samoan family tackling homelessness through mobile laundry service
Orange Sky is a free mobile laundry and shower service set up in Australia five years ago and has made its way to New Zealand thanks to Samoan Eddie Uini. But as Anauli Karima Fai'ai reports, there's more to the service than meets the eye.
Indira Stewart and Sanele Chadwick talk Miss Heilala controversy and Pacific Games
Indira Stewart and Seinafolava Sanele Chadwick talk Indira's RNZ show First Up, Miss Heilala controversy and the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games.
TP+ New Cook Islands collective aims to grow te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani
Experts in te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani launched the Cook Islanders Teachers & Educators Collective New Zealand (Au Taunga Korero Kūki ‘Āirani o Aotearoa) last night.
The group aims to provide pathways for New Zealand-born Cook Islanders to learn and speak the language, including having it taught across all levels of education.