
PRIME MINISTER'S PACIFIC YOUTH AWARDS
The new Pacific faces that are the future of the nation!
The 11 new winners of the Prime Ministers Pacific Youth Awards are reaching for the stars across a spectrum of sectors that show the diversity and talent that young Pasifika people are bringing to Aotearoa.
From tech developers to business entrepreneurs, artists and aeronautical engineering - the 11 recipients all have wide ranging skill sets that are primed to blossom as they develop.
“I want to start with your families ...who kept them watered, fed & loved you, thank you" said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in her welcome speech before she addressed the recipients.
“You’re not leaders of tomorrow, you are leaders of today. We need to get rid of the idea that with age comes responsibility, you have responsibilities now...you keep me motivated" she said.…more
MY ADOPTION STORY: FINDING OUT I'M SAMOAN & MEXICAN
Rachel Lei shares her adoption story - what it was like growing up after being placed in a permanent foster care family and then finding out specifically that she was half Samoan & half Mexican.
On top of that she was able to meet both of her biological families (Birth Mother & Fathers families)
Video credit: Rachel Lei & Afa

WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - KANOELANI DAVIS
KANOELANI DAVIS
FOUNDER & CREATOR OF POMAHINA DESIGNS
NATIVE HAWAIIAN / KANAKA MAOLI
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Aloha, ‘O Kanoelani Davis ko’u inoa, mai MolokainuiaHina mai au.
Aloha, I’m Kanoelani Davis from the Island of Molokai, great child of Hina. I am a Native Hawaiian, Kanaka Maoli. I was raised by my grandparents here on Molokai. I am a single mother of four beautiful daughters and I am the founder and creative director of PoMahina Designs.
Also, I am actively dedicated to my community and to protecting our natural resources. I live and breathe traditional practices of hula, martial arts, ceremony, protocol, chanting, lei making, and so much more.
You're one of a few Pacific designers who have been invited to showcase your designs at the London Pacific Fashion Show. Can you tell us about your designs and where you draw inspiration from?
First off, I’m humbled and feel so blessed to be a part of London Pacific Fashion Week.
PoMahina Designs is inspired and driven by the vast history and culture of Native Hawaiians.…more
TAKE HOME PAY PREMIERE
Stallone Vaiaoga-Iosasa's latest comedy to hit the big screen - Take Home Pay - had its premiere last night at The Civic with the Pasifika community out in full force. The movie premiere's tonight in Wellington before it opens to the public on the 5th of September. Check out the trailer above
We spoke to Writer/Director Stallone, Producer Abba Rose Vaiagoa-Ioasa and one of the lead actors Vito Vito before the premiere last night.
Why did you want to make this movie?
Stallone: I wanted to cover 2 main things, one is money - how money works at least to some degree in our community - and also the importance of innovation. I think whats in the film, how the film was made and what goes into making the film, it's an imporant theme in terms of we're always talking about protecting our culture and moving forward.
How we achieve that is in line with how we nurture innovation and how we nurture doing something different outside the box, reacting to the changing climate in a much more pro-active way.…more
I STILL BELIEVE TRAILER - KJ APA
Samoan actor KJ Apa has shared the trailer for the latest movie he stars in based on the real life story of Contemporary christian singer Jeremy Camp.
For the film, KJ, who hails from a “really musical household,” does all of his own singing in the movie he shared with People.com.
“I’m super uncomfortable when I sing,” he admits. “I went into the studio in Nashville — I did that first before we shot anything — and I think that really gave me perspective on the film. Having that sound and knowing what all that music is going to sound like before you go in is super important. It’s either going to boost your confidence and boost your morale or it’s going to be like, ‘Oh, man, that didn’t go so well, so what are we going to work with?’ Luckily, it couldn’t have gone better. I think people are going to love it.”
KJ with the real Jeremy Camp

WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - ANA LAVEKAU
ANA LAVEKAU
CEO/CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF LONDON PACIFIC FASHION WEEK
FIJIAN
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I was born and raised in Fiji by my Maternal sister grandmothers 'Wati & Makereta' who raised me under their Artistic and Cultural guidance from a pottery village in the Delta of the Central Part of Fiji called Nasilai Village in the Rewa Province.
I come from a long line of Dance Choreographers, Tapa Designers, Pottery Artists, Composers, Cultural Ambassadors and Poets. I am the CEO/Creative Director of London Pacific Fashion Week and I recently re-enlisted as a Reservist with the Royal Air Force as a BAME Brand Ambassador. In my spare time I promote Fijian Dance/Language/Pottery in the community and I am working towards building a Fijian Leafhouse in the UK as a cultural hub of learning for the community.…more

WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - DIAMOND LANGI
DIAMOND LANGI
MISS UNIVERSE NZ 2019
TONGAN
My name is Diamond Langi. I am Tongan, from the villages Vaini, Fasi and Nukunuku. I was born in Auckland, New Zealand raised in America Salt Lake City, Utah. My occupation is a fashion stylist and also doing music, modelling and acting. I graduated with My masters in professional styling and I am currently studying acting.
What makes a Pacific woman beautiful?
I would definitely say is our culture. We have great respect, love, history, morals and gratitude towards God. That is all combined and reflected in our personalities.
You recently competed in (and won) Miss Universe NZ - what did you stand for in your pageant platform?
My advocacy is depression, suicide and climate change. I have always been very passionate about helping those in need that I was inspired to put together a non profit organisation called The Diamond Langi Foundation.…more
RUGBY: MANU SAMOA - LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
Manu Samoa - once upon a time in the 90s - they were the darlings of world rugby. But since the game turned professional, the team has failed to make even the World Cup quarter finals.
Many Pacific players are turning down the chance to represent their nations to keep big money contracts in Europe, and secure their futures. Has professional rugby killed the international game for Tier 2 nations like the Samoa? And, what sacrifices do Pasifika players have to make? John Campbell is inside the Manu Samoa camp as they prepare their David vs Goliath fight of the Rugby World Cup.
WE ARE MAUNA KEA - JASON MOMOA
Jason Momoa visits Mauna Kea with his extended family & shares the kupuna and protectors feelings on why they don't want the Thirty Metre Telescope built on Mauna Kea.
"It's not about the telescope, it's not about science, it's about sacred land. It's about kanaka maoli having the right to determine for themselves how our sacred places should be protected. Ultimately this is a human rights issue - that we are a real people, we have a real history, we have a real culture, we have a real language, we have a real religion and we need to be recognised as such ...
These are also crown lands that were never ceded to the United States of America, but they were seized, they were taken away - we've never consented to the taking of these lands ..." - Kaho'okahe Kanuha
THE ROCK & ROMAN REIGNS FAMILY'S WRESTLING DYNASTY
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Leati Joe Anoa'i aka Roman Reigns reflect on getting to work together in Hobbs & Shaw and their amazing family wrestling dynasty.