Tagata Pasifika - Welcome
University of Auckland empowers South Auckland Pacific students to “Level Up”
By Toni Talamaivao While most kids were sleeping in and relaxing during their school holidays, 150 Year 9 students from across South Auckland attended a two day holiday programme called ‘Level Up’. The event is an initiative created by the University of Auckland to inspire and motivate young Pacific learners. Throughout the two days students […]
TP+ Auckland high school students cook for child cancer
Pacific hospitality students from a number of Auckland schools got a chance to test their cooking skills in a commercial kitchen recently. They were brought together by professional chef Aaron D'souza, who has 16 years experience in the industry. Alongside his own students from De La Salle College and in collaboration with Ignite Colleges, the students cooked for guest diners to raise funds for the Child Cancer Foundation.
Samoa Airways’ new ‘farm to plane’ menu to showcase more local produce
Source: Samoa Airways Samoa Airways is rolling out a new ‘farm to plane’ menu showcasing more local produce and innovative Samoan cuisine. The overhaul of the flight menu is part of an ongoing process in reviewing the entire inflight product service out of Samoa. It is one of many changes that Samoa Airways General Manager […]
TUIA 250: The Pacific Perspective
The Tuia 250 commemorations kicked off in Gisborne to mark 250 years since the arrival of Captain James Cook aboard the Endeavour to NZ. It included a celebration of the Pacific's voyaging heritage too. However not all are on board with the event. The $20 million taxpayer funded event sparking much controversy for Māori and Pacific concerning NZ’s colonial history. Moana Makapelu Lee with this story.
Pacific Fusion Fashion Show 2019
'Fashion Factory' was the theme at the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show held in Auckland last week, showcasing the best of Pacific fashion including nine international designers. Soana Aholelei went along to see the show.
Wellington Investitures 2019
Wellington Investitures 2019.
Fijian influencer Malcolm Andrews on safeguarding the Fijian language
In celebration of Fiji Language Week 2019, we caught up with Fijian influencer Malcolm Andrews, founder of storytelling platform Project ConchShell. You use the conch shell as a wonderful symbol for the work you do with our Pacific people. Tell us what Project ConchShell is about. I founded Project ConchShell in 2017 to address current […]
National Bank of Samoa launches first “Tap & Go” Debit card for Samoa
Source: nbs This week the National Bank of Samoa (nbs), in partnership with Mastercard, launched the first Debit card available in Samoa. The card features chip-enabled technology including contactless payment feature “Tap & Go”, which allows consumers to make faster payments for everyday purchases rather than using cash. “Innovation is key to achieving our vision […]
TP+ Joana Monolagi on Fijian music and dance
Celebrating Fiji Language Week at Auckland Museum
Live: Te Mana Performing Arts at Auckland Museum
John Pulu chats with members of Te Mana Performing Arts, plus we check out their performance at Auckland Museum.
#FijiLanguageWeek
Tonga Squad confirmed for GB Lions Tour and Oceania Cup
Jason Taumalolo, Andrew Fifita, David Fusitua, William Hopoate and Daniel Tupou headline a full-strength Tonga Invitational XIII squad that will contest the forthcoming Oceania Cup and take on the touring Great Britain Rugby League Lions in Hamilton on October 26.
Coached by Kristian Woolf, the Tonga Invitational XIII named today contains 17 players who featured at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
TONGA INVITATIONAL XIII squad to contest the GB League Lions Tour and Oceania Cup.
1 John Asiata
2 Andrew Fifita
3 Addin Fonua-Blake
4 David Fusitu'a
5 Siliva Havili
6 Ata Hingano
7 William Hopoate
8 Konrad Hurrell
9 Michael Jennings
10 Sione Katoa
11 Tuimoala Lolohea
12 Manu Ma'u
13 Ben Murdoch-Masila
14 Joe Ofahengaue
15 Tevita Pangai Jr
16 Kotoni Staggs
17 Tevita Junior Tatola
18 Sio Siua Taukeiaho
19 Jason Taumalolo
20 Daniel Tupou
21 Sitili Tupouniua
Coach: Kristian Woolf
Papali’itele Peter Fatialofa and Dean Bell to be inducted to Hall of Fame at 2019 Ōtara Sports Awards
Source: Ōtara Sports Awards New Zealand rugby league great Dean Bell and legendary Manu Samoa captain Papali’itele Peter Fatialofa will both be recognised with lifetime achievement awards before being inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 2019 Ōtara Sports Awards on Saturday 30 November at Kia Aroha College, Auckland. While Fatialofa will be inducted […]
Three Niuean GP siblings help launch book celebrating Pacific success at Otago University
Source: University of Otago Three Niuean siblings, all University of Otago alumni now working as GPs in Wellington, helped launch a book celebrating Pacific success in health sciences at the University in Parliament last night. Te Folauga: The Journey outlines the journey of Pacific students, staff and communities over the past 20 years in the […]
TP+ Moana Loloto: a powerful night of indigenous storytelling
Creatives and activists gathered in the Māngere Arts Centre in Auckland for Moana Loloto, a night for indigenous storytellers to share issues affecting Pacific people. We spoke with the some of our Pacific influencers who are putting climate change at the forefront.
TP+ Rosebank Aoga Amata celebrates 10th anniversary
Last week we went along to Rosebank Early Childhood Centre's 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of providing Samoan bilingual education to children in Auckland. Malo le finau, malo le tau!
TP+ Meet unstoppable Pasifika artist Leki Jackson-Bourke
We catch up with award-winning South-Auckland based playwright/artist Leki Jackson-Bourke, the first Victoria University Emerging Pasifika Writer in Residence, during the final weeks of his residency in Wellington.
Historical Fijian meke created to celebrate Fijians living in Aotearoa New Zealand
MEKE AOTEAROA will create and stage two original meke during Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti | Fijian Language Week 2019, this Saturday in Auckland. This is the first time original meke celebrating Fijians living in Aotearoa New Zealand will be created and staged. Daunivucu and daunimeke, Alipate Mainasau (Ovalau; Director of Te Mana Performing Arts school) […]
Manu Samoa’s Belgium Tuatagaloa on loss and perseverance
By Reina Va’ai A proud descendant of the villages, Samatau Falelatai and Sapapali’i Savai’i, Belgium Tuatagaloa ‘feels blessed’ to be sitting in his Manu Samoa jersey here in Nagoya, Japan. It’s a day before Samoa’s much-anticipated match against Japan and although he knows his family and friends are cheering him on, there’s still one person […]
TP+ New production By FAFSWAG explores Pacific female sexuality
‘Reclaimation’ is a new work by first time director Elyssia Wilson Heti in collaboration with queer art collective FAFSWAG which explores “female pleasure and desire from a Pacific lens that privileges bigger full-sized womxn of colour”.
Pacific animator Ali Cowley and his son Nikau
It's been a big year for Pacific animator and illustrator Ali Cowley and his son Nikau, who recently released a new documentary called Meet Munch Junior.
Selected for documentary platform Loading Docs, the film's about how a father's love inspires an autistic teen to express himself by bringing his cartoon character to life. Taylor Aumua caught up with the creative duo behind the film.
Tuvalu Language Week 2019
How dare you - those were the words this last week of 16-year-old activist Greta Thunberg to world leaders to take urgent action for climate change.
Millions around the world have marched on the streets to voice their support, but how do Tuvalu young people feel about this important issue? One local Tuvaluan Tokelauan is doing her bit to raise awareness in her community.
Tuia 250 flotilla to arrive into Gisborne
An event marking the arrival of Captain James Cook to New Zealand is taking place in Gisborne this weekend.
Known as Tuia 250, it has sparked both celebration and protest. Joining us to shed some light on the issues is reporter Moana Makapelu Lee.
Auckland Investitures 2019
A Pacific boxing legend, a workers' rights advocate and an Ōtara community and youth worker were among those to receive their Queen's Birthday Awards in Auckland recently.
Presented by Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy, they were part of a large cohort of Pacific people to receive the award this year.
Isileli Nakajima – the Tongan powerhouse in Japan’s Rugby World Cup team
By Reina Va’ai Isileli Nakajima is a pretty hard man to miss. Well above 6 feet, he stands out amongst a Japanese crowd. His larger than life stature however, is tempered by his self-effacing, genuine and kind nature. The initial intimidation wears off immediately, especially when he removes his hat, hiding his dyed blonde hair […]