From West Auckland To Forbes: How Aunty Tommy’s Is Taking Koko Samoa Global
For Aunty Tommy’s, koko Samoa has never just been a product. It’s a feeling! memories of home, nostalgia, a feeling!
The Samoan-owned family company has built a loyal following by staying deliberate about how they grow, balancing international recognition with the responsibility of protecting something many Pacific families hold deeply sacred.
“When something carries memory like koko does, you can’t just put it in a wrapper and treat it like any other product. Our community are buying feelings as much as food.”
That tension sits at the heart of the company’s approach. While Aunty Tommy’s has recently gained recognition from Forbes and featured at both of New Zealand’s TIME World’s Greatest Places 2026 selections, the focus remains on preserving the integrity of koko itself.
“We know koko is sacred to a lot of our people. If we ever start sounding like we’re selling ‘the experience of being Samoan,’ we’ve lost the plot.”
Instead of adapting koko for mainstream audiences, Aunty Tommy’s says they invite people to experience it on its own terms.…more
Former Manu Samoa coach Mahonri Schwalger guilty on sexual offences involving minors
Former Mahonri Schwalger captain and coach Mahonri “Mase” Schwalger has been found guilty on multiple sexual offence charges in Samoa’s Supreme Court, more than a year after stepping down from his role as head coach of Manu Samoa amid criminal proceedings.
Senior Supreme Court Judge Vui Clarence Nelson found Schwalger guilty on eight of the 11 charges laid against him, according to local media reports.
The charges included assault with intent to commit a sexual act, common assault involving two victims, and five counts of indecent assault.
The victims were reportedly aged 14 and 19 at the time of the offending in 2024, while Schwalger was serving as head coach of Manu Samoa.
Schwalger was initially charged in September 2024 with unlawful sexual connection, attempted sexual violation, sexual conduct with a person under 16, indecent assault and common assault.
Following the filing of charges, Schwalger was suspended by Lakapi Samoa before resigning from his coaching role on January 6, 2025.…more
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - ATUETA RABUKA
FIJIAN
ARTIST
Please introduce yourself, your Pacific heritage and where you grew up?
Bula Vinaka, my name is Atueta Rabuka. I’m a Fijian artist from Nausori. I don’t know what is meant by “my Pacific heritage”. Some gang have connections to five Pacific Island countries that makes my connections to Fiji and Tonga feel inadequate... lol... and I don’t even know much about my Tongan side, only that my grandmother on my dad’s side is Tongan... wait, let’s just answer the question. I’m Fijian.
My village: Molituva, Kuku. Coz like Kuku is one village that has three villages in it, it gets complicated. My Yavusa (clan): Burekalou. My Mataqali (sub clan): Bureta. From here we can go to my maternal connections and then down the list of all the trees, flowers, fish and animals that are associated with me and my kin... is that heritage or does it mean where I grew up? We’ll just answer both.
So there’s Nausori, Suva and Lautoka...…more
'The views will always win': Meet Air Rarotonga’s first female pilot
Story via RNZ
The moment Isabel Drollet Macdonald stepped inside a plane, on an aircraft that was flown by none other than her dad, she knew that the pilot's life was meant for her.
"It was just one of the little scenic flights," Macdonald said.
"But it was just very inspiring to see the world from a pilot's eyes. I was probably eight or nine years old, but that was the start of it."
At just 23 years old, Macdonald is set to make history as Air Rarotonga's first-ever female pilot.
"My mum travelled a lot for work … and I think, I really do like the idea of travelling around the world. And why not be a pilot? I mean, it's one of the coolest jobs in my opinion.
"Once you take off, there's an unmatched feeling of just weight being lifted off your shoulders, of your whole entire body, actually.
"It's just an amazing thought that something so heavy, man-made, is flying in the air.…more
Where to Take Mum for Mother’s Day in Auckland
(Thumbnail credit Metita Restaurant)
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and if you’re still looking for ways to celebrate the mums, grandmothers, aunties and mother figures in your life, Auckland restaurants are pulling out all the stops.
From Pacific feasts and seafood buffets to Yum Cha, brunches and sky-high dining, there’s something for every kind of mum this year.
A Pacific Sunday Feast at Metita
For families wanting something heartfelt and deeply rooted in Pacific tradition, Metita’s special Mother’s Day Toana’i stands out.
Named after chef Michael Meredith’s mother, Metita was built around family, love and Pacific hospitality. This year’s Toana’i brings those values to the table with a three-course sharing feast inspired by Sunday lunches celebrated across the Pacific.
Guests can expect dishes influenced by Meredith’s upbringing, live entertainment from Mal Lakatani, and a welcoming atmosphere designed for gathering with whānau.
The experience includes a welcome drink, with bookings available from midday.
Kai Moana and Pasifika Flavours at Trivet
Another strong Pacific offering comes from Trivet’s “Kai Moana Pasifika” buffet.…more
New test covering 'responsibilities and privileges' of NZ citizenship announced for migrants
First Published on RNZ
Migrants applying for citizenship in New Zealand will have to pass a new multi-choice test under a government initiative to kick in late next year.
Applicants will be quizzed in person on the "responsibilities and privileges" of citizenship, covering topics like the Bill of Rights Act, voting rights and the structure of government.
They will need at least 75 percent of questions correct to pass.
Applicants currently only need to sign a form saying they understand these things. They must also meet other requirements regarding residency, good character and English skills.
Announcing the test, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden - who's also an ACT MP - said the move would strengthen what it meant to be a citizen of New Zealand.
"People seeking citizenship should understand New Zealanders believe in certain rights, like freedom of speech, or that no one person or group is above the law."
Other proposed question topics included human rights, certain criminal offences, democratic principles, and travel to and from New Zealand.…more
New Brisbane–Rarotonga Route Set for Takeoff May 18
Jetstar is set to launch its first-ever direct service between Brisbane and Rarotonga on May 18, 2026, marking a major boost for Pacific travel.
The new route will operate three times a week, offering a low-cost, non-stop connection to one of the South Pacific’s most popular island destinations. The service will add more than 50,000 seats annually and will be operated on Jetstar’s A321neo LR aircraft.
The milestone expands Jetstar’s Pacific network, building on its Sydney to Rarotonga route launched in 2023. The airline remains the only carrier offering direct flights from both Brisbane and Sydney to Rarotonga.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown welcomed the announcement, highlighting the importance of tourism to the nation’s economy.
“Tourism is the backbone of the Cook Island’s economy, contributing approximately 75 per cent of the country’s GDP. The new services from Jetstar will provide a major boost to our tourism sector and the financial impact for local tourism operators and the nation will be positive.…more
Could Ulberg be our new poster boy to the world?
Dr Hoani Smith, Dr Phillip Borell, Lefaoali’i Associate Professor Dion Enari
There’s something bigger here than just another UFC win.
When Carlos Ulberg steps into the Octagon, most see the obvious. Athleticism, composure, and the finish. But this one was different. It was a moment. Because this isn’t just about winning a championship anymore. It’s about building a global presence.
Whether we like it or not, Ulberg is carrying something bigger than himself. He’s carrying us and our country.
New Zealand is known for punching above our weight on the world stage. Names like Jacinda Ardern, Lorde, or Russell Crowe, doing it large on the big stage. They shape how people see us. Ulberg’s starting to do that too. Just in a different arena.
He’s Māori and Samoan. He’s calm, measured, and doesn’t need to be loud to be noticed. In a sport where a lot of people lean into hype, he’s gone the other way, and it’s working. Remember, influence doesn’t just sit with politicians anymore.…more
Tafi Breaks Oceania Clean & Jerk Record as Samoan Weightlifting Stars Shine
John Tafi has broken the Oceania Senior Men’s 71kg clean and jerk record, lifting an incredible 172kg at the IBFC Universal Weightlifting Cup.
The Samoan star delivered a dominant performance in the 71kg division, completing a clean sweep and taking control of the competition from the very beginning.
He opened with a strong 140kg lift in the snatch, immediately putting pressure on his competitors. But it was in the clean and jerk where he made history, powering through the 172kg lift to set a new Oceania record and seal gold in emphatic fashion. The lift not only secured his victory but also confirmed his status as one of the region’s most exciting and in-form weightlifters.
Fellow Samoan representing NZ, Olivia Selemaia continued her impressive rise with a record-breaking lift of her own, hitting 124kg in the clean and jerk in the 69kg division to set a new Oceania mark. The young Samoan Kiwi has been steadily gaining recognition and remains one to watch as she climbs the international rankings.…more
I want them to know growth is possible - SID DIAMOND returns with 'EVERYTHING' album
“I want them to feel it… for the ones from where I’m from, I want them to know growth is possible.”
After stepping away from music to focus on life, Sid Diamond returns with a renewed sense of direction, carrying a sound shaped by fatherhood, pressure, and lived experience.
For an artist long respected in Aotearoa hip hop, the time away marked a turning point. It wasn’t about stepping back from passion, but answering the call of real life. Loss, responsibility, and mental health demanded attention. “I had to deal with real life… things I couldn’t ignore,” he shares. That period forced growth beyond the studio, building patience, discipline, and a stronger sense of presence.
Now, that growth is embedded in EVERYTHING. “This one came from a real place no filters, no chasing a sound,” Sid says. “Every track is tied to something I’ve actually lived.” There’s a noticeable shift in how he approaches his music. The stories feel closer, more direct, grounded in experience rather than observation.
Fatherhood sits at the heart of that change.…more