Coco News

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: 

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Entertainment

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.

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Check out the interview with the creators of the movie on Radio 531PI here: 


Sports

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.


Coco News

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


Sports

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


Sports

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.


Sports

MANU TUILAGI "UNLEASHED"

Manu Tuilagi unleashed - international highlights 2019


Sports

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. 


Sports

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.


Events

Powerful photographs of Sāmoan tattooing on show at Te Papa this November

An exhibition opening in Te Papa’s Toi Art in November gives an intimate insight into the unique cultural practice of Sāmoan tattooing.

Tatau: Sāmoan Tattooing and Photography presents the work of four photographers who have documented Sāmoan tattooing over the past 40 years, in New Zealand, Sāmoa, the United States and Europe.

Works by Mark Adams, Greg Semu, John Agcaoili and Angela Tiatia portray the globalisation of tatau and the varied contexts and interpretations of Sāmoan tattooing.  

From intimate domestic scenes in suburban garages to street photography, and in relation to themes of religious iconography and female sexuality, the exhibition presents diverse perspectives on tatau.

The exhibition follows the multi-award-winning 2018 book Tatau: A History of Sāmoan Tattooing published by Te Papa Press, and co-authored by Te Papa’s Sean Mallon and French anthropologist Sebastien Galliot.

In addition to over 50 photographs, Tatau: Sāmoan Tattooing and Photography will include a small selection of indigenous Sāmoan tattooing tools.…more