Coco Talanoa — Entertainment / Page 1
Pasifika author's new book creates fantasy character he would have loved to read as a kid
A Samoan-Chinese-Pākēhā author says his new fantasy book provides a type of character he didn't have as a 10-year-old in love with reading.
Kenneth Chapman said growing up, he loved series like Harry Potter, Lemony Snickets, and His Dark Materials but those fantasy worlds were different to the mixed-race Polynesian family he came from.
Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove is about an 11-year old and her older sister who move into their mother's childhood home - a mansion full of mysterious paintings created by their estranged aunt.
He said it places a Polynesian character in a fantasy world.
"When you're a 10-year-old kid and you're in love with reading, you're not really - or at least I wasn't - thinking about representation and relatability on that kind of cultural level," Chapman told Nine to Noon.…more
I want them to know growth is possible - SID DIAMOND returns with 'EVERYTHING' album
“I want them to feel it… for the ones from where I’m from, I want them to know growth is possible.”
After stepping away from music to focus on life, Sid Diamond returns with a renewed sense of direction, carrying a sound shaped by fatherhood, pressure, and lived experience.
For an artist long respected in Aotearoa hip hop, the time away marked a turning point. It wasn’t about stepping back from passion, but answering the call of real life. Loss, responsibility, and mental health demanded attention. “I had to deal with real life… things I couldn’t ignore,” he shares. That period forced growth beyond the studio, building patience, discipline, and a stronger sense of presence.
Now, that growth is embedded in EVERYTHING. “This one came from a real place no filters, no chasing a sound,” Sid says. “Every track is tied to something I’ve actually lived.” There’s a noticeable shift in how he approaches his music. The stories feel closer, more direct, grounded in experience rather than observation.
Fatherhood sits at the heart of that change.…more
Pasifika voices take centre stage in powerful retelling of 'A View from the Bridge'
A new production of A View from the Bridge at Q Theatre is hitting close to home, with Pacific artists telling a story many families will recognise all too well.
Presented by Silo Theatre and directed by Anapela Polata'ivao, this version centres migrant voices, turning a classic into something deeply personal for Pasifika communities.
“In this instance, the stars have aligned at a time where the lived experiences of our Pasifika actors, whether directly or through their bloodlines, join forces to tackle Arthur Miller’s 'A View From The Bridge.' It speaks to the bones of our migration story and our Dawn Raids experience.”
That connection is what makes this production hit differently. What unfolds on stage, undocumented family members seeking safety, the risk of being exposed, the tension inside the home, is not distant history for many Pacific families in Aotearoa.
It echoes the legacy of the Dawn Raids, when Pacific communities lived with the fear of authorities knocking at the door. That fear, and the choices families made to protect each other, sit at the heart of this story.…more
Jason Momoa, Taika Waititi and Cliff Curtis are backing Polynesian storytelling
“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
Things to do in Auckland this long weekend
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
Pacific Voices Are Owning the Opera Stage. Now the Next Generation Is Stepping Up
“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
Pasifika Women Shine in Screen storytelling at the WIFT Awards
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
Pasifika Artists Awarded FAME MID-CAREER AWARDS 2026
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
Tenor - my name is Pati | Premiere | Pene Pati talks about culture, resilience and faith
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 gives Pacific Content Creators a leg up
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