Matt Damon praises Dwayne Johnson's Performance in Smashing Machine
In a recent interview on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Matt Damon talked about his experience watching The Smashing Machine and singled out one particular scene that really hit him emotionally.
He said the moment where Dwayne Johnson’s character is in a hospital after an overdose “really walloped me” and stayed with him because of how raw and authentic it felt. Damon described how Johnson built that scene collaboratively with director Benny Safdie and pulled from his own life to shape the performance.
Damon explained that when he asked Johnson about how that scene came together, Johnson said they worked on it together and that the emotional core came directly from his own experiences.
Johnson has said in multiple interviews that to portray that breakdown, he drew on deeply personal memories from his family life — especially his father’s struggles with alcoholism and his mother’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. Those lived experiences helped him access the vulnerability required for the scene, particularly moments of denial, fear, and emotional collapse.…more
18 Pasifika Families Move into new homes with 'Our Whare, Our Fale'
“When Pasefika lead, when we design for our own needs, when we work in true partnership, we can change our future.”
That belief is now taking physical form in eastern Porirua, where 18 Pasefika families have received the keys to their new homes as part of Our Whare Our Fale, a community led housing development delivered by Central Pacific Collective (CPC).
For new homeowner Erin Millar, the moment represents long awaited stability after years of uncertainty.
“This is a life changing moment for me. In the last eight years we’ve had to move four times. Our new home will bring stability, and certainty to me and my whanau. We even have an accessible space for our Grandma when she needs to come and stay.”
Manu and Viena Paongo are also preparing to build new memories in their home, surrounded by community. “We are particularly excited to celebrate our first Christmas in the new home,” they stated early December last year.…more
‘More Brown Faces Needed’ says Sonny Bill who is advocating for Ardie Savea for ABs Captaincy
“I love Scott Barrett. He’s one of the best players in the world, but I think we need to give the captaincy to Ardie,” said Sonny Bill Williams.
"He’s our guy moving forward, just because of the mana he brings. He’s got the runs on the board, look at what he’s done with Moana this year.”
Dual code star Sonny Bill Williams has added his voice to the current All Black discussion, saying that the changes to the team shouldn’t end with the firing of coach Scott Robertson.
Iconic sports star Sonny Bill, who played 58 tests between 2010-19 including several seasons alongside both Savea and Barrett, also said that the incoming coaching group should be focused on team culture.
“This is just my honest thoughts and opinion, but I think we need a coaching group that knows how to connect before correcting. Because these players know how to play and we do have the squad,” he said.…more
Becoming a doctor, the Ōtara way
Jodeci Namulau'ulu-Siō wants patients and future doctors from Ōtara to find a sense of home and belonging in medicine.
After a decade of working in factories during his study breaks, Dr Jodeci Namulau'ulu-Siō (Fogapoa, Lauli'i, Gataivai, Pu'apu'a, Iva) has graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Auckland.
Raised in Ōtara, affectionately known as ‘Home of the Brave’, as one of seven siblings in a three-bedroom home, Jodeci says his pathway into medicine looked different to many of his peers, having added responsibilities outside of the classroom.
“I was balancing study with work and family commitments,” he says. "But I have watched my parents who have worked tirelessly to support me and my siblings my entire life, which gave me the determination to graduate."
Jodeci’s first experience of the health system came at 14, when he helped care for his grandparents. His grandfather was admitted to Middlemore Hospital, where Jodeci stayed to assist with daily care. But his most significant role was to be a translator for his grandfather during medical conversations.…more
Father fetching baby formula gunned down outside church as Tongan community mourns
Salt Lake City — What began as a night of prayer and remembrance for the Tongan community has ended in bloodshed, heartbreak and unanswered questions after a father of 12 was shot dead outside a church while trying to care for his baby.
Vaea Tulikihihifo, 46, was killed Wednesday night in the back car park of a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse in Salt Lake City — not as part of any fight, but while briefly stepping outside to get baby formula from his car. He never made it back inside.
Seconds after Tulikihihifo walked out of the church doors, at least 10 gunshots rang out. He collapsed on the pavement, struck down as an innocent bystander.
Another Tongan man, 38-year-old Sione Vatuvei, was also killed. Six others were wounded in the shooting, which took place while mourners gathered inside to attend a memorial service for a member of the Pacific Islander community.
Police say the violence stemmed from a dispute between individuals at the service.…more
US Pulls Climate Funding, China Steps Forward in the Pacific
As the United States steps back from climate funding in the Pacific, China has stepped neatly into the frame.
Within days of Washington confirming it would withdraw support for the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Beijing handed over USD $200,000 to the Samoa-based agency, a move that was equal parts timely and telling.
The funding itself was not new. It had been promised at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga two years earlier. But the timing of the handover, landing less than a week after the US announcement, allowed China to control the moment and the message.
“This again demonstrates our sincerity and determination to help Pacific Island countries cope with climate change and achieve sustainable development,” said China’s envoy to Samoa, Fei Mingxing.
Until its withdrawal, the United States accounted for around 15 percent of SPREP’s funding. That position is now reportedly held by China, which has also signalled it has set aside a further USD $362,000 should the region need it.…more
‘Tis the season for matai titles in Samoa - a guide for the uninitiated
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
Who Sets the Rules in Today’s Kava Circle?
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
Pacific Changemakers Acknowledged in New Year Honours
Pacific excellence across diverse fields is being recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours, with eight Pacific leaders and community advocates included among 177 award recipients nationwide.
Their work spans a broad range of sectors, from education and disability advocacy to sport, faith, cultural leadership, language preservation, and social justice. Many of those honoured have expressed genuine surprise at the announcement, viewing the recognition as a reflection of shared community effort.
Saveatama Eroni Clarke
Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Pacific community and rugby
Former All Black Saveatama Eroni Clarke, who received a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his service to rugby and the Pacific community, told PMN News he was “absolutely surprised,” noting that the honour belongs not just to him, but to the collective work of those he serves.
Saveatama has made major headway for Pasifika in rugby, with the NZ Pacific Rugby Council now an affiliate body of the NZR.…more
Surviving the Pupenti Season With Your Dignity Intact
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