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
Samoa Mourns the Loss of Education Pioneer Dr Gatoloaifaana Tilianamua Afamasaga
Respected educator and national leader Afioga Gatoloaifaana Tilianamua Afamasaga has passed away, with her family sharing the news publicly.
According to loved ones, she died peacefully on the morning of 23 April, surrounded by her husband Toomata Tua Afamasaga, their children, grandchildren, and close relatives. While she was widely recognised for her work, she is also being remembered as a deeply devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and mentor to many.
Born on 5 May 1947, Afamasaga devoted over 50 years to strengthening education in Samoa and across the Pacific. Her studies took her from Samoa College to Hamilton Girls’ High School in New Zealand, and later to Christchurch Teachers College, where she completed her teaching diploma in 1971. She continued her academic journey at Macquarie University in Australia, earning qualifications in education including a Master’s in Teacher Education.
She began teaching at Samoa College and Vaipouli College, before moving into influential leadership roles that helped shape Samoa’s education system.…more
Natalie Netzler: taking traditional medicine viral
Virologist Dr Natalie Netzler is researching the antiviral properties of traditional Sāmoan and Māori medicines in the pursuit of saving lives.
When Natalie Netzler had a headache as a child, she would go to her father, Gene, who would administer traditional Samoan massage – a fōfō.
“He had such big strong hands – I thought my skull was going to collapse under them,” says Natalie.
“But, as soon as he finished and took his hands away, the headache was gone.”
Her father, who was from the Sāmoan villages Moto’ōtua and Falealili, knew where all the pressure points were to alleviate the pain.
“It taught me the value of traditional medicine and the knowledge that has been passed down.”
Now, Natalie (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Hauā, Moto’ōtua, Falealili) is researching the antiviral properties of traditional Sāmoan and Māori medicines. It’s a career path the senior lecturer in immunology and virology never imagined as a young person. Although she had a supportive family, university wasn’t a common route and she lacked mentors to light the way.…more
Boxing Samoa Squad Wins 19 Medals at Pacific Nations Cup
“Despite our limited resources, IBS strives to provide our young fighters the international pathways they deserve,” - IBS President Tavu’i Mike Lemisio.
Samoa has dominated the Pacific Nations Cup in Suva, Fiji, bringing home an impressive 19 medals, 12 gold and 7 silver, in a commanding performance across both elite and youth divisions.
The result builds on last month’s Youth World Cup success in Thailand, where Samoa also secured gold and silver, further highlighting the rapid rise of Independent Boxing Samoa (IBS) on the international stage.
Led by Lemisio and head trainer, boxing legend Faumuina To’aletai David Tua, the team’s success reflects weeks of intense preparation, combining high-level training with a strong spiritual foundation. Their efforts were backed by a dedicated coaching and management group working behind the scenes.
“We could only send a small team… but we hope to one day field a full team covering all weight classes and genders for all world events,” Lemisio said.…more
Moana Pasifika CEO keeps hope of last-minute lifeline to save side
There might be life in Moana Pasifika yet. After five years in Super Rugby, the franchise confirmed on Wednesday it had made the "difficult and heartbreaking decision" to disband at the end of the 2026 season due to financial pressures and structural challenges.
It followed reports Moana's Pasifika's owner, the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA), was cutting ties with the club in the face of a $10 million funding shortfall.
However Debbie Sorensen, who is chief executive of both the club and PMA, is still hopeful someone could step in to save the club.
"We're very hopeful that additional investors may come forward because often in this situation people who have extra resources haven't really thought about taking a franchise," Sorensen told Morning Report.
"We have previously gone out to market for investors and that didn't bear any fruit for us which leaves us in the position we are in now.…more