Coco Talanoa — Humans of the Islands / Page 23

Ernestina Maro

African / Cook Islands

Miss Pukapuka & Miss Cook Islands Maine Tepaeru 

I know I'm a pretty weird mix. 'How did my parents meet?' is a question I always get asked (laughs). My Dad migrated here back in the days from Africa and my mum migrated here too from the Cook Islands and they pretty much fell in love in Auckland. My Dad's from Ghana, the west side of Africa. I'm planning to go back there with Dad at the end of this year and just visit my grandmother who I've never met, but I'm named after her. So this will be an epic trip for me to visit the family and meet everyone there and experience the culture because I've never been there before. I have one younger brother and an older sister. My Dad has now remarried to a Samoan woman - so now I have two beautiful half-siblings who are half Samoan. He likes his island girls! (laughs).

What are the common misconceptions about you?

I'm pretty much around my Cook Island side all the time.…more

Ray Letoa

Samoan, 28-years-old

Award-winning Mixologist

I grew up in Strathmore, Wellington which is generally stereotyped as like the 'South Auckland' of Wellington. I've got 5 sisters and two brothers and we grew up in a 3 bedroom flat - I was sleeping in the lounge, my brother was sleeping in the kitchen and we all crammed into this one place. And with determination and lots of training and just hard work, we've all seemed to come out successful in whatever we do. Our parents are really hardworkers so their work ethic transferred over to us. It was a hard journey and also a humbling one but my siblings and I understand all the struggles and the opportunities that my parents have given us, so we never take it for granted.

Is your upbringing a big motivation behind your success?

Yeah definitely! My mother is now an Early Childhood Education teacher - back in the day it was hard for her to get into University, coming from Samoa and not having much education.…more

 Ron Moala

Tongan / Fijian, 21-years-old

Owner of 'Backyard Barbers' in Darwin, Australia.

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I'm Tongan/Fijian, living in Darwin - the Northern Territory of Australia. I moved here as a teenager - my parents are Pastors and planted a church up here. It was hard at first because in New Zealand you’re so used to being surrounded by other poly’s and I felt really homesick up here. But I had to push myself to go out and mix with other cultures which was good. I learnt so much and it opened me up to how diverse the world really is and helped me breakdown different stereotypes that I had in my mind about other cultures. Especially being around the aboriginal community up here - it’s been amazing and I’ve learnt so much.…more

Myra Rogers

Fijian / Welsh, 31-years-old

International Professional Bodybuilding Athlete - IFBB Pro

I'm half Fijian, half European - my Dad was Welsh. He passed away when I was 4 years old and I was raised by Mum so I had a great Fijian influence growing up. I have 2 sisters and one older brother and we basically grew up on a farm up north in Kaukapakapa. I went to a little rural school and played sport my whole life. I never really touched the weights until I watched my partner at a bodybuilding competition and I realized it was something that I could get in to. So I went to see a nutritionist and 6 weeks later I ended up on stage in my first competition. I've been hooked ever since. 

So you do this with your partner as well, does that help?

Yes, definitely. He's Samoan, he's got a Gridiron background and is fully into weight training. He's the one that first started training me.…more

Sione Pome'e

31-years-old, Tongan

Design Engineer, Owner of Pomee Constructions Ltd, Band member of Three Houses Down

"We were brought up in those lucky times where there was no Xbox, no Play station. It was just a tennis ball, gutter board and that’s all. Those were the days when all the neighbours knew each other and after school, we already knew that everyone was gonna gather together at ‘this’ person’s house and play bullrush in the front lawn you know? that’s how I remember my upbringing. We’re one of the lucky ones. Kids don’t get brought up that way these days. Back then, you see what you don’t have and it was kind of a motivation for you to do something with your life."

Do you have a favourite childhood memory?

I have this memory I keep at the back of my head all the time, and it’s a memory of my dad coming home everyday from work and getting out of his overalls.…more

Fez Fa'anana - aka Shivannah

Performing Artist

Australia

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The hilarious and internationally renowned boylesque troupe 'Briefs' is coming to Aotearoa for their brand new show 'Dirty Laundry' at the Q-Theatre in December 2023.

The show mixes circus, drag, dance, burlesque, music and comedy and will be sure to be the Christmas doo that everyone will want to do!  

The show is led by the very talented Fez Fa'anana aka Shivannah who is not only the Director and Co-Founder but also the Choreographer, performer, collaborator and co-creator.

Fez Faanana says, “I was born in Aotearoa so it’s an extra special place for me and for Briefs Factory.  We’ve been lucky enough to hit it off with Auckland audiences and after a little global interruption we are finally back at Q theatre with our biggest production with more boys, more feathers and more ridiculousness.”

See Dirty Laundry in action and grab tickets here when they go on sale on Friday 11th August at 12pm.

Gustavia Lui

Samoan/Tuvaluan 28 years old

Owner of Staavias Footwear Company

I have big feet, I hate admitting it. I was walking in the office one day and the heel of my shoe snapped in half! My feet are size 11 and a half. I love to dress up but I could never find shoes my size. Whenever I’ve talked to other island girls, they all felt the same. So I thought, okay no one else is doing it, the way I want it. I’ll do it myself!

What was your first step towards getting in to the shoe making business?

Getting over my fear. I would’ve been up and running a lot earlier had I gotten over my fear a lot earlier. In 2013 I applied for the AMP Scholarship People’s Choice Award and got rewarded with the 2nd prize. I went to China and took my $1000 prize money and used it to buy me two foot moulds (they cost $500 each).…more