Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 1

George “Fiji” Veikoso – Pacific Reggae Pioneer and Beloved Voice

Ratu George Veikoso, known to the world simply as Fiji  was more than an award-winning musician. He was a storyteller, a bridge between cultures, and one of the most recognisable voices of Pacific music. His passing at the age of 55 has left the Pacific in mourning.

Born in Tailevu, Fiji, George’s love for music began early. Surrounded by a family of talented singers and musicians, his earliest performances were in church. In 1987, after political unrest in Fiji, he moved to Hawai‘i, where his sound began to take shape – a smooth blend of reggae, R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and traditional island harmonies. It became known as the “Lost Coast Sound,” and it would carry his name far beyond the Pacific.

His 1994 album Evolution marked the beginning of a career that would span decades. Fiji went on to release Born and Raised, Gratitude, and many more, earning millions of streams and a place in the soundtrack of island life.…more

Ten years ago, partners Robbie Kainuku and Lenny Steven opened a small café in Sandringham with five tables and a big dream: to serve the food they love — honest, comforting Pacific soul food.

“We started Blue Rose because we wanted to start something up that had our food that we like to cook, with our Pacifica, Māori flavors through it,” says Robbie.

It began with a simple vision, but the impact has been global. “People come there, that’s their first stop. We just got in from LA or Australia, and we got told to come here. Even this family from Singapore — Nana, Mum, Dad, grandma, auntie, uncle, all the kids. They Googled Pacific food, and this place came up.”

Robbie grew up in Māngere and learned to cook from his mother. “She was a Pākehā and made really good Island food. When she married my dad, she wanted to learn and do it really well... My mum’s my biggest inspiration.”

Among the café’s best-loved items is the palusami pie, which Robbie proudly calls his creation.…more

A magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering widespread tsunami warnings and advisories across the Pacific. 
Coastal communities across the Pacific are urged to stay alert and follow all official instructions. Tsunami waves may arrive in multiple surges and vary in size.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed a tsunami had been generated, warning of potentially destructive waves. Waves between 3 to 10 feet (1 and 3 meters) above tide level are possible in Hawaii, Chile, Japan, and the Solomon Islands. Waves greater than 9 meters are possible along parts of Russia and Ecuador.…more

When Cook Islands Māori comedian Rhiannon McCall was asked what she was doing to uplift other Pasifika women in the comedy world, the question stopped her in her tracks.

“I was asked what I was doing to support and uplift other Cook Islands women in the comedy industry and realised that I was doing nothing!”

That moment, shared during the Cook Islands Women in Leadership Summit, became the spark for Va'ine Fresh, a new comedy programme in South Auckland created by and for Pasifika wāhine and gender-diverse creatives.

The free five-week workshop series is about breaking down barriers, whether geographic, cultural or economic, and giving Pacific women a space to explore comedy on their own terms. It will culminate in a live showcase of the participants’ work.

Rhiannon teamed up with Samoan and Palagi producer Sarah Richards to help bring the idea to life.…more

The world’s first Indigenous Touch World Cup is officially set for November 2027 — a four-day tournament that will bring together Indigenous teams from around the globe to compete, connect, and celebrate culture at Mountfort Park in Manurewa, Auckland.

Announced by the WAI (We Are Indigenous) Foundation, a charitable trust based in Aotearoa, this groundbreaking event flips the script on traditional sport, making whakapapa — not nationality — the criteria for competition.

“This is more than just another touch tournament,” says WAI Chairperson Patariki Spellman. “We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure this event is a true reflection of who we are as Indigenous peoples.”

Unlike mainstream international formats, where only one team per country is allowed, the Indigenous Touch World Cup invites participation from Nations, Villages, Mobs or Groups — opening the door for underrepresented communities to take the field on their own terms.

“The existing international body only allows one nation per country. That may work for some, but it doesn't work for us.…more

“This change doesn’t alter who qualifies for a visa, but it does make the process much easier for those who do qualify. It supports those who already meet the criteria by giving them more time, flexibility, and fewer bureaucratic hurdles.” - Immigration Minister Erica Stanford

After decades of Visa restrictions deemed unfair for Pasifika wanting to come to Aotearoa - could we finally be seeing a light in the tunnel? 

In a move seen as an important step to ease travel for Pacific communities, Immigration New Zealand has launched a new two-year multiple-entry visitor visa for citizens of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) countries. Having started from 6 July 2025, this new visa replaces the previous 12-month visitor visa, allowing for more flexible and cost-effective travel for those with strong family, cultural, and community ties to Aotearoa.…more

For the first time in 56 years, the title of Tui Nayau has passed to a new generation, with Ratu Tevita Kapaiwai Lutunauga Uluilakeba Mara installed as the paramount chief of Lau in a moment that has captured the hearts of the Pacific.

This monumental event has drawn Pacific governance to Fiji, with royal families, high chiefs, and leaders from across the region gathering in Lau to witness history and stand in support as the islands step into a new era.

On Nayau Island, families gathered at dawn in traditional attire, women letting down their hair as the village followed sacred protocols led by Kingmaker Akuila Qalo. It was a powerful return to customs passed down through generations, restoring the title once held by Ratu Tevita’s father, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Fiji’s first Prime Minister, whose leadership left a lasting legacy. Echoing his father’s words from 1969, Ratu Tevita called on Lau’s chiefs to lead with righteousness and wisdom.

The ceremonies then moved to Lakeba Island, where Ratu Tevita was installed as Tui Lau in Tubou Village.…more

The Government’s FamilyBoost scheme is getting an upgrade, with the maximum rebate increasing from 25% to 40% of weekly childcare fees and the income limit rising from $180,000 to $229,000.

Announcing the changes, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said, “These changes will help many families to deal with the increased costs that come with having young children.”

The boost means families paying $300 or more a week in childcare fees can now receive up to $120 a week back, up from the previous $75. Around 22,000 more households will now be eligible, and officials estimate up to 16,000 more families will access the payment.

For many Pacific parents, any extra support is welcome, but questions remain about whether the system is truly accessible.

“Any increase to the income limit will benefit some families, but we need to have a better pathway for our parents to understand and uptake this funding” says Italia Taouma, manager of the A’oga Fa’a Samoa early childhood centre.…more

In a fast-changing digital world, a Samoan entrepreneur based in Manukau is leading innovation in Aotearoa’s tech space, creating tools that empower communities and prepare people for the workforce of tomorrow.

“My name is Fuimaono Jack Siō, based in Manukau and married to Yoko Shimasaki with two kids, son Ronaze and daughter Isabella,” he shares.

Together with his business partner Guneet Singh, originally from India and now based in Pukekohe with his wife and daughter, the pair have co-founded DigitalDNA — a tech company that blends over 15 years of experience in software development, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital transformation. At the heart of their work is a shared vision grounded in faith, family, and service.

“Two good friends originally from India and Samoa, both God-fearing family men,” Fuimaono says of their partnership.

Building AI That Reflects Real Life

Their latest creation, Get Work Ready AI, is a first-of-its-kind tool in the New Zealand market. It’s an AI-powered platform that simulates real-life job interviews based on actual job descriptions.…more

Why has a small Island like Tuvalu on the US Travel Ban list? 

Three Pacific Island nations, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, are among 36 countries named in a leaked U.S. State Department memo that could soon face new visa restrictions. The document, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, gives the governments of each country 60 days to respond to concerns or face full or partial bans on visa access to the United States.

According to the Post, the memo identified varied benchmarks that, in the administration’s estimation, these countries were failing to meet. Some countries had “no competent or cooperative central government authority to produce reliable identity documents or other civil documents,” or they suffered from “widespread government fraud.” Others had large numbers of citizens who overstayed their visas in the United States, the memo said.

The concerns raised include the security of passport systems, high visa overstay rates, and a lack of cooperation with U.S. authorities in deporting nationals ordered to leave the country.…more