Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 1

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

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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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