Coco Talanoa — Entertainment / Page 1

“It’s an Indigenous-owned studio and the focus for us is bringing that work and uplifting - well, actually not just our people but people in the industry”

Jason Momoa, Taika Waititi and Cliff Curtis have acquired Studio West in West Auckland through their Āriki Group, positioning themselves not just as creatives, but as the ones putting resource behind the kinds of stories Māori and Pacific communities have already proven work.

Across the last two decades, some of Aotearoa’s most successful and widely recognised films have come out of that space. Whale Rider reached global audiences with a story grounded in whakapapa. Sione's Wedding showed Pacific stories could carry at the box office here. Boy and Hunt for the Wilderpeople followed, each reinforcing that local stories, told from here, don’t need to be adjusted to connect.

More recently, Tinā and Chief of War have continued that trajectory, showing the same stories can scale internationally without losing their grounding.…more

Looking for fun things to do in Auckland this Easter long weekend? From immersive theatre and glowing light festivals to carnival thrills and family-friendly egg hunts, there’s something for everyone. Here’s our pick of the best events happening from April 3–6.

Swimming with Sharks

When: Friday, April 3 | 10:00 am – 3:30 pm
Where: Auckland Museum, Central Auckland
Ages: All ages

Dive into the depths of the ocean without getting wet! Swimming with Sharks is a theatrical, immersive experience created with the internationally renowned puppet theatre company Erth. Discover the diversity of sharks in New Zealand waters, from the bioluminescent kitefin shark to a five-metre-long great white, all brought to life through expressive puppetry.

Shows run for 20 minutes, with children invited to get up close on floor cushions and adults welcome to enjoy from sofas at the back.

Dreamer: Auckland’s New Indoor Light Festival

When: Friday, April 3 – Sunday, April 12 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), Central Auckland
Ages: All ages

Step inside a glowing world of colour and imagination at Dreamer.…more

“There’s something built in us,” Pene Pati reflected.

“Our ancestors were voyagers. They set out in the canoe, the waka, and they jumped on it without any guarantee. They were like, ‘there’s got to be something out there.’”

For him, that same spirit drives many Pacific creatives chasing their dreams overseas, but also looking at how these innate Pasifika talents are being nurtured in Aotearoa.

If you’ve ever sat in an Islander church on a Sunday morning, you already know the truth the opera world is finally catching up to - Pacific people were born to sing.

The voices are big, the harmonies are second nature. Someone’s aunty is holding a note longer than humanly possible. And the choir director who is also your cousin, is definitely not letting you sit down until you get it right.

So maybe it shouldn’t be surprising that Pacific singers are now some of the most sought after voices in opera houses around the world.…more

Queen of the screens big and small Anapela Polata’ivao is a finalist in two categories at the Women in FIlm and TV awards, alongside Coconet founder Lisa Taouma who is also a finalist in two different categories. 

The annual awards celebrate the achievements of women working across film, television and digital media, from storytelling and directing to journalism and entrepreneurship - areas where four Pasifika women have been put forward to celebrate across the sector. 

This year’s winners will be announced at the awards night this Thurs 12th March. 

Anapela Polata’ivao ONZM (Sāmoa)

Acclaimed actor, director and theatre maker Anapela Polata’ivao has been nominated in two categories this year. She is a finalist for the 'South Pacific Pictures Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film' for her powerful performance in Tinā, and is also recognised in the 'SKY Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen Industry.'

Polata’ivao is widely regarded as one of Aotearoa’s most influential Pacific creatives, known for her work across theatre, film and television, as well as her leadership within Pacific arts communities.…more

Congratulations to Pasifika creatives Aloali'i Tapu and Leki Jackson-Bourke, who have been recognised at the 2026 FAME Mid-Career Awards for their outstanding contributions to Aotearoa’s performing arts sector.

Announced at the 2026 PANNZ Arts Market, the awards celebrate artists and production professionals whose work continues to shape theatre, dance and performance across the country. With 55 individuals nominated this year, the awards highlight the depth of talent across the industry.

Established in 2022 and administered by the Performing Arts Network New Zealand (PANNZ) in partnership with the FAME Trust and the Acorn Foundation, the awards recognise practitioners working across contemporary dance, classical music, theatre, producing, stage management, design and technical fields. Each of the six recipients receives a $20,000 prize supporting the next stage of their careers.

“It’s a privilege to honour this year’s recipients and all the hard work, dedication and passion they bring to their craft,” says PANNZ Senior Producer Jo Bond.…more

My Name is Pati, a deeply personal look at the journey of Samoan Operatic powerhouse - Pene Pati: from singing at a rest home in South Auckland Mangere, to becoming the first Samoan tenor to perform on the world's top opera stages in the world.

In an exclusive interview with the Coconet - Pene talks about Faith, Family & the resilience of Pacific People

“Our ancestors were voyagers, they set out in a canoe, the waka, without any guarantee....[they thought] there’s got to be something more out there....It’s in you to be fearless, to go out there and look for hope… the voyager mentality.”

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By Tikilounge & CNZ Arts Reporter Destiny Momoiseā

Moana Pasifika are creating real opportunities for up and coming content creators by giving them access to home games, behind the scenes moments, and player interactions at Super Rugby level.

In a space where access is everything, this initiative is helping young creatives build portfolios, gain industry exposure, and step into professional rugby environments.

And it is already working.

Some of the creators involved last season have gone on to work with other Super Rugby teams, showing how powerful opportunity and visibility can be.

In this video we explore:

• Why creator access matters in modern rugby
• How Moana Pasifika are supporting emerging media talent
• The impact this is having on the wider Super Rugby landscape
• What this means for the future of sports content in New Zealand and the Pacific

Thumbnail by IG @framesbyharmony

For Pacific communities, spaces to be seen, heard and celebrated matter.

As part of PROWL FEST 2026 within the Auckland Pride Festival, Aotearoa street dance advocate Setu Mosegi is focused on giving back to the community that shaped him.

Setu spoke about the importance of being the person he once needed. Through waacking, he encourages young Pacific and queer people to take up space confidently and express themselves without apology. For him, dance is freedom, storytelling and connection. It is a way to inspire the next generation to be fully themselves.

Led by Artistic Director Hayley Walters-Tekahika, PROWL FEST centres takatāpui, queer and underserved communities across Tāmaki Makaurau. The kaupapa is about removing barriers and creating culturally affirming environments where Pacific bodies can lead, create and thrive in street dance spaces.

There is still time to be part of the movement.…more

Albert Latailakepa never planned on becoming an actor. Like many great origin stories, it started with a couple of mates and a decision that felt low risk at the time.

“I took a leap of faith,” Latailakepa says, recalling his decision to join high school drama classes. “A couple of mates were doing it, so what was the harm, right?” he told the NZ Herald.

That leap would set the Wellington-born Samoan Tongan actor on a path from school drama rooms to Toi Whakaari NZ Drama School, and now onto international screens. Latailakepa is currently two seasons deep into his role as Aputi Savea, a boxing champ turned gravedigger, in Disney+ period drama The Artful Dodger.

A sequel to Oliver Twist, the series follows Jack Dawkins, aka the Artful Dodger, as he navigates life in 1800s Australia. The cast includes Love Actually star Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Harry Potter’s David Thewlis as Fagin, a line-up that left Latailakepa “freaking out a little bit” when he landed the role.

“They eased my nerves a bit when I was on set,” he said.…more

Jason Momoa is a Polynesian actor and producer known for his roles in Game of Thrones, Aquaman, Minecraft and more. His new movie “The Wrecking Crew” with Dave Bautista is out 1/28. Jason joins Theo to talk about his community college days in Iowa, how rock climbing helps his focus, and why protecting the beauty of Hawaii has always been important to him.