KEYS DOWN, REAL TALK ft MAREKO
Keys Down, Real Talk – True Story #2
“I didn’t think anything of it, that anything was serious at the time”
Here is the 2nd #KeysDownRealTalk story featuring Mareko. The campaign message is simple: there’s no safe level of alcohol when you’re driving.
#KeysDownRealTalk is a new campaign aimed at reducing drink driving. The community-led initiative features three video stories created in collaboration between, South Auckland award winning sound/music & video producer Anonymouz, and three popular South Auckland urban music artists - Tha Movement, Mareko, Swiss and Ōtāhuhu-based DB Breweries.
#DontDrinkAndDrive
TOGETHER ALONE
By Indira Stewart, RNZ
Read RNZ’s full investigation into Pasifika mental health here: http://shorthand.radionz.co.nz/together-alone/index.html
Mental health will become the most important issue for Pacific people in New Zealand over the next decade, a South Auckland psychiatrist says.
Dr Siale Foliaki says self-harm and suicide attempts are growing issues in the Counties-Manukau district, which has the country's largest Pacific population.
"They sometimes end up in an intensive care unit. We see all sorts of self-harm, the sort of self-harm that would frighten you if you saw them, so some serious trauma. And you've got to ask yourself [what] the state of mind of a young person has to be able to inflict that level of trauma,” he says.…more
TUA TAGOVAILOA - HEISMAN TROPHY FINALIST
Each year in December The Heisman Memorial Trophy aka the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman, is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football in the United States whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.
This year Samoan Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (born and raised in Hawaii) who plays for the Alabama Crimson Tide is a finalist. It's the first time in 84 years that the top 3 vote getters are Quarterbacks of colour!
Another Samoan Quarterback born in Hawai'i - Marcus Mariota won the Heisman in 2014.
The 2018 winner of the award will be announced tomorrow night in New York. All the best Tua! Check out his 2018 highlight reel in the video above.
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - ASUELU PULA'A
Asuelu Pula'a from a little village in Falealili, Upolu, Samoa went viral around the world after appearing in the US TV show '90 Day Fiance' Season 6 with his fiance Kalani.
We check in with him to find out how he's enjoying his new life in America!
KEYS DOWN, REAL TALK ft THA MOVEMENT
Keys Down, Real Talk – True Story #1
“Everyone that knows me, knows that I’m just the sober driver, and the main reason why is because I try make sure my friends get home”
Here is the first #KeysDownRealTalk story featuring Tha Movement. The campaign message is simple: there’s no safe level of alcohol when you’re driving.
#KeysDownRealTalk is a new campaign aimed at reducing drink driving. The community-led initiative features three video stories created in collaboration between, South Auckland award winning sound/music & video producer Anonymouz, and three popular South Auckland urban music artists - Tha Movement, Mareko, Swiss and Ōtāhuhu-based DB Breweries.
#DontDrinkAndDrive
VIRTUOSO STRINGS ORCHESTRA - PORIRUA
Tomorrow night, the Virtuoso Strings Orchestra from Porirua will join forces with Grammy award winning bass-baritone Jonathan Lemalu in a first time collaboration in Wellington.
This one night only concert ‘Some Enchanted Evening’, will feature Lemalu performing some of the most well-loved bass arias by Bach and Mozart, as well as classics by Copland, Gershwin and others, old favourites like Jerome Kern’s ‘Ol’ man river’, and of course Rodger & Hammerstein’s ‘Some Enchanted Evening’.
The Virtuoso Strings Orchestra was formed in 2013 by Elizabeth Sneyd and Craig Utting who were in awe of the natural talent in the community especially among the Maori and Pasifika students. Today the popular youth orchestra is based in Cannons Creek, Porirua, and is run by the non-for-profit Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust.…more
P.I.C Museum - Celebrating 70 years
PIC church that beacon of Pacific Islandness in the middle of Krd, has been a home to generations of Pacific people and was the original hub for early migrants to form new communities in Aotearoa. The extraordinary legacy of this church is celebrated in an exhibition of images and memorabilia that spans the decades since it first opened. Check out some of the amazing Pacificans that were brought up at the church, and the many events and initiatives over the years that cemented our Pacific identity in Aotearoa.
Roz Tuitama (pictured above) coordinated the 'living museum project' and she shared her vision with us.
"At the entrance when you first walk in there's a scripture that says 'Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see'. If you look at the journey from the 40s through until the present day, our people literally stepped off the boat, came and set up home here in faith.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - VIRGINIA TO'ALEPAI
VIRGINIA TO'ALEPAI
President - World Wide Safety Org
Samoan
I was born and raised in Matautu, but I also had family from Saleimoa. My Dad came to the States to check out the land of opportunities that we heard so many stories about. A couple of months later, my Dad came back to Samoa and my siblings and I were sent to America.
Fast forward many years, I worked and networked in the construction industry like never before. I loved the arena and my ex-husband and I opened our own business. Unfortunately, our marriage did not last, so I left everything we built together to establish my own empire for my daughters and I. I left him with $12 to my name & my girls and I had to move back to my parents’ house because I didn’t have the means to make it on our own. I was determined to make it happen.
I stepped out in faith and invested in my future by attending meetings, events and other gatherings with leaders in the industry.…more
TIM CAHILL - ALL 50 OF HIS GOALS FOR AUSTRALIA
Australia's Socceroos greatest & most iconic personality - Samoan footballer Tim Cahill played his last international game for Australia against Lebanon yesterday! Congratulations on an amazing career!
After the game he was given a standing ovation and had the following words to say to his fans
“This is the only time you’re going to see me cry,” Cahill began.
“I want to say thank you, firstly to my family. For being there from day one, the sacrifices my family made for me is the reason why every time I step on that pitch I’m fearless, I’m free. Nothing can hurt me on the pitch and everything I do is for my family.
“Secondly, I want to thank my teammates and all the staff that I’ve worked with. The coaches, the players, without you guys I’ll be nothing, honestly I’ll be nothing. The coaches that are not here, the players that are not here, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.
“Now, the most important people as well, is the fans.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - LUALIMA HANSEN
LUALIMA HANSEN
AUTHOR / PACIFIC WOMENS REFUGE ADVOCATE
SAMOAN
I was born in Samoa - Faleasiu, where my mother is originally from, with Irish Grandparents. My father is also from Samoa - Taungamanono, his father is Niuean and hails from Lakepa.
We moved to Auckland, New Zealand as children and we were raised in South Auckland. I am now married to Craig Hansen, we have three beautiful children and have spent 5 1/2 years in Jakarta, Indonesia, in a variety of ministry roles through our local church.
I have just recently published my autobiography book - Grace Brought Me Here. As a survivor of domestic violence, I am in New Zealand promoting it and working with the Pacific Islands Women's Refuge on a fundraiser event, where proceeds from my book launch will go towards supporting this great organization.
I also started an online clothesline business catered for plus size men ranging Size L up to sizes 10xl - The 3Bears Online, which has customers worldwide.…more