HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - MANUHA'APAI VAEATANGITAU
MANUHA'APAI VAEATANGITAU
INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTIST &
PRIME MINISTERS PACIFIC YOUTH - ARTS & CREATIVITY AWARD RECIPIENT
TONGAN
.
Manuha’apai is 21 years old and of Tongan descent. A valued member of the Queer Moana Oceanic arts collective ‘FAFSWAG’ since 2016, alongside his peers, Manuha’apai continues to navigate and craft spaces that encourage the safe exploration and dissection of our shared experience.
Under the collective, he has collaborated with many artists throughout the Pacific arts community and have opened discussion - alongside artists Pati Solomona Tyrell and Sione Monu - for the re-instating of queer Pacific identities (fakaleiti, faafafine, akavaine, etc) into their respective social/cultural canons. This has provided opportunities to exhibit and perform both nationally and internationally, most recently in Vevey, Switzerland. Manuha’apai hopes to one day become a lecturer and help other Pacific peoples, specifically those of the Queer Pacific community.…more
UMA LAVA
YOU BETTER SAY YOUR PRAYERS WELLINGTON!
Anapela Polataivao + Goretti Chadwick + Mario Faumui = a hell of a good time in the F.C.C production of Uma Lava by Victor John Rodger at Circa Theatre from November 23-December 7. Don't miss out...
We sat down with Anapela & Goretti aka Pani & Pani to have a chat with them about the show:
.…more
SOSEFINA MOVIE TRAILER
SOSEFINA, a Drama/Romance Polynesian American feature film, has announced its official release in the United States May 2022 after delays to the release due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
SOSEFINA is based on the true experiences of a Pacific island girl who is challenged to overcome adversity and personal struggles, and must decide whether to continue on the straight and narrow or enter the seedy world of adult entertainment.
The film stars lead actor Diamond Langi, the 2019 Ms. Universe New Zealand, along with supporting actor Lehi Falepapalangi from Hulu's "Future Man," Netflix's "Naked Director," and "Doogie Kamealoha, M.D" and others from across the continental United States. Many involved with the project were first-time filmmakers and up-and-coming actors.
-
Check out the interview with the creators of the movie on Radio 531PI here:
FLETCH & HINDY "HAS BEEN" INTERVIEW WITH JOHN HOPOATE & STEVE MENZIES
Fletch & Hindy interview John Hopoate & Steve Menzies and talk to them about some interesting incidents/moments in their rugby league careers.
Tavita Nielsen-Mamea named as 2020 Emerging Pasifika Writer in Residence
Victoria University of Wellington’s International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML) has announced the appointment of Tavita Nielsen-Mamea as the Emerging Pasifika Writer in Residence for 2020.
Tavita, a Dunedin-raised writer of Samoan and Tuvaluan descent, hailing from the villages of Safotu, Safune, Apia, and Nukufetau, will use the residency to work on a new theatre project.
Tavita’s first play Au Ko Tuvalu played at the 2019 Wellington Fringe Festival, where it was awarded Outstanding Ensemble and Tavita the Most Promising Emerging Artist. It has subsequently had successful runs at the Court Theatre and Kia Mau Festival, and also had an Auckland season at TAPAC from 23–26 October.
Au Ko Tuvalu takes the audience to Tuvalu, the homeland of the world's first climate change refugees, on its final day of evacuations. It follows a family watching their history, culture, and beloved homeland swept away in front of their eyes. The play has been critically acclaimed for its political relevance, fresh and compelling voice, and ‘heartwarming, heartwrenching’ emotional eloquence.…more
FIRST EVER PASIFIKA NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONS in NZ
History was made on the 18th of October when 3 Pasifika children (who are also siblings) won the NZ Chess Power Team Nationals in Christchurch with their school team.
They are the first Pasifika kids in a first placed team and in a first placed team with more than one Pasifika student that placed individually. Hunter Po'e-Tofaeono (10yrs) is the first Pasifika child to place at the 'Teams and Champions trophy' and his older sister Tyleah (11 yrs) is the first Pasifika girl to receive the Top Female Trophy.
While both Hynter and Tyleah are now obsessed with chess, it was actually their younger sibling, Grayson (6yrs) who got them into it after announcing to his parents Zelda (Niuean/Cook Islands) and Masina (Samoan) that he'd like to join the chess club at their primary school - Hillsborough Primary School. The Chess Club there is run by a volunteer - Mr Wayne McDougall and there can often be up to 50 - 60 kids attend on a Tuesday afternoon.…more
TONGA INVITATIONAL XIII 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
All the big hits from the Tongan Invitational XIII boys wins against both the Great Britain Lions and the Australian Kangaroos.
MANU TUILAGI "UNLEASHED"
Manu Tuilagi unleashed - international highlights 2019
My Story: Joe Cokanasiga
“The best piece of advice I have been given is to play for your family, that’s all the motivation I need.”
England wing Joe Cokanasiga shares his rugby journey...
Joe Cokanasiga may not have made the finals squad in the England Rugby World Cup squad but he's been nominated for the 'World Rugby Break through Player of the Year Award'. Joe is up against Herschel Jantjies from South Africa and Romain Ntamack from France. To be eligible for this award, players must have played less than one year of senior international rugby.
The winner will be revealed at the World Rugby Awards, which take place at The Prince Park Tower in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday.
Our Story: Billy and Mako Vunipola
Hear Billy and Mako Vunipola tell their story in their own words, from watching their father play for Tonga at Rugby World Cup 1999, to family, friends and what it means to pull on the England shirt.