Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 1

Beloved Samoan Designer and Cultural Visionary

Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, or otherwise known as ‘Afa’ - an extraordinary designer, proud Samoan, and vibrant creative force whose life was taken far too soon. Afa, aged 39, was tragically killed during a shooting incident at the No Kings Day protest in Salt Lake City. 

He was a peaceful participant standing in solidarity with others when he was unintentionally struck by crossfire from the Salt lake City Police Department. There is a current investigation into this tragedy with the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner determining ‘the offical cause and manner of his death’.   

His passing has left a deep void in the fashion world, the Pacific community, and in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. 

Born and raised in Lotopa and Falelima, Samoa, Afa’s journey into fashion was anything but traditional. The former marketing manager and teacher, who also won Samoa Idol in 2010, did not set out to become a designer. In fact, his first encounter with sewing came by accident.…more

“Scholarship should be activism,” he said. “It should work for the people it speaks about.” Sir Colin Tukuitonga via RNZ 

With those words, Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga KNZM stood before a full house at the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika, not just as an academic, but as a servant of the people.

On 5 June, Sir Collin delivered his inaugural professorial lecture, An Advocate for Equity, surrounded by community, colleagues and loved ones. The evening marked a significant milestone. He is now the first Niuean to hold both a knighthood and a professorial title. He is also one of only two Niuean professors in the world — a rare combination that reflects decades of service, humility and commitment to improving the lives of Pacific peoples.

From the villages of Alofi to global platforms of health leadership, Sir Collin has stayed true to the values passed down by his grandparents.

“In my case, my mother had 15 siblings — all of them were mums and dads. I was raised by my grandparents — a Niuean tradition. Grandad was tough love.…more

Samoa is once again gearing up to hold elections on 29 August 2025, but many diasporic Samoans are keen to have their voices heard this time round.

Typically, general elections in Samoa are held every five years to elect Members of Parliament (MPs), who then form the government. 

So why the early election this time?

Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa had warned that she would dissolve Parliament if her 2025/26 national budget was not approved. On 27 May 2025, Parliament voted down the budget by a margin of 34–16

Following the defeat, she formally advised the Head of State to dissolve Parliament—this was then motioned on 3 June 2025.

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What does this mean for voters?

The same requirements for eligibility to vote apply regardless of the time. Voters from other countries must come back to Samoa to finish their biometric registration by July 4, 2025, and Samoan citizens who are 21 years of age or older must register by then. The only way to vote is in person.…more

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For more information please see here: https://www.lifecommunity.org.nz/life-community-kitchens

Fiame Naomi Mata‘afa Moves to Dissolve Parliament After Budget Defeat

Samoa is set to hold an early general election after Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata‘afa announced plans to dissolve Parliament, following the defeat of her Government’s 2025 Budget.

On Tuesday morning, the Budget was voted down 34–16, with two abstentions. The vote marked a decisive blow to Fiame’s minority Government and signalled a loss of confidence on the floor of Parliament.

The defeat comes months after a dramatic split in the ruling Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party. In January, Fiame removed Agriculture Minister and FAST party chairman La‘auli Leuatea Schmidt from Cabinet after he was charged in relation to criminal matters. The move triggered a deeper fracture, with three Cabinet ministers and 13 associate ministers ultimately removed.

La‘auli retaliated by ejecting Fiame and five ministers from FAST, leaving her isolated and leading a minority Government.

Despite surviving two leadership challenges earlier this year—one from opposition leader Tuila‘epa Sailele Malielegaoi and another from La‘auli—Fiame’s administration could not recover from the Budget defeat.…more

“Our children are falling through the cracks”: Māori and Pacific families left behind in broken disability support system

When Montoya’s son was first labelled “naughty” at school, she knew it wasn’t his behaviour that was the issue — it was the system.

“He was struggling. He was overwhelmed. And stimming was his way of coping,” she says. “But too many people, including educators, simply don’t understand what it means to be autistic, because they’ve never been taught.”

Like many Māori and Pacific whānau, Montoya has had to become the system — the speech therapist, the advocate, the support worker — while trying to hold her family together. Her son has been on the speech therapy waitlist for six years.

“One speech therapist for 30 schools is not good enough,” she says. “Families shouldn’t be forced to fill these gaps on their own when they are crying out for help.”

Her experience is not isolated.…more

Still reeling from the impact that the Pay Equity Amendment Bill will have on Pasifika women, today’s announcement comes on the heels of already dire conditions for Pasifika communities. 

Budget 2025 delivers significant results for Pacific communities in Aotearoa and the wider region, with major cuts to climate finance, business support, and cultural initiatives— and some small gains in education and community safety.

The Ministry for Pacific Peoples faces a $36 million cut, on top of $26 million last year. This includes closing the Tauola Business Fund, though $6.3 million annually remains for Pacific business development through existing trusts, while Tupu Aotearoa, a key employment and training programme, has been reduced to $5.25 million per year.…more

“The values of alofa and ‘aiga that mean so much to us as Samoans can be seen here among the families that call the high country their home. I’ve absolutely loved this project. There have been a lot of realisations for me as an artist and a Samoan that have come about from being in this community. I have been well cared for here and all doors have been open for me to explore the valley.” Raymond Sagapolutele 

Pasifika photographers Raymond Sagapolutele and Nick Netzler have completed the first-ever Pacific Arts Nature Residencies — a new Creative New Zealand initiative connecting Pacific artists with rural communities and environmental work.…more

Former Miss Samoa and Miss Pacific Islands joins UNICEF in championing children’s rights across the region

Suva, Fiji / Apia, Samoa – 13 May 2025
UNICEF Pacific has officially named Samoan climate activist and former Miss Pacific Islands, Moemoana Safa’ato’a Schwenke, as its new Pacific Ambassador.

The announcement was made during the Pacific Early Childhood Development Forum, following a two-day visit by Moemoana to UNICEF-supported programmes in Samoa. During her visit, she engaged with children, families, health workers and educators, witnessing firsthand the importance of community-led efforts in protecting children’s wellbeing.

“I am deeply humbled to accept this appointment as UNICEF’s Pacific Ambassador. This is a continued commitment to what I believe is the soul of our region: our children,” said Moemoana. “I offer myself fully to the work ahead, grounded in uplifting the needs, dreams and voices of our children and young people across our Blue Pacific Continent.…more