Coco News

Government’s New School Lunch Rollout Fails Pasifika Students, Leaving Them Hungry

Pasifika school kids are going hungry as the Government’s new school lunch provider fails to deliver. The rollout is being labelled a disaster by many schools, students and teachers who have been left scrambling to find solutions, while the Ministry of Education struggles to correct the delivery systems.

Pasifika students make up a big part of the schools eligible for the schools lunch programme, which has been a welcome relief for Pasifika families on the breadline in the past. 

At Ōtāhuhu College, students were unimpressed after sampling meals from the new provider. One student, when asked how much they would pay for the meal, responded bluntly: “I wouldn’t buy it... like, 50 cents... Not even 50 cents.”

Samoan Labour MP Carmel Sepuloni has been visiting schools in her electorate, listening firsthand to the frustration and disruption caused by the transition to a new multinational lunch provider.

“Speaking to Kelston Boys' High Principal today [yesterday] – the food didn’t show up on Friday or Monday. Then, on Tuesday, it arrived, but today it didn’t turn up until 2pm.…more


Coco News

Fiji Rugby Director's Comments on Same-Sex Relationships in Women's Rugby Spark Backlash

Fiji Rugby Union’s newly appointed Rugby Director, Laijipa Naulivou, has drawn criticism following her remarks on same-sex relationships in women’s rugby. Speaking to the Fiji Sun, Naulivou made it clear that she does "not condone being gay for women in rugby," a stance she maintained throughout her playing and managerial career.

"Those who played with me know that I do not condone being gay for women in rugby," she told the Fiji Sun. "I always speak against it and I know I’m very unpopular in that area with those who practice it. I will keep emphasising it because that was one big drawback when we went to the first HSBC sevens tournament."

Naulivou, who captained Fiji’s first women’s rugby team, reflected on her past experiences in the sport. She recalled joining the national women’s team as manager three weeks before a major tournament and claimed that same-sex relationships had created challenges within the squad.…more


Coco News

A Son of Savai'i earns Prestigious Scholarship

In a remarkable achievement for the small island nation of Samoa, a young man from Savai'i has been awarded a highly competitive Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship, paving the way for him to further his studies overseas.

Mr Alesana Alesana Ulusele, from the village of Faga, has emerged as one of the region's brightest talents, earning the opportunity to pursue an undergraduate degree in Commerce at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji.

Mr Ulusele's journey to this prestigious scholarship began with his Foundation year at the National University of Samoa (NUS), where he demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience. A graduate of Tuasivi College, he initially found the transition to studying in Apia challenging.

“Meeting new people, being in a new environment, but also getting used to new ways of doing things were some of what I struggled with,” said Mr Ulusele. However, he quickly realised the importance of adapting to overcome these hurdles.…more


Coco News

Samoa makes second major drug bust in one week

Samoan police have uncovered two huge drug shipments in one week, impacting a supply chain and demand that shines a light on the amount of use of illegal drugs in the small Island nation. 

Three people including a businessman who owns a supermarket in Lotopa, have been charged by the Samoan Police and Correction Services, in what has been touted as the biggest drug bust in Samoa thus far.

The seizure of more than $4 million worth of crystal methamphetamine at the wharf,  was found concealed inside packets of Lifesaver candies and had come on a ship which had made port in the USA, Australia and New Zealand.…more


Coco News

Pacific Islanders Confront Deportation as Trump’s Hardline Policies Return

With Donald Trump back in the White House after his 2024 election win, the United States government has seen a resurgence of his tough immigration policies. Since his inauguration, one thing is clear, deportations are top priority. For many in Pacific Island nations this means facing the harsh reality of being forced to leave a country they’ve called home for years. While the focus is always on countries close to the US, Pacific Island communities are feeling the heat too.

Since President Trump returned to office, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations has arrested more than 3,500 unauthorised immigrants across the US.

A document from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations has listed over 1.4 million noncitizens with final orders of removal, many from Pacific Island nations. (See the full list here)

The data reveals that while deportations are widespread across many regions, Pacific Island nations have seen a notable share of individuals targeted for removal.…more


Coco News

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Questioned About Role In 2019 Samoa Measles Epidemic

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominated by President Donald Trump for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services, was questioned by US SenatorS Elizabeth Warren Ron Wyden about his role in the 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday. The outbreak, which resulted in dozens of deaths, was largely attributed to vaccine misinformation, a topic that Kennedy has been notably vocal about.

Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and the son of iconic American political figures Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, has long been a controversial figure in the health community. For years, he has promoted anti-vaccine rhetoric, including the widely debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. This has sparked alarm among public health experts, particularly given his potential leadership role in overseeing the U.S. health system.

In addition to his anti-vaccine stance, Kennedy has endorsed the consumption of raw milk, a practice that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns can carry serious health risks.…more


Coco News

Mana - The Power of Our Pasifika Words

As the world's digital divide widens and our news sources are compromised, the story of Mana newspaper in the 1970s gives hope and inspiration to Pasifika media today.

During the turmoil of the 1970s Dawn Raids era and the Crown's claiming of Māori lands, a group of Māori and Pasifika journalists and activists published a fortnightly newspaper in various Pacific languages to shine a light on the injustices faced by Pacific peoples.

“It’s important that our generations understand, look, and feel what happened in these times and the issues that Pacific people were facing,” says Dr Melanie Anae.

Despite having no budget and facing acute persecution during this infamous era, the passion of the Mana cohort allowed the power of the written word to reach communities when no other media was addressing their needs.

Today, the power of these words and images can be seen in an exhibition at Auckland Museum.

The exhibition showcases Mana’s role in amplifying Māori and Pacific voices and highlights how crucial this was in advocating for social justice and land rights.…more


Coco News

Tongan Researcher Linda Palavi says Parents are the key to addressing hearing loss in the Pacific.

A new study from the University of Auckland highlights the urgent need for Pacific-led, culturally aligned health practices to address hearing loss among Pacific children—a condition disproportionately affecting Māori and Pacific communities in Aotearoa.

Authored by Tongan researcher Linda Palavi, alongside Dr. Elizabeth Holt and Professor Vili Nosa, the review found that parental involvement is critical to improving outcomes for children with hearing impairments. However, current health services often fall short of meeting the cultural and familial needs of Pacific communities, creating significant barriers to care.

“Pacific parents are the first point of contact for their children’s health,” Palavi explains. “Shifting to family-centred approaches that are tailored to Pacific families will make a real difference.”

The research reveals how poverty, stigma, and cultural beliefs intersect with caregiving practices in Pacific households. Traditional views, including spiritual explanations for hearing loss, still exist but are evolving as families in New Zealand navigate the medical system.

Palavi says, “There’s still a stigma attached to hearing loss, which can stop families from seeking help.…more


Entertainment

Luciane Buchanan Talks 'The Night Agent' Season 2, and Tongan Zendaya

Star of 'The Night Agent', Tongan actor Luciane Buchanan, sits down with Coco Correspondent (and her cousin!!) Josephina Folau for an inside scoop on the new season ahead and where we find Luciane's character as the action heats up in Season 2.

She opens up about her collaboration with Vea Mafile'o 'Lea Tupu'anga / Mother Tongue' premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, what it's like being dubbed the 'Zendaya from Temu' 

The Night Agent Season 2 streams on Netflix from Jan 23, 2025 ⏯️

-

Interviewer - Josephina 'Boopc' Folau


Coco News

Sāmoa’s Political Crisis Deepens as Prime Minister Faces Internal Party Coup and Cabinet Shake-Up

Sāmoa’s political landscape remains in flux as FAST party chairman La’auli Leuatea Schmidt announced on Wednesday the removal of Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa and five Cabinet ministers from the ruling party.

The move follows growing internal divisions, with twenty party members signing a petition for the removal of Fiamē, along with Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio and two original members.

This comes after Fiamē recently dismissed several ministers, including La’auli, who faces criminal charges.

  • Mauu Siaosi Puepuemai: Minister for Communication and Information Technology.
  • Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua: Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour.
  • Lagaaia Tiaituau Tufuga: Minister for Women, Community and Social Development.
  • Niuava Eti Malolo: Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Scientific Research Organisation of Sāmoa.

These appointments follow the dismissal of La'auli Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, who faces criminal charges, and three other ministers removed over no-confidence issues.

Leadership and Challenges

During a press conference, Fiamē expressed regret over internal divisions within her FAST party, acknowledging their impact on legislative progress. “There were plans to prepare for amendments in the court’s legislation, electoral laws, and ministry reforms,” she said.…more