Coco Talanoa — Humans of the Islands / Page 1

LILA CRICHTON

SAMOAN

OPERA SINGER

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We spoke to Lila LJ Crichton is a NZ-born Samoan writer, director, composer and lyricist, ahead of his spring tour of A Master of None: Brown Fala, an evocative spoken-word theatre work, rich with original music and rooted in the rhythms of Pasifika storytelling. Crichton opens up about the creative path that led him from community halls to national stages, and how his journey of identity, language, and legacy continues to shape every note, line, and lyric he brings to life.

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What drew you to storytelling, whether through music, theatre, or words? Was that something present in your upbringing?

For me, it was both fate and purpose. Being a Pacific Islander means a natural affinity towards stories and storytelling, and arcs as a means of expression. With the added layer of being in the diaspora — growing up in South Auckland and then moving to Flaxmere — I was never short of opportunities to be surrounded by storytelling.…more

JOEL AMOSA

OPERA SINGER

SAMOAN

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Talofa Joel, tell us a little bit about yourself, where did you grow up?

I am a proud NZ born Samoan, raised in South Auckland gems of Otara and Manurewa. My Dad hails from Vaiala, Samoa and Mum was born here in Tokoroa.

How did you first get into Opera, and what inspired you to pursue it seriously?

I got my first operatic experience back in 2007, I saw Turandot at the Aotea Centre. If you don’t know this Opera, its where the famous 'Nessun Dorma' aria comes from. From here, the seed was planted. I was curious on how the voice can amplify itself that way without using a microphone.

My time at school with choir and barbershop added an element to singing that I always enjoyed - to tell stories. The inspiration to pursue it further was organic, I opened my mouth to sing, and it was not a smooth RnB sound, it wasn’t high, and it wasn’t low, but it had an element of classical potential.…more

Karlina Tongotea

Tongan/Maori

Doctor/Powerlifter

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What is your Pacific heritage, and where did you grow up?

I am a powerful mix of Tongan and Māori heritage. My dad was born in Ha'apai, Tonga and my mum was born in Te Tai Tokerau, Kaikohe. My parents moved to Tāmaki Makaurau in their late teenage years where they met and grew a family of 5 children. I am the 2nd in the line up and we were raised in Manurewa, South Auckland. 

How did you first get into powerlifting, and what inspired you to pursue it seriously?

I played netball for 20years of my life before I found powerlifting. I had to give up netball when I started working at Middlemore Hospital as a junior doctor, because I couldn't be a reliable teammate. But sport has always been in my life and is an important part of my mental health, so I started going to the gym for the first time.…more

William Sangster

Tongan

Journalist/Storyteller

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Please introduce yourself, your heritage, what you do for a living, where you grew up

Mālō e lelei. Ko hoku hingoa ko William — my name is William. I am Tongan–European, from the villages of Lapaha and Vaini (Vaini poto, iykyk). I grew up in Onehunga and am now based in Māngere East. I’m an Editorial Producer and Video Editor at The DList*, an online disability magazine platform.

You've spent much of your life advocating for people with disabilities and telling their stories — how has this work shaped you into the person you are today?

It’s taught me so much about being selfless and showing humanity towards others. My mum always instilled in me the importance of giving back and being kind to everyone. When I’m advocating, I’m simply trying to create an easier path for others — and to show them they can do it too.…more

Can you please introduce yourself, your culture and where you're from?

Aloha kākou, ʻo Maineialoha Kinimaka koʻu inoa. No Anahola, Kauaʻi mai au.
Aloha, my name is Mainei Kinimaka and Iʻm from Anahola on the island of Kauaʻi. 

Surfer turned Filmmaker - what was your journey into filmmaking like?

I had a pretty unique journey into filmmaking, given that Iʻm from Kaua’i, which is a place that not many filmmakers have come from so far. I grew up in a family of waterman and women, and so surfing was the foundation of my childhood, and it was the first pathway that introduced me to photography and visual arts.

The ocean has always been a huge inspiration to me, as has been Kauaʻi and it’s natural environments, but most of all I would say it’s the people of Hawaiʻi that inspire me the most in the stories that I tell. I was lucky enough to be mentored by Jason Momoa from the age of 19, and that was my official pathway into working hands-on in the film industry.…more

ZAIRE UGAPO

SAMOAN 

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE

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Please introduce yourself, your culture, and where you're from.

My name is Zaire Ugapo.  I am a full Samoan born and raised in Manurewa,  South Auckland. My Dad is from Saina Faleata, Solosolo and Toamua. My Mum is from Faleasiu, Vaivase, Samauga and Lefagaoali’i. They currently reside in Saina Faleata. 

What was your upbringing like in South Auckland, and how did sport first enter your life?

I grew up in Manurewa, attended Schools in the area and like most Polynesian kids, I spent a lot of time at church with my family.  Fortunately enough,  the schools I attended and my community encouraged sports and physical activity. I started playing club sport when I was 6 years old, I played soccer for Papakura City FC.…more

JAYE TUIAKI

SAMOAN/COOK ISLAND

MUSICIAN

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Can you introduce yourself - where you’re from, your cultural background, and a bit about how you were raised?

My name is Jaye Tuiaki. I’m a 22-year-old up-and-coming artist, born and raised in South Auckland, currently based in Papakura. I’m of Tongan and Cook Islands descent and the youngest of six. I was raised in the LDS church, and growing up in a musical family meant I was constantly surrounded by singing and faith. Church was a big part of our lives, and some of my earliest memories are singing together with my family.

What was life like growing up in South Auckland, and how did that environment shape you as a person and as an artist?

Growing up in South Auckland meant I was constantly surrounded by talent - not just in music, but across all forms of creativity. Being raised around other Polynesians who were expressing themselves through their art inspired me to find my own voice, which naturally became music, given my background.…more

CAYZA

SAMOAN

RAPPER

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Introduce yourself -your ethnicity and where you grew up.

Talofa lava, my name is Caleb Fatialofa-Sapati, also known as CAYZA. I’m a proud full Samoan, born in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. My family hails from the villages of Lepa and Lalomanu in Upolu, and Fogapoa and Siufaga in Savai’i. I was raised in Maraenui, a suburb of Napier in Hawke’s Bay.

What was your journey into music like?

It’s been both a blessing and a humbling experience. The journey of building a full-time music career hasn’t been easy, but staying grounded in faith is what helped me through. There have been a lot of wins, but just as many lessons -each one teaching me something new and keeping me focused. That’s what makes me appreciate the journey even more.

How has your upbringing - both in a Samoan family and in Maraenui—shaped you as an artist and musician?

Growing up in a loving Samoan family - especially one blessed with the gift of music - shaped me deeply.…more

A.R.T

SAMOAN, TOKELAUAN & TONGAN

SINGERS

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Introduce yourselves and where you grew up?

We are A.R.T, (A)nastasia, (R)osetta & (T)-R3X. We grew up in Porirua, Wellington, and come from the beautiful island nations of Samoa, Tokelau & Tonga. 

We’ve been together since we were 11 & 12 years old and have stuck together ever since. 

How was A.R.T Created? 

What inspires you to make music?

 

ANDREW JOHN FAKAUA PONTON

TUVALU

FILMMAKER

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Andrew John Fakaua Ponton, a filmmaker of Tuvaluan and Scottish heritage, was born in Tuvalu and raised in Suva, Fiji — a backdrop that would later shape his cinematic voice. His journey into filmmaking kicked off at just 13, armed with a Hi-8 video camera and an unshakable drive to tell stories, no matter the constraints. Over time, he carved out a style distinctly his own — one that draws deeply from the rhythms, textures, and realities of the Pacific.

His upcoming film Bati embodies that ethos: a grounded, character-driven story shaped by inventive filmmaking and a lifelong passion for boxing, both as a sport and a cinematic form. Shot on location in Suva and the rural province of Namosi, the film navigates the dynamic tension between city and village life, all while spotlighting the raw creative energy fueling grassroots Pacific cinema. He shares his story and work with us here!

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Please introduce yourself, your ethnicity and where you grew up? 

My name is Andrew.…more