Coco Talanoa — Pacific Blog / Page 1

Jodeci Namulau'ulu-Siō wants patients and future doctors from Ōtara to find a sense of home and belonging in medicine.

By Tupa’isiva Tupa'imatuna FotuoSamoa Jody Jackson-Va'asiliifiti

In recent years, many Samoan families have come together to bestow or confer chiefly titles upon their descendants in cultural ceremonies across the islands. 

Adorned in bright and shiny fabrics, siapo or fine mat, a pale agiga across the oiled forehead, sometimes a necklace of dollars and a wallet that has been emptied, this is a special moment for an aiga samoa and the person receiving a title.  

Arise, you are new matai samoa!  

For the uninitiated, these cultural ceremonies occur in *nu’u mavae, established villages with historic structure and set up, usually with a known fa’alupega or honorifics. Nowadays, a church minister or several will attend to bless the event first, followed by the cultural ceremony itself. Prayer is definitely needed for these events because sometimes, you will need Jesus, Mother Mary, Allah, the deities, the indigenous gods and all cultural spirits to prepare you for the privilege and possible burden you will carry when you become a matai Samoa.…more

The sexualisation of tou’a in faikava ceremonies isn’t new, but an explicit video that recently went viral has caused huge concern about the exploitation of women in these spaces.

Tongan woman’s rights advocate Ofakilevuka Guttenbeil- Liliki on the wider cultural issues raised by the sex act filmed at a faikava session that went viral recently;

Social media platforms have challenged, and in many ways shaken, the very foundations of how we live as Tongans 🤷🏽‍♀️

We often speak proudly of Tongan culture as unique, particularly the deeply rooted concept of faka‘apa‘apa between brother and sister. It is a value we celebrate and frequently hold up as evidence of our cultural distinctiveness, one that extends beyond siblings to first, second and even third cousins (tuonga‘ane ‘aki / tuofefine ‘aki).

Yet things are changing, and changing very fast.

Over the past two decades, faka‘apa‘apa has been increasingly tested. What was once a lived, practised value has slowly shifted into something that is now largely understood and celebrated in principle rather than consistently upheld in practice.…more

Jody Fotuosamoa Jackson

Pupenti Diaries Season 2  

Surviving the financial silly season, hopefully NOT on your knees, ladies.  

I was reading a report by the Retirement Commission about financial literacy. No, wait. This will get better. Stay with me.

I did this while lying down outside my house on a fala lili’i (mat for sleeping) while trying to get a tan only because as fate would have it, I couldn’t find me a billionaire geriatric husband to fund me a plunge pool in the yard and staff to raise my children while I lounge around. Anyhow, back lying on the mat reading. 

I chose the report on financial literacy, out of interest and necessity to stay employable. The report was predictable at first, boring even,… but as I read in, it gave me all the feels, annoyance, concern, depressive thoughts and igoigo towards the end.…more

Hinaupoko Devèze of Tahiti takes the crown, with Julie Collet of Kanaky (New Caledonia) as first runner-up — a double win for the Moana.

The Pacific is celebrating this week as two young Polynesian women stepped into the global spotlight at the Miss France 2026 pageant — and walked away with the top two titles.

On Saturday (local time in France), 23-year-old Hinaupoko Devèze, Miss Tahiti 2025, was crowned Miss France 2026 in Amiens. Standing right beside her in the final results was another daughter of the Moana — Julie Collet, Miss New Caledonia 2025, named first runner-up.

For many across the Pacific, this felt like more than a pageant result, it felt like a moment of collective pride — a celebration of Pacific beauty, culture, and identity shining on a European national stage.

Hinaupoko Devèze, a psychology graduate with roots in the Marquesan island of Ua Pou, carried the mana of her tūpuna with her as she stood before millions of viewers.…more

By Jane Vavaitamana

If you’re an Islander heading to Fiji for the first time, get ready for a warm welcome! This guide is for young Islanders looking to enjoy Fiji without breaking the bank.

SLEEPING IN SUVA: OPTIONS GALORE!

Most start in Suva, where stays range from rainforest retreats like Colo-i-Suva Rainforest Eco Resort to city spots like Tanoa Plaza, perfect for walking around. If nightlife is your scene, close enough to hear the random “HOIIYYAAHH” at 2am, but still far enough to avoid the street chaos after the clubs close.

NADI: A BUDGET-FRIENDLY HAVEN!

In Nadi, Smugglers Cove will forever be a spot for kava and entertainment, while Sailors offers stunning beachfront views that are always Instagram worthy. If you need to be close to the airport, Tokatoka or Raffles Nadi are convenient options that will have you never missing a flight, unless you’re really talented.

FEASTING LIKE ROYALTY ON A BUDGET!

Fiji’s food scene is a budget-friendly delight.…more

The Arts Pasifika Awards 2025 honoured a dynamic lineup of Pasifika artists, recognising excellence across theatre, music, visual arts, and community leadership.

Each recipient embodies the spirit of Pacific creativity, storytelling, and cultural pride.

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Senior Pacific Artist Award — Anapela Polataivao ONZM

A proud Samoan from Manurewa, Anapela Polataivao is an award-winning director and actress known for Wild Dogs Under My Skirt, The Savage Coloniser Show, and Red, White and Brass. A Toi Whakaari graduate and founding member of Kila Kokonut Krew, she was appointed an ONZM in 2023 for her contribution to Pacific arts.…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

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