Tenor - my name is Pati | Premiere | Pene Pati talks about culture, resilience and faith
My Name is Pati, a deeply personal look at the journey of Samoan Operatic powerhouse - Pene Pati: from singing at a rest home in South Auckland Mangere, to becoming the first Samoan tenor to perform on the world's top opera stages in the world.
In an exclusive interview with the Coconet - Pene talks about Faith, Family & the resilience of Pacific People
“Our ancestors were voyagers, they set out in a canoe, the waka, without any guarantee....[they thought] there’s got to be something more out there....It’s in you to be fearless, to go out there and look for hope… the voyager mentality.”
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By Tikilounge & CNZ Arts Reporter Destiny Momoiseā
Dave Rennie: The First All Blacks Head Coach of Pasifika Heritage
"I’m honoured to represent the Cook Islands"
New Zealand rugby has reached a landmark moment. Dave Rennie, of Cook Islands descent through his mother from Titikaveka, Rarotonga, has been named Head Coach of the All Blacks through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. This makes him the first coach of Pasifika heritage to take the reins of Aotearoa’s most iconic rugby team.
For many of us in the Pacific community, this is more than a coaching appointment—it’s a milestone that reflects the significant impact Pacific peoples have had on rugby in New Zealand. A large percentage of Super Rugby and All Blacks players are of Pacific descent, yet this is the first time one of our own has led the team from the top. Rennie’s appointment sends a powerful message: Pacific people belong at every level of rugby, from grassroots to the pinnacle of the game.
Rennie spoke proudly of his heritage at his first press conference. “She [my mother] was hardworking, inspirational… I know she’d be really proud. I’m honoured to represent the Cook Islands,” he said.…more
Palau Linked Tanker Hit Near Strait of Hormuz as Pacific Braces for Higher Oil Prices
A ship linked to Palau has been seen ablaze near the Strait of Hormuz after reportedly being struck by a projectile, as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate.
The tanker at the centre of the incident, MT Skylight, was widely identified in early reports as Palau-flagged. However, the Palau Ship Registry has clarified that the vessel was no longer registered under Palau at the time of the attack.
In a statement issued from Koror on March 2, 2026, the registry said the tanker had been removed from its records in January 2026 under established compliance and regulatory procedures.
“Certain media reports have referred to the vessel as being registered under the flag of Palau,” the statement read. “The vessel was removed from the Palau registry in January 2026 in accordance with the Registry’s established compliance procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.”
The clarification follows reporting from the Oman Maritime Security Centre, which said the incident occurred about five nautical miles north of Khasab Port in the Strait of Hormuz.…more
Moana Pasifika gives Pacific Content Creators a leg up
Moana Pasifika are creating real opportunities for up and coming content creators by giving them access to home games, behind the scenes moments, and player interactions at Super Rugby level.
In a space where access is everything, this initiative is helping young creatives build portfolios, gain industry exposure, and step into professional rugby environments.
And it is already working.
Some of the creators involved last season have gone on to work with other Super Rugby teams, showing how powerful opportunity and visibility can be.
In this video we explore:
• Why creator access matters in modern rugby
• How Moana Pasifika are supporting emerging media talent
• The impact this is having on the wider Super Rugby landscape
• What this means for the future of sports content in New Zealand and the Pacific
Thumbnail by IG @framesbyharmony
Three Samoan Seasonal Workers Killed by Inadequate Median Barriers, Coroner Finds
Three Samoan seasonal workers are being mourned across Aotearoa and Samoa after a crash a coroner says could have been prevented if highway median barriers had met modern safety standards.
In findings released publicly on Tuesday, Coroner Alison Mills concluded that the deaths of Ta’avao Kelemete, Uili Fa’aofo and Leauga Jerry Leauga on State Highway 1 between Bombay and Ramarama on August 26, 2024, were avoidable.
The three men, all related, were travelling in a van with colleagues when a southbound truck crossed the median and collided with them. They died at the scene. A 21 year old remains in critical condition, and two others were injured.
Initial police indications suggested a tyre blew out on the truck, causing it to veer off course. But the coroner found the tragedy was compounded by a legacy wire median barrier installed in the late 1990s that failed to prevent the truck from crossing into oncoming traffic.
Mills stated the crash could have been prevented if the median barrier had been up to current safety standards.…more
New Fa’alupega Mobile App Bridges Ancient Samoan Tradition and Modern Technology
“Fa’alupega is not just words. It is the map of who we are and where we come from.”
For Julius To'o, that belief sits at the heart of the new Fa’alupega mobile app, launched in Porirua, Wellington and now available on iOS and Android.
At a time when more Sāmoans are being raised outside their ancestral villages and fluent speakers are declining globally, To’o says the decision to digitise one of Sāmoa’s most sacred cultural practices was not about convenience, but continuity.
“By placing this knowledge in a mobile format, we honour our elders and orators while empowering the next generation, whether they live in Sāmoa, New Zealand, Australia, the United States or beyond, to engage confidently with their identity. This is about protecting our culture in a digital world without compromising its meaning.”
Fa’alupega, the honorific language that acknowledges chiefly titles, village hierarchies, ancestral lands and lineages, has traditionally been passed down through service, ceremony and direct guidance from elders and tūlāfale. For some, the idea of digitising such sacred knowledge may raise concerns.…more
Tourism at Risk? Airlines Warn Over Samoa’s $180 Departure Cost
Airlines are pushing back after the Samoa Airport Authority confirmed a sharp hike in departure costs at Faleolo International Airport, with carriers warning the move could price out local families and hurt tourism.
From 1 March 2026, passengers aged 12 and over departing Samoa will face a combined $180 in airport charges. The existing departure tax will rise from $65 to $80, while a new $100 Aerodrome Facility Charge will be introduced. The fees apply to all bookings made or modified after that date and will be automatically added to airfares.
The International Air Transport Association has raised concerns about the impact on connectivity, particularly for island nations. In a statement, IATA said the increases would add to the cost burden for Samoan nationals and the diaspora, as well as tourists, and urged the government to reconsider.
‘Talofa Airways’ director Jeffrey Hunter told RNZ Pacific the increase is significant, especially for smaller aircraft operators servicing regional routes. While acknowledging the airport authority’s need to recover infrastructure costs, he said higher fares could make travel unaffordable for some families.…more
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - TYRUN
TYRUN
NIUEAN/SAMOAN
MUSICIAN
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Introduce yourself, your Pacific heritage, where you grew up and what you create.
Fakaalofa lahi atu kia mutolu oti, ko e higoa haaku ko Tyrun. Yo, I’m Tyrun, Aotearoa born Niuean-Samoan singer/songwriter/artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau! While creativity drives me into creative projects that traverse multiple creative disciplines, my main goal is to make music for your ears, eyes and heart.
Take us back to the beginning. What did music sound like in your home growing up?
It sounded like the melting pot I see around me, the intersection of Pasifika identity being built in the diaspora, in Aotearoa. It sounded like The Nolan Sisters, Boney M, Gladys Knight, Brandy, Britney Spears, Pretty Ricky, 3LW, Adeaze, Aaradhna. It sounded like a Fresh Off Da Boat mixtape - sounds of rnb, soul and pop crafted into mixes that made you want to sing and move.
You’ve said, “I do not see many stories about being queer and Niuean.…more
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - DENYCE SU'A
DENYCE SU'A
ACTOR, WRITER & STORYTYELLER
What is your Pacific Heritage and what are your villages?
I’m a very proud Samoan from the villages of Vaivase-Tai, Salelologa and Solosolo.
What was your journey into the arts like?
My dad was a minister and he was always keen on making his sermons and services super engaging. He would write role-plays and get me and my brothers to act them out in church. That planted a seed that grew into all areas of my life. In school, I actually liked doing speeches and found a safe space in the drama class. Like many creatives, it was my high school drama teacher who encouraged me to pursue it after high school. I studied Drama at uni whilst also getting involved in as much theatre as I could outside my studies. It’s that thing of loving something so much you just wanna surround yourself with it, and that’s what I did. And in a way, I’m still trying to do that now. I look for every opportunity to create and be creative.…more
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - ROMI WRIGHTS
ROMI WRIGHTS
TOKELAUAN/SAMOAN/AFRICAN AMERICAN
ARTIST
Introduce yourself, your pacific heritage and what do?
Taloha ni! My name is Romi Wrights.I am of Tokelauan, Samoan, and African American descent. I’m a mother and a singer-songwriter, and at the moment I’m currently studying law with the hope of becoming a music lawyer.
What was your journey into your arts like?
It’s been a long journey.I’ve been pursuing this dream for at least 15 years. It hasn’t been smooth, and there were definitely times when I wanted to give up, but looking back I’ve learned so much along the way and wouldn’t change a thing.
Did you always know you wanted to be an artist/musician?
Yes, I’ve known since I was 11 years old that I wanted to be a singer. Growing up, I joined every choir, kapa haka group, and school production I could, just to sing as much as possible. I also took bass lessons, but my heart always kept pulling me back to singing.…more