Coco Talanoa — Humans of the Islands / Page 19

John Belford-Lelaulu

Architect

Samoan 

I am an Architectural Graduate from Unitec's school of Architecture. I am a New Zealand born Samoan, raised in various parts of Auckland but matured into who I am in South Auckland. My parents, at separate times, moved (from Samoa) to New Zealand, the world of milk and honey, in search for a life of prosper. 

When/How did you realise you wanted to pursue a career in architecture? 

I attended De La Salle College where my passion for architecture began. I vividly recall running home one day after school in third form inspired by a speech by 'Electric Technology' teacher gave me and told my mother I wanted to become an electrician and she said "Auuuu leai, alu e fai le architecture" ("Auuuu no, go do architecture"). Made me second guess my electrical path so I invested most of my time on where my talents lay, Graphics.…more

Gabrielle Solomona 

Receptionist/Actress/Trainee Producer 

Samoan

I have learnt the pursuit of your dreams requires a lot of sacrifice and in my case being able to work full time and earn more money is one of the sacrifices I have chosen to make because I know in my heart the dreams God has called me to pursue. I know one day my time will come where all my hard work and sacrifices will come into frutation and God willing I will be able to pursue acting and producing as a full time career. However I love that being a receptionist has connected me to so many new people on a daily basis and the variety of responsibilities that come with the role. I get to learn new skills and be challenged so I am constantly growing.…more

Tatryanna Utanga

Student/Advocate/Dancer

Cook Island 

Tatryanna is currently an Arts student at the University of Auckland.  She is of Cook Islands descent and is very proud of her culture. She comes from a very small family of 5 and insists that family is her number one priority.  

One of her greatest accomplishments was forming the all akavaine/fafafine/fakaleiti dance group the Diamonds of Paradise.  A group of young, passionate individuals coming together and showcasing their talent on an entertainment platform. Through performing and teaching her culture alongside her akavaine sisters, she discovered a new passion, to advocate for her Cook Islands and Pacific LGBTQI community.

These days she actively engages in advocacy for young people particularly those who identify as LGBTQI. Through dedication and hard work, she has enjoyed the many opportunities that has come along her way including holding the title of the reigning Miss Jewel Cook Islands 2016-2018.…more

Luti Richards

Creative: Artist, Writer, Media, Spoken-word Poet

Tokelauan, Samoan, German

Rachel Laulu

Yoga Instructor

Samoa

I grew up in Wellington in NZ, the youngest of 3 kids to a Samoan dad and Palagi mum - I identify as a TCK'er (Third culture kid) or afakasi rather than a kiwi or Samoan  - I kinda fit but don't, and have always felt a sense of non-belonging and questioning of culture and myself. It’s been totally beneficial on this amazing path... being the youngest of 3 kids was great. I got all the cuddles and love so I grew up quite tactile, and affectionate, that kinda love at home as a kid was a great foundation for my yogic path.

What were the greatest challenges for you growing up?

I was bullied a lot a school. Kids always weed out the weird ones and I was definitely weird! I felt bamboozled by the education system and hated classrooms. The idea of four walls and hours of 'yes sir, no sir' did me in by the time I was about 7 years old and that's when my school truancy began.…more

Taofia Pelesasa

Tokelauan/Samoan

Writer & Filmmaker 

I'm Taofia (Fia) Pelesasa – a Tokelauan-Samoan Kiwi boy born and raised in Rotorua, New Zealand but based out of Sydney, Australia. I got into the industry by way of acting but like most people in the industry have added extra strings to the bow and identify as a “creative”- with a particularly deep love for screen-writing and film-making.

Tell us why you wanted to make Promise of Piha?

The production of “The Promise of Piha” came out of a frustration me and my best friend Hanelle Harris had in coming out of Drama school and there being almost no work for us as young, brown & Pacific creatives. So, it didn't take long for the two of us to use that frustration in a way which was more empowering for us & we (like so many other artists of colour before us) took our careers & stories into our own hands & promised to start making our own work.…more

Are Raimbault 

Young Tahitian Filmmaker 

Tahitian / European

My name is Are Raimbault, I'm 26 years old and my ethnicity is half Tahitian half European but I was born and raised in Tahiti. I grew up between the districts of Punaauia, Mataiea and Teahupoo, in the middle of Polynesian culture.

What is your biggest driving passion?

I would say that my biggest driving passions are the ability and the beauty to create absolutely anything I want (including myself). I'm also driven by the desire to make people escape their daily lives with art, share messages with them and If I can inspire them it's even better. In terms of possibilities, I believe that the sky is the limit if you're willing to work for it.

What do you do?

I'm a director and artist. My main medias are film, photography, writing and sometimes illustration.

What excites you about Pūtahi and what does it offer the Pacific audience that they may not have seen before? 

I think that Pūtahi Kotahitanga is an exciting documentary for many reasons.…more

In celebration of Auckland Pride Month, we're sharing Pasifika Pride stories. 

Amy Kainuku

Cook Islands

I first realised I had feelings for females when I was approx 23 years old.  One of my best friends (who happened to be a woman) hit on me.  I initially said no because I was scared (being gay/homosexual just wasn’t what you did…it was kind of taboo or “forbidden”).  Things did eventually progress to a romantic/sexual relationship.  I believe our relationship developed and evolved that way because she had been my friend for a number of years, and I felt safe/comfortable with her since we did have that previously established “ friendship trust/bond”.  I was terrified to tell anyone that I was romantically/sexually involved with a woman, and it became our little secret for about 2 years.  I was still dating men and attending church on a regular basis during this time in my life.  

In celebration of Auckland Pride Month, we're sharing Pasifika Pride stories. 

Sammy Salsa

Samoan/Niuean

Fashion & Celebrity Stylist 

I’ve always hated the term “Coming out” and I still do – when people would ask me “How long have you been gay?” I would respond with “How long have you been straight?”   The “coming out” scenarios made the whole process feel like I was carrying a dirty little secret that needed to be exposed.  And it was anything but, this was my lively hood, the actual person I was to be – so one day I brought my partner home to meet my family as any poly boy would bring home their girlfriend to meet the aiga, except, I was bringing home a man, a palagi man at that.

It took some time for my family to adjust, which at that point I realized they weren’t upset at the whole “Gay” thing, they were more afraid of the unknown, it was almost like the old “straight” Sammy they once knew no longer existed in their lives.…more

In celebration of Pride Month, we're sharing Pasifika Pride stories. 

Lizie Koroivulaono

FIjian

Television Production

Bula, my name is Elizabeth Koroivulaono, I hail from the beautiful islands of Matuku, Lau in Fiji. I come from a large beautiful Fijian family and have 3 brothers and 2 sisters. I now live in Auckland, New Zealand and have been for the past 15 years. I first moved to New Zealand in 2008, to study Bachelors in Communication, majoring in Film and Television. Since graduating in 2010, I now work in the industry and call New Zealand my second home.

Honestly, it took me 6 months back in 2008; of internal battles to decide to finally accept my attraction to women. I had many discussions with a really good friend about it, where we talked about the implications this would cause on my family members. I come from a strong Catholic and traditional family - and as we all know, the declaration of being attracted to the same sex does not bode well with the church or the culture.…more