Coco Correspondent Krit chats with 'Predator: Badlands' star Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi about training like a warrior, his rugby roots, and which part of Auckland really earns the title “the Badlands” 😂

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'Predator: Badlands' is in cinemas in New Zealand from November 6th! 🎬

“Pacific Arts includes our whole village.”

Those words came to life in Auckland last Friday, as artists, cultural leaders, and community members from across Aotearoa gathered for the first-ever Wantok Stori Miting - Aucklands first Melanesian focused arts meeting. 

Held as part of Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts Strategy 2023–2028, the Miting marked the launch of the Melanesian Arts Development Initiative, a new chapter in strengthening the visibility and representation of Melanesian creatives in Aotearoa’s wider Pacific arts landscape.

Makerita Urale, Senior Manager Pacific Arts at Creative New Zealand, said:
“The miting will serve as space to share stories, celebrate creativity, and strengthen connections across the Melanesian arts community... The initiative aims to strategically focus on strengthening the Melanesian arts community and the visibility of their diverse voices within the wider Pacific arts ecosystem in Aotearoa.”

“These miting are important because they create opportunities for Melanesian creatives to come together and exchange ideas in a way that strengthens their collective presence,” she said.…more

Tongan second-rower Eliesa Katoa’s condition on Sunday night at Eden Park has sparked serious questions about how player safety is managed and whether Pacific players’ wellbeing is truly being prioritised.

According to Code Sports, six teammates and staff had to help Katoa off the sideline before he was fitted with an oxygen mask and taken into the dressing rooms on a medicab. This came after he suffered three separate head knocks, one before the match even began.

The first hit came during the warm-up, when Katoa clashed heads with teammate Lehi Hopoate. Despite the visible impact, he did not undergo a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and was still cleared to start the match. 

In the 10th minute, he took another blow, an elbow from teammate Will Penisini, and was taken off for an HIA before being cleared to return to play. By the second half, he copped a third head knock while tackling a Kiwi player and was finally ruled out of the game.…more

A new study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal has found that Pacific children living in Aotearoa experience some of the highest rates of serious bone and joint infections (BJI) globally, and that these infections tend to be more severe and complex than those seen in other ethnic groups.

Researchers looked at 563 children across Auckland who were hospitalised for acute bone and joint infections between 2018 and 2023. Of these, 27% were Pacific children.

The study revealed that:

• Pacific children are twice as likely to develop bone and joint infections compared to NZ European children, with rates reaching 38 cases per 100,000 children each year.

• Two-thirds (66%) of Pacific children experienced complex or severe illness, often requiring multiple surgeries or intensive care.

• Pacific children were more likely to have multifocal sepsis (30% vs 10%), bacteraemia (60% vs 34%), and longer hospital stays (average 14 days vs 9).

• Eczema was found in one-third of Pacific children with BJI, more than any other ethnic group, and was linked to severe infection.…more

Community groups or individuals passionate about youth mental wellbeing in South Auckland are invited to apply for the inaugural ManaVā fund, which was co-designed by young people themselves. 

In partnership with philanthropic funder Foundation North, a panel of five rangatahi will distribute grants to grassroots projects that support Pasifika youth health and wellbeing. This youth advisory panel includes Whenua Manukau, Nafeesah Mustafa, Madison Leilua, Riria Makara and Caleb Singh – all leaders of The Cause Collective’s Do Good Feel Good initiative, which fosters youth-led social change across South Auckland. 

“ManaVā allows young people to be the change they want to see in the world,” Singh says.

“Our panel know the next generation is ready to take the baton, carrying on the work of those before us. No idea is too big or too small, so as long as the passion is there to do good by our families and villages, please do apply.” 

Over several months, the ManaVā panel met to decide the fund’s purpose, objectives and assessment criteria.…more

In just two months, powerhouse rookie prop Ivana Lauitiiti has achieved what many dream of across an entire career: an NRLW debut, Rookie of the year, Tackle of the year at 2025 Dally M’s and now a place in the Kiwi Ferns squad.

For the 19-year-old, pulling on the black and white jersey is more than a career milestone. It’s a dream that began on the fields of South Auckland, where she first fell in love with rugby league.

“Coming from grassroots footy here in New Zealand, I always dreamed of playing in the black and white jersey,” Ivana said. “To be selected in the squad is a blessing, and I’m grateful not just for myself but for everyone who’s supported me along the way.”

In just 24 minutes on debut, she ran for over 100 metres, made nine tackles, and delivered a brutal hit that had rugby league fans buzzing.…more

Palolo Rising! Islanders around the Moana are beginning the chase for the elusive palolo worm - here are the predicted best spots in Samoa according to the Ministry of agriculture:

Samoa’s treasured coastal delicacy, the Palolo worm (Eunice viridis), is about to make its annual appearance, a natural phenomenon that has fascinated generations of Samoans and visitors alike. The Palolo, harvested only twice a year, emerges mysteriously from the reef during the months of October and November, providing not just food, but also cultural celebration for families and communities.

What makes the Palolo even more remarkable is its timing. The worm’s rising is closely linked to the lunar cycle and ocean tides. Scientific studies have confirmed what Samoans have long known – Palolo emerges seven days after the full moon, during the third quarter of the moon, when midnight high tides shift to low tide at daybreak. These conditions create the perfect window for Palolo to rise to the surface.…more

“This is a moment of enormous pride for our Pacific Legal Community. I want to acknowledge the many incredible Pasifika lawyers who serve our communities every day with empathy, kindness and humility. The path was paved by the courage and determination of pioneer Pacific lawyers, and I am deeply grateful to them.” – Tiana Epati

Former President of the New Zealand Law Society, Samoan Tiana Epati has been appointed one of just 12 new King’s Counsel — one of the highest honours in the legal profession.

Her appointment is a powerful moment of recognition not just for Tiana, but for the Pacific legal community in Aotearoa, honouring the pioneers who came before and lighting the path for the next generation of Pacific lawyers, leaders, and community advocates.

Tiana is the daughter of Judge Semi Epati, New Zealand’s first Pacific Island judge.…more