Coco Talanoa — Pacific Blog / Page 4

August 11th 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of hip hop - an art form that has helped influence so much of pop culture in the USA where it was birthed and around the world even down to tiny island nations & communities in the South Pacific.

Hip hop historians are able to pinpoint the date because a party in the Bronx on August 11th 1973 was when DJ Kool Herc debuted his 'merry go round' technique of playing funk breaks back to back.  The event inspired DJs, breakdancers, graffiti artists, and eventually MCs in the early 80s which is when the culture spread beyond New York.

To honour the legacy and influence of this now global culture, we asked a number of our Pasifika hip hop artists who their all time favourite hip hop artist is or who would be the most influential hip hop artist in their career.

We start with Gawtti from the legendary Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E (the group of Samoan brothers who are celebrated as the pioneers of Samoan and Polynesian hip hop).…more

In the heart of Manurewa, MJ Fau Fuimaono Latu has captured the hearts of many with his extraordinary journey. Born and raised in South Auckland, MJ attends Finlayson Park School, a decile 1 school that has become the backdrop of his inspiring story.

MJ is the son of Anthony and Teresa Latu, hailing from the village of Samata i Uta, Samoa. Described as ‘very reserved’ by his mother, his early years were spent in homeschooling, but now embraces school work with enthusiasm. 

Through sheer determination and unwavering dedication, MJ triumphed over numerous challenges to secure the prestigious Buchanan Charitable Trust Scholarship for Kings School/College - an accomplishment that holds a value of over $200,000.

MJ's pursuit of this life-changing scholarship began with stiff competition. Numerous applicants vied for the award, but MJ's brilliance and hard work set him apart. He passed the preliminary assessments and testing day, securing a spot in the top 5 finalists; and then went on to be shortlisted among the top 3 finalists for the final interview.…more

Respected and pioneering Paediatrician in Tonga, Dr Toakase Fakakovikaetau sadly passed away on Friday the 28th of July after a brief but aggressive battle with cancer.

Tributes have poured in from her homeland of Tonga, across the Pacific Islands and from the Pasifika Medical Association here in New Zealand.  

PMA Chief Executive, Mrs Debbie Sorensen, expressed her heartfelt condolences to Dr Fakakovikaetau's family, friends and colleagues. 

"Her absence is a tremendous loss to not only the medical sector in Tonga and the Pacific region, but to her community that she so tirelessly served. As a Life Member of PMA, we acknowledge her dedication to child health and the lifelong impact that she has made in the world of paediatrics, both in Tonga and in the Pacific.

"At a personal level, she was also an amazing friend, colleague and a courageous leader.…more

by Gaby Solomona

With the Barbie movie craze going on at the moment it is only fair for me to declare that Lizzo is the barbie doll and role model I wish I had growing up in the 90s. “I’m just a chubby little black girl from Detroit”. Who in this generation of BBL’s, lip fillers and instagram filters says that out loud and who is proud to say something like that out loud? Lizzo is who. 

The Detroit born and raised, rapper, singer and songwriter touched down in Auckland for her solo show “The Special Tour” 2023 and you had to be living under a rock to not have felt her electrifying presence dominate Spark Arena.

I’ll be honest, I am not the most fanatic Lizzo fan, unlike Wednesday night's sold out crowd who sang along to every one of her songs.…more

By Jane Mcindoe 

The Pacific Producer Residency 2023 has been awarded to eminent Producer, Director, Writer and Actor Teherenui Koteka, who will spend three months working at the BATS Theatre in Wellington. 

The young Cook Islander is a member of the Pasifika and Māori arts collective Maranga Mai, she has also worked with Tawata Productions, Auckland Theatre Company and has written and produced her own shows in New Zealand and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

“I’m super stoked! Producing is an area I specifically wanted to upskill in and there’s no better place to do that than at BATS” she says

However, she is disappointed in the lack of producers coming from the Cook Islands and hopes for a day where there will be more interested in getting involved with the creative arts industry from the islands.

“There is a shortage of Pasifika producers in New Zealand - I self produce a lot of work and have also noticed a real lack of Cook Islands producers” she added.…more

Amanaki Prescott-Faletau plays the main character Lisa in the upcoming CoconetTV original 'Inky Pinky Ponky' film.

Amanaki is an actor, writer, dancer, choreographer, producer and director of Tongan descent, living in New Zealand. As a playwright, she became the first fakaleitī to have her work published in New Zealand with Inky Pinky Ponky.

We caught up with Amanaki ahead of the upcoming release of 'Inky Pinky Ponky' here on the CoconetTV.

-

What inspired you to write this story?

At the time we weren’t getting any work. Fresh out of drama school and still trying to find our feet in our industry. So we thought let’s make our own work. It’s what was taught to us at school.

How much is based on your own experiences?

A lot of the events that play out in this film are loosely based on true events of my own and my MVPFAFF sisters and their experiences.…more

John-Paul Foliaki (JP) plays the male lead Mose in the upcoming CoconetTV original 'Inky Pinky Ponky' film.

JP is a proud NZ born Tongan from South Auckland. He is an Artist in every sense of the word - he loves all things creative but music and acting have been keeping him busy as of late. He's been fortunate enough to be a lead in the smash hit Tongan feature film, 'Red, White and Brass' and has got a few more projects in the works, so keep an eye out for that. He's living out his dream and hopefully inspires others to do the same.

We caught up with JP ahead of the upcoming release of 'Inky Pinky Ponky' here on the CoconetTV.

My name is John-Paul Foliaki (JP) and I am a proud NZ born Tongan from South Auckland. I am an Artist so I love all things creative but music and acting has been keeping me busy as of late.…more

Sesilia Pusiaki (pictured above on the right) plays the main character Lisa's (played by Amanaki Faletau pictured left) mother in the smash hit CoconetTV original 'Inky Pinky Ponky' film. 

The actress hails from the villages of Lapaha by way of Tatakamotonga, Atata and Makahilitaha. She played Hepi Lomu in the TV Mini Series, 'Jonah'. She played Lote in 'Kingdom of Lote',  the first Tongan Theatre Play written by Suli Moa and Produced by Kila Kokonut Krew.  Sesilia directed and choreographed NZ's first full length Tongan Contemporary Dance -Theatre show 'Sei 'o fafine' as well as the first Traditional Tongan Heritage Dance theatre piece 'Pukepuke 'o Tonga'.

In 2017 she established 'Pukepuke 'o Tonga' as a family led company that produced 'Lomipeau Aotearoa' the 1st Traditional Tongan Music album, a collection of the Late Queen Salote Tupou III poetry that was set to Vili Pusiaki's musical compositions.…more

Written by Breanna Tugaga-Rogers

The artwork that brought Samoan aganu’u and our Myths and Legends to Life! 

For Samoan Language Week a great way to dive into the celebrations of Gagana Sāmoa is to  honour the legacy of Iosua To’afa, a pioneer of Samoan contemporary art who designed the artwork in the ‘Tala o le Vavau’ book that is the go- to reference for so many people around the globe. 

‘Tusiata o le Tala o le Vavau’ is a new book paying homage to pioneering Samoan artist Iosua To'afa, illustrator of 1976's iconic ‘Tala o le Vavau: Myths and Legends of Samoa’ that most Samoan’s have referenced at some stage in life. 

Featuring reflections from Albert Wendt, Momoe Malietoa von Reiche, Sean Mallon and Marilyn Kohlhase, as well as assorted friends, family, and students - the book is a deeply personal account of To'afa's life and the ongoing influence of his work. 

This book and its accompanying exhibition also showcases original work by nine Aotearoa-based Samoan visual artists - renowned contemporary practitioners like Andy Leleisi'uao, Raymond Sagapolutele and Siliga David…more

By RNZ Journalist Faivaeselopepe Anric Sitanilei

First Person - I'm sure every young 20-something at some point asks the question, "Who am I?"

Many of my young Pacific Island peers (or anyone really who comes from an immigrant family) would say they feel as if they're 'in-between worlds', raised with a traditional Pacific Island upbringing in a westernised, urban New Zealand.

Then there is me, born and raised in Aotearoa but attended high school and university in Samoa; I feel like I land somewhere in between this 'in-between.'

I could never quite pin a location on where I call 'home', but I also have never felt lost in that way; I've never questioned 'where' home is, but rather, 'what' home is. And so, what is home if not a location?

The 'tatau' or 'malofie', the traditional Samoan tattoo, is more than just that. It's also known as 'la'ei Samoa', or 'Samoan clothing', as in the eyes of tradition and culture, even when nothing else is worn, one is still considered fully clothed if donning the tatau.…more